Welcome to Garageland.ie - Home of the Garage Gigs

Amazing Special Deals in Ashtown Recording Studios for August & September - See right hand side panel of this page....

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In preparation for our 10th Birthday, we are putting a brand new playlist together. If you want your song to be considered for Garage Radio, please send us your MP3 before 15th July 2010!....

The www.garageland.ie website is currently the focus of over 50,000 hits per month, not bad for an info site!

We are visited regularly by Irish and International individuals, both from outside, and inside, the music business.

As we continue to run successful dates for new acts, take on new projects, and broaden our working partnerships, our visitor numbers increase. This is an important development, and one which bands & artists are invited to take advantage of.

We are currently working on our new playlist, which will be set to random, although songs can be selected, much like an online Juke Box.

Playlist will initially be updated on a monthly basis, with our 10th Anniversary Playlist going online on 1st September 2010.

Send us your stuff. If you've played on, or are scheduled to play on, The Garage Gigs, you qualify for consideration. It's that simple.

Garageland is an independent music organisation, working in partnership with many of the main music industry figures and bodies throughout Ireland and beyond. Our job is to encourage new unsigned bands, artists and musicians, using the vast experience and facilities at our disposal.

The Garage Gigs:For 9 Years The Garage Gigs have assisted new acts and unsigned bands to develop and grow. Many showcases have been staged, and acts who have played the Garage Gigs include The Script, Fight Like Apes, Delorentos, Ham Sandwich, The Kinetiks, Run Kid...

Ashtown Recording Studios: Top class recording studio for demos and albums, producing quality recordings using above industry standard equipment, in a very unique and comfortable farmhouse environment. Important recent recordings include Ryan Sheridan, Thomas Walsh, The Chaos Emerald (album), Paranoid Visions (album), Jerome's Law (label demo's), Dirty Nine's (label demo's)....

The Irish Youth Music Awards: The biggest ever contemporary music project designed for young people aged 12 - 19. Commissioned by Youth Work Ireland, this project (we call it The IYMAs) has grown rapidly due to it's entirely unique formula, which allows kids to be in charge, while giving them all the benefits of the wealth of experience at our disposal.

We are non exclusive, non judgemental, and we do not prioritise acts based on our mad opinions.

Bebop & Rocksteady (along with their Laois team) showing off the IYMAs 2010 bronze Award!

The Irish Youth Music Awards (IYMAs), Ireland’s fastest growing youth & music project, staged a Massive Show in Dublin’s Liberty Hall on Saturday 24th April 2010.

Following from the runaway success of Chart Topping album “Pesky Kids” in October 09, The IYMAs organisers today announced the 2010 Awards Ceremony also featured guests Delorentos, Codes, and Jerome's Law, as well as a number of heavyweights from the Irish Music Industry.

The IYMAs, which is an exciting and unique initiative, reaching out to young musicians aged 12 – 19 from all walks of life, is now in its third year, and is bursting at the seams with enthusiasm.

A record turnout of young musicians attended from all around Ireland, North and South, with 25 acts taking to the Liberty Hall stage in April, including Delorentos, Codes, and Jerome's Law, amid a flurry of workshops, CD reviews, and exhibitions..

The showcase finals were the culmination of up to 60 local events involving about 240 acts.

The IYMAs has mushroomed in size in its three-year life, mostly due to the appeal that its unique formula holds for Youth Workers, who see the project as an almost 100% positive experience for the young people taking part - without most of the negative and damaging effects that so often come hand in hand with music based competitions.

Young people in local communities can enter a unique local live selection night which is judged only by their peers of fellow musicians. A team is then built around one designated act, as deemed by these young musicians themselves.

This team effectively becomes a Mini Record Company, which is the driving force behind the rejuvenation of a local young music scene in each region.

To date, there are 26 active IYMAs Regions, all encouraging brand new local music scenes.

Reports suggest that as many as ten brand new music venues have opened in various locations, over the 3 year life of the IYMAs.

All of this activity culminated in one monster event in Dublin’s Liberty Hall on Saturday 24th April.

Prominent music industry figures have been quick to voice their support for the ethos of the IYMAs, with many lending their experience directly to the project.

Jackie Hayden (Hot Press Magazine), Willie Kavanagh (Managing Director EMI Ireland), Stuart Clarke (Sub Editor ,Hot Press) Will Ryan (Manager Ollie Cole & Travega), Liza Geddes (Friction PR), Liam McCormack (RTE TV), Alan Hennessey (Crashed Records), Mick Quinn (Michael Quinn Photography)are among those who were present on the day. Delorentos made a welcome reappearance with Garageland for the event, alongside Codes, Jerome's Law (next big thing!) and last years' winning act, The MGRB.

