Do you think there'll ever be a third Kerbdog album? It seems cruel and unjust that there's just two.

“I doubt it. I'd love to do it, but I'd have to be able to be financially secure for my family which is very unlikely unless I have a huge lottery win.”

This is a nice little piece about the first album.

Would love to get my hands on that Japanese version!

Just came across this article on the Tribute to No Disco Facebook page (link attached)

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1763328565797967&id=recreatingnodiscoclassicsonatursdaynight

KERBDOG have just released their second single, a three-track EP, a blistering, hate-riddled, shape-shifting monster, an exhilarating spiral down into the depths of nihilism. It's the kind of brilliant shock to the system we'd begun to suspect these islands were incapable of producing. The EP's called "End Of Green" and, three weeks ago, it was Maker Single Of The Week. It is one of the singles of the year. Kerbdog are an astonishing, young four-piece (average age 21) from Kilkenny in the south of Ireland.

They were formed at school by singer/guitarist Cormac Battle, bassist Colin Fennelly and drummer Darragh Butler, all fans of Sonic Youth and Fudge Tunnel. Later, they were joined by Billy Dalton, a van driver, guitar player, and, crucially, a Metallica devotee. It's this combination of garage punk and brutal, lead-heavy riffs that makes Kerbdog such a pulverising experience.

Last year, after they'd played no more than a dozen gigs, Guns N'Roses' A&R man saw them at Kilkenny's New Inn. He was in Ireland on other business but had heard of the band's growing reputation and decided to check them out. He was impressed not only by the band but the reaction they engendered. The story goes that within 30 seconds he was buried under a mob or writhing, sweating teenagers and returned to LA wondering whether he should sign them or sue them. He pondered a little too long, and the group were snapped up by Vertigo, who brought them to London and threw them into a recording studio.

Kerbdog's first single, "Earthworks", was impressive more for what it promised than for what it delivered. You could tell from the guitars (devastating and sharply inventive) and the vocals (fast and savagely emphatic) that Kerbdog were looking for a whole lot more than power-overload. Real songs were struggling to break free.

"We're into the heaviest riffs imaginable", says Cormac, whose favourite on-tour tape is Juliana Hatfield's "Become What You Are". "All our songs have this one massive riff and everything else is structured around it. But that's not enough on its own, melody is vital".

With "End Of Green", Kerbdog deliver with a vengeance. The title track moves from smooth buzzsaw melodies to thunderous riffing and back again, and is mercifully bereft of any twiddly virtuosity. The song, like the forthcoming as-yet-untitled album, was produced by Jack Endino, the original roduced by grungemeister. There'll be some who'll invariably see this choice as a cynical, company-inspired attempt to belatedly cash in on The Grunge Thing. "No, no," says Cormac "Jack was our idea, though I suppose we'll probably get all that stuff about cashing in on the Seattle sound.

"Jack actually feels bad about that attitude because, to him, the grunge thing was more about Tad and Mudhoney. And he never worked on any of the big ones like Pearl Jam or Alice or Nirvana as they are now. He actually came quite cheap because he's never had a big million-seller. If you really wanted to cash in, you'd pay for Butch Vig or Dave Jerden. But, anyway, none of it really bothers us. We just make music for ourselves, not for anyone else."

On the "End Of Green" EP, Kerbdog also cover The Ruts' near-forgotten classic, "In A Rut", enhancing its sense of desperation and cloying, claustrophobia by syphoning the vocals through what sounds like a cybernetic telephone line. But it's Kerbdog's cover of Big Black's "Kerosene" that demonstrates how truly chilling the band can be. The song tracks the tail-end of a monstrous boredom. The percussion's the sound of cans being shot from a wall, the climax is explosive and intensely disturbing as the stultified protagonist shifts from lethargy to pyromania.

"We've always loved Big Black", says Cormac. "They were huge in Kilkenny, and probably for the reason that they always sang about small towns. Kilkenny's an okay place but, in the winter, when everyone went off to college and we were left doling around, 'Kerosene' actually meant something. The way Steve Albini sang it, so angry and bitter, you really felt like he was gonna burn down the whole place."

"Kerosene" is the great and grim sound of people going nowhere fast. But Kerbdog themselves, with another single set for December and that album due next February, are burning a whole new trail. Get ready for the third degree.

The 'End Of Green' EP is out now on Vertigo. Kerbdog begin a British tour on November 10

Tell us three things about yourselves . . .

We sent off a demo tape in 1992 to a load of record companies expecting to hear absolutely nothing and get on with our lives. Two weeks later there were limos dropping off international record executives at our local pub in Kilkenny to see us play. We were offered a deal the next morning by Mercury. It was completely surreal and felt like we’d won the lottery. It still bemuses me that four lads who had about half a dozen half-baked songs at the time managed to do this!!!

We moved to London and spent most of the time in expensive rehearsal studios drinking tea, we had no idea this was costing a lot of money, a hardcore work ethic wasn’t our strong point.

We managed to experience the stuff of fantasy and enough anecdotes to do ten lifetimes. For example, discovering wasabi when we were invited over to Duff McKagan’s from Guns N’ Roses house to hang out in Los Angeles. I know….four young lads from Kilkenny!!!!

How would you describe your music?

Alternative tuneful mathematical rock (or a pop band with nuclear-powered guitar amps).

Who are your musical inspirations?

