The psyche scene couldn’t be more buoyant with more and more excellent bands emerging all the time. This makes it all the more important that there are amazing record labels out there to make sure we get to hear them. Over the last few months, I’ve fallen head over heels for Dublin-based Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records. Run by two top blokes called Ian McGlynn and Andy Marke the label has been releasing some of the finest psych music around.
I asked Ian how they came to choose the name for the label.
“Andy already had Fuzzed Up. He used the name for his club nights and radio show.
He felt I needed an identity in the name, so I thought hard, was listening to a lot of Electric Moon and hey presto…..Astromoon was born.
Glad nobody else picked it anywhere!”
As Ian mentioned, Andy runs a successful indie night in Dublin by the name Fuzzed Up. He also DJ’s a radio show with the same name on Dublin’s Near FM and Barrelhouse Radio. With Ian’s passion for vinyl and live music, they were always destined to team up and start a label. The ethos behind the label is about amplifying the psychedelic soul of the bands on their roster. Whilst Andy and Ian have their own unique tastes in music, psyche is what unites them and is the starting point for all their releases.
With that in mind let’s explore some of the bands that the label has brought to us so far.
Crome Yellow
Hailing from Waterford, Crome Yellow brew a heady blend of psychedelia with a pinch of funk, a sprinkle of 60’s mod vibes and a knowing drizzle of 90’s baggy. It’s a potent recipe for sure. The band released their No Friends or Mirrors album back in 2021 on Fuzzed Up & Astromoon and you can read my full breakdown of the album over here.
Tibetan Miracle Seeds
Tibetan Miracle Seeds is the recording project of Scottish musician, Jack McAfee (from Dundee). The music is inspired primarily by 1960’s Psych but also draws influence from a variety of traditional and indigenous music from around the world. The label put out his Inca Missiles album this year. It was one of the scenes’ most anticipated releases which thankfully exceeded expectations by a country mile.
Krypton Bulb
Dublin garage legends Krypton Bulb deliver high octane, gutsy rock ‘n’ roll. They have developed a reputation for incendiary live performances which led to Fuzzed Up & Astromoon releasing a double A-side lathe cut 7” single. That single, ‘Let Me Tell Ya / Come On Over’ remains a firm favourite of mine to this day.
Thee UFO
An enigma wrapped in a riddle, Dublin-based Thee UFO ply their trade in out-there motorik killer jams.
So far, they have featured on two Fuzzed Up & Astromoon releases which should give you an idea about how highly thought of they are.
Astral Magic
Astral Magic is a new solo project by ex-Dark Sun bass player Santtu also known as Dj Astro. During the covid-19 lockdown he had the idea to do something creative to kill the extra time and get seriously into home-recording. Santtu plays everything by himself, but some guests have been called in to help on drums, guitar etc. Musical styles vary from electronic/ambient/experimental to heavy space rock, kraut, psych rock, prog and even pop.
Soundwire
Soundwire are a psychedelic/ alternative / alt. noise band formed in 2011 by singer Simon Court and guitarist Peter Moore. Based in South Wales, they have previously collaborated with Tim Holmes (Death in Vegas), who produced and contributed to their first EP, as well as Thighpaulsandra (Spiritualized / Coil) who mixed and produced their self-titled debut album and is currently working on their follow-up LP.
Sun Mahshene
Sun Mahshene are Ireland’s premiere indie-psych rock band. Weaving a perfect storm of shoegaze guitars, memorable melodies, and insightful lyrics, this Dublin quintet is a must-see live experience. Releases to date include self-published EP, Drones That Don’t Kill. Followed by four critically acclaimed singles on Reckless Records IE. Fuzzed Up & Astromoon are set to release a vinyl collection of these tracks called Space Echoes: The Ep on transparent red vinyl. Release date is Friday September 30 so set those calendar reminders; these will fly!
This is certainly not an exhaustive list of all the acts on Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records, but I hope it’s given you a taste of what they have on offer. Make sure you follow Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records on Bandcamp to check out all these amazing acts and much more.
I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Ian and Andy for all the hard work they pour into the label. Here’s to many more years of sonic exploration!
You can follow Fuzzed Up & Astromoon Records on social media here…
Static Sounds Club 