#Valentine McKee

[mistress-light]

Cold, my ass! He's dead.

[k-i-l-l-e-r-b-e-e-6-9]

Tremors (1990) dir. Ron Underwood

[ladyironsky]

Rewatching one of my favorite childhood movies, Tremors, a b horror movie starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward about underground monsters that hunt by sound, and I want to talk about a specific character.

Specifically the main female lead and love interest to Kevin Bacon’s Valentine- Rhonda Lebeck.  For a movie made in 1990, Rhonda is a surprisingly feminist portrayal of a female lead (like Laura Dern’s Ellie in Jurassic Park).

Rhonda is a student studying seismic activity in the isolated town of Perfection, Nevada and is constantly acknowledged, by every character int he movie including (and especially) the men, as the smartest person in town.  They constantly ask her opinion and respect her intelligence and never question the fact that a woman is smarter than they are.  Any time she has an idea it is never question because she is a woman and she never has to do that not-really-feminist-a-woman-must-prove-herself thing movies to this day still do.

There is one scene about halfway through the movie where Rhonda gets tangled up in barbed wire and must take off her pants in order to escape the monster dragging her into it’s mouth using said barbed wire.  The scene is in no way played as sexual, or a gratification scene for the men watching the movie.  any close up of Rhonda is shot from the waist up and we only see her bare legs in wider shots meant to showcase the monster, not her half-nakedness.  the only time we see a closeup of her bare legs is when her wounds are being tended to, it only lasts a few moments, and you can see that she has hair on her legs.  Which took me a few re-watches to notice but I feel added to the non-sexual take on her bare legs, as even to this day women in movies and tv are always shaved as smooth as dolphins.

She also dresses appropriately for the situation she’s in- hiking boots, cargo pants, long sleeved shirt.  Earlier in the movie she wears shorts that aren’t halfway up her ass.  She dresses for doing fieldwork in the middle of the desert and the filmmakers didn’t take it as an opportunity to have her parading around in short shorts and a bikini top like some movies have done to female characters in horror movies.

I just like how Rhonda is treated like a character, not just a two dimensional love interest.  The relationship between her and Valentine is also really sweet and it’s revealed in later movies, that neither character appear in, that they get married and have a daughter together (although it is implied in later movies the two have gotten divorced).

Just a solid character and one of my favorite female characters in a movie.

[couldtheydestroythering]

Valentine "Val" McKee (Tremors)

[classic80sand90smovieloves2]

Dating Earl and Valentine would include~

(Not my gif)(Requested by anonymous)

- Earl and Valentine come as a pair so it’s no surprise that you’d wind up dating both of them; even if things don’t start out that way. 

- Chances are you’re not a blonde with big tits and legs that go all the way up, so, even though you’re most definitely a catch in your own right, it’s initially only Earl who actually notices and shows any interest in you. Valentine is too busy standing back and being disappointed, questioning his friend’s taste in women as he watches him lightheartedly flirt with you. 

- He makes a comment about his buddy’s attraction to you once the two of them are alone together and Earl spends the rest of the car ride home lecturing him about his high standards and refusal to date anyone who doesn’t fit his very specific list of requirements. 

- Earl gets to know you and probably takes you out on a few dates before Valentine starts to actually pay attention to you: mainly because he has no other choice but to acknowledge your existence when you’re suddenly being included in a majority of their affairs. 

- His attraction to you is a somewhat slow burn: seeing the way you act around Earl and considering the fact that he wouldn’t mind a relationship like yours, looking at you when you’re all dressed up/distracted by a task and surprising himself by thinking that you’re actually really pretty, interacting with you more and finding out that he actually really likes your personality, etc.  

- He keeps his distance most of the time and occasionally acts sort of stand offish, but it’s plain to see that he likes you; even if he doesn’t want to admit it. And Earl takes notice of this, sending the two of you knowing looks that tell you he’s aware of what's going on but that he isn’t particularly upset about it. 

- The two of them are vaguely aware of how much they care for one another and that it may or may not be closer than your average handyman partnership, but nothing comes to fruition until you come into the picture and make them consider things that they normally wouldn’t have to consider. 