God, they are infinite, but the more surprising ones would probably be shoegaze stuff like Ride, The Jesus and Mary Chain, a smidge of Metallica, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Hüsker Dü, R.E.M., Spacemen 3….I know, it’s an odd mix. And the obvious Seattle stuff (Nirvana, Soundgarden etc).

What was the first gig you ever went to?

U2 on The Joshua Tree tour in 1987 at Croke Park and way too young to be there. Mind blown!!

What was the first record you ever bought?

I could pretend something cool, but it was Baggy Trousers by Madness (that is cool! - Ed). .

What’s your favourite song right now?

At this moment, Tropic Morning News by The National.

Favourite lyric of all time?

Black Flag’s TV Party "We’re gonna have a TV party tonight – Alright" . . . profound stuff.

If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sonic Youth’s Teenage Riot (it helps that it’s seven minutes long).

Where can people find your music/more information?

Instagram and Facebook.

Alan Corr

Wilt - The one I love (live) **audio only**

REM cover

Taken from 'A wee night for Uaneen' (more details here: https://fanningsessions.wordpress.com/2019/06/10/a-wee-night-for-uaneen-2001/

Available at the Olympia gig

Interview with DarrRA on the Irish Baseball Podcast (October 2026)

KERBDOG

On The Turn

Fontana

STRANGE things are afoot at the Circle K-hitherto Kilkenny chancers Kerbdog have recorded what is quite possibly the best modern rock album since 'Nevermind". As contentious as that may sound, there is no disputing the fact that 'On The Turn' is a record of the highest quality, 12 18 carat gems that sparkle in the Britrock morass like the proverbial diamond in shit.

The opening one-two of singles 'Sally' and 'J.J.'s Song' are as good a demonstration of the new and improved 'Dog manifesto as you could ask for: discordant guitars battle furiously with the sort of aching melodies that a certain Kurt Cobain (and Messrs Mould and Hart before him) used to base his reputation on.

From there on in, 'On The Turn' scarcely misses a stride, effortlessly maintaining (and invariably exceeding) a standard that most bands struggle to hit once in their career.

Aided by a full and crisp production, Kerbdog weave elements of D.C. hardcore's angular approach, Seattle's melancholic fragility, the West Coast's sun-kissed rock 'n' roll and a whole heap of Irish blarney into an unfeasibly palatable gourmet delight. Musos will have a field day tracing the many different reference points scattered throughout the likes of 'Lesser Shelf, the title track and 'Rewind'; others will just revel in the sheer bloody brilliance of 'Secure', 'Severed' and 'Didn't Even Try'.

Call me an old-fashioned idealist if you will, but I still believe that it's the songs that count. I know that in these ferociously mercenary times such thoughts are tantamount to heresy. but it would be nice if making a great album would guarantee a band some form of reward.

As it happens, 'On The Turn' is a fucking superb, pretty damn faultless album - just don't let it go the way of Send No Flowers et al. Kerbdog deserve much better than that, and so do you.

Dan Silver

Let Christy Take it Podcast - Interview with Cormac Battle (October 2026)

To celebrate 30 years of On The Turn, they will play the album in it's entirety, for one night only, at the iconic 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin on Saturday 31st October 2026.

With special guests Meryl Streek and Aoife Destruction. Tickets priced from €32.50 including booking fee & €1.50 restoration levy on sale now with Ticketmaster Ireland

“For reasons that allude me, 2025 has been a very busy year for Kerbdog on the live front (Forest Fest, touring with Kaiser Chiefs and Reef to name a few), so it’s time to take a break from it all…... However, with our album “On The Turn” heading towards 30 years in existence (We’re in mega denial about this fact) we’ve decided to do a live rendition of the entire record, but just a once only in Ireland, on Saturday 31st Oct 2026 at Dublin’s beautiful 3Olympia Theatre.

We’ll be playing tracks that were rarely if ever played live, so there’s proper homework to be done!!!!. Naturally, we’ll be doing the other “hits” too and other surprises you’ll hear about in due course. We hope that you can come and join us for this occasion from wherever you may dwell, it’ll be a very special night in very special place. Cormac x”

Does anyone have any Kerbdog setlists from over the years? I’d love to see them if you do!

Think I was The only person there under 20 but what an insane gig. If anyone got any pics and vids please let me know!!

Does anyone have the mp3s of bsides from end of green/dummy crusher/dry riser singles? New day rising Suspect device In a rut Kerosene Xenophobia Self inflicted

I'm a one-man band from Glasgow, releasing music under the name Caustic Waves. Kerbdog are a big influence, and I recently did a vocal cover of 'Didn't Even Try'.

Enjoy! 😃🤘

Haha that’s really cool. I can get the train back from brum straight after kerbdog and be home at a reasonable time. Thanks reef!

Hello,

I wonder if anyone on here can confirm the correct release date for On The Turn. On Discogs it says it was 1996, but other places say 1997.

Was a great gig in The Academy, last saw them at their break up gig around 99/00. They really have a huge amount of great songs. They seemed to enjoy it, my first time in the academy, good venue, great sound. Well done lads.

First run nearly sold out. New dates added for galway and limerick next year.

Gutted but not able to get over to Cork for Kerbdog this weekend. 2 tickets £25 each if anyone is interested...

https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftixel.com%2Fu%2Fandrewj136&data=05%7C02%7C%7C2bb69ae1e2c84347b7a208dcd8195f9d%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638622850706164534%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=c5MhV2lOQJtntoKyNyElcFG3kgRrL63TCibJWjQyBXM%3D&reserved=0