Dirty Epics

Artist Information

Biography

Three men and one woman from Dublin whose debut, Straight in No Kissing (Universal), is a retro-revelation that recalls X-Ray Spex at their most aggressively horny. Pure pop-punk for wow people, and single "Way Too Pretty" is an instant come-on classic.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle SXSW


“If you like uncomplicated punk, then try Wicklow natives Dirty Epics on for size. Having garnered rave live reviews their much-awaited debut does exactly what it says on the tin…
Think The Subways partying with The Kills- raunchy rebellion guaranteed to end in errant hook-ups and questionable bruising”
The Irish Times***

“The winning combination of urgent drums and guitars as well as Sarah Jane Wai O’Flynn’s scattergun screech gets the pulse racing from the off… there’s plenty of evidence here to suggest that they may have a bright future ahead.”
The Irish Independent***

“Their schtick (scuzzy, rock ‘n’ roll brevity) is so unervingly, invigoratingly direct, you can’t help but nod and tap your foot furiously from the first second to the last”
The Sunday Business Post ***

“Straight In No Kissing is an immediate affair, grabbing the attention with it’s pulsating punk-pop soundtrack and O’Flynn’s vibrant vocals”
The Sunday Times

“SJ Wai, the singer of Dublin band Dirty Epics, is one of the most exciting performers in the country”
from Epic Tales of Love by Martin Burns, News of the World


Dirty Epics have a unique punky rock poptastic sound which stems from a mass of diverse influences, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs , Kings of Leon, Iggy & The Stooges, Bowie, Blondie... Solid Drums and Bass, driving Guitars, powerful vocals and a kick ass sexy front woman make for eye popping live shows and give Dirty Epics their edge.

Their much anticipated debut album “Straight In No Kissing” in Ireland on their own label SCAR Records and distributed by Universal Music. The band are currently working on their 2nd studio album.
Their thrilling performances have seen them gig at many venues, The Olympia, The RDS, Tripod, INEC, The Limelight, GPO Galway… Crawdaddy – their Launch Gig was voted “Gig of the Week” by The Irish Times
The New Bands Stage, Oxegen 2007, The Green Stage at Oxegen 2008 and The Green Sphere’s Stage 2009. Indie Pendence, Castlepooloza, Hennessy Artistry and The Academy, The POD at their packed out Hard Working Class Heroes performance, FM 104’s The Gig, BT2’s Fashion Rocks, Music Ireland, The Guinness 250 Concerts

Support slots to Brandon Flowers, The Hoosiers, One Republic, Ladyhawke, The Rapture.

SXSW 2009 & 2010, The Craic Festival NY 2009 + 2010, Mercury Lounge NY, Pianos NY, Arlene’s Grocery NY, The Cat Club LA, MusExpo Europe, The 100 Club London, Bungalow 8 London, The Dublin Castle London, Ziegfrid Von Underbelly, The Workshop Hoxton, The Hope and Anchor, The Loud and Nasty Festival Hamburg Germany in March 2011 and various other hotspots around Ireland and beyond. Dirty Epics have played on RTE shows Podge and Rodge, The Café, The Once a Week Show, The Raw Sessions, UTV’s Live at the Limelight, Jackass online performance and “We’re Coming Up” was featured in its entirety in the final episode of E4s SKINS, March 2010

Instrumentation

SJ Wai - Vocals
Richie Power - Bass
Alan Delaney - Drums
Darren McCoy - Guitar

Discography

Demolition Man - single
The Cure - single
PONY - single
Way Too Pretty - single
We're Coming Up - single
White Out - single
I Heart You - single

DEBUT ALBUM
Straight In No Kissing ///

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• White Out
  Listen  
• Pony
  Listen  
• The Cure
  Listen  
• Black and White
  Listen  
• Weirdo
  Listen  
• Overrated
  Listen  
• Way Too Pretty
  Listen  
• Dirty Dog
  Listen  
• Reaction
  Listen  
• Take You On
  Listen  
• We're Coming Up
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Black And White
• We're Coming Up
• Way Too Pretty
• Pony
• The Cure
• Reaction
• Overrated

Video

Way Too Pretty

Photo Gallery

Press

• Who's That Girl? [+ Show ]
  

  17/06/2007 THE name Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn may not mean anything to you at present but perhaps yo...17/06/2007
  
  THE name Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn may not mean anything to you at present but perhaps you'll recognise the face. In her capacity as lead singer with the band Dirty Epics, the 26-year-old can currently be seen gracing the pages of Imagemagazine, profiled as one of a group of young, female Irish entertainers stealing the limelight.
  
