Proud to be Irish..yeah right

Its great to be Irish sometimes, isn't it? Especially when 'one of our own' wins an oscar or something. The hysteria that arises from such event it sickening to me and raises the point that we couldn't give a shit about anything from our own country unless some foreign voice tells us it's great.
The Oscar won by Glen Hansard and Markita Irglova(sp) was well deserved. The Frames have had a hard slog over the years to get both national and international recognition for their music. Anyone with a decent ear for music can recognise the talent that is bursting from Mr Hansard. Their album 'For the birds' regularily appears in the 'Top Irish albums' polls and to be honest they don't have a bad album in their back catalogue. Their live album 'Setlist' is one of the greatest live albums ever, capturing every drop of sweat and every last voice heard in Vicar St on the nights they were recorded. So why are the public so surprised and overwhelmed? Because thats what we do.
It all became clear to me when Glen and Markita appears on Tubridy(sp) tonight. Ryan eagerly placed his tongue so far up Glens arse I'm sure he could taste his lungs. Mr. Tubridy is someone that wouldn't know the Frames unless he was putting a photo in one and it really sickened me to see this. I don't blame Hansard. After years in the wilderness they must bask in the light of success but it just illuminates the problem we have.
Kevin Shields of legendary shoegaze band My bloody valentine (yes they are Irish too..not many of us know this or care) once said he was advised to go to Germany or anywhere except Dublin to try and make it. Sound advice. He did and they became one of the most influential bands of the nineties. With U2 and Smashing Pumpkins a tiny sample of artists who claim to have been influenced by their classic album Loveless. Still today you'd do well to hear any of their songs on Irish radio, with the exception of Dave Fanning who once did a 'John Peel' and played a song twice in a row because 'it was so damn good'. This is what we should be doing. I'm not saying we must all worship certain bands but for god sake their is so much talent in this country going to waste and the majority of us are keeping our money for overrated bands that only grace the cover of NME.
It's like the fascination with Arcade fire. Yes I like them. I have Funeral and its pretty good but it's nothing special. It's musically no better than the Frames. Or what about the Irish band Jimmy Cake? Ever heard of the them? If you want ten people with loads of instruments other than the conventional 'drums,guitar and bass' why not check them out. Their gigs are incredible. Like a mixture between Scottish rockers Mogwai and a David Lynch movie. Bands like Jimmy Cake are trying something different and the results are incredible. Go see them once and you'll know what I'm on about.
Fair enough their are certain bands that deserve 'hero' status in any country they visit but for christ's sake lets give the local guys a chance.
We are bursting with musical talent.
Damien Dempsey is one of the singers getting a lot of recognition but there are so many who find his 'thick dublin accent' a put off. Ok Damo time to put on the American twang so you sound like every other gobshite! Anyone passionate about Irish music and history should open their arms (and ears) to his music and at least go to one gig. Never have I seen grown men weep while they sing. They care about what he sings about because it's real and not a load of flowered up bollox.
Gemma Hayes from Ballyporeen is someone who is trying something different away from the other singer songwriters. Her music ranges from soft piano songs or slow acoustic numbers to loud melodic shoegaze noisefests. She has been nominated for the Mercury music prize with her first album(pity she didn't win that, tubridy would have loved the taste of her) and is all set to release her third studio album with the help of Kevin Shields.
Alphastates is the result of Gerry Horan and Catherine Dowling getting together to make some great music and again is so different to most of the bands doing the rounds over here. Their mixture of rock, electronica and pop is a breath of fresh air. Their first album Made of Sand is a joy and an album everyone should own. They are set to release their new album soon.
I've already mentioned the Jimmy Cake but there are so many out there that deserve our attention. So don't wait for the oscar.
Check out Irish bands/singers, Irish movies(how many of you only saw Once after the oscar??And for god sake get up off your arses and go and support an Irish team(and I don't mean going to Glasgow to see Glasgow Celtic) I mean an Eircom league team. Yes the league is not a patch on the Premiership as the money Ronaldo earns in a week would probably pay a teams wages for a month. But the league will never get anywhere without our support. Every year people moan about how we do crap in european competitions but what about when St. Pats drew 0.0 against Celtic away or Bohs beating Kaiserslauten? These were times when crowds were going and there was a real buzz about the league. Tardelli went to Richmond park last night to watch Pat's beat Linfield so why can't you go.
Rant over and point made!