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Giveamanakick formed in 2001 following the demise of Tooth.<ref name="The Inside Kick">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/interviews/2678500.html|title=The Inside Kick|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=As with most stories, the tale of Giveamanakick begins with the end of another. In this case it was the demise of well respected Limerick band Tooth, the breakup of which left main songwriter Steve kicking his musical heels. “I started playing these solo gigs with these songs that I had,” he explains, “just me, an electric guitar and a few noisy peddles. Keith saw me one night and I mentioned that I was looking for a drummer. He was playing guitar in another Limerick band but he started playing drums with me as well.”}}</ref><ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> Left with several songs, Ryan performed as a solo artist with an [[electric guitar]].<ref name="The Inside Kick"/> One night, he encountered Keith Lawler, who played guitar in another band at the time, and Lawler began drumming with Ryan.<ref name="The Inside Kick"/> In 2002, the duo released a split single with Mr. Creosote titled "Darko Filopovic", a song which would later feature as the final track on their debut album.<ref name="Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'"/><ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> By 2003, they had supported several more established acts, including [[Yeah Yeah Yeahs]] and [[Rocket from the Crypt]].<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> In 2003, there were reports that the duo's debut album, titled ''Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'', would be released on a label called [[Larry Gogan]] Records but this later emerged to be a joke published by a fledgling ''[[Foggy Notions]]''.<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> The duo's debut album was in fact published on 3 July 2003 with that same title by the independent label [[Out On A Limb Records]] as the label's first release, with Giveamanakick having finished recording it in January that year.<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview...">{{cite web|author=Ciaran Ryan|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/features/giveamanakick.htm|title=Limerick's latest giveamananinterview...|date=June 2003|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[CLUAS]]}}</ref> It received two out of five stars in a review by RTÉ's Tom Grealis who wrote, "this is what happens when rawness comes without any real sense of purpose".<ref name="giveamanakick - Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus? (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Tom Grealis|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2004/0401/giveamanakick.html|title=giveamanakick - Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus?|date=2004-01-04|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> The ''Hot Press'' reviewer said listening to the album was "something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour" but, nonetheless, "bloody fantastic".<ref name="Is It Ok To Be Loud, Jesus? (Hot Press)">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/2693995.html|title=Is It Ok To Be Loud, Jesus?|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=Listening to this Limerick duo’s debut album is something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour. It is, though, bloody fantastic. [...] Quibbles are few though and this is easily up there with Berkley as one of the Irish punk rock releases of the year.}}</ref>
Giveamanakick formed in 2001 following the demise of Tooth.<ref name="The Inside Kick">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/interviews/2678500.html|title=The Inside Kick|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=As with most stories, the tale of Giveamanakick begins with the end of another. In this case it was the demise of well respected Limerick band Tooth, the breakup of which left main songwriter Steve kicking his musical heels. “I started playing these solo gigs with these songs that I had,” he explains, “just me, an electric guitar and a few noisy peddles. Keith saw me one night and I mentioned that I was looking for a drummer. He was playing guitar in another Limerick band but he started playing drums with me as well.”}}</ref><ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> Left with several songs, Ryan performed as a solo artist with an [[electric guitar]].<ref name="The Inside Kick"/> One night, he encountered Keith Lawler, who played guitar in another band at the time, and Lawler began drumming with Ryan.<ref name="The Inside Kick"/> In 2002, the duo released a split single with Mr. Creosote titled "Darko Filopovic", a song which would later feature as the final track on their debut album.<ref name="Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'"/><ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> By 2003, they had supported several more established acts, including [[Yeah Yeah Yeahs]] and [[Rocket from the Crypt]].<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> In 2003, there were reports that the duo's debut album, titled ''Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'', would be released on a label called [[Larry Gogan]] Records but this later emerged to be a joke published by a fledgling ''[[Foggy Notions]]''.<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/> The duo's debut album was in fact published on 3 July 2003 with that same title by the independent label [[Out On A Limb Records]] as the label's first release, with Giveamanakick having finished recording it in January that year.<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview...">{{cite web|author=Ciaran Ryan|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/features/giveamanakick.htm|title=Limerick's latest giveamananinterview...|date=June 2003|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[CLUAS]]}}</ref> It received two out of five stars in a review by RTÉ's Tom Grealis who wrote, "this is what happens when rawness comes without any real sense of purpose".<ref name="giveamanakick - Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus? (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Tom Grealis|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2004/0401/giveamanakick.html|title=giveamanakick - Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus?|date=2004-01-04|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> The ''Hot Press'' reviewer said listening to the album was "something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour" but, nonetheless, "bloody fantastic".<ref name="Is It Ok To Be Loud, Jesus? (Hot Press)">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/2693995.html|title=Is It Ok To Be Loud, Jesus?|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=Listening to this Limerick duo’s debut album is something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour. It is, though, bloody fantastic. [...] Quibbles are few though and this is easily up there with Berkley as one of the Irish punk rock releases of the year.}}</ref>