  She's also on the cover of the Hot Press Yearbook 2007, alongside Mick Pyro from Republic of Loose, Damien Dempsey, Niall Breslin from the Blizzards and singersongwriter Luan Parle.
  
  Of the latter shoot, Wai O'Flynn says modestly, "I was very happy to be in their company." She's delighted with the amount of attention that she and the band are currently getting and, while she's keen to emphasise the band as a complete entity, it's hardly surprising that the attention is often focused on its charismatic frontwoman, who seems to never stop moving when onstage.
  
  The other members of the Dirty Epics are Cormac Farrell (guitar), Richie Power (bass) and Alan Delaney (drums). The band has existed in its current form since 2005 but some ten years ago Wai O'Flynn, Farrell and Power got together as a band when they were living in Wicklow. This incarnation lasted about a year-and-a-half. Now, 10 years later, they're together again, with a fair amount of buzz surrounding them and a number of interesting gigs on the horizon.
  
  Their second headline gig is this Tuesday in Crawdaddy and then it's onto the New Bands tent at this year's Oxegen. The decade-long separation, she thinks, has done them no harm. "When we split, I tried to get into a couple of bands but I just never found people that I was comfortable playing with . . . and maybe it was me! I don't know, " she says of the intervening time period. "I was very happy to hear from Cormac and Richie again. I think it was good because we had all matured, we'd all gone off and did our own thing and gave it a proper go."
  
  In terms of the rock world being a maledominated industry, she doesn't disagree but she thinks the status quo is changing.
  
  "There are so many excellent female singers and female vocalists out there. Women are not taking over but they're out there, " she says, citing Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as an example. And in terms of being the only girl in the band? "I think it's funny because I am one of them and I can totally laugh at disgusting things and regularly talk about sex, which is fine. It's very entertaining to hear it from the men's side as well my side and I think that they're quite interested in what I have to say as well, " she says.
  
  Dirty Epics released their first single 'Demolition Man' on their own label Scar Records, as they will their next single, 'The Cure'. "It's going to be hard work but I do think it's worth it, " she says of going down the DIY route. "The music industry is so volatile at the moment . . . all the big labels are consolidating and it just seems quite strange, very up and down at the moment so we are very happy to have our own label.
  
  It means also that we always have the rights to our own music, which is very important." But it's also an expensive way to go.
  
  All four band members have fulltime day jobs . . . Wai O'Flynn is the national make-up artist and trainer with hip cosmetic brand Pout, who she's worked with for four-and-a-half years. Prior to that, she was doing make up on the set of King Arthur in Ardmore Studios and before that, she worked at various counters in Brown Thomas having learnt her craft at the Dun Laoghaire of Art, Design and Technology.
  
  "It's a great course because you really get to use your imagination and be as creative as you like, " she says. "You think it's always going to be like that but when you leave college, you start doing bread-and-butter stuff like weddings." She likes her work a lot and would definitely miss it if she were to pursue a fulltime music career but there's no question which once she'd pick if faced with a decision . . . the band.
  
  Music was always a big deal in the Wai O'Flynn family and she grew up listening to classic rock like The Doors. As a child she played the drums and sang, while her older sister Nadine played guitar. Nadine is now manager of the Dirty Epics and Sarah Jane says they're lucky to have her because she's in the know and gets on well with people. What about that age-old maxim of not working with family or friends then?
  
  "There have been ups and downs. I'd be lying if I said there weren't but it's great to know that my sister has my best interest and the band's best interests at heart, " she says. "We get on great. I think she can be very honest with me as well, which I really appreciate" The band's sound she describes as "upbeat rock with a punk influence" and name checks Ian Drury and the Blockheads, the Cramps and David Bowie as well as the Klaxons, the Rapture (who they've supported) and Republic of Loose.
  
