NICHART.com BANDS

Welcome to the 'Bands' section of the website where we introduce you to some of our favourite bands by inaccurately describing their music in a few words and giving you a little useless fact.

AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR

Instrumental post-punk. One of the biggest local bands at the moment who have just signed to Smalltown America and are definite NIChart favourites.

If you like : Explosions in the Sky, Pelican, Mogwai

CASHIER NO.9

Electronic Indie Rock. Steve Lamacq loves them and so should you.

If you like : The Beta Band, Postal Service

CAT MALOJIAN

Folk Rock. Another of NIChart's favourite bands that simply don't get the credit they deserve. They produce some amazing timeless songs and most importantly play a mean banjo.

If you like : Gram Parsons, Nick Drake

CLONE QUARTET

Abstract Synthy Indie. Infectious pop songs that burst at the seams with edgy beats and synths.

If you like : Klaxons, CSS

CONOR MASON

Alternative Acoustic. Based in Glasgow, Derry lad Conor is relatively unknown by many but is one of NI Charts favourite singer songwriters. Maybe one day we'll be fighting Scotland for bragging rights like Snowpatrol.

If you like : Elliot Smith, Evan Dando

DAVID HOLMES

Break Beat. When he's not too busy hanging out with people your girlfriend fancies off the telly, he's releasing some surprisingly decent material. His old stuff still rocks our boat the most though.

If you like : DJ Shadow, Primal Scream

DESERT HEARTS

Alternative Rock. Lyrically one of the best bands in NI, they produce some seriously intense music. Live shows are always memorable.

If you like : Arab Strap, Delgados

DUKE SPECIAL

Vaudeville Pop. Yes he's probably already 'made it' but I was talking to people yesterday that had no idea who he was so thought he deserved a wee mention.

If you like : Tim Milchen, Ben Folds

ED ZEALOUS

Indie Rock. These guys are more than just another pretty face (omg lol).

If you like : Kings Of Leon

FIGHTING WITH WIRE

Rock. They have just signed a major deal with Atlantic Records and have had their arses licked by the likes of Zane Lowe and Steve Lamacq. Don't think you'll ever see 'Saunter' on MTV2 though.

If you like : Foo Fighters

GENERAL FIASCO

Rock. The Derry boyos have already played Reading and Leeds festivals on the BBC Introducing stage and things are set to get better in 2009.

If you like : Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

HELIOPAUSE

Gentle Alternative Indie. The music of filmmaker/artist Richard Davis is probably the most beautiful and fragile in Belfast.

If you like : American Analogue Set, Mice Parade

JETPLANE LANDING

Punk. They hardly ever play any gigs nowadays but they're 'the daddys' of the NI scene. Why do they never play any Jetplane Landing on the radio?

If you like : Les Savy Fav, Fugazi

KOWALSKI

Indie Rock. Apparently Gary Lightbody likes them but don't let that put you off cause they're actually quite good.

If you like : Death Cab for Cutie, Hope of the States

LAFARO

Grunge Rock. Check out 'Tupenny Nudger' which recently topped AU Magazine's poll of NI songs of the past 6yrs.

If you like : Nirvana, Mudhoney

LOWLY KNIGHTS

Folk Rock. There's far too many of them on stage for any soundman to cope (think we counted 13 one night!) but they certainly have a couple of decent tunes.

If you like : Arcade Fire, I'm from Barcelona

MOJO FURY

Grunge Rock. These guys have written some of our favourite tunes and are a great band to go see live.

If you like : Nirvana, Trail of Dead

OPPENHEIMER

Alternative Pop. One of the big hitters in the NI scene who have had their music featured on big US TV shows like Ugly Betty as well a crappy NI show featuring Laurence Llewelyn Bowen.

If you like : Stereolab, Brian Eno

PANAMA KINGS

Edgy Indie Rock. The Kings are another top NI band that are tipped to make it big soon with any luck (or fairydust).

If you like : Modest Mouse

PUSH BORDERS

Ambient Indie Rock. Push Borders is the new baby of two of the best songwriters in the Ni music scene - JP McCorley (Red Sirus) and Peter McFaul.

If you like : Snow Patrol, Flaming Lips

RED ORGAN SERPENT SOUND

Punk Rock. Certainly the winners of the 'Best Costumes' award (how can you beat a big boxing glove, a top hat and a big black eye?), ROSS were the band everyone thought would make it big a few years ago when they released the epic 'In Search of Orgasmus'. We have big hopes for the second coming.

If you like : The Doors, Franz Ferdinand

STRAIT LACES

Alternative Indie Rock. Yes more young kids making great music - makes us sick...they're just too damn good for their age! We expect great things in the coming year.

If you like : Panama Kings, Foals

ROBYN G SHIELS

Alternative Folk Rock. This guy might be a genius or he might be demented but he certainly writes a damn good tune. 'A Lifetime of Midnights' is simply a great album that we never get tired of listening to.

If you like : Will Oldham, Low

TEAM FRESH

Hip Hop Rock. This is Northern Ireland Hip Hop... but not like you've heard before. Possibly the best live act when they're on form and with members from ASIWYFA and Panama Kings they are NI's very own supergroup.

If you like : Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine

THREE TALES

Folk Rock. Their recent album was voted the best NI album EVER...by me...just there now. We seriously love the cut of their jib.

If you like : Will Oldham

TRACER AMC

Instrumental Post-Rock. Yes, NI has two great instrumental post-rock acts - it's true.

If you like : Mogwai

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB

Electronic Pop Rock. We think their average age is about 12 and they seem to be missing a drummer but either their dads are writing their songs for them or they are super great at coming up with amazingly catchy pop songs.

If you like : Architecture in Helsinki, Bloc Party

banner pics by Graham Smith