From Stomach to Stomach Inc...

Rising from the ashes of MUSH FLUBAH (Excellent), DR. SHITFACE (Shit), and S.M.H. (O.K.), STOMACH was put together by Wally (Axe), Dave (drums and vocals) and Damo (bass and vocals) in 1995. First gigs were played around the local punk venues of Dublin where all the various factions of the local punk scene could only agree on one thing... “Stomach can rock”.

The following year Stomach recorded their first demo, This led to an offer to release a split single with ALL DAY from California on Rejected/Know Records. Their contribution was one original song and a cover of “Mad At Myself” by Government Issue (beginning a love affair with G.I. that continues to this day!). Some very good reviews were received and what was becoming very apparent was the 3 Stomacheers could come up with some very fine music. Potential was obvious...

On from the 7", 1998 saw the release of a split EP on Rejected Records with Steeky from Norn Iron. This release finally saw what our boys were capable of. Their four song contribution brought excellent reviews from all over the place and they finally looked like they were going to get it together in a big way. This was not to be however, due in both parts to the patented pathetic performance by “rip-off” Rejected Records and our heroes own lack of effort. This led to tensions in the camp and it was in ’99 that all this nonsense came to a head with Wally leaving the band after a rubbish gig in the Temple Bar Music Centre (with the ever excellent “Gout”).

After a few months of searching, Damo and Dave decided on a new dual guitar rock approach (or as Wally maintains “Motherf**kers needed two motherf**'kers to play my motherf**kin sh*t”). Enter Steve And Shay as new guitarists and rehearsals began. Two guitars being more complicated than first anticipated, it took a while for things to gel and by the time they did, Steve was off. Rozzers was then drafted in as Steve's replacement and to help with song-writing. Things began to look good and Stomach seemed back to full strength. A four song demo was recorded but in the live arena, things just would not click. As seemed obvious to most, it couldn't last and it didn’t. Stomach called it a day in early 2000.

Redemption was at hand, however, when Wally (who now lives in Sweden) made contact with Damo and Dave in early 2001 with a clear message “We need to record an album”. All parties agreed and frantic rehearsals and song writing took place.

Recorded at Banned Studios on the Northside of Dublin with Jonathan Yates at the helm. Substantive clearly shows what the band are capable of with great songs backed up by excellent musicianship. While arriving at a sound that is certainly their own, Stomach Inc draw on influence from the likes of Government Issue, Hüsker Du, Bad Brains, Thin Lizzy, Pegboy, Elmore James, The Damned, Entombed... and even Simple Minds. (Simple Minds is just Dave, not Damo or Wally... just Dave!!! Is that clear, just Dave.... not Wally or Damo, that's just Dave).

Due to other bands with the same name, Stomach have since become Stomach Inc. and Substantive has been released on Wreckage Rex Records (who Wally works with). Plans to further license it to other labels in faraway places have been hit by delay after delay after delay... but reviews received from magazines and fanzines all over the globe have been nothing short of spectacular.

With the sheer awkwardness of your guitarist living in another country (yes, he does live in Sweden), gigs are sometimes thin on the ground but the band still manage to throw a few gigs together around their native Ireland... so watch out for them.

With a licensing deal in North America looking more likely by the day, a tour over there will likely coincide with the re-release of Substantive. Other plans gigwise are to get to continental Europe and Scandinavia as soon as possible... if you can help out drop us a line punk@ireland.com

Also on the draftboard is re-entering the studio to record the Entitlements EP, a 7” tribute to the mighty Government Issue and a new album.

If you want more info, send an email to punk@ireland.com