  And how about the name? "I suppose it [Dirty Epics] was a bit like sex, drugs and rock and roll. We've had a few 36-hour benders and so it definitely made sense."
  
  The rock-and-roll life, in her opinion, is fun but incredibly tough. "I think you really need to be smart. There are so many talented people out there who maybe just don't have the will-power or the knowledge. It's very difficult getting things done sometimes in Ireland as well. You really have to fight your corner, " she says. "You just have to have loads of energy. You can't be someone who's negative or hasn't got the get up and to do it, " she says with the assurance of one who possesses the latter in spades.
  
  
  

• Punk Blondes Have More Fun [+ Show ]
  

  Punk Blondes have more fun - Irish Independent 27th June 2007 Punk Blondes have more fun ...
  
  Punk Blondes have more fun - Irish Independent 27th June 2007
  Punk Blondes have more fun
  
  By DEMELZA DE BURCA
  Wednesday June 27 2007
  
  If you think those Ray-Ban Wayfarers, waistcoat and hot pants you are sporting this summer are a completely original style, then just take a look at this picture of Debbie Harry - shot in 1977
  
  
  With her trademark white-blonde hair and razor-sharp cheekbones, the pouting Blondie singer launched a unique brand of sex appeal when she first burst onto the music scene in the late 1970s.
  
  
  Debbie Harry merged the raw, dirty heyday of punk with the clean angles of emerging New Wave pop and became an icon.
  
  
  So it's no surprise that a modern day fashionista such as Kate Moss was keen to resurrect the look. Copy-Kate has been going into overdrive since Mossy modelled the waistcoat and hot pants combo at the Glastonbury music festival in 2005. Thanks to the high street and Kate’s own Top-shop line, her ‘festival-chic’ style has trickled down to the masses with thousands of Glasto-goers adopting the Blondie look at last weekend’s event.
  
  
  New clotheshorse-on-the-block Agyness Deyn and stylish starlets Lindsay Lohan and Chloe Sevigny have also picked up on it and definitely owe a great deal to the original maven of cool.
  
  
  Going out with Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell has obviously had an influence on actress Kirsten Dunst, who’s recently been spotted sporting the Blondie look and was even chosen by the singer to play her on the big screen.
  
  
  Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn, who fronts Irish band Dirty Epics, is also a fan of Debbie Harry's original style. The singer, who will be rocking the New Band stage at the Oxegen music festival on Saturday, July 7, says: “Debbie Harry has been a huge influence on my style. She was a true original who perfectly balanced a punkrock image with glamorous beauty.”
  
  
  These stylish girls borrow their best looks from the glory days of the Miami-born singer who turns 63 next month. Harry is the fashion icon of summer 2007.
  
  
  The singer has always created her own fashion rules. She was dyeing her hair blue as a teenager while others were wearing flares and parted their hair in the centre.
  
  
  “Most of the things I came up with were out of expedience – I was limited by what I could get my hands on. It wasn't a time when stylists were a dime a dozen; it was more hit and miss,” says Harry.
  
  
  This resourcefulness led to her becoming a style icon of the 1970s and 1980s.
  
  
  Micro mini-skirts, shredded tops, leather, skinny jeans, thigh-high boots and slinky jersey dresses flaunted her sexuality, while sunglasses and accessories added a hard-edged glam.
  
  
  A mix of punk, mod, disco and her own instincts, her style became a much imitated look through the decades.
  
  
  This look can be recreated on a budget. Look to trendy high street shops such as Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Warehouse and All Saints.
  
  
  To break hearts (of glass) this summer simply bring a modern twist to Debbie's style: try a pair of hot pants with skyscraper stilettos or a baggy t-shirt or vest with skinny jeans.
  
  
  Wayfarers, denim hot pants, high-waisted jeans, white plim-soles and stripy tees are essential to attain this rock-chic look.
  
