Dirty Epics

The sound of Dirty Epics has been described as "a mix of the New York Dolls, Joy Division and the Pixies with Bob Dylan". They are known for their "buzzing guitars, powerful vocals, and a driving drum and bass section".{{cite web|url=http://www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/dirty-epics-rock-out-during-home-performance-1514056.html |title=Dirty Epics rock out during home performance |date=2008-10-29 |accessdate=2008-12-26 |publisher=Bray People |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716055520/http://www.braypeople.ie/entertainment/dirty-epics-rock-out-during-home-performance-1514056.html |archivedate=2011-07-16 }} The Irish Independent described the effect on the pulse of a combination of "urgent drums and guitars" alongside the "scattergun screech" of Sarah Jane Wai O'Flynn.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/music/music-dirty-epics-1514836.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802050321/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/music/music-dirty-epics-1514836.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-08-02 |title=Music: Dirty Epics * * * |date=2008-10-31 |accessdate=2008-12-26 |newspaper=Irish Independent }} SJ Wai counts her stylistic influences as including Debbie Harry of Blondie, describing her as "a true original who perfectly balanced a punk rock image with glamorous beauty".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/fashion-beauty/punk-blondes-have-more-fun-820847.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217235542/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/fashion-beauty/punk-blondes-have-more-fun-820847.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-17 |title=Punk Blondes have more fun |date=2007-06-06 |accessdate=2009-05-28 |newspaper=Irish Independent }}

The band formed during their school days, when Wai, Farrell and Power first made collective use of their skills as musicians and songwriters. Delaney resided in a town "far far away" but met his three future bandmates and after which Dirty Epics were formed. New Yorker Vince Lim joined the band in late 2009 as guitarist. Darren McCoy joined then in late 2010 as guitarist. Darren, an old friend of the bands from Roundwood, County Wicklow.{{cite news|url=http://www.munster-express.ie/entertainment/music/dirty-epics-to-play-traffik/|title=Dirty Epics to play Traffik|date=2008-07-16|accessdate=2008-12-26|newspaper=The Munster Express}}

Dirty Epics started writing and recording in 2005 where a demo of "The Cure" was reviewed in Hot Press by Jackie Hayden.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} They had their "Launch Gig" at Crawdaddy in April 2007. This was voted “Gig of the Week” by The Irish Times{{'}}s weekly music supplement The Ticket. They have also supported The Rapture at Tripod in Dublin and performed with Republic of Loose in The Academy,{{cite web|url=http://www.waterford-today.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4555&Itemid=10364&ed=447|title=Dirty Epics|accessdate=2008-12-26|publisher=Waterford Today}} as well as The Coronas at the same venue.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5479912.html|title=The Coronas announce Academy show|date=2009-05-29|accessdate=2009-05-29|magazine=Hot Press}} In early 2009 the band embarked on a tour of the United States, performing in destinations such as New York City, Texas and Los Angeles.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5313150.html|title=Dirty Epics plot US tour…|date=2009-03-12|accessdate=2009-03-12|magazine=Hot Press}} In a piece for independent.ie, the band perhaps jokingly said that they have used several cost-saving initiatives, including buying less batteries for their guitar effects pedals, less guitar strings and have also stated that they have restricted themselves to two strippers each per show.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/ive-planted-my-own-fruit-and-veg-patch-1751702.html|title='I've planted my own fruit and veg patch'|date=2009-05-27|accessdate=2009-05-28|newspaper=Irish Independent}}

Dirty Epics performed as the second act (between myokhotel and The Milk Teeth) on the New Bands Tent at Oxegen on 7 July 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.muse.ie/music-ireland-music_news-festivals/final-oxegen-bands-unveiled/spId/539854BB-CDCB-AC1A-89587140C68F7FC0.html |title=Final Oxegen bands unveiled |date=2007-06-22 |accessdate=2008-12-26 |publisher=muse.ie |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531050802/http://www.muse.ie/music-ireland-music_news-festivals/final-oxegen-bands-unveiled/spId/539854BB-CDCB-AC1A-89587140C68F7FC0.html |archivedate=2008-05-31 }} They returned the following year where they opened the Green Room Stage at 17:00 on 11 July 2008 just before The Kinetiks.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4590807.html|title=Oxegen announce full stage line-up…|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-09|magazine=Hot Press}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Article.asp?id=740276|title=Oxegen 2008 – Festival's Full Line-Up Revealed…|date=2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-11|publisher=Today FM}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4647684.html|title=Show times released for Oxegen 2008…|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-07-06|magazine=Hot Press}}{{cite web|url=http://www.phantom.ie/content/view/1664/104/|title=Oxegen 08 Line Up…|date=2008-07-03|accessdate=2008-07-16|publisher=Phantom FM}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} Dirty Epics performed at Indie-pendence in August 2008.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4527970.html|title=The Blizzards among acts for Indie-Pendence '08|date=2008-04-21|accessdate=2008-04-21|magazine=Hot Press}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4592941.html|title=Gemma Hayes, Giveamanakick for Indie-Pendence '08|date=2008-06-18|accessdate=2008-06-18|magazine=Hot Press}} On 16 August 2008, the band played the Solas Stage at Solas Festival in County Carlow.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4506986.html|title=Solas Festival lineup released|date=2008-03-14|accessdate=2008-03-15|magazine=Hot Press}} They have also played Hard Working Class Heroes and Miss Ireland.{{cite web|url=http://www.limerickindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/-dirty-epics-zone-straight-in-for-the-kill/|title=Dirty Epics zone straight in for the kill|date=2008-12-10|accessdate=2008-03-15|publisher=Limerick Independent|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103033919/http://www.limerickindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/-dirty-epics-zone-straight-in-for-the-kill/|archivedate=2009-01-03}} They participated in the Arthur's Day events in Dublin on 24 September 2009 and in 2011 they played an open venue concert in Dublin to celebrate Chinese New Year.{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.ie/music/music-news-article.asp?NewsID=28836 |title=Guinness Announce Arthurs Day Line Up, Entertainment.ie Chat to Noah and The Whale |date=2009-07-16 |accessdate=2009-09-12 |publisher=entertainment.ie |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615014949/http://entertainment.ie/music/music-news-article.asp?NewsID=28836 |archivedate=2011-06-15 }}

On 19 March 2010, Dirty Epics performed at the Irish Breakfast Showcase held at SXSW. It was around this time that the single "I Heart You" was released and new guitarist Vince Lim joined the band. They returned to Dublin to support OneRepublic.