A second album, ''We Are the Way Forward'', was recorded over an eight-day period and released by Out On a Limb in 2005.<ref name="More kicks than pricks"/><ref name="giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward (RTÉ)"/> It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who said: "you'll get what you paid for from their stomp and swing".<ref name="giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Harry Guerin|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1220/giveamanakick.html|title=giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward|date=2005-12-20|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> Phil Udell's ''Hot Press'' review gave the album 4.5 out of five stars, saying it "gives you that much sought after visceral thrill" and that the duo "wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic".<ref name="We Are The Way Forward (Hot Press)">{{cite web|author=Phil Udell|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/2845932.html|title=We Are The Way Forward|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=Music is not an exact science. It’s a living, breathing thing and that’s why we remember great gigs probably more than great records. It’s also why Giveamanakick’s second album bucks the trend and gives you that much sought after visceral thrill. [...] The lyrics are spot on, taking a swipe at a range of subjects with a vicious eye for detail, especially the music scene itself: “Hey rock ‘n’ rollers, get up early, have a good breakfast…preach to the jaded, the twice converted”. The influences are obviously American (“you’re Thurston for Moore”) but the duo put enough of themselves into the music to sound almost unique. Giveamanakick then – wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic.}}</ref> Their live performances also came in for increasing critical acclaim. When Eamon Sweeney of the ''Irish Independent'' attended a show by [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] in May 2006, his review stated that they "were well and truly blown off the stage by the support band" who were Giveamanakick.<ref name="Presidents not in the same state as they used to be">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/presidents-not-in-the-same-state-as-they-used-to-be-99255.html|title=Presidents not in the same state as they used to be|date=2006-05-23|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> Stephen Ryan has said in several interviews that their early Sunday morning performance at Electric Picnic in 2006 was "one to remember" with so many festival-goers coming to view them.<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> He described the performance as a" bit of a blur" as they "pretty dumbfounded by the reaction" and the idea of "playing with some of our musical heroes such as [[Dinosaur Jr.]] and [[Deftones]] was a dream come through{{sic}}".<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/>
A second album, ''We Are the Way Forward'', was recorded over an eight-day period and released by Out On a Limb in 2005.<ref name="More kicks than pricks"/><ref name="giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward (RTÉ)"/> It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who said: "you'll get what you paid for from their stomp and swing".<ref name="giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Harry Guerin|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1220/giveamanakick.html|title=giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward|date=2005-12-20|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> Phil Udell's ''Hot Press'' review gave the album 4.5 out of five stars, saying it "gives you that much sought after visceral thrill" and that the duo "wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic".<ref name="We Are The Way Forward (Hot Press)">{{cite web|author=Phil Udell|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/albums/2845932.html|title=We Are The Way Forward|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=Music is not an exact science. It’s a living, breathing thing and that’s why we remember great gigs probably more than great records. It’s also why Giveamanakick’s second album bucks the trend and gives you that much sought after visceral thrill. [...] The lyrics are spot on, taking a swipe at a range of subjects with a vicious eye for detail, especially the music scene itself: “Hey rock ‘n’ rollers, get up early, have a good breakfast…preach to the jaded, the twice converted”. The influences are obviously American (“you’re Thurston for Moore”) but the duo put enough of themselves into the music to sound almost unique. Giveamanakick then – wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic.}}</ref> Their live performances also came in for increasing critical acclaim. When Eamon Sweeney of the ''Irish Independent'' attended a show by [[The Presidents of the United States of America (band)|The Presidents of the United States of America]] in May 2006, his review stated that they "were well and truly blown off the stage by the support band" who were Giveamanakick.<ref name="Presidents not in the same state as they used to be">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/presidents-not-in-the-same-state-as-they-used-to-be-99255.html |title=Presidents not in the same state as they used to be |date=2006-05-23 |accessdate=2009-08-21 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> Stephen Ryan has said in several interviews that their early Sunday morning performance at Electric Picnic in 2006 was "one to remember" with so many festival-goers coming to view them.<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> He described the performance as a" bit of a blur" as they "pretty dumbfounded by the reaction" and the idea of "playing with some of our musical heroes such as [[Dinosaur Jr.]] and [[Deftones]] was a dream come through{{sic}}".<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/>


In 2007, Giveamanakick toured Germany before beginning to record their follow-up album.<ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans"/> They did the [[2fm 2moro 2our]] with [[The Flaws]] and [[Messiah J & The Expert]].<ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/2912524.html|title=Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans|date=2007-03-01|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=In between Kilkenny and Sligo, the Limerickians will be heading to Letterkenny where they’ll be assembling the follow-up to ''We Are The Way Forward'' in Attica Audio Studios with Tommy from Berkeley. They’ve also been confirmed for the next 2fm 2moro 2our, which kicks off on May 16 and also features the very diverse talents of Messiah J & The Expert and The Flaws.}}</ref><ref name="Step into the ‘Shade’">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/step-into-the-145shade146-696021.html|title=Step into the ‘Shade’|date=2007-05-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref><ref name="Burning Shades turn up the heat in Sligo">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/burning-shades-turn-up-the-heat-in-sligo-695881.html|title=Burning Shades turn up the heat in Sligo|date=2007-05-09|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref><ref name="Radio roadshow coming to Carlow">{{cite web|url=http://www.carlowpeople.ie/news/radio-roadshow-coming-to-carlow-643492.html|title=Radio roadshow coming to Carlow|date=2007-04-12|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[Carlow People]]''}}</ref><ref name="Clear the airwaves-Sligo band sought">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/clear-the-airwavessligo-band-sought-576767.html|title=Clear the airwaves-Sligo band sought|date=2007-04-11|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref> In October that year, rock critic Eamon Sweeney, bemoaning the lack of original Irish music that year, singled out Giveamanakick as " the best hard-rock band in the country" and said they "could teach all those Dublin chancers with stupid haircuts and no ideas a thing or two".<ref name="Loaded: Gossip and news from rock critic Eamon Sweeney">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/loaded-gossip-and-news-from-rock-critic-eamon-sweeney-1199711.html|title=Loaded: Gossip and news from rock critic Eamon Sweeney|date=2007-10-19|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref>
In 2007, Giveamanakick toured Germany before beginning to record their follow-up album.<ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans"/> They did the [[2fm 2moro 2our]] with [[The Flaws]] and [[Messiah J & The Expert]].<ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/2912524.html|title=Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans|date=2007-03-01|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=In between Kilkenny and Sligo, the Limerickians will be heading to Letterkenny where they’ll be assembling the follow-up to ''We Are The Way Forward'' in Attica Audio Studios with Tommy from Berkeley. They’ve also been confirmed for the next 2fm 2moro 2our, which kicks off on May 16 and also features the very diverse talents of Messiah J & The Expert and The Flaws.}}</ref><ref name="Step into the ‘Shade’">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/step-into-the-145shade146-696021.html|title=Step into the ‘Shade’|date=2007-05-16|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref><ref name="Burning Shades turn up the heat in Sligo">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/burning-shades-turn-up-the-heat-in-sligo-695881.html|title=Burning Shades turn up the heat in Sligo|date=2007-05-09|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref><ref name="Radio roadshow coming to Carlow">{{cite web|url=http://www.carlowpeople.ie/news/radio-roadshow-coming-to-carlow-643492.html |title=Radio roadshow coming to Carlow |date=2007-04-12 |accessdate=2009-08-21 |publisher=''[[Carlow People]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120182734/http://www.carlowpeople.ie/news/radio-roadshow-coming-to-carlow-643492.html |archivedate=20 November 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="Clear the airwaves-Sligo band sought">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/clear-the-airwavessligo-band-sought-576767.html|title=Clear the airwaves-Sligo band sought|date=2007-04-11|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref> In October that year, rock critic Eamon Sweeney, bemoaning the lack of original Irish music that year, singled out Giveamanakick as " the best hard-rock band in the country" and said they "could teach all those Dublin chancers with stupid haircuts and no ideas a thing or two".<ref name="Loaded: Gossip and news from rock critic Eamon Sweeney">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/loaded-gossip-and-news-from-rock-critic-eamon-sweeney-1199711.html|title=Loaded: Gossip and news from rock critic Eamon Sweeney|date=2007-10-19|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref>