  
  - DEMELZA DE BURCA
  
  

• Sister Act [+ Show ]
  

  Sister Act Forget the Boys Of Summer ...it’s a bevy of badass ladies who’ll be tearing it up at the...Sister Act
  Forget the Boys Of Summer ...it’s a bevy of badass ladies who’ll be tearing it up at the summer’s biggest and best gigs, writes Philip Byrne
  
  Independent.ie
  
  By Philip Byrne
  
  
  Friday May 16 2008
  
  Since we're not living in the 1950s, it's not surprising that some of the hottest artists coming to Ireland this summer are women.
  
  In fact, in this post-feminist, post-post-punk, post-Riot Grrrl world we're living in, it's a blessing that our idols are packing two X chromosomes, giving us shelter from the tiresome swagger of testosterone rock with their own kind of verve.
  
  Thanks to Ireland's steadily growing status as one of Europe's top-flight stopovers for the biggest acts on the planet, we've got one hell of a line-up to look forward to this summer, from intimate club gigs with the best bands you've never heard of to stadium-filling stars and of course the three-day festivals from hell. But you probably already knew that and have the credit card bill to prove it. What you may not know is that on every stage, at every turn, you'll find some of the biggest female names in music strutting their stuff.
  
  Look away now if you can't stand the cliché, but there really is something for everyone, as 'buzz' acts like Adele and Amy MacDonald, as well as heavyweights Pink and nan-pleasers like Celine Dion touch down. It's a veritable treasure trove of lady-shaped rock gems, and the only real question is who offers the biggest bang for your buck. We've been hard at work field-spotting the summer's leading ladies and compiling a list of the names your credibility can't afford miss this season.
  
  Debbie Harry
  
  There's not much that hasn't already been said about Blondie's magnetic leader, and most of the praise -- sex symbol, pioneer, style icon -- has been spot-on in describing the famously platinum-haired Harry. As a gutsy, beautiful woman who took the reins of the beefcake New York punk scene, she's inspired countless wannabe rock chicks to do the same. The former Deborah Anne Harry struggled as a secretary, a waitress, a dancer and a Playboy bunny before making her mark as New Wave's first lady, and went on to sell seven million records: talk about doing it for herself. She reunites with Blondie for one night only in Vicar Street on July 25, proving once again that some things only improve with age. This is as close as you'll ever get to the legendary lady without doing jail time, and we highly recommend it.
  
  Dolly Parton
  
  Hailing from times when all a singer needed was a big grin, a good set of pipes and a hairdo so big it could show up on radar, Dolly Parton is probably the best-preserved survivor of pop's golden age, and earnestly shows no sign of slowing down.
  
  Say what you will about the country girl's rather twee rep, but you've got to hand it to any woman who can shift millions of records, open her own self-themed amusement park and still look gorgeous at 62. And no matter how cool you may claim to be, there's no denying the power of Nine To Five, which you can guiltily groove to live in Cork on June 21. If you still doubt Parton, take note that the world's first clone was named after her -- eat that, Johnny Cash.
  
  Cathy Davey
  
  Unassuming, faintly eccentric and gifted with a voice that has drawn comparisons with Bjork, PJ Harvey and Goldfrapp, the unique Cathy Davey has outraced hordes of Irish wannabes to be recognised as one of the country's best musical products of the decade. Her debut album, 2004's Something Ilk, won her a cult following, while last year's Tales Of Silversleeve smashed the mould and has seen her pick up armfuls of awards and thousands of smitten fans in the process. Straddling the fine line between sweet and sexy with brilliant wit, her Olympia show on June 20 is already ear-marked on calendars nationwide.
  
  KT Tunstall
  
  A homely Scottish accent, a booming voice and some serious geetar chops have built KT Tunstall (Olympia, June 21) a pop CV that would send even Madonna into fits of jealousy. Since her breakthrough album, Eye To The Telescope, in 2005, the former busker and Scottish circuit backing-band staple snatched up the Ivor Novello Award for songwriting, Q Awards and nominations for Mercury Music Prizes and Grammys, not to mention that she sold millions of records on both sides of the Atlantic. With her reputation now cemented by the explosive success of her follow-up Drastic Fantastic she's become a major player in the States, but hasn't lost her down-to-earth vibe. This is who the girl next door should grow up to be.
  