- Earl is the one to initiate things, but he’s fairly subtle about it: inviting Val to come along on your dates, telling him to spend time with you, saying things that are meant to make him think about his feelings towards you, etc. 

- He probably has a conversation with you about your openness to the idea and subsequently brings it up to Val, letting him know that you like him and that he’s welcome to be a part of your relationship if he wants to and/or whenever he’s ready to. 

- It throws Val for a loop and though he initially insists that he isn’t interested; mainly because he doesn’t want to admit that Earl is right, he does start to grow closer to you after getting the verbal go ahead. He’ll start showing you a lot more kindness, start doing you little favors and acting more friendly towards you. He’s always acted a little shy with you but he starts getting a bit more bold: touching and spending more time with you, looking at you a lot more, etc. 

- He doesn’t do a lot of it in front of Earl, but that’s sort of to be expected; especially in the beginning when he’s still trying to figure out how he feels about the entire situation. He doesn’t need the old man making comments towards him or giving him his knowing glances whenever he’s being blatantly obvious about his growing feelings towards you. I think a part of him would also be a bit worried that Earl is making fun of him and merely joking around whenever he talks about sharing you or the feelings that you apparently have for him. 

- Earl may or may not teasingly tell the younger man to go and “help her out” whenever you head into the house alone. But regardless, Val does end up making some kind of move on you when the two of you are alone and that’s how you finally end up securing both of your boys....

- There’s not a ton of pda in your relationship but it’s kind of unnecessary when the entire town already knows that the three of you are dating. Both of your boyfriends aren’t ridiculously touchy individuals so they sort of keep to themselves, thinking it kind of unnecessary to be hanging all over you; especially when you’re in front of your neighbors who they may or may not be trying to keep your relationship a secret from. When they do give you affection, it’s the rough and tumble sorts of touches that are common with “manly men” like themselves. 

- For instance, they give you a lot of little pats on the back or squeezes to your shoulder; silently asking how you’re doing or gesturing that you should all start to head out of “there”. Their actions show a level of familiarity or closeness, but if anyone outside of the residents of your small town were to see it, they’d probably just assume that the three of you were caring acquaintances or close friends.

- Earl is generally a bit more touchy and affectionate than Val is. The younger man may talk a big game but he tends to get a bit shy whenever it’s time to actually “walk the walk”. He’s a hardheaded and cocky youngster who occasionally cares a bit too much about his tough guy reputation or feels he’s backed himself into a corner because of it; especially in comparison to the old man who’s willing to show you that he cares and be more sweet on you from the get go. 

- The two of you exchange a lot of quick pecks; especially when you’re greeting each other or saying goodbye. Earl tends to kiss you himself or meet you halfway, while any kiss that you share with Valentine tends to be initiated by you; knowing that the younger man won’t make the first move unless he’s been working himself up to it or gets it in his head that he “has to” for one reason or another. You’ll usually kiss his cheek and watch as he tries to hide his shy smile or play it off like it doesn’t affect him as much as it does. 

- Kisses with Earl tend to be lighthearted and a bit on the shorter side. They range from sudden and giddy sorts of kisses; shared when he’s particularly happy or excited, to romantic and sweet kisses; shared after the two of you have been flirting back and forth and finally end up leaning in. His beard also adds a level of roughness; particularly in comparison to your other more baby-faced boyfriend. 

- Kisses with Valentine tend to be longer and a lot more passionate. He usually waits to kiss you until he’s about ready to bust or is so wrought with emotion that he just can’t help himself anymore. You can practically feel him buzzing against you with how eager he is: ravishing and clinging to you in a fiery and lasting way, one that leaves you feeling a little breathless whenever the two of you finally separate. It isn’t often that he really kisses you, but when he does, he certainly makes it worth your while. 

- The three of you kind of just sleep in a mess of limbs. They’re not really huge on cuddling; they sleep like logs and kind of just cluelessly conk out the minute their heads hit the pillows, but you usually squeeze in together and sleep on and around each other, sharing the same small bed that honestly wasn't made to fit three full-grown adults. If you’re just hanging around and not planning on napping, then they’ll throw an arm around you and cuddle you into their sides, letting you relax against them while you watch television or whatever bonfire they’ve set up in the yard. 