Giveamanakick were described as a "promising act" for 2008 by Eamon Sweeney of the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' in January of that year.<ref name="Bright lights: The Irish music scene in 2008">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/bright-lights-the-irish-music-scene-in-2008-1262797.html|title=Bright lights: The Irish music scene in 2008|date=2008-01-11|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> They performed several Irish dates in January that year.<ref name="Giveamanakick announce new dates">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4373941.html|title=Giveamanakick announce new dates|date=2008-01-16|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=The Galway show should be an absolute cracker, given that none other than Fight Like Apes will be heading the support bill, while equally promising Dubliners Grand Pocket Orchestra will open in Whelan's.}}</ref> Their third album, ''Welcome to the Cusp'', was recorded over a ten-day period in [[Letterkenny]], [[County Donegal]] and released on 2 May 2008 on the duo's own label, Monkeyheart Recordings.<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)"/><ref name="More kicks than pricks"/><ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans"/><ref name="Giveamanakick to play Whelan's">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4514625.html|title=Giveamanakick to play Whelan's|date=2008-03-20|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who described the music as "immediate and memorable".<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Harry Guerin|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0605/giveamanakick.html|title=Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> Other publications called it "the best Irish record of 2008".<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success">{{cite web|author=Staff Reporter|url=http://www.limerickindependent.com/limerick-profile/limerick-profile/%91giveamanakick%92:-limerick-rock-duo-on-the-cusp-of-success/|title=‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success|date=2008-06-11|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Limerick Independent]]''}}</ref> The track "Brittle Bones", released as the second single from the album,<ref name="Giveamanakick calm down...">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/5294050.html|title=Giveamanakick calm down...|date=2009-03-05|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> marked the first use of an [[acoustic guitar]] by the duo.<ref name="More kicks than pricks">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/interviews/4554091.html|title=More kicks than pricks|date=2008-05-13|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=The Limerick band’s recently-released third album ''Welcome To The Cusp'' is made of similar mettle as their previous efforts, 2002’s ''Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus'', and 2005’s ''We Are The Way Forward'' – a potent force of heavy guitar and drums that incorporates elements of metal, rock, and, for the first time, the use of an acoustic guitar on the track ‘Brittle Bones’.}}</ref> Ryan claimed that ''Welcome to the Cusp'' was the album which "most accurately represents what the Giveamanakick sound actually is" and described the songs as "possibly the most structurally challenging ones so far".<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)">{{cite web|author=Staff Reporter|url=http://www.corkindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/giveamanakick/|title=Giveamanakick|date=2008-04-17|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Cork Independent (newspaper)|Cork Independent]]''}}</ref>
Giveamanakick were described as a "promising act" for 2008 by Eamon Sweeney of the ''[[Irish Independent]]'' in January of that year.<ref name="Bright lights: The Irish music scene in 2008">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/bright-lights-the-irish-music-scene-in-2008-1262797.html |title=Bright lights: The Irish music scene in 2008 |date=2008-01-11 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> They performed several Irish dates in January that year.<ref name="Giveamanakick announce new dates">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4373941.html|title=Giveamanakick announce new dates|date=2008-01-16|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=The Galway show should be an absolute cracker, given that none other than Fight Like Apes will be heading the support bill, while equally promising Dubliners Grand Pocket Orchestra will open in Whelan's.}}</ref> Their third album, ''Welcome to the Cusp'', was recorded over a ten-day period in [[Letterkenny]], [[County Donegal]] and released on 2 May 2008 on the duo's own label, Monkeyheart Recordings.<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)"/><ref name="More kicks than pricks"/><ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans"/><ref name="Giveamanakick to play Whelan's">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4514625.html|title=Giveamanakick to play Whelan's|date=2008-03-20|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who described the music as "immediate and memorable".<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)">{{cite web|author=Harry Guerin|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0605/giveamanakick.html|title=Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp|date=2008-06-05|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]}}</ref> Other publications called it "the best Irish record of 2008".<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success">{{cite web|author=Staff Reporter |url=http://www.limerickindependent.com/limerick-profile/limerick-profile/%91giveamanakick%92:-limerick-rock-duo-on-the-cusp-of-success/ |title=‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success |date=2008-06-11 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Limerick Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> The track "Brittle Bones", released as the second single from the album,<ref name="Giveamanakick calm down...">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/archive/5294050.html|title=Giveamanakick calm down...|date=2009-03-05|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> marked the first use of an [[acoustic guitar]] by the duo.<ref name="More kicks than pricks">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/interviews/4554091.html|title=More kicks than pricks|date=2008-05-13|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''|quote=The Limerick band’s recently-released third album ''Welcome To The Cusp'' is made of similar mettle as their previous efforts, 2002’s ''Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus'', and 2005’s ''We Are The Way Forward'' – a potent force of heavy guitar and drums that incorporates elements of metal, rock, and, for the first time, the use of an acoustic guitar on the track ‘Brittle Bones’.}}</ref> Ryan claimed that ''Welcome to the Cusp'' was the album which "most accurately represents what the Giveamanakick sound actually is" and described the songs as "possibly the most structurally challenging ones so far".<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)">{{cite web|author=Staff Reporter |url=http://www.corkindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/giveamanakick/ |title=Giveamanakick |date=2008-04-17 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Cork Independent (newspaper)|Cork Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013045844/http://www.corkindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/giveamanakick/ |archivedate=13 October 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref>


