Tag Archives: Chinese Newspaper

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Chinese Newspaper ‘Cola (Synge Street Version)’

Artwork by : Arielle-Jayne Arnold

Due to the lockdown, Navan fuzz pop band Chinese Newspaper have released their unreleased single ‘Cola (Synge Street Version)’. A little more clamorous than the ‘Late Night Pharmacy’ EP version the band take one of their most exhilarating and catchy tracks and add a refreshing new gritty edge to it. The moody verses are pushed into a jogging pace by the kinetic bass rumble and stomping kick drum while the rasp filled vocals smother the track in a sultry angsty sulk. It’s a vibrant indie track with blistering strides on guitar oozing sunny day humidity while the band’s frenetic wall of sound asphyxiates the chorus with scorching intensity.This band have a knack with creating rich textures and the perfect blend of cool, calm brooding moments between their whirlwind explosive soundscapes to produce a truly invigorating and first rate sound that is just as raw and intense as it is majestic. Love this track. 

Stream ‘Cola (Synge Street Version)’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Chinese Newspaper ‘Late Night Pharmacy’ EP

Navan fuzz pop band Chinese Newspaper have released their new EP ‘Late Night Pharmacy’. The band has gained some traction since the release of their single “If Not Now Then When” playing shows such as Vantastival festival, opening for Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at the Tivoli Theatre as well as being part of an all Irish line up at the Button Factory on Halloween night.

‘Late Night Pharmacy’ is Chinese Newspaper’s most defined and exhilarating body of work to date. There are a plethora of shredding refined guitar moments and intense rhythms throughout the EP.  The band ferment and harness their wild raucous musicianship to create something that is well-crafted and polished but with a deep rooted sense of anarchy. ‘Are You Bored?’ sets the riot in motion with a sublime rumble on drums creating a fluctuant almost wriggling foundation while the bass swivels between the intoxicating finesse on guitar. It’s a hyper energetic track stamped with all the loud aggression we have come to know Chinese Newspaper for. This band is flourishing. They immerse their sound in rich layers and textures. There is a dash of rock ‘n’ roll swagger in ‘Cola’ as the band smother the track in a bloodthirsty wall of sound. It’s ready for the energy of a live show as the chorus explodes into a massive assault and mosh ready blitz. The moody vocals from Killian Barrett express angst with vigor while his rasp and attitude create that teenage rebellion atmosphere through the stormy instrumental backdrop. There is no denying the rhythm and pounding drums in this track – they are sublime. Nathan Merriman could summon a demon with that ominous drum rumble and Aran McGilick ties the track together with the vibrant, infectious groove of his bass while the guitar lightly ricochets off this backdrop majestically creating an invigorating and danceable listening experience. The band chill the intensity and sweltering heat of the EP with ‘Nothing Comes From Nothing’. A light melodic ditty which swoons over a melancholic sulky melody while a hazy atmosphere ( created by shaky percussion and steady beat ) provides that lazy summer’s day gloom. The light indie-drizzled guitars jangle innocently throughout until the track becomes more expressive and jagged for the crescendo. The nostalgic ‘Sunday’ brings the EP to a close. With thumping drums and a mosh-ready break, its an emotional tantrum backed by fantastic instrumentation which intensifies for the chorus and broods through the verses. These guys have mastered the ability to create emotive music and make the listener feel connected and enthralled by their tunes while also bashing out rich fuzz-filled pop with grunge and rock elements sprinkled on top. 

‘Late Night Pharmacy’ is a clear step in the right direction for Chinese Newspaper. They haven’t lost the raw rampage of their 2017 ‘Spotless Mind’ EP. They have refined and cultivated it to create a fine, engaging and deft sound all of their own. With first rate guitar work and ground rumbling rhythm these guys have a sound that is both dreamy and razor sharp. 

Stream ‘Late Night Pharmacy’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Chinese Newspaper ‘Sunday’

Fuzz pop band Chinese Newspaper have released a video for their new single ‘Sunday’ taken off their new EP ‘Late Night Pharmacy’. The band comprised of Nathan Merriman on drums, Killian Barrett on vocals/guitar & Aran McGilick on bass, have gained some traction since the release of their single “If Not Now Then When” playing shows such as Vantastival festival, opening for Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at the Tivoli Theatre as well as  being part of an all Irish line up at the Button Factory on Halloween night.

From that thumping drum intro and sweet guitar lilt ‘Sunday’ announces itself with fuzzy refinement and maturity that only Chinese Newspaper can pull off so well. The band have taken their sound to a new majestic level. They take the pop smelted melody drowned in nostalgia and dreamy tones and lay it upon a blitzing backdrop of crashing drums, hell summoning bass grooves and superb guitar work to create a deeply moving, utterly mesmerising track that is both polished and messy all at once. This ability to take a bitter sweet ditty and drag it through the mill of fuzz and grunge- hued indie to create a piece that is equal parts heavy, raucous and gracefully dignified is what makes this band so exciting. The stomping drums batter and pummel through the track with relentless stamina while the passionate vocals veer between nonchalant coos to anguish stricken exclaims. With an utterly blistering guitar solo shrilling with scorching intensity and steamy swagger Chinese Newspaper have created another precise well-executed gem to entice and tantalize our ears.