- There’s a lot of affectionate name calling in your relationship but they’ll still call you terms of endearment whenever they feel like it. They call you “girl” a lot, but when they aren’t addressing you simply by your gender, Earl will call you sweetheart or sweet pea and Valentine will call you sweet cheeks. 

- Taking part in the cooking cycle. If they start to fight about whose turn it is to make breakfast, you’ll usually just start to do it yourself, or surprise them with the fact that you already made it before the two of them even woke up. Once the three of you start dating, they might reason that it’s kind of your job to do all of the cooking, but don’t take it to heart. They’re simple country folk who were raised on some strict gender roles, and one eyebrow raise and unamused look from you will send them straight into the kitchen themselves. 

- Diner dates. 

- Grabbing a soda and/or a snack at Chang’s general store. 

- Being gifted junk that they’ve found and think that you'll like; if you’re into that sort of thing. 

- Watching tv and drinking a beer with them after a long day, or; if you have other hobbies you’d like to indulge in, parallel playing with them while they crack open a cold one and do their own thing. Catch them watching you with mild interest as you crochet a blanket or paint a picture, just zoning out as they watch you count your stitches or search for a different color, trying to understand how the hell you’re doing that. 

- Occasionally joining them on some of their work outings or having your own little job that they visit you at. I feel like they’d probably insist that they can fully support you themselves; wanting to bring home the bacon like the stereotypical men that they are, but they’re also not gonna force you to become their stay at home wife if that's really not something you’re into. Just know that it’s an option and that they’re willing to follow through whenever you feel like taking them up on their offer. 

- Sitting between them in their truck or occasionally sitting on one of their laps. Sometimes you nap in the back of their truck or stargaze in the bed of it when the sun sets and you’re still out in the wilderness. They have a tendency to live out of their vehicle when they get too tired to drive all the way home, and since you’re probably out there with them, you’re forced to get used to it just as much as they are. 

- The three of you are incredibly comfortable with each other, like there’s no way that you couldn’t be after going through all the things you’ll undoubtedly end up going through during your relationship together. Rest assured that there’s going to be moments where you are forced to get over your natural discomfort at the thought of seeming gross in front of your partners: whether that’s bleeding through your pants on your period or needing to pee in front of them while in the middle of nowhere. They’re completely unphased and probably somewhat amused or empathetic, so it’s really just mind over matter. 

“Are you done yet?!”

“Would you look away! I can’t do it while you’re watching!!” 

- And Valentine is really just the epitome of boys will be boys. Don’t be surprised when he does stereotypically gross “boy” stuff: drinking straight from cartons, pissing off cliffs, adjusting himself in his jeans, etc. Earl is a bit more civilized and tries to get him to act right, but it certainly helps to lower your need to seem perfect in front of them and help the three of you grow closer in the long run. 

- Earl apologizing for cursing in front of you and giving Val looks whenever he does; as if you’re some kind of saint who has never cussed in her entire life and will faint at the sound of it. Generally, anyone who cusses in front of him will garner some kind of disappointed reaction; even you.

- Getting fatherly advice and reprimands from Earl. He nags the two of you quite often, but it’s done out of love so you usually just laugh it off and/or assure him that you’ll do whatever he’s asking you to. It’s usually pretty easy to get him to soften up whenever you manage to tick him off; especially if it’s you who’s managed to get in trouble, just kiss up to him and he’ll melt, even if he tries to act like he’s still a bit upset. 

- Both you and Earl look to Valentine whenever there’s a job that needs to be done, and though he usually gives you a look or complains, he’ll still follow through with it. 

- If you have any kind of special education; or even if you’re simply mildly intelligent, they’ll both ask you questions as if you’d undoubtedly know the answers to them. You could have majored in literature and they’d still ask you scientific questions, as though simply going to college would allow you to possess the answers of the universe. Valentine, I don’t know if mixing those two cleaning chemicals will blow up the house. I studied photography. 

- The both of them looking to you for final confirmation before actually going through with something. For all of their preconceived gender roles, they’re more submissive to you then they’d like to admit; both because they think you’re really smart and because you secretly have them by the balls. 

