Trip Hazard emerged from a back garden bunker in Co.Meath around 5 or 6 years ago with Singer Dave Conway firmly at the helm. Navigating his way through a few line up changes the then Trip Hazard released their first EP 'I Keep Falling' to very positve critical acclaim. Following up on this success the 2nd EP release 'Stumble' proved to be another hit with the critics and in January 05 the band (Dave, Robbie and Eugene) started work recording the debut album 'Stay'. Along the way Paul Maguire joined to add extra beef on guitars and the recording was released on the bands own label 'Good Trip Records' in October '05 recieving fantastic reviews from Music Mags and National newspapers (See reviews below). The start of April '06 sees the band back in the studio to record new material for the forthcoming release
STAY AVALIABLE IN TOWER RECORDS, ROAD RECORDS (order online at www.roadrecs.com) & RECORD SLEEVE (Ashbourne/Navan/Monaghan & Dundalk) & EUROSPAR Dunboyne
Stay Album Reviews
HotPress Review Dec '05
With a couple of well-recieved EP's under their belts and a growing live following, the first full-length release from these Dublin contenders is keenley anticipated in some quaters. Pleased to report then that 'Stay' is as good a local debut as has arrived on the HotPress reviews desk in many a month.
Immediatley impressive is the straight-up, gimmick free production-way too many bands are tempted by studio wizardry, especially on their first outing. Also, Trip Hazard's sound is almost impossible to pin down stylistically. Fans of the broad church of indie will find plenty to savour here ('Getaway', 'Fred Astaire'), while those with Go Betweens or American Music Club records in their collection might well marvel at the songwritting prowess, particularly quirky creations such as 'Here We Go'.
Occasionally the breadth of their sonic ambition gets the better of them-'Golden Age' might work well live, but not on record. The slow burning 'Blame' has a lovely widescreen, spacious feel with a keening melody, as does the following 'Hurt'. But 'Erase' is the real highlight here, with enigmatic frontman Dave Conway bringing an almost Morrissey-like presence to bear on this highly theatrical number. Stay tuned......... Colm O'Hare: HotPress Magazine Dec '05
TRIP HAZARD 'Stay' Good Trip Records
Newish Irish band Trip Hazard released their debut late last year, but it would be a shame to let it drift away into obscurity without giving it something of a thumbs up. One of those hardworking, aspirational types of bands that aren't averse to experimenting, Trip Hazard fall flat on their arses now and again, but they have the spirit to dust themselves off and start all over again, careful not to repeat the same mistake. The debut is full of this sort of bravery: interesting songs imbued with a sense of adventure; rooted within known parameters, certainly, but grasping nonetheless for something different. Songs such as Round and Round, Golden Age and Experience offer astute aural thrills, with most of the remainder eminently serviceable slices of pop/rock. www.myspace.com/triphazardinc Tony Clayton-Lea - Irish Times 06/01/06
At first sight, Dublin four-piece Trip Hazard may look like a hundred other local bands - but their highly impressive debut album proves that they've got a sound all of their own. Perhaps it's because their chiming indie-rock has a faintly menacing air to it, perhaps it's because Dave Conway's anguished lyrics sound as if a lifetime of thought has been put into them. Whatever the reason, these twisted tales of broken relationships have a distinctly unsettling effect. As you'd expect from a first outing, the songwriting is a little uneven - but the band's quirky introspection is present throughout, and it all hangs together as a unified piece of work. As long as they can avoid being confused with the dire English heavy metal band of the same name, Trip Hazard should have a very promising future ahead of them Andrew Lynch, Entertainment Ireland Nov '05
It's evident that Trip Hazard have worked out a broadened and edgier side to their sound. Opener "Round and Round" displays the depth of progression with subtle touches of fitting Hammond and layers that make this an album to note. With such a dearth of songs with meaning around at present, singer Dave Conways refreshingly direct and sometimes introspective words are nicely augmented by variables of rock, lush guitars, nifty bass hooks backed by solid and balanced drumming. Energetic and free flowing tracks like "Here We Go" and "Getaway" and the excellent "Fred Astaire" mix well with a couple of slower numbers such as "Blame"(the lyrics of which most of us can identify/empathise with) and Hurt. The strength of the album lies in these alternations of pace and content building within the tracks. This is perhaps best exemplified by the last two songs which conclude a very strong second half. The epic title track Stay, closing in on the six minute mark with chunky bass runs from Robbie Stanley, coupled with the distain for the fragility of some drum skins by drummer Eugene Somers and perfectly placed guitar changes morphs towards a fun choral crescendo. That's my spin on it anyway! Closing track "Experience" demonstrates the new diversity to Trip Hazard and reveals another string to their bow. A fluent, rolling and almost trance inducing blend of mellow sounds provides the background for the bitter sweet but ultimately positive lyric "experience the pain, turn it in to pleasure". Some songs by their nature dictate the time they should be listened to and this one is definitely post-club chillout, but with the divergent nature of the album, most hours can be covered. Recently added guitarist Paul Maguire should ensure the fuller sound can be transposed from the cd to their live set. Mark Jenkins, Foggy Notions '05
Hey there,
Just a quick comment letting some of our MySpace friends know that the "Who The Hell Is Doug Derek?" album has just been released in limited CD format on the Kool Kat Musik label (PURR 2023). Available exclusively from the Kool Kat Musik Power Pop/Alt Country online store, the album comes with a free second bonus disc of 11 more songs - all for just $15!
To purchase, just click and go to directly to this buy link or copy and paste the URL in your browser address bar:
http://www. koolkatmusik. com/showproduct. aspx?productid=4801
Hi Trip Hazard,
Thanx 4 being friends and a peaceful X-MAS Time.
Have a nice Day and enjoy the Life!!
Greetinx
Tim
P.S.
Soularia performed their unreleased Track "Life Is Unbelivable"on a 2 square meter balcony on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg. Click here for the video, and if you like, leave a comment and / or rate it on the utube site
hey Trip Hazard hows you? our single seen the light is up for pre-release now. it's our chance to really get noticed. please please help us out. all you need is to text "sas" to 78789. it only costs £1.50 and you will be helping us out so much
I'm so flattered at all the good comments I've been getting about my song, Cast Adrift.
If you like the track and would like to hear more, it would help if I could afford a couple days recording time - show your support! - the song is available on iTunes.
Hey Guys! Enjoyed that gig in Eamon Doran's.. Enjoyed being part of the warm up acts for youis, but most of All! Enjoyed your Sounds! Animal! Keep up the good work you "Handsome Trippers!" & Keep playing thru Big Speakers! It suits!...Luv & Peace.. G.
