Ed Zealous, the most electrifying band to hail from the burgeoning Belfast scene, were crafted from ice and flames and are prepared to chill the bones and fire up the senses with their precision rush of melody and guitars.
As the Arcade Fire hit the covers of the London press, fledgling Belfast band Ed Zealous were left to combat an altogether less savoury arcade fire of their own. Discovered first by the legendary Ulster punk impresario Terry Hooley (lest we forget, the man who found us the Undertones), Terry had opened his Good Vibrations record shop to them to rehearse in. The routine was the same, after hours, Ed Zealous would be left in the shop to rehearse. Terry locking them in and then returning a few hours later when rehearsals were done.
One night, they decided against rehearsing. The same night the largest arson attack since the terrorist ceasefire, raged through the historic North Street Arcade in North Belfast, decimating all in its path including Good Vibrations. The band lost everything, as did everyone involved with the arcade. The fire also destroyed Terrys own huge archive of vinyl records and photos, including irreplaceable original material from the Belfast punk scene of the late Seventies. The fire still raises controversy on the streets of Belfast to this day.
Through the fire was borne the Ice Box. The Ice box is the three storey communal Belfast bolt-hole that is a regular calling point for noise abatement officers in South Belfast. It boasts a perfectly apt home-made studio in the rafters, can turn its hand (and has) to being a video and photo-shoot location, a rehearsal space and an open house for impromptu after-shows that raise the roof almost every night. Most importantly, it was the place that a rotating roll call of Ed Zealous calls/called home.
It is soon to be knocked down. There is guaranteed to be the daddy of all final parties here in the Ed Zealous mothership.
Ed Zealous are Steve McAvoy (vocals), Andrew Wilson (guitar), Paul Olphert (guitar), Pete Lloyd (bass) and Paul Irwin (drums). Formed during their early days in art college, all five are originally from small seaside towns in Co.Derry. Their no-nonsense gigs in Belfast have become something of a must see event, with increasing numbers gathering to witness the Belfast brigade burn down the barriers of contemporary music.
"Bursting with fine slices of experimentation. A dislocated epic style of rock that’s capable of being just as moody as their flailing floppy fringes. Right now, you won’t find many better prospects." Chris Long, BBC Introducing, In The City 08 Review
"While the old cliché 'it's inside what counts' is true it doesn't go a miss to have a pretty face and if songs had faces this would be a beautiful one. Coming on like a melodic beauty, 'Pretty Face' is sure to get some toe's tapping and will bring that classic old line 'No Way Jose' back into the mainstream. I'm a bit scared of their obsession with fire however."
7/10 Dean Ronnie
"A Cracking debut single…fell in love with it the moment I stuck it on my turntable"
Tom Robinson / BBC 6 Music
"So catchy. So powerful. One of the most immediate, hook layden tracks I've heard this year."
Rory McConnell / Radio 1 NI
"head and shoulders above the rest"
Steve Cummins / Hot Press
hey guy......meant to be there this saturday but hubby just got us VIP tix for Glasto........so might see u at glasgowbury... Good luck for the weekend anyway...x
The Best New Song in the World contest is a new internet based music contest, which is aimed at bands and artists who are not contracted to record companies. To take part does not cost anything.
The organizer of the contest is a Finnish company, Contestium Ltd.
Ahoy all!! Finally got our new single "This Is Not Ok" ready for release. We're releasing it on myspace for download on Friday 19th June and Launching it that night @ The Nerve Center. 3 other brand new tunes will also be available on the myspace within the next 2 weeks.
We'll also be showing the brand new video for the single that night aswell. New and improved SKRUFF T-shirts will also be available to buy on the night.
Strong support from Here Comes The Landed Gentry, Colenso Parade and Pocket Promise.
Doors @ 9bells Adm: £5
SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE NEW SINGLE ON MYSPACE NOW!!!!!!
This will be a rockin' night so please spread the good word!!
Hope to see use all there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
New York, NY & World Wide (May, 2009) – Javelot Music/EarthStrong Productions is slated to release. The Epitome shows H.A.P.H.’s musical range as a producer, with both feel good music and hard hitting street bangers. The 14 tracks feature super producers VSharp, S Class and Nic Diamonds. H.A.P.H., along with these visionaries, crafted this masterpiece. The Epitome is an original, innovative, long-awaited release from H.A.P.H.
About H.A.P.H. During the mid-90’s, The Ranjahz were affiliated with a collective known as Team Roc – a group of rappers associated with Roc-A-Fella Records. At the time, this included Jay Z, Sauce Money, Memphis Bleek, and Jaz-O. The Ranjahz made their debut on “If I Should Die” off of Jay Z’s Hard Knock Life, Volume 2. Since then they’ve made countless records, one of their most popular being “Insp Her Ation”, featuring Cee-Lo (of Gnarls Barkley)