  Amy Winehouse
  
  Welcome to Planet Winehouse, formerly Earth. Probably the most talked-about British artist since Morrissey, Winehouse has transformed from a niche market's brightest hope into pop's mainstay in a remarkably short period of time. Media vultures, drawn by her mixed fortunes in love and fondness for stimulants, have given her the patented Pete Doherty Career Boost -- while constantly underplaying the talent that's gotten her this far. Everything about the girl, from her tumultuous private life to her iconic awkward/beautiful looks and her booming 'Shirley Bassey on speed' vocals have the makings of a lasting music icon. Lately, half the attraction with Winehouse has been whether she'll stay the course, make it to the show, finish the song: for the faithful who will assemble at Oxegen's main stage this summer, it's just about that voice.
  
  MIA
  
  Being a fashion designer/rapper/Tamil Tiger-obsessed rabble-rouser can bring a girl a lot of attention, as London-based firebrand MIA (Mathangi Arulpragasam to the taxman) well knows. The daughter of a Tamil commander who was raised in a war zone before being spirited to the dreary environs of a 1980s London housing estate, MIA draws as much inspiration from her revolutionary brainstorming as from her hipster penchant for skin-tight synthetics and wicked haircuts. Politics aside, her set at last year's Electric Picnic exhibited some of the most impressive attitude of the year, and inspired hundreds of onlookers to grind their booties in appreciation. Expect more of the same sweet stuff at Tripod on June 27.
  
  Duffy
  
  With her debut album Rockferry barely out of the traps, Aimee Duffy has already been embraced as the great white hope of the bright-burning British soul movement. With the help of former Suede guitarist and Indie legend Bernard Butler on songwriting and producing duties, Rockferry has transformed the Welsh Pop Idol runner-up into what's been called 'the new Amy' and 'the new Dusty Springfield'. It's nice to see a bottle blonde with a voice like Lulu can still make it to the top of the charts, and even more exciting that she'll be tearing it up at Electric Picnic this summer. With the right weather conditions and just a little garnish of wine, her set could be one of the most enjoyable this summer. n
  
  Times New Viking's
  
  Beth Murphy
  
  These explosive noiseniks are on the brink of greatness, receiving universally glowing reviews for their SXSW performance. Most of their lo-fi power comes from the frenzied, yelping vocals of keyboardist Beth Murphy, who we're certain is to become one of indie's darlings in short order. Times New Viking play the Andrews Lane Theatre on May 26.
  
  CSS's
  
  Lovefoxxx
  
  For all their success, these Brazilian icons would be nothing without the shameless, alluring and carefree presence of their leader Lovefoxxx. A former fashion illustrator and designer with a penchant for catsuits, vintage clothes and performing barefoot, she's the essence of Noughties cool. CSS may still be trading on the success of an album that's three years old, but that won't stop them stealing the show at this year's Oxegen.
  
  Joan As Police woman
  
  She may have played with Elton John, Antony And The Johnsons and Lou Reed, and was paired with Jeff Buckley when he tragically passed, but Joan As Police Woman's creative core, Joan Wasser, is now more famous for her bittersweet jazz/rock craft and her achingly smooth vocals than for rock-celebrity background noise. Her debut album Real Life was a triumph of understatement and she'll air material from her forthcoming second, To Survive, at Tripod on June 23.
  
  Dirty Epics'
  
  SJ Wai
  
  Dublin punk rockers Dirty Epics have already generated enough column inches to stretch to the moon and back, largely thanks to striking frontwoman Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn, whose stunning classic pop vocal mixes potently with elfin looks and a killer dress sense to put her ahead of the pack. She's made Dirty Epics a band as at home playing on a catwalk as they are on a scuzzy club stage. They bear watching as they launch their debut album this summer. Dirty Epics play the Castlepalooza festival in August. n
  
  - Philip Byrne
  

• Demolition Band [+ Show ]
  

  The Event Guide http://www.eventguide.ie/articles.el... Music Interview – Dirty Epics Demol...The Event Guide
  
  http://www.eventguide.ie/articles.el...
  