Giveamanakick performed a nationwide tour following the release of ''Welcome to the Cusp'',<ref name="Giveamanakick to play Whelan's"/><ref name="Giveamanakick add new shows">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4497948.html|title=Giveamanakick add new shows|date=2008-03-12|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref><ref name="Candides launch debut album in Spirit Store">{{cite web|url=http://www.argus.ie/entertainment/candides-launch-debut-album-in-spirit-store-1460799.html|title=Candides launch debut album in Spirit Store|date=2008-08-21|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref><ref name="Loaded: 2nd May">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/columnists/loaded-2nd-may-1364920.html|title=Loaded: 2nd May|date=2008-05-02|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref><ref name="The week in... 18th - 25th April">{{cite web|author=John Meagher|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/critics-choice/the-week-in-18th--25th-april-1351052.html|title=The week in... 18th - 25th April|date=2008-04-18|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> including a date at [[Indie-pendence]] in August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4592941.html|title=Gemma Hayes, Giveamanakick for Indie-Pendence '08|date=2008-06-18|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> Prior to their Friday night performance at Electric Picnic in [[Electric Picnic 2008|2008]], Tony Clayton-Lea, writing in ''[[The Irish Times]]'', recommended festival-goers to see them, remarking that "despite keeping a profile lower than a [[Dachshund]]'s belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop".<ref name="A guide to Friday at the Electric Picnic">{{cite web|author=Tony Clayton-Lea|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2008/0822/1219331384186.html|title=A guide to Friday at the Electric Picnic|date=2008-08-22|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=Not that most people in Ireland would know, but Limerick duo Stephen Ryan and Keith Lawler are on their third album (''Welcome to the Cusp''). Despite keeping a profile lower than a Dachshund's belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop.}}</ref><ref name="Sex Pistols misfire but our friends electric dish up a feast">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/sex-pistols-misfire-but-our-friends-electric-dish-up-a-feast-1467327.html|title=Sex Pistols misfire but our friends electric dish up a feast|date=2008-09-02|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref>
Giveamanakick performed a nationwide tour following the release of ''Welcome to the Cusp'',<ref name="Giveamanakick to play Whelan's"/><ref name="Giveamanakick add new shows">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4497948.html|title=Giveamanakick add new shows|date=2008-03-12|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref><ref name="Candides launch debut album in Spirit Store">{{cite web|url=http://www.argus.ie/entertainment/candides-launch-debut-album-in-spirit-store-1460799.html|title=Candides launch debut album in Spirit Store|date=2008-08-21|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref><ref name="Loaded: 2nd May">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/columnists/loaded-2nd-may-1364920.html |title=Loaded: 2nd May |date=2008-05-02 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref name="The week in... 18th - 25th April">{{cite web|author=John Meagher|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/critics-choice/the-week-in-18th--25th-april-1351052.html|title=The week in... 18th - 25th April|date=2008-04-18|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> including a date at [[Indie-pendence]] in August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4592941.html|title=Gemma Hayes, Giveamanakick for Indie-Pendence '08|date=2008-06-18|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref> Prior to their Friday night performance at Electric Picnic in [[Electric Picnic 2008|2008]], Tony Clayton-Lea, writing in ''[[The Irish Times]]'', recommended festival-goers to see them, remarking that "despite keeping a profile lower than a [[Dachshund]]'s belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop".<ref name="A guide to Friday at the Electric Picnic">{{cite web|author=Tony Clayton-Lea|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2008/0822/1219331384186.html|title=A guide to Friday at the Electric Picnic|date=2008-08-22|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=Not that most people in Ireland would know, but Limerick duo Stephen Ryan and Keith Lawler are on their third album (''Welcome to the Cusp''). Despite keeping a profile lower than a Dachshund's belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop.}}</ref><ref name="Sex Pistols misfire but our friends electric dish up a feast">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/sex-pistols-misfire-but-our-friends-electric-dish-up-a-feast-1467327.html |title=Sex Pistols misfire but our friends electric dish up a feast |date=2008-09-02 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref>