- Them asking you where their belongings are: pants, boots, keys, cigarettes, lighters, etc. You’re probably the only one who ever knows exactly where they’ve left things. Although, if you tend to be forgetful yourself, you all probably act like three peas in a pod: one person has the keys, another has the cigarettes, and the last one has the lighter, etc. 

- Valentine gives you his jacket to use as a blanket; and would do so even before the three of you started dating. He used to love to pretend like he didn’t like you, but he’d always be taking care of you in one way or another, even when it wasn’t even really necessary. 

- Messing with each other is commonplace in your relationship; at least for Valentine it is. You’ll either stand back and watch as he shoots you a wink and pranks Earl, or join in and get an earful about how the younger man is a bad influence on you. Although, he isn’t complaining when you’re helping him get back at the blonde later in the day.

- Calming them down and holding them back whenever need be. The both of them have pretty fiery tempers so you try to mediate whenever there’s an issue, whether between the two of them or some outside force. 

“I’m gonna kick his ass.”

 “I’m gonna help.” 

- Melvin flirting with and making indecent comments towards you. The two of them genuinely almost throw hands with the 13 year old at least once a week. 

- Valentine tends to be a bit more jealous than Earl is, but whenever the mood strikes; like when an outsider rolls into town and starts trying to flirt with you, they both join forces and make it obvious that you’re off limits. They’ll deny that they were jealous after the fact, and pretend like they didn’t do anything after intimidating the other person, but it’s pretty obvious that they’re lying whenever they laugh off your accusations. Valentine will usually blow their cover by letting some kind of “did you prefer having him hang all over you?” comment slip whenever you press them on the subject any further. 

- Valentine also tends to be a bit more outwardly protective: mainly because he’s young, dumb, and selfless. He reacts faster than he thinks sometimes; like when he punched the graboid with his bare hand, so Earl usually has to hold him back whenever he thinks starting trouble is unnecessary. Regardless, they both back you up whenever they feel someone’s giving you a hard time and patch you up whenever you get hurt, apologizing for not being there to help you out or for hurting you in the process of dealing with your wounds. Earl tends to be protective in a more caring and understated way: like refusing to let you walk home alone or serve a shift at the dinner when it’s dark outside, etc. 

- They have a habit of being too busy arguing to really listen to you, so sometimes you just have to sit back and let them hash it out whenever a fight between them arises. They might try to get you to back one of them up, but it’s best not to do so unless it’s completely necessary, since they’ll likely be a bit upset with you if you happen to choose the other persons side over their own.

- Valentine is a little more hardheaded and hot tempered than Earl is, so if you’re going to argue with one of them, it’s probably going to be with him. The only thing is that he struggles to make amends due to his stubbornness, so even when he knows he’s in the wrong, he’ll probably hesitate to approach you and apologize, unsure of how to bring up the subject and what to say. 

- Earl will always apologize whenever he’s in the wrong; albeit a bit shyly, but if you want to make up with Valentine, it’s best to approach him first when you stop being mad and let him feel as though you’ve calmed down enough to hear him out. It’s easier for him to say sorry when he feels like you aren’t gonna snap at him for saying the wrong thing: so at the end of the day, he’ll hang back and offer a little “sorry for ...you know, everything.” whenever you find yourselves alone. 

- They both struggle to outwardly tell you they love you, feeling like a bunch of pansies whenever they say it, but they do enjoy hearing it coming from you, and seeing the smile on your face whenever they say it back. They tend to mumble it a little; as though someone will pop out with a camera and laugh them out of town, but Earl grows more comfortable with it over time: leaving only Valentine to really struggle with his inability to appear too soft in front of anyone; including you and your other boyfriend. 

- The three of you honestly live in the perfect place to be a poly couple: no ones bothering you or prying into your relationship, no ones passing judgement or starting trouble. You just get to live out the rest of your days as ambiguous roommates who may or may not have been seen kissing each other every now and again. 

[xoxytoxinx]

Everytime I watch Tremors I think of Val

[tomorrowusa]

Valentine's Day at Mar-a-Lago.

EVERYTHING Donald Trump does is self-serving.

