Latest news with #JamesMcGovern
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
The Murder Capital: life on the road with Ireland's most ferocious band
The Murder Capital are back in Ireland to play the Iveagh Gardens this July. We caught up with front man James McGovern as the band take their blistering live show around Europe If it's Tuesday, it must be Zurich. James McGovern, the brooding front man of The Murder Capital, is somewhere in the Swiss city, psyching himself up to unleash his band's primal post-punk onto another audience on another night of their seemingly never-ending tour. Following shows in Australia in April, the road hardened Irish five-piece are deep into their latest foray around Europe. After their Dublin gig at Iveagh Gardens in Dublin on 19 July, they embark on UK and US dates, which will take them up to October on their campaign of world domination by stealth. 27-year-old McGovern has the demeanour of a man constantly on the move with barely time to take it all in. Originally from Cork via Dublin, the deep thinking and articulate singer now lives in London but these days, he spends most his life on the road. He is talking today to plug that Iveagh Gardens gig and it's a place very close to his heart. In fact, he used to live around the corner from the Dublin city centre park, which has hosted some memorable gigs over the past decade, including The The, Burt Bacharach, Pixies and Richard Hawley. "Yes, and my dad still does," he says. "I feel a big connection with the Iveagh Gardens. Having started my life off in Dublin, I went to school in Cork but both are my home. "Iveagh Gardens was always one that was in our sights to play. It has such an unbelievably atmosphere for shows and for an outdoor show in particular, it always captures big energy. It really feels electric there and I couldn't be more buzzing for this show." Like their mates Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital really are gigging relentlessly. But what is life like on the road for Ireland's most riveting live act? Is it a tale of late night excess or bed at 10pm with a battered copy of The Outsider by Camus? McGovern smiles wryly and says, "I play a lot of pool, I play a lot of pool . . . " The Murder Capital have earned their reputation as one of the most ferocious live acts in the world. They're a band who hammer mere rock `n' roll angst into something far more elemental and meaningful and all eyes are on McGovern, an electrifying and menacing stage presence who looks like he's having an out of body experience when he performs. "No matter how you're feeling you have to find a way to connect with the audience," he says. "It is about the show for us. Because of the nature of our band, I always feel very connected to the songs, very connected to what the music is about and what it is we're trying to express." McGovern and his band mates - Damien Tuit (guitars/sampler), Cathal Roper (guitars/keys), Gabriel Paschal Blake (bass) and Diarmuid Brennan (drums) - first shot out of the traps in 2019 with their critically acclaimed debut album When I Have Fears, followed by 2023's enigmatically titled Gigi's Recovery (a No.1 album in Ireland). Last February, they released Blindness, their starkly atonal, urgent and expressive third album. Recorded in just three weeks in LA, it is a raw departure from the almost poppy Gigi's Recovery and finds The Murder Capital in ambitious form with a lot to say. "On every album we've made, we've always wanted to evolve and not repeat ourselves," McGovern says. "That's a natural state for us. For this album we wanted to understand what first lit the fire under us. We also wanted to make an album that excited us and made room for unpredictability on stage. "We didn't want to overthink anything. We recorded it quicker and we were a bit less harsh on ourselves. It is easy to be cruel to the songs as you're recording. We had to let them be what they are." Two songs from Blindness have become talking points in the past few months - Born Into the Fight, a bloodletting maelstrom about Catholic education, and Love of Country, a blunt rejection of the warped nationalism that reared its ugly head over the past few years in Ireland. Last December, The Murder Capital announced a special 7" vinyl edition of the song, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid For Palestinians as the war in Gaza rages on amid an increasingly loud chorus of international condemnation. In fact, just a few days after I speak to McGovern, The Murder Capital are in the news after their show in Berlin's Gretchen club was cancelled after the venue refused to allow a Palestinian flag on stage, just weeks after Irish rap trio Kneecap had several concerts in Germany and the UK axed. In a statement at the time, McGovern said, "It's not just about national flags, it's about political statements, and to us, this isn't just a political statement, it's a humanitarian statement. It's about people who are dying and are being slaughtered every day and that's happening right now." In a post on social media, the Gretchen club said it was "very sorry" that the show did take place and that it has had a "no national flag" policy for many years. "That means that we do not tolerate any kind of national flags in our venue," the venue said, adding, "We try to be a safe place for many different communities and really believe that music is able to build