In September 2008, Giveamanakick played [[Hard Working Class Heroes]], at which the organisers selected them alongside acts such as [[The Blizzards]] and [[Heathers (band)|Heathers]] to play the [[CMJ Festival]] in [[New York City]] the following month.<ref name="MACNAMARAS' BAND">{{cite web|author=Grainne Faller|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2008/1101/1225321600074.html|title=MACNAMARAS' BAND|date=2008-11-01|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=They are juggling college and music at the moment and were in New York last week at the prestigious CMJ Festival in New York. That invitation came about in September when they played at the Hard Working Class Heroes festival in Dublin. The organisers of that event were quick to notice Heathers and invited them to be a part of an Irish showcase they were sending to the festival, along with bands such as The Blizzards and Giveamanakick. "Yeah, that's a weird one," says Ellie. "The Blizzards are playing all the freshers' events in college and stuff."}}</ref> On 3 April 2009, the duo appeared on [[Phantom FM]] alongside [[Royseven]] to perform [[cover version]]s of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] songs.<ref name="Cobain remembered">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0403/1224243911160.html|title=Cobain remembered|date=2009-04-03|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=Phantom FM’s Front Row hosts a Kurt Cobain Special today, from 1-3pm, for the 15th anniversary of Cobain’s death. Giveamanakick and Royseven will be in the studio to perform Nirvana covers.}}</ref> Giveamanakick's end came with an announcement on 17 August 2009.<ref name="Giveamanakick The Bucket"/><ref name="Giveamanakick split"/> The final shows are scheduled to take place in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Dublin]], [[Galway]] and Limerick in November and December 2009.<ref name="Giveamanakick The Bucket">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/Giveamanakick/news/Giveamanakick%20The%20Bucket/5737722.html|title=Giveamanakick The Bucket|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref><ref name="Giveamanakick split">{{cite web|author=Phil Udell|url=http://www.state.ie/giveamanakick-split/|title=Giveamanakick split|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[State (magazine)|State]]''}}</ref>\\
In September 2008, Giveamanakick played [[Hard Working Class Heroes]], at which the organisers selected them alongside acts such as [[The Blizzards]] and [[Heathers (band)|Heathers]] to play the [[CMJ Festival]] in [[New York City]] the following month.<ref name="MACNAMARAS' BAND">{{cite web|author=Grainne Faller|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2008/1101/1225321600074.html|title=MACNAMARAS' BAND|date=2008-11-01|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=They are juggling college and music at the moment and were in New York last week at the prestigious CMJ Festival in New York. That invitation came about in September when they played at the Hard Working Class Heroes festival in Dublin. The organisers of that event were quick to notice Heathers and invited them to be a part of an Irish showcase they were sending to the festival, along with bands such as The Blizzards and Giveamanakick. "Yeah, that's a weird one," says Ellie. "The Blizzards are playing all the freshers' events in college and stuff."}}</ref> On 3 April 2009, the duo appeared on [[Phantom FM]] alongside [[Royseven]] to perform [[cover version]]s of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] songs.<ref name="Cobain remembered">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2009/0403/1224243911160.html|title=Cobain remembered|date=2009-04-03|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Irish Times]]''|quote=Phantom FM’s Front Row hosts a Kurt Cobain Special today, from 1-3pm, for the 15th anniversary of Cobain’s death. Giveamanakick and Royseven will be in the studio to perform Nirvana covers.}}</ref> Giveamanakick's end came with an announcement on 17 August 2009.<ref name="Giveamanakick The Bucket"/><ref name="Giveamanakick split"/> The final shows are scheduled to take place in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Dublin]], [[Galway]] and Limerick in November and December 2009.<ref name="Giveamanakick The Bucket">{{cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/Giveamanakick/news/Giveamanakick%20The%20Bucket/5737722.html|title=Giveamanakick The Bucket|date=2009-08-17|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Hot Press]]''}}</ref><ref name="Giveamanakick split">{{cite web|author=Phil Udell |url=http://www.state.ie/giveamanakick-split/ |title=Giveamanakick split |date=2009-08-17 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[State (magazine)|State]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref>\\
In June 2013, it was announced that giveamanakick were to reform for one night only to celebrate their label's 10th birthday.
In June 2013, it was announced that giveamanakick were to reform for one night only to celebrate their label's 10th birthday.


==Style==
==Style==
The duo were described as "[[noise rock]]'s version of [[The Odd Couple]]" by [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]].<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)"/> Ryan once described himself as a "[[Beastie Boys]] fanatic" and the duo were compared to acts such as [[Pixies]].<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'">{{cite web|author=Ciaran Ryan|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/albums/give_man_kick.htm|title=Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'|year=2003|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[CLUAS]]}}</ref> His lyrics regularly featured references to [[popular culture]].<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/> However, the opening track on their debut album, titled "Ger Canning", was not a reference to the [[Ger Canning|broadcaster of the same name]].<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/><ref name="SIDELINE CUTS">{{cite web|author=Ewan MacKenna and Enda McEvoy|url=http://www.tribune.ie/article/2007/apr/08/sideline-cuts/|title=SIDELINE CUTS|date=2007-04-08|accessdate=2009-08-21|publisher=''[[Sunday Tribune]]''}}</ref> They wrote self-described pop songs, where "Keith hits his drums really hard and I [Steve Ryan] like my guitars turned up very loud but we do this with a pop sensibility",<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> and employed techniques such as using [[gas mask]]s to distort their vocals when playing live, performing with [[wikt:Streamer|streamers]] and encouraging their audience to disorientate themselves by clapping their own ears.<ref name="Original rock is still alive and kicking">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/original-rock-is-still-alive-and-kicking-1353853.html|title=Original rock is still alive and kicking|date=2008-04-21|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore band that knows how to have fun">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/hardcore-band-that-knows-how-to-have-fun-1271167.html|title=Hardcore band that knows how to have fun|date=2008-01-22|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> They lived in Limerick throughout their existence, citing a positive music scene, the humour and the [[hurling]] as being some of their reasons for liking their home city.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/>
The duo were described as "[[noise rock]]'s version of [[The Odd Couple]]" by [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]].<ref name="Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp (RTÉ)"/> Ryan once described himself as a "[[Beastie Boys]] fanatic" and the duo were compared to acts such as [[Pixies]].<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/><ref name="Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'">{{cite web|author=Ciaran Ryan|url=http://www.cluas.com/music/albums/give_man_kick.htm|title=Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'|year=2003|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=[[CLUAS]]}}</ref> His lyrics regularly featured references to [[popular culture]].<ref name="Giveamanakick (Cork Independent)"/> However, the opening track on their debut album, titled "Ger Canning", was not a reference to the [[Ger Canning|broadcaster of the same name]].<ref name="Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..."/><ref name="SIDELINE CUTS">{{cite web|author=Ewan MacKenna and Enda McEvoy |url=http://www.tribune.ie/article/2007/apr/08/sideline-cuts/ |title=SIDELINE CUTS |date=2007-04-08 |accessdate=2009-08-21 |publisher=''[[Sunday Tribune]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> They wrote self-described pop songs, where "Keith hits his drums really hard and I [Steve Ryan] like my guitars turned up very loud but we do this with a pop sensibility",<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> and employed techniques such as using [[gas mask]]s to distort their vocals when playing live, performing with [[wikt:Streamer|streamers]] and encouraging their audience to disorientate themselves by clapping their own ears.<ref name="Original rock is still alive and kicking">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/original-rock-is-still-alive-and-kicking-1353853.html|title=Original rock is still alive and kicking|date=2008-04-21|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref><ref name="Hardcore band that knows how to have fun">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/hardcore-band-that-knows-how-to-have-fun-1271167.html |title=Hardcore band that knows how to have fun |date=2008-01-22 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> They lived in Limerick throughout their existence, citing a positive music scene, the humour and the [[hurling]] as being some of their reasons for liking their home city.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/>