[adellagreen]

Hear me out, Candela Obscura fans

Jasmine Bhullar as the GM, Josephine Mcadam, Kayleigh McKee, Katy M. O'Brian, Persephone Valentine and Erika Ishii as players

The Circle Of She/

[psalm22-6]

For some brief period of time the New York Evening Republic titled their crime section Les Miserables. Here is a selection of what they reported on (these are not all from a single day):

Seven lodgers rested their weary frames at the station houses last night

Casper Agin and Adam Heinacle were fined $2 each in the eighth precinct this morning for corner lounging

Barney Neary was taken to No. 1 station in an insane condition last night. He was given in charge of Dr. Halbert.

The examination in the case of James McKee, chaged with embezzling over $1,100 from Ald. Hefford will begin in the police court to-morrow

Eleven vagrants were disposed of at station 7 this morning

The police reported forty arrests for the twenty-four hours ending at 6 o'clock this morning

John Fox, aged twenty-nine, an Irish laborer, was found in an insane cindition at the corner of Carroll and Chicago streets by Officer Quinn yesterday. He was taken to station 1 this morning and given in charge of Dr. Halbert.

Valentine Olton was arrested in the Tenth precincy by Officer O'Laughlin last night for paddling without a license.

Caroline Jones told Justice King to-day that John Mauer had beaten her cruelly yesterday. Mauer was fined $5.

Patrick Madigan stole two pairs of mittens from Frederick Webber. Justice King sent him to the workhouse for thirty days this morning.

[lamazmorradelandroide]

“Así te pillan. ¡Están bajo el maldito suelo!” - Valentine McKee, Temblores (1990)

[mistress-light]

Tremors (1990) • Dir. Ron Underwood

[silver-stargazing]

aggressively arospec week: arospec headcanon mixtapes

↳ Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop as lithromantic

Listen here:

run fay run I isaac hayes II sex money feelings die I lykke li II falling apart I monophonics II it’s easy to say goodbye I walter wanderley II if love is a red dress (hang me in rags) I maria mckee II fa-fa-fa-fa-fa (sad song) I otis redding II wild west-roadhouse mix I lissie II femme fantôme I lockhart & fishbach II not the lovin’ kind I nancy sinatra II bebop I [bsd.u]

[ocmerunaway]

Rhea McKee-LeBeck

Name: Rhea McKee-LeBeck Parents: Rhonda LeBeck/Valentine McKee Fandom: Tremors

[lovesongbracket]

Reminder: Vote based on the song, not the artist or specific recording! The tracks referenced are the original artist, aside from a few rare cases where a cover is the most widely known.

Lyrics, videos, info, and notable covers under the cut. (Spotify playlist available in pinned post)

Teenage Dream

Written By: Bonnie McKee, benny blanco, Max Martin, Dr. Luke & Katy Perry

Artist: Katy Perry

Released: 2010

Cover included: Darren Criss & ensemble for Glee, 2011

“Teenage Dream” was released as the second single from Perry’s studio album of the same name. The song became Perry’s second number one Hot 100 single from the album, following the number one peak of the previous single, “California Girls”. While discussing “Teenage Dream,” Katy said that the song is about recapturing the dizzying, thrilling feeling of first love. “When you’re growing up and you’re falling in love for the first time, it’s such an amazing feeling that sometimes you can’t recycle again later on in your life. For me, being in love again now, it’s kind of the same feeling.” In 2018, NPR ranked this as the #63 greatest song by a female or nonbinary artist in the 21st century, saying: “While this era’s faux-woke, grill-sporting Katy Perry has taken a nosedive into a cyclone of dystopian kitsch, there was a time when her appeal was simple: Her nostalgic pop singles were silky and pristine, like a soft swirl of vanilla ice cream. At a time when pop can feel overstuffed with spectacle — multi-artist guest features, visual drops, strategically planned Twitter beef — listening to ‘Teenage Dream’ provokes wistful reconsideration of a classic formula, one whose subtlety and nuance can be easily overlooked. The song is a blissful memory encased in glass: ‘We can dance until we die / you and I,’ Perry sings, promising to stretch the ephemeral. The beauty is in stasis, sealed with a declaration: ‘We’ll be young forever.’”