The band are celebrating the launch of ‘Sunday’ tonight October 5th in Whelans if you are around check them out. You won’t be disappointed.  

Watch the video for ‘Sunday’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Fuzz Rock, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock

Chinese Newspaper ‘Are You Bored?’

Navan four piece fuzz punk band Chinese Newspaper have released the new video for their single ‘Are You Bored?’. This blustery, battering track is brimming with aggro and the turbulent punk rock these guys do so well. Chinese Newspaper provide a deluge of fuzz-filled punk laced in soaring distorted guitars as they meander from mind crashing to psychedelic whines. The pulverising drums batter and pound throughout with relentless stamina and fire fueled intensity as the howling, gritty and moody vocals exclaim the lyrics of boredom and isolation. There are some really refined moments within this track. Its outer shell appears boisterous, bitter and outraged and for the most part it is however, the band provide glimpses and flickers of finesse through the sublime nimble guitar work- adding a multi texture to this blistering number. ‘Are You Bored?’ is another fierce,infectious and raw track from Chinese Newspaper.

Watch the video for ‘Are You Bored?’ below


Live Music, Live Music Review, New Music

Sideline Fire ‘Outside’ Single Launch with Support From Chinese Newspaper in Whelan’s Dublin

We were invited to check out Sideline Fire’s single launch in Whelan’s last Thursday night with support from  Chinese Newspaper. Eager fans watched the soundcheck in anticipation for the show to come. It’s an audience of mostly youngsters keeping the live music scene alive.

Chinese Newspaper take to the stage, shoes are off and they are ready to go. Blasting straight into their indie flavoured garage rock. Their groovy attitude driven tracks are perfect for a shimmy and mosh all at once. They coax the crowd to dance and move “We are here for your enjoyment”. Showing off their moodier grungier side ‘It Follows’ gets the crowd moshing and going wild. The guys have a cool nonchalant stage presence as they pierce with shrilling distortion on guitar and throttling drums over agonising expressive vocals. “Scream if you love hash” guitarist and vocalist  Killian Barrett shouts at the crowd as they go nuts. The band sing happy birthday to a member of the crowd urging everyone to buy him a drink. A cover of Pixies  ‘Where Is My Mind‘ follows causing a manic mosh frenzy among the crowd, as the birthday boy crowd surfs victoriously. The band bellow out a pretty slick rendition of the track to yelps and whoops from the audience. From here on out it’s absolute anarchy there is no controlling the crowd as they become consumed with the blasting tracks. ‘If Not Now Then When?’ finishes off their set soaked in sunny golden guitar lines, thumping drums and swagger infused vocals. It’s a pretty smooth rough and tumble burst of indie rock. The verses glide and groove with effortless sun kissed slickness while the chorus explodes with forceful mighty garage rock. It’s a fiery blustery set from Chinese Newspaper, a band to definitely keep an eye out for.

Following a lengthy wait for drummer Eric Walsh’s diva entrance. Sideline Fire begin their set after mocking him a little. They are a playful cheeky bunch, their show is light, fun and carefree with humorous banter throughout. Sound wise it’s a tight slick display. They wear their influences on their sleeves. These guys are starting out so it’s a little rough around the edges at times but they show real promise. The crowd dance and sing along from the start to their catchy pop melodies smothered in punchy indie rock, it’s a crowd-pleasing combination. Their original songs are well layered and balanced – rich danceable rhythms teamed with tight crashing guitars, some pretty slick solos and catchy melodies. ‘I Don’t Wanna Go’ fleshes out their Catfish and The Bottlemen influence a little. Actually, we see a lot of Catfish and The Bottlemen covers (which the crowd went wild for) so that’s no surprise. The band waste no time in getting the crowd engaged, guitarist John Fitzgerald throws band stickers into the crowd after their rendition of Arctic Monkeys ‘Brianstorm’. This gets the audience rowdy and savage, the band know what their audience like and they deliver it. Each original track displays a subtle growth in the band’s sound ‘No Patience’ showcasing a darker croony side to their catchy bubbly indie rock. They take the opportunity to display their versatility as a band as well as entertain. A few your mother jokes and a lot of crowd surfing later and we come close to the track everyone is here for, but before that a feisty rendition of Royal Blood’s ‘Figure It Out’ which holds a lot of excitement both in mishaps and crowd interaction. Vocalist Andrew Berry’s guitar strap breaks during the song, fortunately bassist Evan Butler’s mother comes to his aid like a ninja and fixes it. The crowd hardly notice, they are busy moshing jumping and going uncontrollably wild. Launch track. ‘Outside’ is announced to a mass of cheers and whoops as they belt out the indie banger. The band close the show on an unplanned cover of Arctic Monkeys ‘I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor’. The crowd go crazy shouting back the lyrics, it’s savage anarchy, practically everyone has a go at crowd surfing and there was no stopping them. They yell for one more song and the band oblige with the perhaps obvious choice Catfish and The Bottlemens’ ‘Kathleen’. What can I say the room erupted, a pretty explosive end to their show. The crowd were manic and pumped and this track just set them all off.

Young fresh Irish talent was oozing from Whelan’s last Thursday night and both these bands display promise and slick showmanship. Sideline Fire know their audience and they give them exactly what they want, a skill which will make them very popular in the future. A youthful exuberant show which is pretty impressive from this newly formed band.