==Members==
==Members==
Stephen Ryan was the guitarist and vocalist. He is originally from [[Castletroy]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He grew up in a background of [[traditional music]],<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> listened to [[The Beatles]] on his father's [[Phonograph|record player]],<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/qampa-giveamanakick-1262801.html|title=Q&A: Giveamanakick|date=2008-01-11|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]''}}</ref> learned how to play the keyboard at the age of ten,<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> the guitar at the age of fifteen and joined a band called Tooth in his early twenties.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He has also performed as Windings.<ref name="And they said never in a month of Sundays">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/and-they-said-never-in-a-month-of-sundays-574228.html|title=And they said never in a month of Sundays|date=2006-10-25|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref>
Stephen Ryan was the guitarist and vocalist. He is originally from [[Castletroy]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He grew up in a background of [[traditional music]],<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> listened to [[The Beatles]] on his father's [[Phonograph|record player]],<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick">{{cite web|author=Eamon Sweeney |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/qampa-giveamanakick-1262801.html |title=Q&A: Giveamanakick |date=2008-01-11 |accessdate=2009-08-19 |publisher=''[[Irish Independent]]'' |deadurl=yes |archiveurl= |archivedate=1 January 1970 |df=dmy }}</ref> learned how to play the keyboard at the age of ten,<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> the guitar at the age of fifteen and joined a band called Tooth in his early twenties.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He has also performed as Windings.<ref name="And they said never in a month of Sundays">{{cite web|url=http://www.sligochampion.ie/entertainment/and-they-said-never-in-a-month-of-sundays-574228.html|title=And they said never in a month of Sundays|date=2006-10-25|accessdate=2009-08-19|publisher=''[[The Sligo Champion]]''}}</ref>


Keith Lawler was the drummer. He is from [[Parteen, Co. Clare]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He liked [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] when he was fourteen years of age,<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> and learned how to play the guitar when he was a teenager but began to learn the drums at the age of sixteen when he realised that there was a surplus of guitarists in his area.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> Tooth used to rehearse near his house and he often listened to them from outside.<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> Two of his cousins were already drummers, having performed with [[The Charming]] and [[The Cranberries]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/>
Keith Lawler was the drummer. He is from [[Parteen, Co. Clare]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> He liked [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] when he was fourteen years of age,<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> and learned how to play the guitar when he was a teenager but began to learn the drums at the age of sixteen when he realised that there was a surplus of guitarists in his area.<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/> Tooth used to rehearse near his house and he often listened to them from outside.<ref name="Q&A: Giveamanakick"/> Two of his cousins were already drummers, having performed with [[The Charming]] and [[The Cranberries]].<ref name="‘Giveamanakick’: Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success"/>

Revision as of 13:49, 12 January 2017

Giveamanakick
OriginCastletroy, Limerick, Ireland
GenresNoise rock,[1] pop,[2] punk rock[3]
Years active2001–2009, 2015
LabelsOut On A Limb Records / Monkeyheart Recordings[4]
MembersStephen Ryan (Steveamanakick)
Keith Lawler (Giveamanakeith)
Websitehttp://www.giveamanakick.com/

Giveamanakick—typeset as giveamanakick[7][8] and abbreviated as GAMAK—[2][9][10][11] were an Irish rock music duo from Limerick. The two band members were Stephen Ryan (Steveamanakick),[9] the vocalist and guitarist, and Keith Lawler (Giveamanakeith),[9] the drummer.

Giveamanakick performed regularly in Ireland, toured the United Kingdom with The Undertones and also performed in Germany during their existence.[9] The duo featured at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Indie-pendence and Hard Working Class Heroes and also took part in the 2fm 2moro 2our. They released three albums; Is it ok to be loud, Jesus? (2003), We Are the Way Forward (2005) and Welcome to the Cusp (2008) before the end was announced in August 2009.

Remaining in Limerick throughout the existence of Giveamanakick, the duo were declared "the best hard-rock band in the country" by rock critic Eamon Sweeney and received the approval of Hot Press, No Disco's Leagues O'Toole and Fight Like Apes.[12][13][14][15][16]

History

Giveamanakick formed in 2001 following the demise of Tooth.[5][17] Left with several songs, Ryan performed as a solo artist with an electric guitar.[5] One night, he encountered Keith Lawler, who played guitar in another band at the time, and Lawler began drumming with Ryan.[5] In 2002, the duo released a split single with Mr. Creosote titled "Darko Filopovic", a song which would later feature as the final track on their debut album.[10][17] By 2003, they had supported several more established acts, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Rocket from the Crypt.[17] In 2003, there were reports that the duo's debut album, titled Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?, would be released on a label called Larry Gogan Records but this later emerged to be a joke published by a fledgling Foggy Notions.[17] The duo's debut album was in fact published on 3 July 2003 with that same title by the independent label Out On A Limb Records as the label's first release, with Giveamanakick having finished recording it in January that year.[17] It received two out of five stars in a review by RTÉ's Tom Grealis who wrote, "this is what happens when rawness comes without any real sense of purpose".[7] The Hot Press reviewer said listening to the album was "something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour" but, nonetheless, "bloody fantastic".[3]

