The Dirty 9s

"The Dirty 9s are back with a new demo recorded with a bloke called Tristan who was recommended by the Blizzards. Specialising in light indie-pop, they've cleverly reworked 'The Tease' and 'Fall from Grace', proving they can listen to feedback and use it to move forward. The new track 'Weeknight Lovers' has some of the directness of the Undertones. The re-worked 'Fall from Grace' suggests a band moving adventurously into new territiories, and it sits oddly by the tracks. Maybe this Tristian bloke is worth cultivating, and its time The Dirty 9's unleashed something for the masses"

Hotpress July 27th issue

Words by: Jackie Hayden
- hotpress

Frequency Ireland
I received a demo from The Dirty 9's a few days ago, and have being giving it due listen. While the sound is predominantly clean indie-guitar pop, they do have other facets about them which give them a distinctive sound. Most notable is the presence of an irresistible California veering bluesy guitar melody in their lead track 'The Tease', a track which has a positively upbeat vibe to it, and fuses really well into what is a great little summertime indie pop song of nonchalant rejection.

The other tracks on the demo aren't that bad either, which includes the indie-rock of 'The Weeknight Lovers' and also a dark ballad in 'Fall From Grace', and there is no doubting a strong radio-friendly appeal of The Dirty 9's. I suspect a lot more will be heard of them, in particular due to a likeable vocal style which is somewhat breathy, emotionally open and rather distinctive.

All in all, I'd like to hear The Dirty 9's experiment more with their use of those bluesy guitar melodies into that indie-pop sound however, as it gives them a distinctive attribute, and plays to the strengths of their song writing partnership. Regardless, it is no surprise that the popular Hot Press magazine, often a cheerleader for radio-friendly indie pop music, has recently praised the merits of these guys as "guitar driven indie-pop made for these times", and they will undoubtedly receive a lot more praise from similar quarters in the coming months. These guys could well be on a winner.

The Dirty 9's have been together as a band just since the start of last year, and having gigged some of Dublin's smaller venues, a high-point came about in March of this year, when they won a battle of the bands competition at Maynooth College, consequently supported The Republic of Loose at a sold-out college event, and later recorded their first demo. The songs from their demo can also be streamed from their myspace

http://www.frequency-
ireland.blogspot.com/

Words by: Tom Kennedy
- online

Unearthed Treasures
"The Dirty 9's are 4 fellows from Dublin who formed a band, before they really knew each other. Sounds a bit risky i know, but as they started writing, business began to pick up. With songs and confidence from playing live. The Dirty 9's took there songs and recorded them, you can hear the finished product below. The main ingredient in their songs is the guitar, it drives their songs forward and the man plucking the said instrument; Cian McCarthy does his best to keep the melody flowing perfectly.On track The Tease it reminisces of the now defunct The Stands. A folky number which can come alive at any minute. On Fall From Grace it show's a moody yet darker side which The Dirty Nine's had not shown before, I think i like this side because it includes the breathless vocals by singer Fergal Moloney. With one gig scheduled for the middle of the month at The Legal Eagle in Dublin, The Dirty 9's will be relishing more live oppurtunities in the coming months."

http://unearthedtreasures.blogspot.com/
- online

Hotpress Magazine
"Theres an urgency too about The Dirty 9s whose guitar driven indie-pop was made for these times. To 'Secrets' vocalist Fergal Moloney brings a gritty individuality and theres atouch of early Beatles about Cian MacCarthy's guitar licking. 'The Tease' is a gently smooth pop track, a la Crowded House, with a cute melody and rhythm drizzled with smooth riffs and pointed chords. 'Charolastras' ups the tempo spmewhat and delivers a Monkees style gem with a light country-rock sensibility. The Dirty 9s are a band craftily playing well within their capabilities.

Hotpress: May 17th 2006

words: Jackie Hayden
- hotpress