bridges, beyond borders and nationalities. Therefore, we deeply believe that national flags are not helpful at all." Naturally, it leads onto a question about the ongoing controversy around Kneecap, who have been condemned after historical video footage emerged of them appearing to support Hamas and Hezbollah and urging their fans to attack Tory politicians. It has led to a very live debate about freedom of expression and the limits of artistic licence. Last Wednesday, Kneecap's Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence by British police over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at one of the band's gigs in London last November. The Murder Capital were among hundreds of signatories of the recent letter defending Kneecap's right to free speech and artistic expression. "Look . . . we did sign the letter because I do believe it was the right thing to do," McGovern says, haltingly. "It's not easy to separate things into completely right, total moral uprightness, I believe, in its essence, it was the right thing to do to sign it and I think there is more nuanced conversation that needs to come from the situation itself. "Obviously, what Kneecap said are stupid things to say. I think they could have very much have been said in jest. Blindboy did a good thing of pointing out that `kill your local' is a memetic turn of phrase, which it is, and is used as a way of protesting against the way landlords treat people in this country, often times you see that spray painted around. "I don't think it means anyone is wanting blood, I don't think anyone is saying it in that way. What was said, `up, Hamas, up, Hezbollah,' are not the best f***ing thing to be saying. I think Kneecap have come out and said that." He adds, "Of the three lads in Kneecap, nobody could say they're trying to cause harm in any way. I think they're standing up for people who don't have a voice and they're doing it again and again and again and they're doing it in a way that is causing conversation to occur." He pauses and says: "It's also weeding out people like Sharon Osborne and her schtick. It's a powerful thing. They're affecting the culture. They will be fine I believe, they'll be fine. I think they'll probably be a little bit more careful with their words. "People get full of adrenaline on stage and say stupid s***. As Massive Attack so eloquently put it, `Kneecap is not the story. The story is the genocide in Palestine'. It is hard to reckon with the fact that this is the world we're living in." It might be said that it is good that music is finding its voice again and having an impact on the culture and politics. "Totally," McGovern says. "There are plenty of bands around the world who are too cowardly to say anything and it's clear as day that there are plenty of them at home as well." Would he care to elaborate on that? "There's no need to. It's obvious." Right now, the stage is calling and it's nearly time for The Murder Capital to once again deliver maximum ferocity. "I'm enjoying being on the road more than ever but I also love being at home," says McGovern. "I'm subconsciously hugging my suitcase as we speak. That's where I'm at." The Murder Capital with special guests Soft Play and Mary In The Junkyard play The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin on 19 July. Tickets priced €39.90 are on sale now through
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Fury as more lawmakers fall asleep during early morning vote on Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are still having trouble staying awake through their overnight sessions negotiating President Donald Trump 's 'big beautiful bill.' In the middle of a session that spanned into the early hours of Wednesday morning, it was 71-year-old Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) who was caught on camera dozing off this time. The 1:00 a.m. vote on the multi-trillion-dollar bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, but is widely criticized by Democrats for gutting social programs like Medicaid and food assistance. Critics claim that Republicans are being bullied by Trump into holding the vote that's forced members of Congress to stay in session overnight on more than one occasion. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) tore into Norman in an X post exposing him for falling asleep around 2:15 a.m. during the consequential session. Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) was also seen rubbing his eyes as he got sleeping during the latest overnight session from May 20-21 'Rep. Ralph Norman is ripping health care away from 13 million Americans not exciting enough to stay awake?' the 65-year-old congresswoman posted along with a video of Norman slipping into sleep. Some on social media pointed to Norman's age as the problem, claiming there needs to be limitations on how old a serving member of Congress can be. 'We need mandatory retirement for ALL politicians in addition to term limits,' one user responded to the video. 'It's the only way to ensure relevant leadership at the top. The federal Congress and Senate shouldn't be in the Nursing Home business.' But just a week prior during another overnight session, three other members were caught sleeping on the job – one who is relatively young compared to the average age of those serving in Congress. Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore, 44, was among those who was taped dozing off during the bill markup overnight from May 13 to 14. A clip shows the lawmaker being gently shaken awake by a colleague after he missed a question during his nap. Other videos emerged that night showing 71-year-old Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and 80-year-old Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) asleep on Capitol Hill. Other videos show the hilarious moments Republican Rep. Blake Moore (left) and Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky (right) took a snooze in the hearing room The Wednesday morning snooze-fest sparked outrage online – as did the latest mid-session nap from Norman. It's not clear what other lawmakers were sleeping but not caught on camera, but the late night sessions are clearly weighing on several members – Democrat and Republican alike. 'As a former lobbyist, I can tell you that sleeping on the job is one of the few things that Democrats and Republicans have in common,' one X user wrote when the latest video emerged on Wednesday morning.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Overnight Hearing Skewered: 'Not Normal'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democrats have criticized the timing of a hearing on President Donald Trump's much-touted tax cuts bill, calling it "not normal." The House Rules Committee scheduled an unusual 1 a.m. ET hearing on Wednesday where members are debating details of the measure. During the hearing, Representative Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the panel, questioned why the hearing was not being held "at 1pm, not 1am" if Republicans are so proud of it. "This is not normal," he said, according to a post on Bluesky from legal analyst Joyce Vance. In an earlier post on X, McGovern wrote: "If Donald Trump's big beautiful tax break for billionaires is so great... why not pass it in prime time? Why jam it through in the middle of the night? What don't they want you to know? They have such contempt for the American people." Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) speaks alongside Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) during a Rules Committee meeting on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the U.S. Capitol... Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) speaks alongside Committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) during a Rules Committee meeting on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the U.S. Capitol on May 21, 2025. MoreThis is a developing story.
Sunday World
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Irish band Murder Capital have second German gig cancelled over Palestinian flag on stage
"The Palestinian flag itself needs to be on our stage, needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible' The Irish band The Murder Capital performed an acoustic set at Rheinpark in Cologne after a second German gig was cancelled over the band displaying the Palestinian flag on stage. The Dublin-based post-punk band was scheduled to play at the Berlin club Gretchen on Saturday, May 10, and Gebäude 9 in Cologne on Sunday, May 11, but both gigs were cancelled. The band said they had hoped 'what had happened in Berlin' when a gig in the German city was also cancelled over the flag 'would be an isolated incident'. "But tonight's venue, Gebäude 9, has also told us that we cannot have the Palestinian flag on our stage,' front man James McGovern said in another video posted to social media. 'We've tried everything we can to find another venue for tonight's show, but it's been impossible. "So we'll be putting on an acoustic show outdoors in a park somewhere this evening.' McGovern continued: "The Palestinian flag itself needs to be on our stage, needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible. "These people are being eradicated, being starved, being bombed, and these war crimes and this genocide is being committed by the Israeli state and funded and supported by governments around the world. "Us having a flag on our stage at a rock show is not a political statement, it is a human reaction to a horrific and unimaginable situation. But this is not history, it is happening right now, today. "We stand forever with the people of Palestine. Free the people of Palestine. Love from us." The band later announced the unscheduled park performance on social media, saying "everyone welcome' and urging fans to 'bring acoustic guitars'. The Murder Capital News in 90 Seconds - May 13th The band later shared a clip of them performing their song "Words Lost Meaning." "Free Palestine," the group said in their post alongside the clip. In an video posted to the band's social media accounts on Saturday, McGovern - holding a Palestinian flag - explained what happened in Berlin, "from the band's point of view." McGovern said: 'We pulled into Berlin this morning, we had no idea that we weren't allowed to fly this [Palestinian] flag here today. We found out early this afternoon. "This is from the band's point of view. 'We discussed it for an hour at length, what we should do. We came to the decision that we were not going to take the flag off the stage, that was a decision pretty easily made, but we discussed possible outcomes – what if they decide to cancel the show? We thought about all of you deeply, because we care about you deeply, and I mean that. "And our decision was that we're gonna put the flag on stage.' McGovern said the band discussed whether to switch the Palestinian flag for a banner that said "Free Palestine," but said the venue "wouldn't allow us to do that either." "So it's not just about national flags, it's about political statements," he continued. 