A second album, We Are the Way Forward, was recorded over an eight-day period and released by Out On a Limb in 2005.[4][8] It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who said: "you'll get what you paid for from their stomp and swing".[8] Phil Udell's Hot Press review gave the album 4.5 out of five stars, saying it "gives you that much sought after visceral thrill" and that the duo "wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic".[18] Their live performances also came in for increasing critical acclaim. When Eamon Sweeney of the Irish Independent attended a show by The Presidents of the United States of America in May 2006, his review stated that they "were well and truly blown off the stage by the support band" who were Giveamanakick.[13] Stephen Ryan has said in several interviews that their early Sunday morning performance at Electric Picnic in 2006 was "one to remember" with so many festival-goers coming to view them.[9][19] He described the performance as a" bit of a blur" as they "pretty dumbfounded by the reaction" and the idea of "playing with some of our musical heroes such as Dinosaur Jr. and Deftones was a dream come through [sic]".[9][19]

In 2007, Giveamanakick toured Germany before beginning to record their follow-up album.[20] They did the 2fm 2moro 2our with The Flaws and Messiah J & The Expert.[20][21][22][23][24] In October that year, rock critic Eamon Sweeney, bemoaning the lack of original Irish music that year, singled out Giveamanakick as " the best hard-rock band in the country" and said they "could teach all those Dublin chancers with stupid haircuts and no ideas a thing or two".[14]

Giveamanakick were described as a "promising act" for 2008 by Eamon Sweeney of the Irish Independent in January of that year.[25] They performed several Irish dates in January that year.[26] Their third album, Welcome to the Cusp, was recorded over a ten-day period in Letterkenny, County Donegal and released on 2 May 2008 on the duo's own label, Monkeyheart Recordings.[1][4][9][20][27] It received three from five stars in a review by RTÉ's Harry Guerin who described the music as "immediate and memorable".[1] Other publications called it "the best Irish record of 2008".[2] The track "Brittle Bones", released as the second single from the album,[28] marked the first use of an acoustic guitar by the duo.[4] Ryan claimed that Welcome to the Cusp was the album which "most accurately represents what the Giveamanakick sound actually is" and described the songs as "possibly the most structurally challenging ones so far".[9]

Giveamanakick performed a nationwide tour following the release of Welcome to the Cusp,[27][29][30][31][32] including a date at Indie-pendence in August 2008.[33] Prior to their Friday night performance at Electric Picnic in 2008, Tony Clayton-Lea, writing in The Irish Times, recommended festival-goers to see them, remarking that "despite keeping a profile lower than a Dachshund's belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop".[34][35]

In September 2008, Giveamanakick played Hard Working Class Heroes, at which the organisers selected them alongside acts such as The Blizzards and Heathers to play the CMJ Festival in New York City the following month.[36] On 3 April 2009, the duo appeared on Phantom FM alongside Royseven to perform cover versions of Nirvana songs.[37] Giveamanakick's end came with an announcement on 17 August 2009.[12][38] The final shows are scheduled to take place in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick in November and December 2009.[12][38]\\ In June 2013, it was announced that giveamanakick were to reform for one night only to celebrate their label's 10th birthday.

Style

The duo were described as "noise rock's version of The Odd Couple" by RTÉ.[1] Ryan once described himself as a "Beastie Boys fanatic" and the duo were compared to acts such as Pixies.[9][10] His lyrics regularly featured references to popular culture.[9] However, the opening track on their debut album, titled "Ger Canning", was not a reference to the broadcaster of the same name.[17][39] They wrote self-described pop songs, where "Keith hits his drums really hard and I [Steve Ryan] like my guitars turned up very loud but we do this with a pop sensibility",[2] and employed techniques such as using gas masks to distort their vocals when playing live, performing with streamers and encouraging their audience to disorientate themselves by clapping their own ears.[11][40] They lived in Limerick throughout their existence, citing a positive music scene, the humour and the hurling as being some of their reasons for liking their home city.[2]

Members

Stephen Ryan was the guitarist and vocalist. He is originally from Castletroy.[2] He grew up in a background of traditional music,[2] listened to The Beatles on his father's record player,[19] learned how to play the keyboard at the age of ten,[2] the guitar at the age of fifteen and joined a band called Tooth in his early twenties.[2] He has also performed as Windings.[6]

Keith Lawler was the drummer. He is from Parteen, Co. Clare.[2] He liked Nirvana when he was fourteen years of age,[19] and learned how to play the guitar when he was a teenager but began to learn the drums at the age of sixteen when he realised that there was a surplus of guitarists in his area.[2] Tooth used to rehearse near his house and he often listened to them from outside.[19] Two of his cousins were already drummers, having performed with The Charming and The Cranberries.[2]

Discography

Giveamanakick released three albums.