[Verse 1] You think I'm pretty without any makeup on You think I'm funny when I tell the punch line wrong I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down Before you met me, I was alright But things were kinda heavy, you brought me to life Now every February, you'll be my Valentine, Valentine [Pre-Chorus] Let's go all the way tonight No regrets, just love We can dance until we die You and I, we'll be young forever [Chorus] You make me feel like I'm livin' a teenage dream The way you turn me on, I can't sleep Let's run away and don't ever look back Don't ever look back My heart stops when you look at me Just one touch, now, baby, I believe This is real, so take a chance and don't ever look back Don't ever look back [Verse 2] We drove to Cali and got drunk on the beach Got a motel and built a fort out of sheets I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece, I'm complete [Pre-Chorus] Let's go all the way tonight No regrets, just love We can dance until we die You and I, we'll be young forever [Chorus] You make me feel like I'm livin' a teenage dream The way you turn me on, I can't sleep Let's run away and don't ever look back Don't ever look back My heart stops when you look at me Just one touch, now, baby, I believe This is real, so take a chance and don't ever look back Don't ever look back [Bridge] I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans Be your teenage dream tonight Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans Be your teenage dream tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight) [Chorus] (You make me) You make me feel like I'm livin' a teenage dream The way you turn me on, I can't sleep Let's run away and don't ever look back Don't ever look back (No) My heart stops when you look at me Just one touch, now, baby, I believe This is real (Oh), so take a chance and don't ever look back Don't ever look back [Outro] I'ma get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans Be your teenage dream tonight Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans Be your teenage dream tonight (Tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight, tonight)

I See the Light

Written By: Glenn Slater & Alan Menken

Artist: Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi for Tangled

Released: 2010

“I See the Light” is a romantic duet in Tangled between Rapunzel and Eugene. It is sung when Rapunzel is finally achieving her lifelong dream to see the floating lanterns. The song was nominated for best song at the 83rd academy awards but lost to “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3. “I See The Light” was originally called “You Are My Forever,” and was a reprise of a song Mother Gothel sung to Rapunzel, before being removed. After “You Are My Forever” was removed, the song was still different from what it was in the finished film. It was an anthem-like song at first but Alan Menken decided it should be more gentle.

[RAPUNZEL] All those days watching from the windows All those years outside looking in All that time never even knowing Just how blind I've been Now I'm here blinking in the starlight Now I'm here suddenly I see Standing here it's all so clear I'm where I'm meant to be And at last I see the light And it's like the fog has lifted And at last I see the light And it's like the sky is new And it's warm and real and bright And the world has somehow shifted All at once everything looks different Now that I see you [FLYNN] All those days chasing down a daydream All those years living in a blur All that time never truly seeing Things, the way they were Now she's here shining in the starlight Now she's here suddenly I know If she's here it's crystal clear I'm where I'm meant to go [FLYNN & RAPUNZEL] And at last I see the light [FLYNN] And it's like the fog has lifted [FLYNN & RAPUNZEL] And at last I see the light [RAPUNZEL] And it's like the sky is new [FLYNN & RAPUNZEL] And it's warm and real and bright And the world has somehow shifted All at once everything is different Now that I see you Now that I see you

[ladyknightskye]

@heavenssexiestangel tagged me to share 9 of my favorite characters to see if you could guess my type~

So, my caveat to this is I decided to exclude characters that I love because I identify with them/use them as a conduit of my own fantasies. *coughDeanandDarcycough* These are just the ones that I adore for their personalities.

My lil rat man <3 (Lucifer, SPN)

2. Robo Daddy (Optimus Prime, Transformers)

3. Stebe from Brooklyn (Steve Rogers, MCU)

4. Ginger Mountain Lucifer (Jacob Seed, Far Cry 5)

5. My OG Blorbo (Usagi Tsukino, Sailor Moon)

6. WAIT, I FORGOT THE REAL OG BLORBO!!!!! (Valentine McKee)

7. And you know what, we'll include Earl Bassett because he is also Bae <3

8. The Other Half of my Imaginary Friend Chimera* (Belle, Disney's Beauty and the Beast)

9. The First Anime Boy I Had a Crush On (Seiya, Saint Seiya)

*The Imaginary Friend Chimera Story - Okay, so according to my elder sister, I had an imaginary friend growing up. However, they could never figure out if it was Belle from Beauty and the Beast or Val from Tremors (I apparently slurred the name enough where it could be either). I watched these movies religiously as a youngster, but the Imaginary friend is lost to the sands of time, so I cannot tell you who it was. However, my theory is that it was a mixture of both, or just both of them and I technically had two.