'And to us, this isn't just a political statement, it's a humanitarian statement. We've been saying that in interviews for the whole time that we've been speaking about it as people. "It's not all about politics; it's about people who are dying and being slaughtered every day, and that's happening right now. 'So, for us as a band who has had this flag on their stage for countless shows now, it would be the wrong thing for us to do to take it off the stage just so that the venue is kept happy. "We don't agree with that." McGovern continued: 'We wish live music and art and theatre could be free of political discussion and things like that, but as the world as it is, unfortunately, it just cannot be. "That's the way it is. "We'll be back to you as soon as we can. We appreciate all your support deeply, but most importantly, free Palestine.' The Berlin club said in a social media post that they were "very sorry" that The Murder Capital's show did not take place, but said it has had a "no national flag" policy in place for "many years." The Murder Capital has shows scheduled in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France this week and will play their biggest headline gig to date at Dublin's Iveagh Gardens on July 19. In September and October, The Murder Capital is set to play more than a dozen shows between the US and Canada. It comes as several shows have been cancelled in Germany over Irish artists' public support for Palestine. Several gigs by Belfast rappers Kneecap were pulled due to their vocal support of Palestine and an investigation by the counter-terrorism police in the UK over on-stage comments that 'the only good Tory is a dead Tory'. Their headline shows in Cologne, Berlin and Hamburg in September, as well as performances at the Hurricane and Southside festivals in Germany, were cancelled. Irish folk group Lankum had a gig in Leipzig cancelled in November 2023 due to the band's support for Palestine. In April, an Irish citizen was reportedly arrested in Berlin during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Irish embassy for leading chants in the Irish language at a demonstration. In the same month, two Irish protesters were facing deportation from Germany after taking part in pro-Palestinian protests. Shane O'Brien (29) and Roberta Murray (31), Irish citizens, were among four, including a Polish and a US citizen, facing deportation.
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
The Murder Capital have two German shows cancelled over plans to display Palestinian flag
'Us having a flag on our stage at a rock show is not a political statement, it is a human reaction to a horrific and unimaginable situation,' said the band in a statement. The Murder Capital have had two shows in Germany called off over their plans to display the Palestinian flag on stage. On Saturday, the band's gig at Club Gretchen in Berlin was cancelled after the venue heard of their intentions to show the Palestinian flag on stage, with a second concert in Cologne on Sunday cancelled for the same reason. 'We pulled in this morning, we had no idea that we weren't allowed fly [the Palestinian] flag here today,' said frontman James McGovern in a statement on Saturday. 'We found out early this afternoon.' The singer added that they suggested replacing the flag with a 'Free Palestine' banner, but that the venue would not have allowed that either. 'So it's not just about national flags, it's about political statements,' he said. 'And to us, this isn't just a political statement, it's a humanitarian statement.' The Dublin band played two impromptu acoustic gigs for fans, the first being outside the original venue in Berlin on Saturday and the second on the following evening in Cologne's Rheinpark. 'We arrived into Cologne this morning, hoping that what happened in Berlin yesterday would be an isolated incident,' McGovern said in another statement on Sunday. 'But tonight's venue, Gebäude 9, has also told us that we cannot have the Palestinian flag on our stage.' 'We've tried everything we can to find another venue for tonight's show, but it's been impossible. So we'll be putting on an acoustic show outdoors in a park somewhere this evening.' McGovern iterated that the band will continue to display the Palestinian flag, saying that it 'needs to be on our stage and needs to be as visible everywhere in the world as possible.' 'These people are being eradicated, being starved, being bombed, and these war crimes and this genocide is being committed by the Israeli state, and funded and supported by governments around the world. 'Us having a flag on our stage at a rock show is not a political statement, it is a human reaction to a horrific and unimaginable situation. But this is not history, it's happening right now, today. We stand forever with the people of Palestine. Free the people of Palestine. Love from us.' The situation follows similar cancellations for Kneecap, who had a number of shows in Germany pulled amid the fallout of their performances at Coachella. The Murder Capital are set to play a headline hometown show in the Iveagh Garden on. July 19. Tickets are available here.
