DUBLIN

2000 -

OVERVIEW Formed in late 2000, Renko are Shay Wall on vocals/guitars, Mark Corcoran on bass/backing vocals and Mark Gargan on drums. Having spent their teenage years in too many garage bands to mention, they straight away realised they were on to something special with Renko. The band quickly built up a loyal following on the strength of its powerful songs and explosive live performances in Whelans and The Village, two of Dublin's more prestigious venues. Taking their name from the hero of the amazing novel 'Gorky Park' by Martin Cruz Smith, Renko's music can be best described as a "Molotov cocktail of pure and impure Rock 'N' Roll." 2003 saw Renko wood shedding while they focused on the writing of their debut album and honing the Renko sound and live show into the experience that it is today. To record the album, they recruited engineer Dave Slevin, who had previously worked with Mercury Rev and Idlewild. March 2004 saw the release of their debut single, "Hats Off to John Lee," which made an immediate impact on the Irish Charts, selling 300+ copies to reach No. 43 in its first week of release. A long-time floor filler at Renko gigs, "Hats Off" boasts a powerful groove and an incendiary chorus. The single considerably raised Renko's profile picking up extensive national airplay, excellent press reviews, and broke the Irish Top 50. Jackie Hayden - Hotpress, "Dublin rock trio Renko are the lads to watch...They bring a healthy modern approach to their blues-based sound....three years of playing live have turned Renko into a tight combo who can play with style and panache...We need more of this." June 2004 saw the release of a second single - the three-minute all-action rockfest that is "Heaven Is A Long Wait" which reached No. 40 in the Irish Chart generating widespread critical acclaim from the music press and prominent airplay at local and national level. Catching the ear of 2FM's Rick O'Shea who added Renko to his summer playlist and also featuring consistently in the Top 10 playlist of Dublins premier Alternative Rock station Phantom FM. To promote the single, the launch party took place to a packed house at The Village, in their native Dublin before undertaking an extensive national tour during the summer selling over 400 cds and winning over new fans with killer shows up and down Ireland. As of 2010, Shay is living in Australia and still playing music. Mark moved to England and performs with Calendar Key Project. Darren, who played in an earlier iteration of the band, works as an engineer / producer and also plays with The Rolling Stones tribute band Rollin' And Tumblin'. 2000 - Band formed 2004 - Release of 'Hats Off To John Lee' single - Release of 'Heaven Is A Long Wait' single [June] 2005 - Release of debut album 'TV Will Kill Us All' [21 October]