So, take a crack at it! What's my type? Not tagging specific people, go for it if you'd like!

[noiseartists]

Ireland Shoegaze & Noise Pop, a guide, vol.1

Ireland is a small country, but its musical influence is second to none on the world stage. From their traditional Celtic music , stars like Van Morrison, to current pop rock acts like U2 or the Cranberries, there is no lack of outstanding talent.

When it comes to Shoeagaze, this country is seminal in the genre, with My Bloody Valentine being THE ground breaker. There Album Loveless is often quoted as inspirational by many artists.

What you may not know is that there are many other Irish bands that took up the genre. Here are some of them.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE (MBV)

The band was founded in Dublin, in 1983 by Kevin Shields and Colm Ó Cíosóig. Its line-up changed over time, until it crystalized in 1987 with Bilinda Butcher and Debbie Googe. Liam Ó Maonlaí, that ended up founding the Hot House Flowers was part of the band for a short while.

The band would often rehearse near Smithfield (Dublin) which I lived myself in for 3 years. They experimented with guitar sound and pedals, creating something new.

"One of the most recognisable aspects of My Bloody Valentine's music is Shields' guitar sound, which "use[s] texture more than technique to create vivid soundscapes.""  -- DiPerna, Alan (1992). "Bloody Guy". Guitar World. No. March 1992.

After touring in many countries, inspiring countless bands and recording 2 studio album, the band split in 1995. I was lucky to have seen them in Paris, on the 17th March 1992 in L’Olympia for a concert that an experience in loudness and sound. You can listen to it here.

They reunited in 2007 and released their third studio album, mbv, in 2013. They are to this day working on new material.

MBV is often cited as a pioneering act in the shoegaze genre. You can find many articles online on their history and their sound.

While the Shoeagaze movement declined with the arrival of the Grunge and Britpop scene, with most band disbanding in the mid 90’s, Loveless, MBV second studio Album, proved to have a lasting influence, inspiring bands such as Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Mogwai, Nine Inch Nails, Dead Horse One, and many, many others.

The band consists of:

Kevin Shields (guitars, voice, sampler)

Colm Ó Cíosóig (drums, sampler). See the article “Is the Ó Cíosóig break the Amen break of Noise Pop?”

Bilinda Butcher (guitars, voice)

Debbie Googe (bass)

Their musical work is:

This is your Bloody Valentine, LP, 1985

Man you love to hate, LP (cassette), 1985

Geek!, EP, 1985

The new records by My Bloody Valentine, EP, 1986,

Sunny Sunday Smile, EP, 1987

Strawberry wine, EP, 1987

Ecstasy, EP, 1987

You Made Me Realise, EP, 1988

Isn’t anything, Studio LP, 1988

Feed Me with Your Kiss, EP, 1988

Glider, EP, 1990

Tremolo, EP, 1991

Loveless, Studio LP, 1991

mbv, Studio LP, 2013

WHIPPING BOY

Whipping Boy formed in Dublin in 1988, the band comprising Fearghal McKee (vocals), Paul Page (guitar), Myles McDonnell (bass, vocals), and Colm Hassett (drums). They released 2 critically acclaimed Studio LP. The group split up in 1998 after being dropped by Columbia, leaving a third album unreleased. The self-titled album was eventually released in 2000 on their own Low Rent label

The band reformed in September 2005, announcing several Irish dates. The original line-up disbanded finally in 2006.

Irish Television did a piece on the band named “Whipping Boy - the most underrated Irish band of all time?”. Well, when you listen to their music you can wonder if there is not a bit of truth in this statement. You can judge by yourself in listening their music on Spotify. 2 songs to listen will probably make you want to listen more.

Their music work consists of:

Sweet Mangled Thing, EP, 1989

Whipping Boy, EP, 1990

I Think I Miss You, EP, 1991

Submarine, LP, 1992

Heartworm, LP, 1995

Whipping boy, LP, 2000

SUBMOTILE

Italian-Irish band that blend shoegaze, pop, noise-rock, ambient and post-rock elements. The band consists of the husband and wife duo, Michael and Daniela Farren, who are based in Dublin.

