THE UPGRADES are an up-beat alternative punk rock band.
Mixing modern day rock influences with reggae rhythms and punchy beats, their music clearly points to a targeted audience more in touch with mainstream commercial music than just a niche market of ska or punk enthusiasts. The hints of modern pop punk, and vocals reminiscent of many "anthem-esque" type rock songs with traditionally catchy chorus's have been said to “stir up even the most stoic listener“.
The Upgrades have covered a lot of tracks on the scene in the past few years, playing numerous high profile shows across the country with bands of many different genres.
During the summer The Upgrades were selected to open the main stage at Europe’s biggest ska-punk festival - MIGHTY SOUNDS 2008 in Prague, and upon their return played a slot at one of Irelands biggest music festivals, Electric Picnic. They were also picked as the opening act on the Irish date of the 2006 International TASTE OF CHAOS tour, in the Olympia. Sharing the stage with such acts as Taking Back Sunday, Alexisonfire, Saosin, Anti-Flag, Senses Fail and Underoath.
Other high profile shows include the Staatsforsten Open Air Festival in Germany, the Cula Outdoor Music Festival, and support slots with Canadian reggae superstars Bedouin Sound Clash, American rock/reggae band State Radio, ska legend Neville Staple (ex-The Specials),
The Beat, Set Your Goals, and a successful tour of the UK.
The bands song "Nothing" was selected to represent Ireland on the "United Colours Of Ska Volume 4" compilation, featuring 40 of the best ska bands from around the world, selected through extensive online research by popular German ska label Pork Pie Records.
Despite having all this under their belt, The Upgrades are only just getting started!!
Having recently finished recording their Debut Album with Neal Calderwood in Manor Park Studios, the album, entitled "Take A Risk" is due to be released on 4th May 2009.
well i'm excited you're doing stuff again too :) yeah gonna do my best to get a ticket soon should be a deadly gig! really looking forward to the new stuff to :) gonna be merch in January too? might invest :P
Besides Level 27 Clothing I have: SUPA PIRATE BOOTY HUNT THE CARTOON SHOW Its an online cartoon show I created and been working on for 5 years now. Right now we are in FOX contest to get our show on the TV network. You can help. Go to the link & view, set up profile, leave comments, & rate the cartoon! At least view it daily. Contest ends Sept 30th!Thank you so much! Please help my dream come true. http://www.aniboom.com/animation-video/393074/Supa-Pirate-Booty-Hunt---Holiday-Fight-Club-Island/
Hey The Upgrades [NEW SONG UP - Album out now!!!]! Thanks for adding the Mod Amish. If you like yer punk loud and melodic please drop in and have a listen. Cheers!
Hi,our ep will be out on the 12th September,you will be able to buy it online at our webstore. and if you are from Dublin/Ireland,we are playing a show in The Academy 2 on the 12th too,were you can also buy our cd for only 5EURO ,see dates for more info,or just ask us :)
Woo! Our online comedy, Rental Boys has made it to the final of RTE's Storyland competition!!! (I dont think any of us who were involved imagined we'd get so far!)
We need you to help us win this thing!! Please go to www.rte.ie/storyland and get your vote in for "Rental Boys" one last time before Tuesday the 8th!(Its completelly free and only takes 3 clicks) The competition is fierce, so please pass this on to all your buds.
oh cool well i'll definitely be there whenever it is! i love angel of horror, bukkake, and better way but i really couldn't say a favorite. I love them all (: So would you guys maybe consider posting some acoustic chords for your songs? I'd love to be able to play them =]
hey... Are you going to be playing in Dublin again soon? I got your album at The Shower Scene and it is so good, I always get the songs stuck in my head for days =] xx