FROM

200x - 2007

OVERVIEW Tortured Artists Social Club entered the rock world like they entered life -- bare-assed with nothing much on but the ability to perform. A year and a half later, having racked up numerous achievements such as being nominated for best band at the 2007 Balcony TV Music Awards, chosen by Jenny Huston for the mycoke podcast, completing a 10 date tour in the US, invited to record a 2fm session with Dan Hegarty, TASC have proven that they have what it takes to make things happen. In late 2004 after 8 years of performing, touring and recording with other bands, Ryan Margolin (Guitar/Vox) and Johnny O'Brien (Bass/Vox) began passing back and forth demos and ideas for a new project. After a long hard search for a drummer that took the band through many different towns, counties and cities, the position was finally filled in 2006 by drumming academy scholar Stephen Whelan (Drums). Tortured Artists Social Club was ready to rock! With over 50 gigs in 6 months, TASC have built up a steady following on the irish circuit and have shown that they are not afraid to take on the battles of being on the road. Not that TASC are out to prove anything. They are simply and sincerely, in it for the music, and always have been. Almost one year after the release of TASC's debut single Panda, they have gathered attention from media and industry alike. One such person, Phil Daugherty, ( Sting & The Police, U2, Eric Clapton), was quoted saying" I haven't seen a band this exciting since Jane's Addiction back in 1988." While some things may have changed for the relentlessly innovative threesome over the last 6 months, others stayed exactly the same. "The songs are always a reflection of what we're feeling and what's happening around us," says Johnny, chief lyricist for TASC. "I think we've all had a chance over the past years to experience different chapters of our lives closing and others opening up. It's how we've dealt with those changes that is at the core of most of our songs." 2007 has seen TASC's live show go from strength to strength. A true live band, TASC set out to portray a message and entertain. Stephen said "Every gig is different from the next. You never know what either one of us might do on any given night but the intensity and raw feelings never change." TASC describes themselves as dirty rock with a conscience "We try to keep the songs simple" says bassist Johnny, "Something you can relate to, or feel every day in the words and a melody that you can hum to yourself waiting for your bus. Its all about feel, instead of trying to fit into a certain sound or this seasons fashionable look." TASC are currently in pre-production of their upcoming EP. They will be recording in Quill Lane Studios with producer Torsten Kinsella (God Is An Astronaut) in the hopes of having a finished record by the end of the summer 2007. Ryan said " Development on a personal and musical level is the key aim during the recording of this EP so we can produce the best possible record that we have in us right now. Working with people like Aaron Kennedy has brought us to that next level and we do not have any plans to stop there. I think once this record is finished, everyone will notice the progression we have made as a band." As a drummer, sessionist, educator and motivator, Aaron Kennedy has played drums for over 20 years and in that time, has come across many different bands and artists. Lately his role has developed to producing and performance enhancement with TASC. "Having placed one of my students in the band I took a personal interest in the groups progress. After some time, the energy of TASC took me further into the music. I love 3 piece set ups. 2006 - Release of 'Panda' single as a digital download [11 August] 2007 - TASC change their name to Saints Of Descent