Dirty Epics performed at Guinness Arthur's Day 2010 in Whelans with Brandon Flowers and in The George Pub with the Hoosiers.

Dirty Epics also appeared at Electric Picnic in 2013, playing in the little big tent

On 29 March 2008, Dirty Epics appeared on The Once a Week Show alongside guests Leanne Moore, singer and Pamela Flood, model and television presenter. They performed "The Cure".[http://www.rte.ie/tv/ttv/theonceaweekshow/theonceaweekshow_20080329_av.html?2355040,240,230 The Once a Week Show - 29 March 2008]. RTÉ. Accessed 24 December 2008. On 30 October 2008 the band appeared on The Cafe alongside guests George Lee, economist and Lucy Kennedy, television presenter. They performed the song "Way Too Pretty".[http://www.rte.ie/tv/ttv/thecafe/thecafe_20081030_av.html?2443144,null,243 The Cafe 30 October 2008]. RTÉ. Accessed 24 December 2008. On 17 December the band performed at Whelan's as part of Alison Curtis's Christmas Special on Today FM.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5069128.html|title=Today FM's Christmas show at Whelan's|date=2005-11-26|accessdate=2008-11-27|magazine=Hot Press}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Alison-Curtis/BLOG/08-12-15/December_15th.aspx?ReturnURL=%2fShows%2fWeekdays%2fAlison-Curtis%2fBLOG.aspx |title=December 15th |date=2008-12-15 |accessdate=2008-12-22 |publisher=Today FM |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219074250/http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Alison-Curtis/BLOG/08-12-15/December_15th.aspx?ReturnURL=%2FShows%2FWeekdays%2FAlison-Curtis%2FBLOG.aspx |archivedate=2008-12-19 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.todayfm.com/Shows/Weekdays/Alison-Curtis/BLOG/08-12-18/The_Alison_Curtis_Show_Christmas_Special.aspx?ReturnURL=%2fShows%2fWeekdays%2fAlison-Curtis%2fBLOG.aspx |title=The Alison Curtis Show Christmas Special |date=2008-12-18 |accessdate=2008-12-22 |publisher=Today FM }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On Monday 9 February 2009 they performed on the podge and rodge show, taking part in their competition Rocin' Roulette. They also performed on UTV's Live at the Limelight on 25 February 2009. Dirty Epics also appeared on RTÉ Two's The Raw Sessions,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5398365.html|title=Dirty Epics, R.S.A.G. and more for The Raw Sessions With Sony Ericsson|date=2009-04-29|accessdate=2009-05-01|magazine=Hot Press}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5459551.html|title=Dirty Epics Go through to second round|date=2009-05-27|accessdate=2009-05-28|magazine=Hot Press}} progressing to the final with their song "All Time Favourite".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/Dirty%20Epics/news/Catch%20the%20Raw%20Sessions%20live%20final%20tonight%21/5582295.html|title=Catch the Raw Sessions live final tonight!|date=2009-06-30|accessdate=2009-08-01|magazine=Hot Press}}

The song "We're Coming Up" featured in the final episode of the fourth series of British teen drama Skins on E4 on 18 March 2010.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/Dirty%20Epics/news/Dirty-Epics-to-rock-iSkinsi-tonight--and-Austin-tomorrow/6340825.html|title=Dirty Epics to rock Skins tonight - and Austin tomorrow!|date=18 March 2010|accessdate=18 March 2010|magazine=Hot Press|quote="We've got a new guitarist Vince Lim, so we've been bedding him in," Sarah reveals. "It's worked out really well. We wanted to get recording immediately and so we went straight into the studio and recorded 'I Heart You', which has just been released as a single.}}

SJ Wai - vocals

Darren McCoy - guitars

Richie Power - bass

Alan Delaney - drums

Dirty Epics released the singles "The Cure" (released 7 March 2008[http://www.thebackroomsessions.com/artDirtyEpics.html "Dirty Epics"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106034032/http://www.thebackroomsessions.com/artDirtyEpics.html |date=2009-01-06 }}. The Back Room. Accessed 26 December 2008.) and "Way Too Pretty" (released 3 October 2008). They also garnered recognition through their songs "Overrated" and "Pony". Their debut album, Straight In No Kissing (produced by Dave Morgan and Gareth Mannix) was released on 31 October 2008.{{cite news|url=http://www.munster-express.ie/entertainment/music/dirty-epics-return-to-traffik/|title=Dirty Epics return to Traffik|date=2008-11-07|accessdate=2008-12-26|newspaper=The Munster Express}}

They contributed to the 2009 charity album, Sparks n' Mind, released in aid of Aware, performing a cover version of the Portishead song, "Glory Box".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/5458750.html|title=Springsteen, Pixies & Portishead covered for Irish charity album|date=2009-05-25|accessdate=2009-05-28|magazine=Hot Press}}

They also played at Presentation College, Terenure's Fashion Show and Design Competition in February 2009 for the Marie Keating Foundation for breast cancer.

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Category:Irish alternative rock groups

Category:Irish indie rock groups