A Plastic Rose
APR “bring us a feisty brand of tuneful rock with just the right amount of angst to give some real bite and flare” Jackie Hayden Hotpress Magazine ‘Pick of the Fortnight March ‘08
A Plastic Rose are purveyors of mid nineties post-hardcore tinged catchy alternative rock, rooted firmly in late naughties peacetime Belfast, where they have been cutting their teeth on the northern front since August 2006. With a sound that is alternately raucous and sensitive, with lyrics that are bashful and direct, and with a reputation for intense, intimate live shows, the hotly tipped four piece take their unique brand of angst ridden, self deprecating indie rock on tour this June.
The project began in Sligo as a collective centered around recovering singer songwriters Gerry Norman and Ian McHugh, who started writing together as early as 2001 influenced by wordsmiths like Leonard Cohen, Elliott Smith and Ben Kweller. Having moved to Belfast’s student enclave in 2006, they gradually took on a heavier, edgier direction and assembled a band by borrowing drummers and bass players from surrounding local bands like General Fiasco, The Scream, Thus, Beoga, Angel Fall and The Tides, and influences from post-hardcore and Shoegaze acts like Idlewild, Sunny Day Real Estate, Berkeley, The Appleseed Cast and My Bloody Valentine.
"Worth seeking out for those who like their sonic thrills a little less obvious and immediate…… the crawling, pinprick delicacy of 'Indian Sheets' showcases poise and class that should carry them far" Alternative Ulster Magazine.
Of late the Belfast outfit have been busying themselves touring on the back of their acclaimed 2007 E.P. ‘Silence, You’, covering some of Irelands best loved venues including Whelan’s in Dublin, The Roisin Dubh in Galway and ‘Two Step’ at The Limelight in Belfast with Fighting With Wire, and fitting in live sessions on BBC Radio One and Radio Ulster.
'In an age of style over substance, we need to rely on bands like a plastic rose, who haven't forgotten about the art of a decent f**king tune. Which isn't to say they aren't a dapper bunch' Rigsy, BBC Across The Line
To date A Plastic Rose have recorded two acclaimed studio E.P’s, been featured as HotPress Demo of the Fortnight, recorded 2fm and BBC Radio one sessions, appeared on the 2fm 2moro 2our and were invited then to be special guests on 2fm’s School of Rock National Battle of the Bands alongside heavyweights like Concerto for Constantine and the Flaws.
”Astute lyrics and a hybrid musical style cement songs like ’All You Know And Love Will Die’ firmly into your skull. Familiar enough to appeal to any Lost Prophets, The Early November or Jimmy Eat World fans, there’s individuality enough to demand some shelf space.” The Mag-Feb ’08
A Plastic Rose are preparing for their 2nd Irish tour beginning in Galway and working full circle ending in Donegal on July 5th. In between touring the band will also spend 5 days in one of Ireland most sought after recording studio’s with Oppenheimer front man Rock O’Reilly. Start Together Studio, located at the heart of Belfast city in the Gary Lightbody endorsed ‘Oh Yeah’ Music Centre, has just released a compilation of Northern Irish acts produced by the Start Together team. Their 3rd EP is due for release at the end of the summer so expect another tour late this summer. The dates and venues of the tour include:
23 May, DeBurgos, Galway DATA @DeBurgo’s with DJ Echo Laurence after.
24 May, McGarrigles, Sligo supported by The Burning Shades
4 June, The Stiff Kitten, Belfast with Kowalski and The Jane Bradfords
13 June, The Chasing Bull, Bundoran, Co.Donegal
20 June, The Backroom Sessions, Navan
26 June, GIFTED @The Empire, Belfast with Ed Zealous, General Fiasco
28 June, The Square Peg, Warrenpoint, Co.Down
5 July, Donegal Music Festival
A distribution deal has just been signed with Belfast promotion company Bruised Fruit Promotions to make ‘Silence, you’ available around the globe on iTunes, Napster and all good e-tailers. With youth on their side the future looking bright so this tour is a great opportunity to catch the early stages of a band destined for big things, with a bag full of catchy, edgy and driven tunes with a live show to match.
More info check out www.aplasticrose.com or www.myspace.com/aplasticrose Contact: E-mail gerry@aplasticrose.com Phone 00447842751737
History In The Backroom
20th Jun 2008 - Support to Darwin Stars