  Music Interview – Dirty Epics
  
  Demolition Band
  
  Dirty, kick-ass rock and roll is the stuff of Dirty Epics, a four-piece Dublin band who are about to launch their debut single, ‘Demolition Man’. Bass player Richard Power spoke to The Event Guide about the band.
  
  Tell us a little about Dirty Epics.
  Where to start? We’ve been together in our current form for about two years. There were three of us (Richard Power on bass, Sarah Jane Wai O’Flynn on vocals, and Cormac Farrell on guitar) in a band about twelve years ago when we were nippers in school. We played for about two years and had reasonable success. We fell out of touch but met up by chance about two years ago. Then we found Alan Delaney, our drummer, the missing piece, and have been at it ever since.
  
  What was the significant musical glue of mutual interest that keeps you together?
  Our mutual interests would include The Ramones, Pearl Jam, early Blondie, and The Pixies…bands like that. It was a mutual appreciation of that kind of music that brought us together, a nice interesting mix.
  
  It would seem that Dirty Epics like to rock out.
  I think that’s it. We write songs that we enjoy playing and that have a fast tempo. We don’t take ourselves all that seriously, in that we’re not trying to be deep and meaningful. The songs are modern day observations in terms of the lyrics, and with the music we just enjoy playing fast. That really is a reflection of our influences.
  
  It doesn’t hurt the rock solid foundation of the band to have a girl lead singer.
  From very early on we noticed that there was a real lack of good, strong female-fronted bands on the scene in Dublin, and I think that that is what sets us apart a little bit. However, Sarah doesn’t sing like a girl. She tells the story that when she was about ten she asked her dad if she could sing in a choir, and he said no because she would end up singing like a girl! She has a serious set of lungs inside her.
  
  What sort of fan base have you developed?
  We have only really been playing live since the beginning of this year, but we had a high-profile gig with the Rapture in Tripod, which was a huge one for us. We were quite lucky, as initially we were to be the first band on of three, opening before Shit Disco, but they missed their ferry to Ireland and we ended up playing later and longer than planned. We got a lot of positive feedback. So we are starting slowly but are building nicely, which we are really pleased with.
  
  Dirty Epics, with Warm Wax and Lebowski, launch their debut single, ‘Demolition Man’, at Crawdaddy, at the POD Complex on Dublin’s Harcourt Street, on Wednesday 11th April. 8pm. €7. They also play Tower Records, on Wicklow Street, on Saturday 14th (phone for times), and play a support to Delorentos and Ham Sandwich at the Temple Bar Music Centre, on Curved Street, on Thursday 26th April. www.dirtyepics.com / www.myspace.com/dirtyepics / www.crawdaddy.ie

• Get ready to be blown away by exotic line-up [+ Show ]
  

  Saturday November 01 2008 The Diary can finally reveal the full line-up for the Hennessy Artist...
  Saturday November 01 2008
  
  The Diary can finally reveal the full line-up for the Hennessy Artistry event in Dublin's Sugar Club this Thursday.
  
  Jape, the DHOL Foundation and Dirty Epics (pictured) will provide the sounds on the night -- and all three will collaborate onstage at the end of the evening to perform a well-known Irish song.
  
  Hennessy Artistry is a music platform that was launched in 2006 and it aims to bring different genres of music together on the one stage.
  
  Early last month, Hennessy hosted its third annual concert in New York's Gotham Hall. The Diary was lucky enough to catch the packed-out gig, which was curated by Grammy Award winner NeYo, who at one point guested with top Brooklyn rapper Fabolous.
  
  The Sugar Club gig will be an invite-only event, with guests treated to a variety of exotic Hennessy cocktails -- and exotic sounds -- for the evening.
  
  And Hennessy CEO Bernard Peillon is also flying in for the gig to give it his full support.
  
  DHOL Foundation is an internationally acclaimed Afri-can drum act, Jape is making serious waves in the music business, while Dirty Epics have just released their debut album, Straight In No Kissing.
  