  • Is it ok to be loud, Jesus? (2003)
  • We Are the Way Forward (2005)
  • Welcome to the Cusp (2008)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Harry Guerin (5 June 2008). "Giveamanakick - Welcome to the Cusp". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Staff Reporter (11 June 2008). "'Giveamanakick': Limerick rock duo on the cusp of success". Limerick Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b "Is It Ok To Be Loud, Jesus?". Hot Press. Retrieved 19 August 2009. Listening to this Limerick duo's debut album is something akin to being battered round the head with a plank of wood for half an hour. It is, though, bloody fantastic. [...] Quibbles are few though and this is easily up there with Berkley as one of the Irish punk rock releases of the year. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d "More kicks than pricks". Hot Press. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. The Limerick band's recently-released third album Welcome To The Cusp is made of similar mettle as their previous efforts, 2002's Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus, and 2005's We Are The Way Forward – a potent force of heavy guitar and drums that incorporates elements of metal, rock, and, for the first time, the use of an acoustic guitar on the track 'Brittle Bones'. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ a b c d "The Inside Kick". Hot Press. Retrieved 19 August 2009. As with most stories, the tale of Giveamanakick begins with the end of another. In this case it was the demise of well respected Limerick band Tooth, the breakup of which left main songwriter Steve kicking his musical heels. "I started playing these solo gigs with these songs that I had," he explains, "just me, an electric guitar and a few noisy peddles. Keith saw me one night and I mentioned that I was looking for a drummer. He was playing guitar in another Limerick band but he started playing drums with me as well." {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "And they said never in a month of Sundays". The Sligo Champion. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ a b Tom Grealis (4 January 2004). "giveamanakick - Is It OK To Be Loud, Jesus?". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  8. ^ a b c Harry Guerin (20 December 2005). "giveamanakick - We Are the Way Forward". RTÉ. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Staff Reporter (17 April 2008). "Giveamanakick". Cork Independent. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c Ciaran Ryan (2003). "Review of their album 'Is it ok to be loud, Jesus?'". CLUAS. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  11. ^ a b Eamon Sweeney (21 April 2008). "Original rock is still alive and kicking". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b c "Giveamanakick The Bucket". Hot Press. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ a b Eamon Sweeney (23 May 2006). "Presidents not in the same state as they used to be". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b Eamon Sweeney (19 October 2007). "Loaded: Gossip and news from rock critic Eamon Sweeney". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Local band Giveamanakick start out on new label in bid for rock stardom". The Corkman. 11 July 2003. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Eamon Sweeney (2 November 2007). "monkey business". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e f Ciaran Ryan (June 2003). "Limerick's latest giveamananinterview..." CLUAS. Retrieved 19 August 2009.
  18. ^ Phil Udell. "We Are The Way Forward". Hot Press. Retrieved 19 August 2009. Music is not an exact science. It's a living, breathing thing and that's why we remember great gigs probably more than great records. It's also why Giveamanakick's second album bucks the trend and gives you that much sought after visceral thrill. [...] The lyrics are spot on, taking a swipe at a range of subjects with a vicious eye for detail, especially the music scene itself: "Hey rock 'n' rollers, get up early, have a good breakfast…preach to the jaded, the twice converted". The influences are obviously American ("you're Thurston for Moore") but the duo put enough of themselves into the music to sound almost unique. Giveamanakick then – wrote it, recorded it, fucked off. A classic. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b c d e Eamon Sweeney (11 January 2008). "Q&A: Giveamanakick". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b c "Giveamanakick announce forthcoming plans". Hot Press. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2009. In between Kilkenny and Sligo, the Limerickians will be heading to Letterkenny where they'll be assembling the follow-up to We Are The Way Forward in Attica Audio Studios with Tommy from Berkeley. They've also been confirmed for the next 2fm 2moro 2our, which kicks off on May 16 and also features the very diverse talents of Messiah J & The Expert and The Flaws. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Step into the 'Shade'". The Sligo Champion. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Burning Shades turn up the heat in Sligo". The Sligo Champion. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Radio roadshow coming to Carlow". Carlow People. 12 April 2007. Archived from the original on 20 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Clear the airwaves-Sligo band sought". The Sligo Champion. 11 April 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Eamon Sweeney (11 January 2008). "Bright lights: The Irish music scene in 2008". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Giveamanakick announce new dates". Hot Press. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. The Galway show should be an absolute cracker, given that none other than Fight Like Apes will be heading the support bill, while equally promising Dubliners Grand Pocket Orchestra will open in Whelan's. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ a b "Giveamanakick to play Whelan's". Hot Press. 20 March 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ "Giveamanakick calm down..." Hot Press. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "Giveamanakick add new shows". Hot Press. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ "Candides launch debut album in Spirit Store". Irish Independent. 21 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ Eamon Sweeney (2 May 2008). "Loaded: 2nd May". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ John Meagher (18 April 2008). "The week in... 18th - 25th April". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ "Gemma Hayes, Giveamanakick for Indie-Pendence '08". Hot Press. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Tony Clayton-Lea (22 August 2008). "A guide to Friday at the Electric Picnic". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2009. Not that most people in Ireland would know, but Limerick duo Stephen Ryan and Keith Lawler are on their third album (Welcome to the Cusp). Despite keeping a profile lower than a Dachshund's belly, Giveamanakick have managed to keep things grooving along by virtue of their innate boisterousness and musical flash-bang-wallop. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Eamon Sweeney (2 September 2008). "Sex Pistols misfire but our friends electric dish up a feast". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Grainne Faller (1 November 2008). "MACNAMARAS' BAND". The Irish Times. Retrieved 19 August 2009. They are juggling college and music at the moment and were in New York last week at the prestigious CMJ Festival in New York. That invitation came about in September when they played at the Hard Working Class Heroes festival in Dublin. The organisers of that event were quick to notice Heathers and invited them to be a part of an Irish showcase they were sending to the festival, along with bands such as The Blizzards and Giveamanakick. "Yeah, that's a weird one," says Ellie. "The Blizzards are playing all the freshers' events in college and stuff." {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ "Cobain remembered". The Irish Times. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2009. Phantom FM's Front Row hosts a Kurt Cobain Special today, from 1-3pm, for the 15th anniversary of Cobain's death. Giveamanakick and Royseven will be in the studio to perform Nirvana covers. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ a b Phil Udell (17 August 2009). "Giveamanakick split". State. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ Ewan MacKenna and Enda McEvoy (8 April 2007). "SIDELINE CUTS". Sunday Tribune. Retrieved 2009-08-21. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ Eamon Sweeney (22 January 2008). "Hardcore band that knows how to have fun". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2009-08-19. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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