Who Art Thou?

The 250th episode of the podcast is here!Joining me for this episode are Rorik and Madison of Michigan Grindcore band, Cloud Rat!Being a longtime fan, this episode will be myself asking Rorik and Madison burning questions I've had for the band, from covering the nastiness of their breakdown in 'Aluminum Branches' off their latest album 'Threshold', the genre-shifting album 'Do Not Let Me off the Cliff' and the impact their album 'Pollinator' has had since it's release in 2019. We'll also be chatting about the DIY ethos in today's age in Music and the genre of Grindcore as a whole.If you've listened to a good few episodes of this podcast, you'll have heard me talk many times about how much of a fan I am of this band so this was a huge honour to have them on for this episode.Cloud Rat on BandcampCloud Rat on LinktreeShortest Straw in Sin E!Spaced W/ Dry Socket live at Lost LaneLaVein and Lure In live at Sin E W/ T R Y S T E & The Neck

Today on the podcast I am going to be joined by Liam, Tom and Grant of the Irish Thrash Metal band, Psykosis!Recorded in the band's rehearsal space ahead of their show with Vio-lence in the Grand Social a couple of weeks ago, we have a lot to cover in this episode with the band!We'll be chatting about the band's fantastic sophomore album, 'Mind Games' which was released last year, re-releasing their 2008 demo, 'Toxic Terror Storm' and the song 'Bonestorm', the band's (in)famous Bloodstock performance, playing house parties, what the band looks for in a modern Thrash metal band's sound and of course, we'll be getting into some early insight as to what the band's next album is shaping up to sound like.Psykosis on InstagramPsykosis on SpotifyShortest Straw in Sin E!Spaced W/ Dry Socket live at Lost LaneLaVein and Lure In live at Sin E W/ T R Y S T E & The Neck

Today on the podcast I am joined by David and Taylor of the Scottish Shoegaze band, Sunstinger, to discuss the band's third and latest EP, 'Spare Me The Rapture', which is to be released on the 27th of August.On the band’s expansive new EP ‘Spare Me the Rapture’, Sunstinger’s sound is the product of their environment; beautiful but crushing, abrasive but oneiric and oppressive but romantic. Over the course of the EP’s six tracks, which move between delicate ethereal passages to tsunamis of fuzz warped by reverse reverbs, the band look to find comfort in the misery, romanticising the agony just to survive. We will be breaking through the EP track by track, breaking down each track and taking the listeners through the recording and writing process of the EP.The band will also be in Dublin on the 28th of August and Belfast on the 29th as part of this year edition of Gazefest, put on by Old Crow Promotions, whose lineup includes Deary, Silk, Touzai, Cable Boy, Resplandor, Skyless, Midnight Housework and Ilisium. Tickets for both days of Gazefest are on sale now.Sunstinger on LinktreeTickets for Gazefest at DublinTickets for Gazefest at BelfastShortest Straw in Sin E!Spaced W/ Dry Socket live at Lost LaneLaVein and Lure In live at Sin E W/ T R Y S T E & The Neck

Today on the podcast Barra and Jack will be reviewing the much anticipated latest album from British Popstar, Charli XCX, 'Music, Fashion, Film', which is her first major release since her global phenomenon of an album, 'Brat', released in 2024 and her second album release of this year.Joining us on this episode will be friend of the podcast and a longtime Charli XCX, Dublin's very own Jake Hurley AKA Local Boy!The trio will be going through their initial thoughts of this album, from it's rollout, it's production and swerve in genre from Charli XCX's previous releases and then going through the whole album track by track, each offering their own insights.

Today on the podcast I am joined by Philly and Jackson of the Cork punky post-hardcore quartet, DazGak! to talk about their brand new EP, 'Stimpy', which was released last Friday.The EP offers a new venture to the bands sound, as it's the first release for the band that contains Vocals and lyrics. The band have somehow managed to include this new dynamic to their music while still retaining all the mathy, Emo and punky hardcore influences that they have become known for over the years.I will be chatting with Philly and Jackson about firstly why they decided to include vocals on their songs, what the experience was like writing this latest EP, their song titles (as this band has always had great song titles) and the artwork for the EP and fans getting real tattoos of the logo.Photo Credit: Fin StephensonDazGak! on Bandcamp

Today on the podcast I am joined by Tommy of the Birmingham Hardcore/Metal band, Dead Mob!A Hardcore band that really surprised me on my first listen with just how much sub-genres and styles of playing that they've managed to blend into their tunes, I'll be chatting with Tommy about how this band was originally formed, their writing process, the Hardcore community, their two fantastic singles 'Sentenced' and 'Death Awaits' that they released in June of 2025 and what Metal means to the city that the genre originally came from!And finally, we'll of course be chatting about Dead Mob making their debut Irish appearance, as they will be supporting Belfast band, Shortest Straw, on their 'A New Normal Irish Tour', which begins in Belfast next month on August 20th, then on to Dublin on the 21st and finishing up in Cork on the 22nd! Joining on them tour are Dublin Alternative Metal band Carnyx! The shows are put on by Drag Wounds Promotions and tickets for Belfast and Cork are available through Eventbrite and the Dublin show tickets (which I'll be doing) are available on ie.powertik.com.Shortest Straw, Dead Mob and Carynx live in BelfastShortest Straw, Dead Mob and Carynx live in DublinShortest Straw, Dead Mob and Carynx live in Cork

A little bonus episode today!In this episode I am going to be going through my thoughts and experience from the Metallica weekend that happened in the Aviva!Normally for these kind of episodes I'd be joined by my fellow co-host Jack McBain but being that he was away, I was very fortunate enough to have his cousin Sean McKiernan step in to fill his role and chat about his experience of going both nights to the show!With Sean joining me on this episode, it will be split in two sections - The first section will be me detailing the whole week, from donating blood as part of the Metallica Blood Drive, to attending both nights, speaking at the incredible show 'Look Who's Talking Metal', hosted by Richie and Letty of the Metal Cell Podcast and Smashing Skull Session podcasts to my show with Cork Prog-Rock band, Outsound.The second portion of the show will be myself and Sean talking a little deeper about the two nights and what Metallica represents and stands for in today's world of Metal.

Today on the podcast, we are going Stateside as I am joined by Colonel Goon and The Prospector of the Texas band, UNCULTIVATESPlaying their signature blend of music, which they've Christened Yeehawcore, I will be chatting with the two members about the busy year they've had which includes releasing their debut album 'It Will All Become Clear, Like The French Revolution', an Irish tour that took them all over the country and most recently playing at the legendary Donnington Park at this years Download Festival.Expect stories about their love of horses, Michael Flatley and growing their own Whiskey.UNCULTIVATES will of course be bringing the rodeo to Dublin this Friday as part of their 'Freedom Weekend Bonanza', playing Lost Lane alongside Whitethorrn, Microtonal and The Neck. Tickets for the show are 10 euro and are available through ie.powertik.comUNCULTIVATES on LinktreeUncultivates live at Lost Lane