• Straight In No Kissing *** [+ Show ]
  

  Friday October 31 2008 The Dublin-based outfit have kept their debut album to a lean 34 minutes...
  Friday October 31 2008
  
  The Dublin-based outfit have kept their debut album to a lean 34 minutes -- and for the most part, they kick up a hugely enjoyable racket. The winning combination of urgent drums and guitars as well as Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn's scattergun screech gets the pulse racing from the off.
  The Cure has been getting modest airplay of late, but that's down to the conservatism of the country's playlisters rather than any shortcomings with the song: a sexy, raucous slice of garage rock that sounds like a Yeah Yeah Yeahs rarity.
  
  Meanwhile, retro duo The Raveonettes would probably kill to have a song like Pony -- its combination of nagging bass and piercing guitars is thrilling.
  
  Sometimes Dirty Epics fail to take good ideas to fruition, but there's plenty of evidence here to suggest that they may have a bright future ahead.
  
  Burn it: The Cure; Pony
  
  John Meaghar
  

• Straight in No Kissing Scar Records [+ Show ]
  

  If you like determined, uncomplicated punk, then try Wicklow natives Dirty Epics on for size. Ha...
  
  If you like determined, uncomplicated punk, then try Wicklow natives Dirty Epics on for size. Having garnered rave live reviews (a reputation that saw a Dublin Crawdaddy gig sell out),their much-awaited debut does exactly what it says on the tin. Frontwoman extraordinaire SJ Wai Flynn's cutting vocals storm the battlements Karen O style, while aggressive guitar fuzz plays cavalry as big drums surge from behind. Tracks here cover lust, love and the grit in between - The Cure purrs "It takes a lot to get me hot/most guys don't have what you've got" - and there's nary a tender moment on the aptly titled title track. Think The Subways partying with The Kills - raunchy rebellion guaranteed to end in errant hook-ups and questionable bruising.
  www.dirtyepics.com
  DEANNA ORTIZ
  Download Tracks: Way Too Pretty, The Cure, Pony

• Fans blown away by Epics' performances [+ Show ]
  

  GREYSTONES BAND Dirty Epics are tearing up the Dublin live music scene at the moment, fronted by the...GREYSTONES BAND Dirty Epics are tearing up the Dublin live music scene at the moment, fronted by the beautiful and very talented singer SJ Wai.
  
  Their electrifying performances to date have included a sell-out gig at Crawdaddy, a high profile slot on the new band stage at Oxegen 07 and an invitation to support The Rapture at Tripod.
  
  It has been a hectic year for the band that this month will see them launching their debut album and new single.
  
  From last Friday October 3 fans throughout Wicklow have been downloading the new single Way Too Pretty from iTunes and DownloadMusic.ie.
  
  But fans will have to wait just a little bit longer for the launch of their much anticipated debut album, Straight In No Kissing released on October 31. The band are looking forward to coming back to their home town for two special gigs this month in Greystones that will see the official launch of the album.
  
  Dirty Epics will play the Greystones Theatre on October 25.
  
  At 5 p.m. they will play an underage gig and will rock the stage then again at 10.30 p.m.
  
  Dirty Epics are a great addition to the music scene and have received rave reviews from industry magazines such as Hot Press.
  
  Their sound has been described as a mix of the New York Dolls, Joy Division and The Pixies with Bob Dylan.
  
  Buzzing guitars, powerful vocals, and a driving drum and bass section make their live shows a treat for anyone who likes cool alternative rock.
  

• They like to score [+ Show ]
  

  Dirty Epics provide the perfect soundtrack to football highlights, says EAMON CARR By Eamon C...
  
  Dirty Epics provide the perfect soundtrack to football highlights, says EAMON CARR
  
  By Eamon Carr
  
  Thursday November 20 2008
  
  The end credits of RTÉ's Premiership show exploded with a riot of goals and near misses as the soundtrack blared out: "We’re coming up, you can’t deny it." The high-octane guitars were fronted by a woman’s voice that was belligerent and assertive.
  
  I was still wondering who the band was when I came across the song again on Straight In No Kissing, the debut album by Dirty Epics. The woman who fronts this tight indie post-punk outfit turns out to be less ferocious than I had imagined.
  
