Formed in 2010 from the ashes of local cult acts, Former Monarchs’ draw influences from a diverse range of bands, including Irish stalwarts The Redneck Manifesto and the sadly-defunct Danish trio Marvins Revolt.
Their sound interweaves edgy guitar lines and a thumping rhythm section, with strong emphasis on vocal and instrumental harmonies.
In their relatively brief lifespan, Former Monarchs have toured Ireland with Birmingham based band &U&I, as well as playing with notable acts such as Maybeshewill, And So I Watch You From Afar and Axis Of in venues up and down the country. The band released their debut ep, “The Wisdom Of Crowds” in May 2011 to critical acclaim, and have toured all over the country in support of it.
The band have been chosen to compete in HMV’s “No Sleep To Hammersmith” competition in August 2011, which will be their first foray out of Ireland ahead of an English tour in late 2011.
“Ones to watch” BBC Radio 1
With the automatic advantage of having the most exuberant drummer in the world to their name, Cork quartet Former Monarchs racket things up several notches with their fully infectious, forward-thinking alt-rock. Possessing the inspiring deftness of Maps and Atlases and the raucous might of Manchester’s Oceanzise, ‘Clans’, the politically scathing ‘My Friend Has No Job’ and —set highlight — ‘Repeat After Me’, they’re the first band this evening to fully capture the crowd’s attention not only musically but also in terms of presence. Nice guys, great music: expect them to go far. BBC live review
“The whole EP is full of fresh alternative rock, chock full of big ideas and musical potential. The intermixing of post-hardcore and indie with brooding electronic sound-scapes and overwhelming raw passion all come together seamlessly in this four-track marathon” Musical Mathematics
“An assured and well rounded debut from a band that are arguably still finding their voice, when they hit their stride they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Irish music scene and beyond.”
drop-d.ie
“The Wisdom of Crowds is a fantastic, if raw debut release. But more significantly it marks the start of a journey for Former Monarchs. If they keep progressing at the rate they have to date, just where this journey will take them remains excitingly unclear.”
goldenplec.com
Bandcamp: http://formermonarchs.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/formermonarchs