1. The Urges: five men, their names are not important now, but what is, is … Read Full Bio ↴1. The Urges: five men, their names are not important now, but what is, is the sound that those five men create.

Starting out in Dublin as a raw & primitive garage band it didn’t take long for their racket to catch the locals attention. After releasing their first single “(Around &) Around” in 2007 the ears of international promoters began listening. They have since toured extensively throughout Europe, the U.S. & beyond. It was on one of these excursions to New York City ( to play with the legendary Sonics) where they caught the attention of Steve Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records. The label released their excellent debut album "Psych Ward" in 2008. This was an impassioned bolt of garage and psych that remains close to the heart of many (one review proclaimed it to be the garage album of the decade) … but that was then and this is now & it is the now of which I must discuss.

The Urges have progressed & learnt from the basics of garage music and in the process absorbed new influences to expand their sound. They have moved out of the garage, thanked those who have opened their ears from The Seeds to The Chocolate Watch Band, and set out on their new journey. Like every great band The Urges know that the need for progression and developing their sound is vital for any group to remain relevant & keep the heart of their sound beating. The Urges have done this by incorporating Rock n Roll, Soul, West Coast Psych, deep searching lyrics and superb playing by all five. The use of brass & string arrangements can be heard in their new sound, elevating it above and beyond their peers.

In parallel with their musical progression their live shows have also evolved. Witnessing The Urges live is something that goes beyond the sounds creeping out of amplifiers. Using light, film and colour, bathed in swirling visuals, they, as men, become part of the music, a visual and aural assault on the senses.

Listen to the lead track ("Fire Burning") from their forthcoming album, and hear the soul and beat sound that is played with passion and skill. Delve into the west coast psych sounds of "Sick Of The Scene" and "Strangers In A Stranger Land" and you will hear where they are going. Listen once, twice and further still, you will detect more subtle influences that creep into their music, building blocks of a new sound. A new sound that is wholly The Urges own. Film scores, folk rock, Scott Walker, Gene Clark, David Axelrod, I could list what I hear so wonderfully used to create something new but now it is up to you to listen, to be taken over.

As those five men sing "I’ve Been Here Before" you may ask yourself..... have I? … but in so many ways you haven’t! So let their sounds fill your head, for it is the music they create that counts.

2. Urges are a rock band from Portland, Oregon. http://urges.bandcamp.com/