Prominent Youth Action & Support Groups have also been quick to voice their support of The IYMAs, with most of the main Youth Bodies now directly involved. These include Youth Work Ireland (commissioners), City of Dublin Youth Services Board, Youth Action Northern Ireland, and many independent smaller bodies.

“The IYMAs are the fastest growing contemporary music event in Ireland and this year promises further growth with a new venue which will allow for new activities such as workshops and improved mentoring for all the young people involved. We are also confident of having some surprise guests who will perform on the day and provide great entertainment for all who attend. Thousands of young people now have the opportunity to get access to the music industry and associated skills through this process and we hope to develop the awards further in 2010”Dermot Lambert / Director / The Irish Youth Music Awards.

“Unfortunately the Ireland of today is providing fewer opportunities for young people in terms of education and employment. Emigration and economic malaise are back on the agenda. This project however shows the tremendous resource that young people can be. It demonstrates that given half a chance young people can come together and create something special. Not everyone can be the next U2 or The Script but first and foremost the Awards build teamwork and solidarity amongst the participants as well as connecting them to some vital networks and career options such as the music industry, PR, sound engineering and much more”Michael McLoughlin / Youth Work Ireland.

IN A RECORD COMPANY? FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE SLIPPING PAST YOU? LIKE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT?

Since 2000, it's been a hell of a lot easier for a new, unsigned rock band in Ireland to get gigs, and to develope their act. Since that time Garageland and the Garage Gigs have helped over 2,800 acts to make significant inroads into their careers, by providing consistent and professional services from the first, nerve-racking Garage Gig, right through to major showcases in Dublin, London and New York.

....but mostly what we do is run gigs. Properly.

We always use quality venues on good nights.

And we always treat our acts with the full respect they deserve.

2009 was a great year for previous Garage Gig regulars....

..... The Script continuing to grow in popularity throughout Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and USA, with Bono referring to Danny O'Donoghue as the best vocalist to come out of Ireland in 20 years (presumeably since Bono)....The Script first played The garage Gigs in April 2007....Fight Like Apes remain the darlings of the likes of Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio UK, Fight Like Apes played a very nervous, yet brilliant set on 31st March 2007 on their Debut Garage Gig appearance....Ham Sandwich are now Meteor Award winners, with their debut Long Player stunning critics and audiences alike, they've also very kindly helped us in launching the IYMA's in the RDS on 4th October 2008, the association with Ham Sandwich and Garageland goes WAAAY back, and we're thrilled to see them enjoy their success.....My Pet Jeep released the best Irish album of the year.....The Kinetiks are going from strength to strength, with Album on the way....,, Delerentos second album delivered as promised, ......Delorentos have perhaps the longest running association with Garageland, having played in their earlier line-up way back in 2001 in The Isaac Butt.....Royseven, The Answer,, La Rocca, all making great gains, and we wish them lots more success in 2009! If you want to follow their path and play on the Garage Gigs contact us now.