I love their music, which is an epitome of Shoegaze, with both really nice melodies and a great reverb sound. Their sound is very distinctive, which is not an easy feat among all reverb artists. Have a listen and let me know what you think.

If you want to know more you can look at a great interview of the band and their work done on Youtube by H.I. ART ON THE EDGE:

Their musical work is:

We're Losing The Light, EP, 2018

Ghosts Fade On Skylines, LP, 2019

Sonic Day Codas, LP, 2021

One Final Summit Before The Fall, LP, 2022

A song I love (among any others) is “Slea Head January 1986”. It is dear to me as I was both struck by the sound and what the title relates to. This refers to place in Ireland from which some of Michael Family is from and some of my in-laws too. This is a magic place, the Dingle Peninsula, was elected by National Geographic as being one of the most beautiful place in the world and the song is a prefect soundtrack for the sightseeing. Note the song from Japanese Shoegaze band Plantcell, “The wind of Kilmalkedar'“ is also inspired by the area.

All their work is on Bancamp. Their last LP is beautiful and coin once again their distinctive distinctive sound:

JUST MUSTARD

Just Mustard are an experimental rock band from Ireland. They formed in Dundalk in County Louth in 2016.

Their debut album was self-produced and recorded by the band in their home studio in Dundalk and in Start Together Studios, Belfast, with recording engineer Chris Ryan. It was often tagged as influenced by Shoegaze. The band toured with Fontaines D.C. and did gigs alongside The Cure.

Their sound has slowly shifted towards heavier, noisier tones, to simplify becoming more like the Cranes and less than Catherine Wheels. In 2020, the band signed to Brooklyn-based label Partisan Records, which released their sophomore album, The album peaked at No. 17 in the Irish albums chart and received critical acclaim upon its release.

The line-up is made of:

Katie Ball (vocals)

David Noonan (guitar/vocals)

Mete Kalyon (guitar)

Rob Clarke (bass)

Shane Maguire (drums)

Their musical work to date is:

Just Mustard, EP, 2016

Wednesday, LP, 2018

Live Session (Park Time Punks KXLU), EP, 2020

Heart Under, LP, 2022

NEW DAD

NewDad present themselves as “an alternative indie rock band brings sombre themes to life with their easy-going sound, raw vocals and thrumming backing”.

NewDad are a rock band from Galway, Ireland, formed in 2018. Julie Dawson, Áindle O'Beirn and Fiachra Parslow started the band while in secondary school as a way of avoiding solo performances for their Leaving Certificate practical music exam. Sean O'Dowd, who was studying music technology in Limerick, began recording the band, before eventually becoming a full member.

The line-up is made of:

Julie Dawson (vocalist and rhythm guitarist)

Cara Joshi (bass guitar)

Sean O’Dowd (lead guitar)

Fiachra Parslow (drums) 

Their musical work to date is:

Waves, EP, 2021

Banshee, EP, 2022

Madra, LP, 2024

You can find their music on Bandcamp or Spotify. I can not wait to see them in concert.

CABL

CABL is ‘an indie rock band put through a broken dishwasher, creators of Sham-wave’. They are from Dublin, Drogheda and Slane, North East of Ireland. They all met in college.

The band has released a series of singles since 2022 that can be found on all on the usual streaming platforms. I love their sound and the singer has a beautiful and powerful voice that brings a nice plus to the mix. All their songs are well produced, well crafted and all together really good.

There is a nice article on HOT PRESS you can find HERE to know more on the band.

The band is:

Ava Durran: vocals & Lyrics & Bass

Eoghan Lynch: Drums

Luke White, Ben: Guitar

I love their single ‘see you in a year and half’, and grow to love the rest as much over time.

Their musical work to date is:

What a pop sing Sounds Like, Stranded at the airport, Singles 2022

B.1., Shoelaces, See you in a Year and a half, Singles, 2023

See you in a Year and a half, EP, 2024

Here you are with a first selection of bands. Look soon for the second part coming soon with other great bands.