What do you get when you cross a radio DJ, a former Olympic athlete, a graphic designer, a photographer and guy whose greatest ambition is to sell fresh mackerel from the side of the road? No, it's not an extremely fit and well turned-out fisherman type, instead you get a feast of intelligent, sometimes blistering electro-folk-rock, all wrapped up in the band Acrojunk. Formed in 2006 in Waterford...
Formed in 2006 in Waterford, Ireland Acrojunk grew out of the ashes of the critically lauded group "The Bearded Ladies" and with their fervent stage presence are quickly gaining a reputation as one of Ireland's most promising acts. Even though they've only been together a year, they've already shared stages up and down the country with such luminaries as The Walls, Mark Geary, Fred, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club and Dae Kim. In February of 2007, Acrojunk released their debut EP "The Cold Old Playboy" to much applause and aplomb:
"Their overall sound is quite unique. Acrojunk take the best, leave the rest and develop a likeable combination of old and new styles" ? Hotpress.
The EP received much airplay on radio stations around the country, a selection of which are Phantom FM, Beat 102-103, WLRFM, RedFM, FM104, Flirt FM, Galway Bay FM and Live 95. The band are currently recording their debut album, which is due for release in February 2008.
The five members of Acrojunk are a reflection of some of the more positive aspects of modern Ireland. The newest member is Neal Byrne, himself a fine singer/songwriter and former Olympic rower, who represented Ireland at the Sydney 2000 games (that was before he was bitten by the musical bug). Guitarist Dave Manser was formerly a member of the national 2002 O2 New Band Competition winning The Real, who on the back of a top 20 single scored two successive shows at the UK's Reading Festival. During the day drummer Trevor Nolanlikes to think he's a photographer, while bassist Ben Clooney prefers the simple things in life (such as catching fish). Meanwhile, frontman Rob O'Connoris familiar to many as the voice of the Irish Beats radio show on Ireland's Beat 102-103.
Acrojunk - imagine a musical cage wrestling match between The Kinks, Johnny Cash, Joy Division, Dinosaur Jr. Squeeze, Soundgarden and The Beatles and you're halfway there.
For more information please visit www.acrojunk.com or myspace.com/acrojunk.