Contact:0868182812 or garageland@ireland.com

124 Garage Gigs in 2007!... 135 Garage Gigs in 2008!... 142 Garage Gigs in 2009!....

Kicking off on 4th January 2007 in Whelans and The Sugar Club, and finishing up on 30th December 2007 with a crazy night in Eamonn Dorans, ........we've seen Fight Like Apes burst from obscurity in Kennedys (March 31st) to almost superstardom, gracing the cover of 'The Ticket' no less...... On the same night accross town in Eamonn Dorans, Paranoid Visions launched their first album in 17 years!!!.. to a total sell-out madhouse..... The Kinetiks released 2 class singles, getting played all over the place, especially Phantom, as did Superjimenez..... The Kinetiks also hold to dual honour of headlining both the first Garage Gig outside of the Pale (Carlow, May) AND the first ever fully filmed Garage Gig, ......kicking off the Live In Your Living Room Series!....... Loko Parentis came from Nowhere (Dorans 27th May) to Oxygen on the 8th July!.... Karrier finally signed with UK label BUT Records, having supported PINK in Malahide Castle,... Colm Heaney & The Bad DJs recorded a cracking second album, set for 2008 release....... The Radio got more famous.... Royseven rocked the Sugar Club for the cameras.... Travega spent 3 months in Canada recording an amazing debut album..... The Idiot's drummer left the band to finish his novel in France (the best ever reason to leave a band), leaving the Idiot to transform finally into the perfect 80's set piece, avec drum machione et al....... Hitchcock Blondes recorded 'The Preachers' Daughter'..... 'How Will They Cope When We Reject The Weekend?' totally steal the Best Band Name In The world Ever Award..... 21 Demands won the thing on the Telly.... Albyno Rhino continue from strength to strength, with a weapon new drummer, and a cautious step away from the ska.... Black Daisy changed line-up once or twice, and now look like they might win the Thing on the Telly....... Orphan Code recorded a brilliant album, presumably for release nowish.... James Mark Donnelly caught everybody by surprise by being deadly and not telling anyone, always a pleasant surprise.... Kojii were also deadly, and told everyone (as did we, watch this space).... Limerick Breaks Out delivered The Fewer The Better, We Should Be Dead ('Forget Romance, Let's Dance' surprise shock amazing band with no heralding or expectations, think the Undertones / Ramones / Blondie.....ask your da) Walter Mitty & The Realists, Seneca...... tons of deadly stuff came from all over, Exit, Pursued By A Bear, Exit The Street, Million Dollar Reload, Mark Hogan, The Scream, The Rumours, The Fontanel;s, This Way Down, Soma State, The Tripps, .....Corsairs should be making an album, Shiversaint excelled, Still Room took no prisoners in the Sugar Club in December, Jean & Marita calmed things down a bit, so did Cocophone.... Jerome's Law continue to be one of the most interesting bands in Ireland, but have to finish millions of exams before they can pursue it properly (really) Greenlights did a great line in guitar bashing, top job!....Dali should be signed, My Pet Jeep should be signed.... The Script signed with Sony BMG UK, and will be EVERYWHERE this year.... Count Tornado made a welcome comeback, now with full band again..... Polo Bandits became Blueprints.... Ham Sandwich played one of the best sets of the year in the Sugar Club (out of 468 sets don't forget, not bad)..... new pleasant surprises came in the form of...............can't tell you that. Maybe get along to a gig or two, it's fun.

The way the numbers went on The Garage Gigs in 2007.

In 2007, we staged 468 gig slots, of which 183 featured bands from outside the Dublin area.

This represents 40% of Garageland stage-time!

While we appreciate it is always difficult for bands to get quality stage time in Dublin, we're very proud to be able to produce these figures, and we look forward to continuing the good work throughout 2008.

Several record labels are regularly in touch with us to see who's good, way before anyone else knows.

HotPress have long since teamed up and we have a two page spread in every issue called Garageland.

Ashtown Recording Studios gives all of 'our bands' fantastic discounts on recording demos and/ or albums (currently offering a daily rate of 300.00 euro, including 10 hours recording, and fully experienced, not to mention, very popular, engineer.

IMRO has been a supporter of Garageland and The Garage Gigs right from the very start.

Phantom 1052, Corks redFM, Limerick Live 95, Beat 102/103 in Waterford, all have associations with us.

Now we're going completely mad, moving into every major venue in dublin, starting a club, and set to get Garage Records off the ground!

We also enjoy the support and goodwill of printed press and media, through listings and editorials.

In September 2000, we ran four gigs in Eamonn Dorans on wet Wednesdays, so as we could see our favourite bands in a decent venue.

We called them Garage Gigs because one of the big Irish boybands had been talking about how they get ready for their gigs in a gym, and a good mate of ours, George Byrne (Hot Press journalist) suggested that it might be more in keeping for a band to get ready for a gig in their garage, instead of a gym.

The bands included Sundogs, Ten Speed Racer, Bloom (now Kopek), Aqualung, and a few others, some of whom have split up, and others who’ve since blossomed.

Although there was a lot of talk about this idea of clubbing bands together, nobody was actually doing it. It turned out that we did a pretty good job, and the bands were very happy with the whole thing, (getting to play in front of actual people n'all).

Catalonia in Terenure, Slatterys of Capel Street, The Village, Da2, Mono, The Lizard in Navan, all asked us to run Garage Gigs....

Now Garageland and The Garage Gigs is a fully recognised vital component in Irish contemporary rock music, working in a continuous partnership with a circuit of quality venues including The Village, Whelans, The Sugar Club, Crawdaddy, Eamonn Dorans, Voodoo Lounge, Radio City and TBMC.

Top UK Major label got us to host two special showcase nights for them in November 2002. This featured what we reckoned were the best 11 unsigned bands at the time( we couldn't get it down to a ten best).

An astounding line-up which included The Immediate, The Marshalls (then Ely), Royseven (then Jove), Delerentos, Sundogs, and Leya, sadly, didn't appeal to the label, and we were left to make our recommendations freely to others.