Unsigned The Magazine - The Magazine For Independents

May Online Issue, 2008
ANGEL PIER
I wish I could tell an enchanted tale of how I met this group while on a wonderful and much needed vaction in Ireland. A tale of how I heard them playing and instantly knew that I had to have them in the magazine.



But vacations are unheard of here at the moment. So I have to tell you the truth. I was sitting on my ass in front of the computer and voting on groups on Ourstage.Com. I forget who they were matched up against the moment I found them...but I do remember the shock of wonder that went through me when I heard the first few chords of “Sprites” from their world acclaimed EP “Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors”.



After the vocals kicked in, the shock of wonder turned into that gut feeling that tells one they’re on the right track. I have found something grand and wonderful in Angel Pier and since I’m not stingy but rather giving and loving, I will share with you this Irish treasure that I have found.



The rest of this story involves a lively, well timed IM chat across several time zones, a sadly missed opportunity to meet them in person when they played SXSW this past year because yours truly had to get a breast reduction, and a promise to meet up for drinks when I finally do get to Ireland.



Fully formed in 2006, it all began with the intention of pinning melancholic melodies to a gothic groove. Thrown together by a mutual friend at a chance meeting one night in Whelans in Dublin, Darragh (vocals, guitar), and Mark (Drums) quickly found the intended direction and began pursuing refinement. Canadian guitarist Luke & bass groove merchant Vinny Redmond were then bolstered on to complete the line up. The heart now a solid groove recalling elements of the Stone Roses and the Cure, Luke’s classic blues rock sound, which lies somewhere between the Pixies and the Beatles, sat comfortably on top of the straight rhythm guitar and looping backbone. The instruments combined to create a discordance that surrounds the classic pop-induced melodies of the song writing, underpinning the darker lyrical content within. With high, melodic vocals that lie somewhere between Thom Yorke and Jason Lytle soaring over the top ANGEL PIER was born.



Their first foray into the studio was with Kieran Lynch (U2, Elvis Costello, REM) undertaking production duties, and is titled the "Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors" EP. They recently regrouped in Thomastown to record with veteran producer Leo Pearson, who has worked with U2, Elvis Costello & David Holmes to name but a few, and will result in the forthcoming "Sacrifice" EP.

Interview at
http://www.unsignedthemagazine.com/content/artists/0508/angelpier/ap.html