Ireland is a small country, but its musical influence is second to none on the world stage. From their traditional Celtic music , stars like Van Morrison, to current pop rock acts like U2 or the Cranberries, there is no lack of outstanding talent.

When it comes to Shoeagaze, this country is seminal in the genre, with My Bloody Valentine being THE ground breaker. There Album Loveless is often quoted as inspirational by many artists.

What you may not know is that there are many other Irish bands that took up the genre. Here are some of them.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE (MBV)

The band was founded in Dublin, in 1983 by Kevin Shields and Colm Ó Cíosóig. Its line-up changed over time, until it crystalized in 1987 with Bilinda Butcher and Debbie Googe. Liam Ó Maonlaí, that ended up founding the Hot House Flowers was part of the band for a short while.

The band would often rehearse near Smithfield (Dublin) which I lived myself in for 3 years. They experimented with guitar sound and pedals, creating something new.

“One of the most recognisable aspects of My Bloody Valentine’s music is Shields’ guitar sound, which “use[s] texture more than technique to create vivid soundscapes.””

— DiPerna, Alan (1992). "Bloody Guy". Guitar World. No. March 1992.

After touring in many countries, inspiring countless bands and recording 2 studio album, the band split in 1995. I was lucky to have seen them in Paris, on the 17th March 1992 in L’Olympia for a concert that an experience in loudness and sound. You can listen to it here.

They reunited in 2007 and released their third studio album, mbv, in 2013. They are to this day working on new material.

MBV is often cited as a pioneering act in the shoegaze genre. You can find many articles online on their history and their sound.

While the Shoeagaze movement declined with the arrival of the Grunge and Britpop scene, with most band disbanding in the mid 90’s, Loveless, MBV second studio Album, proved to have a lasting influence, inspiring bands such as Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Mogwai, Nine Inch Nails, Dead Horse One, and many, many others.

The band consists of:

Kevin Shields (guitars, voice, sampler)
Colm Ó Cíosóig (drums, sampler). See the article “Is the Ó Cíosóig break the Amen break of Noise Pop?”
Bilinda Butcher (guitars, voice)
Debbie Googe (bass)

Their musical work is:

This is your Bloody Valentine, LP, 1985
Man you love to hate, LP (cassette), 1985
Geek!, EP, 1985
The new records by My Bloody Valentine, EP, 1986,
Sunny Sunday Smile, EP, 1987
Strawberry wine, EP, 1987
Ecstasy, EP, 1987
You Made Me Realise, EP, 1988
Isn’t anything, Studio LP, 1988
Feed Me with Your Kiss, EP, 1988
Glider, EP, 1990
Tremolo, EP, 1991
Loveless, Studio LP, 1991
mbv, Studio LP, 2013

WHIPPING BOY

Whipping Boy formed in Dublin in 1988, the band comprising Fearghal McKee (vocals), Paul Page (guitar), Myles McDonnell (bass, vocals), and Colm Hassett (drums). They released 2 critically acclaimed Studio LP. The group split up in 1998 after being dropped by Columbia, leaving a third album unreleased. The self-titled album was eventually released in 2000 on their own Low Rent label

The band reformed in September 2005, announcing several Irish dates. The original line-up disbanded finally in 2006.

Irish Television did a piece on the band named “Whipping Boy - the most underrated Irish band of all time?”. Well, when you listen to their music you can wonder if there is not a bit of truth in this statement. You can judge by yourself in listening their music on Spotify. 2 songs to listen will probably make you want to listen more.

Their music work consists of:

Sweet Mangled Thing, EP, 1989
Whipping Boy, EP, 1990
I Think I Miss You, EP, 1991
Submarine, LP, 1992
Heartworm, LP, 1995
Whipping boy, LP, 2000

SUBMOTILE

Italian-Irish band that blend shoegaze, pop, noise-rock, ambient and post-rock elements. The band consists of the husband and wife duo, Michael and Daniela Farren, who are based in Dublin.

I love their music, which is an epitome of Shoegaze, with both really nice melodies and a great reverb sound. Their sound is very distinctive, which is not an easy feat among all reverb artists. Have a listen and let me know what you think.

If you want to know more you can look at a great interview of the band and their work done on Youtube by H.I. ART ON THE EDGE:

Their musical work is:

We're Losing The Light, EP, 2018

Ghosts Fade On Skylines, LP, 2019
Sonic Day Codas, LP, 2021
One Final Summit Before The Fall, LP, 2022

A song I love (among any others) is “Slea Head January 1986”. It is dear to me as I was both struck by the sound and what the title relates to. This refers to place in Ireland from which some of Michael Family is from and some of my in-laws too. This is a magic place, the Dingle Peninsula, was elected by National Geographic as being one of the most beautiful place in the world and the song is a prefect soundtrack for the sightseeing. Note the song from Japanese Shoegaze band Plantcell, “The wind of Kilmalkedar'“ is also inspired by the area.

All their work is on Bancamp. Their last LP is beautiful and coin once again their distinctive distinctive sound:

JUST MUSTARD

Just Mustard are an experimental rock band from Ireland. They formed in Dundalk in County Louth in 2016.

Their debut album was self-produced and recorded by the band in their home studio in Dundalk and in Start Together Studios, Belfast, with recording engineer Chris Ryan. It was often tagged as influenced by Shoegaze. The band toured with Fontaines D.C. and did gigs alongside The Cure.

Their sound has slowly shifted towards heavier, noisier tones, to simplify becoming more like the Cranes and less than Catherine Wheels. In 2020, the band signed to Brooklyn-based label Partisan Records, which released their sophomore album, The album peaked at No. 17 in the Irish albums chart and received critical acclaim upon its release.

The line-up is made of:

Katie Ball (vocals)
David Noonan (guitar/vocals)
Mete Kalyon (guitar)
Rob Clarke (bass)
Shane Maguire (drums)

Their musical work to date is:

Just Mustard, EP, 2016
Wednesday, LP, 2018
Live Session (Park Time Punks KXLU), EP, 2020
Heart Under, LP, 2022

NEW DAD

NewDad present themselves as “an alternative indie rock band brings sombre themes to life with their easy-going sound, raw vocals and thrumming backing”.

NewDad are a rock band from Galway, Ireland, formed in 2018. Julie Dawson, Áindle O'Beirn and Fiachra Parslow started the band while in secondary school as a way of avoiding solo performances for their Leaving Certificate practical music exam. Sean O'Dowd, who was studying music technology in Limerick, began recording the band, before eventually becoming a full member.

The line-up is made of:

Julie Dawson (vocalist and rhythm guitarist)
Cara Joshi (bass guitar)
Sean O’Dowd (lead guitar)
Fiachra Parslow (drums)

Their musical work to date is:

Waves, EP, 2021

Banshee, EP, 2022
Madra, LP, 2024

You can find their music on Bandcamp or Spotify. I can not wait to see them in concert.

CABL

CABL is ‘an indie rock band put through a broken dishwasher, creators of Sham-wave’. They are from Dublin, Drogheda and Slane, North East of Ireland. They all met in college.

The band has released a series of singles since 2022 that can be found on all on the usual streaming platforms. I love their sound and the singer has a beautiful and powerful voice that brings a nice plus to the mix. All their songs are well produced, well crafted and all together really good.

There is a nice article on HOT PRESS you can find HERE to know more on the band.