202S
LIMERICK, COUNTY LIMERICK
202s marry vintage synth sounds with the pop instrumentation of melodicas, glockenspiels and harmonicas, then filter the lot through a post-punk haze. Formed as a duo in April 2007, they operated initially as a studio outfit and immediately set about crafting their debut album. In August 2008 they expanded to a 3 piece & began performing live regularly.
Their self-titled debut album was released in Ireland & France in March 2009 & Germany in June through Parisian indie Le Son Du Maquis (home to A Certain Ratio & more). AU Magazine described it as “a beautiful Frankenstein of a record” while prominent French music mag Magic RPM called it “a mixture of harmonica, psychedelic sounds, a taste of pop & a funk base”. Germanys' Musikexpress meanwhile described the bands' sound as "hymnal Kraut-pop from Dublin". References have also been made to acts including Stereolab, the Flaming Lips, Eno, Can, Grandaddy, Primal Scream, Air, Kraftwerk, Neil Young and The The.
Highlights since the albums’ release have included sharing a stage with acts including A Certain Ratio, Super Furry Animals and Fujiya & Miyagi and a well received performance at this years’ Oxegen festival. New material will be released early in 2010.
"like a bastard child of Stereolab and the Flaming Lips," TOTALLY DUBLIN
“short, snappy affairs....swathed in synths & fuzzy guitars” SUNDAY BUSINESS POST
“Album of the Week.” STUART CLARKE, THE LAST WORD
“traces of Eno, the Stone Roses and Can” HOT PRESS
“a beautiful Frankenstein of a record” AU MAGAZINE
“vintage synth sounds sit happily alongside organic instruments” IRISH INDEPENDENT
“A solid group in the finest indie tradition, there are also understated elements of dance, soul and funk” ENTERTAINMENT.IE
“a mixture of harmonica, psychedelic sounds, a taste of pop & a funk base”
MELT MAGAZINE, FRANCE
“a little as if John Carpenter was born a musician. And Irish.” LE MERSEILLAISE
“oscillates between long electronic ambient vibes, refined pop, electro dance and harmonica folk” D-SIDE MAGAZINE, FRANCE
"A lovely buzz with 202s (Red Bull Music Academy)...there’s little to fault in their live set: gorgeous Krautrock grooves, really robust songs and great stage presence."
JIM CARROLL, THE IRISH TIMES, OXEGEN REVIEW, 10/7/09
"The set is strong, lifted entirely of this year’s debut, it show cases a rich and varied range of influences. An impressive start finished with the summer hit ‘Shoot You Down’, an ebullient pop number that succeeds to get those present into the festival spirit." WWW.STATE.IE, OXEGEN REVIEW, 10/7/09.