  SJ Wai (known to her family as Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn) is tickled that her band's song was used on the sports show.
  
  "I suppose it's something that's a bit lairy and a bit rowdy," she laughs. "Oh, we're gonna win the Premiership!"
  
  Sarah Jane is the perfect mouthpiece for a band that cites influences as varied as Iggy and the Stooges, Led Zeppelin and Pixies. Her enthusiasm is infectious.
  
  "I find a lot of indie music on the boring side," she declares. "I like music that has a lot of passion, whether it be angst or love or whatever. I like stuff that is quite raw. I find Keane and Snow Patrol too insipid musically. I need something that has a little more power."
  
  When the words "raw" and "power" appear together the spirit of Iggy Pop, punk's founding father, can't be far away. And Dirty Epics' 11-track demolition derby of an album is the sort of thing Iggy might enjoy over breakfast or cocktails.
  
  "When we're making music or when I'm writing, it's always on my mind that I don't want anything like easy listening," says Sarah Jane.
  
  "There's no point in over-complicating or over-thinking a song," she says. "Our style of songwriting is simple."
  
  It's easy for Sarah Jane to describe Dirty Epics' music as simple, because the band have nailed the difficult task of being direct and entertaining. Too many bands try keeping things simple and end up sounding dreadfully dull.
  
  So what's the secret? "I think it's just about getting the point across," says Sarah Jane. "Sometimes lyrically I think, 'Oh God, is that too direct?' Maybe I should change that one line that makes what I'm writing about less obvious."
  
  Wai's voice is one of the most expressive rock'n'roll instruments on the current scene and Dirty Epics are one of the few bands who could attempt singing the telephone directory and get away with it. Luckily with songs such as Pony, Way Too Pretty and Dirty Dog fuelling their repertoire, there's no need.
  
  Straight In No Kissing is out now on Scar Records
  
  - Eamon Carr
  

• Dirty Epics rock out during home performance [+ Show ]
  

  Wednesday October 29 2008 GREYSTONES band Dirty Epics were overwhelmed with the fantastic res...
  
  Wednesday October 29 2008
  
  GREYSTONES band Dirty Epics were overwhelmed with the fantastic response they received as they took to the stage in their home town last Saturday.
  
  The band played to a huge crowd at Greystones theatre.
  
  It was a full packed day for the group with two performances that went better then they could have imagined.
  
  The Greystones band are tearing up the Dublin live music scene at the moment, fronted by the beautiful and very talented singer SJ Wai.
  
  They played an electrifying performance at 5 p.m. on Saturday to their underage fans.
  
  The excited fans were not only treated to a great performance as goodies were handed out during the gig.
  
  Sweets, badges, tshirts and special edition promo copies of Dirty Epics' most recent singles The Cure and Way Too Pretty were given to the more than happy crowd.
  
  After a few hours break the band made their way once again onto the stage at 10.30 p.m. for another soldout gig.
  
  Their flawless performance left the crowd begging for more and saw the band returning to the stage for an encore.
  
  It has been a hectic year for the band that this month will see them launching their debut album and new single.
  
  From October 3 fans throughout Wicklow have been downloading the new single Way Too Pretty from iTunes and DownloadMusic.ie.
  
  But fans will have to wait just a little bit longer for the launch of their much anticipated debut album, Straight In No Kissing released this Friday.
  
  Dirty Epics are a great addition to the music scene and have received rave reviews from industry magazines such as Hot Press.
  
  Their sound has been described as a mix of the New York Dolls, Joy Division and The Pixies with Bob Dylan.
  
  Buzzing guitars, powerful vocals, and a driving drum and bass section make their live shows a treat for anyone who likes cool alternative rock.
  
  
  

Setlist

all original material
SET 1hour
some covers


Dirty Epics Ireland Tour

Set List

1. Way Too Pretty

2. Dirty Dog

3. Black and White

4. Demolition Man

5. The Cure

6. Weirdo

7. Overrated

8. Q

9. Mouth of the Monster

10. Pony

11. Reaction

12. Sort It Out

13. Win Win

14. Take You On

15. We're Coming up

Basic Requirements

Calendar