Pay*Ola

Infobox musical artist
Name = Pay*ola
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 1998 – present
Genre = Rock
Origin = Northern Ireland, UK
Label = Tomcat Records
Gimp International Records
Current_members = Philip McCarroll
Nick Joseph
Nicky Conway
Adam Callaghan

Pay*Ola are an Irish hard rock band formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1998.The band consists of:

*Philip McCarroll (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar)
*Nick Joseph (Guitar, Keyboards and Backing Vocals)
*Nicky Conway (Bass)
*Adam Callaghan (Drums)

History

Formation

Formed from the ashes of "Lazy" in 1998 by Philip McCarroll, releasing their first E.P "Stick 2 Fingers Up" on Good Vibrations Records. The band's style of music is definitively 'Hard Rock' that contains mixes of punk rock, grunge and heavy metal. Pay*Ola first rose to prominence in 2000 when they starred in an episode of short live BBC/ [RTE] documentary series, "Ferry Tales". The episode charted the band's Spinal Tap-like journey from Belfast to a gig in London. The episode was broadcast on BBC 1 in Northern Ireland and RTÉ in the Republic of Ireland and featured seven of the band's original songs. Stuart Bailie of "NME" once said: "Pay*Ola have an untamed affection for the spirit of Rock 'n' Roll.".

Felix

Pay*Ola gained moderate popularity throughout 2001 and 2002 when their song, "Felix" from "The Felix E.P." was played extensively on one of Northern Ireland's most popular radio stations, Cool FM. "Felix" was also chosen as one of 60 finalists in the 2002 'International Songwriting Competition'. They released their third E.P., "More Iconic Than Ironic"in May of 2002, songs from which were played extensively during gigs up and down Northern Ireland, including major NI radio hit "Carter's Song".

Audioslave

In 2003 Pay*Ola supported American rock band, Audioslave in Dublin while on tour. This single gig alone rocketed Pay*Ola's name to the top of many radio playlists and boosted their cult (small) following in Ireland. It remains their biggest gig to date with well over ten thousand people in attendance; during the gig, it is claimed (by the band) that all of Pay*Ola's merchandise sold out within 30 minutes.

In 2003 they also played at the Big Buzz Irish Entertainment Awards and also released their "Rather Be Dreaming" E.P. in that same year and remains one of their most popular yet.

Try Everything 2wice

In 2005, Pay*Ola released their first album, "Try Everything 2wice", launching the album in a gig in Virgin Megastore, Belfast that pulled in crowds from the street, able to have been heard as far away as Belfast City Hall. Maintained as one of the Empire Music Hall's most popular headlining bands in Belfast having topped the bill at the venue on almost 20 occasions, Pay*Ola enjoy a thriving cult following throughout Northern Ireland. In January 2006, drummer James Nicholl's baby son Jamie became seriously ill and was admitted to hospital, all planned gigs being cancelled as a result. Fortunately, Jamie has made a full recovery and James is back with the band. Pay*ola's next big hometown show was at the Empire Music Hall, Belfast on Thursday 29th June 2006. Although attendance was low, the band still managed to impress. Fact|date=July 2007

77 Miles

Pay*ola had a busy end to 2006, including an Irish tour with British rock legends Status Quo, and support slots with L.A sleaze rockers Buckcherry, and Australian superstar Jimmy Barnes. During that period they also recorded new tracks at Manor Park Studios for the "77 Miles" E.P - which was eventually released in July 2007 - once again, it was launched with a Saturday night headline show in the Empire Music Hall, Belfast. This show also happened to be the last featuring original drummer James Nicholl, who bowed out due to family commitments. The band found an immediate replacement in Adam Callaghan, and have played a string of dates around Ireland (as well as a festival show in Ipswich) with the new line-up in late 2007. They will round off the year with a Christmas show in Lavery's Bunker, Belfast on Friday 14th December.

Discography

Albums

*"Try Everything 2wice" (2005)

E.P.s

*"Stick 2 Fingers Up" (1999)
*"The Felix E.P." (2001)
*"More Iconic Than Ironic" (2002)
*"Rather Be Dreaming" (2003)
*"77 Miles" (2007)

External links

* [http://www.payolarock.com Pay*Ola official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/Payolarock Payola MySpace Page]