Mullingar-based groovesters The Aftermath will step up a level in the pantheon of Irish music this summer when they play at Electric Picnic and the Rose of Tralee festival, and continue with the baton of excellence recently passed on by the dormant Blizzards.
The lads kicked off the season with a show in the Roisin Dubh in Galway last Friday and are also pencilled in for the Indiependence show in Mitchelstown, the Bundoran Surf Festival, and an appearance with Shane McGowan at the music festival in Athlone.
Drummer Mick Cronin also plays for McGowan’s latest band, The Nips, and the legend has already joined them in the Mullingar studio.
“It was magical,” said lead singer, Johnny Cronin. “He didn’t go to sleep for the four days and he was just watching [1970s music programme] The Old Grey Whistle Test. But he sang five songs here, completely in tune. He’s a pure professional, still. We’re playing with him in Athlone in July, with Mundy and Sharon Shannon.”
The band will use the summer on the road to test the new album, which they already have nine songs down for in studio. Singles are planned for release in July and September, with the album due for early next year.
The mod-pop outfit will also take stage in spur-earning Birr and home town marquee of the Cronin brothers - Drumlish, Co Longford.
The Aftermath will be releasing “Lost Possession” as the lead single for the as yet untitled new album. The four-piece made their debut with Friendlier Up Here in 200. For this record they have enlisted the services of engineer Ger MacDonald, who has worked with Julie Feeney, Travis and U2. The Drumlish quartet has also reunited with Karl Odlum, well known for his work with The Frames.
