Download: Hassle Merchants
Hassle Merchants release their debut single The Indie War on 12 June with an in-store performance at Tower Records. Officially launching in Dorans two nights later, support look sweet: Sickboy, Hot Sprockets, Neon Stars, James Guilmartin and Sleepy Rise. Bizarrely enough, a generator’s been obtained to power post-gig madness in the city centre and if this is pre-watershed, I really can’t wait for the after-dark hi-jinx:
The Indie War single will be available in physical and download form and includes tracks Tomorrow We’ll Be Kings (destined to feature on many future football highlights?) and Dublin’s Screaming Murder, a wry tirade aimed at the cliques and disloyalty of music scenes. Relentlessly gigging, Hassle Merchants are one of the most hard-working bands in Ireland with their own pace of progress, which accounts for the long lead-up to this debut. 12 June will surely mark a new milestone for the raucous four. Here’s something to wet the copper’s whistle in the meantime: an exclusive recording of Felix Comes A-Licking at Colaiste Dhulaigh’s sound-room, donated by HM and Anita.
Felix Comes A-Lickin’ - Hassle Merchants - Right click, save and droool….
June 5th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Same old, same old. I have seen all the above bar Sleepy rise. The kind of arrogant noise rock that comes from Camden even week. The Dublin music scene is a sad thing really. I am an avid gig goer and know a fair bit about the Irish “scene”. I have no idea why proper good bands like Channel One, More Tiny Giants and Dry County are not bigger than they are and that messy rock garage bands seem to be more well known. Awell, I definitely won’t be attending the above!
June 6th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Dude, Dry County were nominated for the Choice and Channel One went to SXSW. Both are recognised as exceptional talents here and are always billed accordingly. I wouldn’t say (by a long stretch) the Hassle Merchants are more succesful/known?
I think HM are exactly what you said, arrogant and noisy. They’re the kind of band who are happy to play with the same back-up, in the same venues, to the same people, year-in, year-out because they thrive on live performances. Interestingly enough, their performances are excellent: I’ve seen them several times and first I was unimpressed, thinking they were a parody of the more succesful Irish bands at the time. However as time’s passed, I’ve seen them progress to stronger shows and excellent crowd interaction: one thing you get at these kind of gigs HM&Friends have regularly established in Ireland is energy. Bags of it, crowds of it, on the stage, in your face.
It’s not easy to be a plain oul’ rock band in cosmopolitan Dublin where all the paying gig-goers listen to Dan Deacon or Avey Tare. Yet they’ve built up a commendable base and after three years of solid gigging, prepare to release a debut single. Whose tastes can argue with dedication like that?
June 7th, 2008 at 3:12 am
John- perhaps frenetic rock is just more popular than more calculated electronic music? Not to say Channel One and Dry County aren’t worth my time, but I’m more attuned to the rock angle myself.
Aye, funny you should mention Hot Sprockets. My brother was just filling me in on them last night, and I was quietly impressed. Nasty business with that Luas though.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Indeed, such a random accident that really shook up the band. They told me it broke their hearts to continue the band without Age’s drumming but he’s been given as long as necessary to recuperate and his place will always be there. They’re a bloody brilliant, bawdy group, can’t wait for the EP (hopefully later this year)
The HM&Friends spectrum I mentioned really came into force with support at that time of his accident too. They watch out for each other.
And there you go, John. Sauce for your goose ain’t for Dave’s gander and ever will it be so.
June 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Was it you who took that great pic of yer man from the hasslemerchants on stage invading at the automatic?
June 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
It was indeed
Donie climbed atop a 15-feet high speaker stack, sparking up a faaag.
Perry (Automatic’s keys man) saw him and went apoplectic, scrambled up after him, snatched his cigarette, threatened Donie’s eyeball with its glowing ember, threw him on the stage, followed, throttled and came close to pounding shades out of him…except several thousand people in the Ambo were watching as he raised his fist….while true to name, The Automatic played on as if a mere pair of knickers had been hurled on stage.
I’d root out a pic but they’re on the HotPress machines…I think HM have it on their blog though.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am
gallery here!
June 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Here’s a suitably terrified Donie :
http://www.hotpress.com/photos/photo.php?id=2907430&idx=24
June 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am
[…] Hassle Merchants got up to their usual bold tricks over the weekend, earning themselves a ban from Eamonn Dorans, a tad bothersome considering their debut single The Indie War is/was due to be launched at the venue on Saturday night. “BOTHER?!” I hear the Merchants cry, “NAY!” More hassle, no trouble? Indeed: the previous plan was to charge €10 admission into Dorans. Now the gig (featuring Sickboy and The Hot Sprockets amongst others) will go ahead gratis at the Bernard Shaw on Saturday. Check out this post for flyer/vid/free download of Felix Comes A-Lickin’… […]