Macrocosmica + support, Friday 7th May

gzdamien

GZ Presents:

Macrocosmica (Glasgow, ex-members of Mogwai, Telstar Ponies, TFC, Bangtwister)
G.O.L.F. (Limerick, Ex-Tooth)
Boxes
Bullets
Cat O' Nine Tails

Friday 7 May 2004
The Lower Deck, Portobello (beside Portobello College/Canal)
Doors 8.30pm, Show 9pm
Admission 6 Euro


Macrocosmica Bio:

The band formed in the summer of 1996 on the initiative of Gavin Laird. He put together the line-up of himself on guitar, Russell McEwan on drums, Brendan O'Hare on guitar, and Cerwyss O'Hare (then Ower) on bass. Gavin and Brendan had recently left Telstar Ponies and were looking for an alternative musical outlet. Russell also drummed for Glaswegian band Cylinder, sadly no longer in existence. Cerwyss was originally asked to stand in until a proper bassist was recruited, having never played the instrument before, although she could reportedly find her way round a church organ.

The band released two records - 1997's 'Ad Astra' and 1998's 'Space Geek' - through God Bless Records - the new label of legendary Seminal Twang/Creation/Glass/Paperhouse/Fire supremo David E. Barker (Dave). Dave and Brendan had been friends since Creation Records had signed Teenage Fanclub, for whom Brendan was drumming at the time. Throughout '97 and '98 Brendan also released the Fiend trilogy of albums - Caledonian Gothic, Caledonian Cosmic and Caledonian Mystic - also on God Bless.

During 1997 Macrocosmica supported fellow Scottish bands Arab Strap and Mogwai on legs of their British tours, and the camaraderie that ensued led to Brendan joining Mogwai by the process of osmosis. He appears as 'The Relic' on Mogwai's 1997 album 'Mogwai Young Team'. His involvement with Mogwai, however, had always been seen as temporary, and, proving that you can have too much of a good thing, Brendan left (or was dismissed depending on which version you read) shortly afterwards and returned to the Macrocosmican fold.

Gavin Laird left the band in the summer of 1998. He subsequently re-joined Telstar Ponies and continues as their guitarist, as well as releasing records as Lonecop with fellow musician Ewan McAllan.

Macrocosmica continued as a three-piece and spent a difficult year or so trying to finance the recording of new material, or alternatively, to learn how to do it themselves. By this time, God Bless Records was no longer operational, though hopes are that it will be resurrected in the future. In the end, there were no releases from this period, but Brendan spent a lot of time experimenting with recording techniques, and this sowed the seeds for what would later become Macrocosmica's present-day recording studio 'Demon Box'.

Russell left the band in August 2000. By this time Brendan and Cerwyss were married and a second-generation Macrocosmican was on the way. They continued as a two-piece up until their baby, Henry, was born in November; the line-up being Brendan on drums and Cerwyss on bass, playing along with Brendan's pre-recorded guitar. When playing was no longer practical they concentrated on writing material which was later to form a starting point for the new line-up and the 'Art of the Black Earth' album.

In January 2001 while Cerwyss was busy with motherly pursuits Brendan recruited Keith Beacom and Gordon Brady to play drums and guitar respectively and the three began jamming together. Both were also members of heavy-psych outfit Bangtwister, who broke up later that year. By April, the new 4-piece were rehearsing regularly and Keith and Gordon quickly became integral band members, helping develop and transform the Macrocosmica sound. The band got a recording studio - 'Demon Box' - off the ground, and released 'Art of the Black Earth' - the first Macrocosmica album proper - in January 2003 through Trepanner Headmusic Company. A split-single with speed-metal protagonists Churn on the Too Many Fireworks label followed in June 2003 and work continues in earnest on the next album, expected in 2004.

Meanwhile Gordon and Keith play in various other bands - Gordon in Underground Apes, Bubblewrap Holocaust and Nest; Keith in Nest and Bleachie.


Press Quotes:

"They are the real deal and rock with a fury rarely seen today, or 'ever' for that matter. Sonically we're talking Swans, Black Sabbath, Big Black, early Nirvana and late '60's progressive rock as early comparisons. However they have an identity of their own and lyrics that are as caustic and vitriliolic as any written." - Album Review, BBC Scotland

"After this heavy psych overdose, listening to anything else seems futile. Pass me the Black & Decker darling, I'm taking it to 11..." - Album Review, Careless Talk Costs Lives

""Art of the Black Earth" sounds like Motorpsycho and Wes Craven getting it on at a sleepover at Steve Albini's house, which, if you hadn't twigged, means it's ace." - Album review, Loco Magazine

more: www.macrocosmica.org.uk

Supporting Macrocosmica in Dublin will be:
Golf, three Limerick boys with a penchant for Shellac/Jesus Lizard style post-hardcore. Two of them cut their teeth in seminal Limerick metal band Tooth (who also spawned Giveamanakick) while the other is a young buck, a drumming wunderkid, or so I hear. First time in Dublin
Boxes, another trio whose roots span beyond the pale. These lads have been bashing out hypnotic, angular rock for about two years now and in that time they've managed to release a fantastic debut album, lose a bassist, and knick a new one off a Ramones tribute band!
Bullets, a man, a plan, some bowed theramin. yeah.
C.O.N.T. A nice surprise for all those lonely souls who show up to gigs on time.

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Up Next:

Against Me! (Usa, Fat Wreck Chords) www.againstme.net
Kid Blunt
Lynched
Margin Of Error

Dublin City Arts Centre
Tue 25 May
6pm-10pm
6 Euro
All ages!

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