What's New? - News August 2000
Alright Everyone! FERRY TALES has been broadcast on BBC1 throughout the UK and Ireland and we're just
recovering from
the biggest TV exposure that PAY*OLA have had so far!
The show was a documentary of PAY*OLA's journey from rehearsals and a warm up gig in Belfast, via Dublin and Liverpool,
to a showcase in London's prestigious "Sound Republic" venue in Leicester Square. Half an hour of network T.V exposure
for an unsigned band is unheard of - so how the hell? Apart from lucky breaks these things involve, the band were first
contacted by the BBC for the project, due to the large profile and following they have built up in Northern Ireland.
(PAY*OLA's last Belfast gig, headlining in the Empire Music Hall was attended by more than 400 faithful). Even after
initial contact though, it wasn't all plain sailing (arf!) - the band having to pass a screen test. Flying colours, mate.
Also, having originally been told their story would be condensed to 15 minutes - the production company were so happy with
the 4 days filming that they based an entire episode around them.
As for any cynics who view appearing in a "docu-soap" as cheesy - "They'd give their left bollock to get their music this much exposure" says singer Philip McCarroll. Indeed, far from brushing PAY*OLA's music aside as often happens in these cases - the episode features it prominently, using no less than 7 of their songs.
The band have recently done a number of acoustic sessions for television and Radio. Phil and Nick played 'When you leave' and 'What Drives You?' acoustically for the '11th hour' on BBC CHOICE as well as an interview. Phil was interviewed for MIKE EDGAR'S Radio Show on Radio Ulster about the antics of PAY*OLA on TV. Mike had already seen the show and thought it was hilarious! The band were also interviewed by STEVE NOLAN for CITY BEAT and Phil and Nick did an acoustic session and interview for LINDA CULLEN on THE DOWNTOWN RADIO ROCKFILE. The band also did an acoustic session and interview for JOHN BENNETT's show on Radio Ulster which is broadcast to around 200,000 listeners!
PAY*OLA plan to capitalize on the show by touring extensively throughout the U.K and Ireland, and recording some brand new tracks (as soon as bass player Nicky recovers from a broken wrist - it's not all good luck). We'd like your help with this - if there is a venue near you that you think would be suitable for an extremely hot and sweaty evening then please e-mail us at Payola_rocks@hotmail.com and let us know. Also, if you have any favori
te PAY*OLA songs that you think we should record - tell us - we're an extremely obliging bunch!See you sometime soon
love PAY*OLA.
"Northern Ireland could be about to spawn the new big rock stars of 2000. PAY*OLA kick ass" - Kirsten McAlpine (News Letter)>
Rock'n'Roll!