Paul McLoone

Last updated

Paul McLoone
PaulMcLoone26112023.jpg
Paul McLoone performing on stage with The Undertones in Dublin, Ireland, on 26 November 2023
Background information
Birth namePaul Martin McLoone
Born (1967-02-11) 11 February 1967 (age 57)
Derry, Northern Ireland
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • radio producer
  • voice actor
  • radio presenter
Instrument(s)
Years active1985–present
Labels Cooking Vinyl
Member of The Undertones

Paul Martin McLoone (born 11 February 1967) is an Irish musician, former radio producer, voice actor, voice-over artist and radio presenter from Derry, Northern Ireland. He is perhaps best known for being the co-creator and co-writer of the Irish comedy sketch series Gift Grub . He is also the lead vocalist/frontman of the Northern Irish pop-punk/new-wave band The Undertones, [1] permanently replacing Feargal Sharkey when the band reunited for a series of live appearances in November 1999. [2] From September 2008 to June 10, 2021, he hosted the weekday evening/night-time radio programme on the Irish national and independent radio station, Today FM titled The Paul McLoone Show which broadcast from Dublin every Monday to Thursday from 10:00pm to midnight. It focused on less-known Irish solo singers or bands, as well as those from other countries who are popular in the alternative and indie rock world, but who have yet to crack the mainstream line of the music industry. [3]

Contents

McLoone also hosted a radio programme titled Another Side [4] on TXFM (formerly Phantom FM), a sister station to Today FM that broadcasts to Dublin City and its surrounding areas. The programme, which aired from 17 January 2015 to 2 July 2016, was dedicated to giving an in-depth profile of a single major musician or band by playing various songs associated with the band or the musician's career, including ones that may not have been released as singles. The show aired for one hour at 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm every Saturday on TXFM and was repeated every Sunday night from 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm with fellow radio presenter John Caddell.

From March 2012 to March 2016, McLoone served as the main presenter for the main awards ceremony of the Choice Music Prize, an annual awards ceremony in Dublin every year; it began in 2005 with the Choice Music Prize awarded to a band or musician from Ireland whose album is deemed worthy of the prize by a panel of judges composed of various people from all aspects of Irish media. McLoone was originally involved in the background running of the awards before making his debut as M.C. at the 2011 prize ceremony, a role he held for five years until the Choice Music Prize started broadcast on RTÉ 2FM from 2017 onwards.

Career

Radio

Growing up in Derry's Bogside, McLoone began his radio career in the late 1980s. He first appeared on Gerry Anderson's show on BBC Radio Foyle in 1985. While on the show, McLoone successfully impersonated Prince Charles in a radio interview with Anderson which, in turn, launched McLoone's own career in radio with Anderson also serving as McLoone's radio mentor.

McLoone later performed in one band, The Carrellines, alongside future Undertones band member, drummer Billy Doherty in the late 1980s with McLoone serving as the main frontman/lead vocalist and guitarist for the Carrellines. Despite gaining praise from the Irish media, the Carrellines broke up after releasing two singles, "Bridesmaids Never Brides" and its b-side "Credence". After that, McLoone managed another band, Schtum, which disbanded while the group was touring America.

As such, McLoone eventually became a radio producer and was later involved in producing various programmes for the BBC, including his own satirical sketch series McLoone which ran for three series in the early 1990s on BBC Radio Foyle.

In March 1999, McLoone moved to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. He later joined the national independent radio station, Today FM, originally called Radio Ireland before its name-change and relaunch in 1998. He subsequently became a producer on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show , for Today FM. During his time on The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, McLoone produced the show and also co-created and co-wrote the comedy Irish sketch series, Gift Grub , alongside Irish comedian/impersonator, Mario Rosenstock. The pair also participated in sketches either together or separately. In 2004, after five years on The Ian Breakfast Show, McLoone resigned from Today FM.

The next years, McLoone went freelance, working with various TV/radio stations where he produced numerous programmes, including for the Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ. McLoone also worked on its two popular radio stations, RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ 2fm, including the RTÉ Radio 1 daytime radio program, Liveline .

In late 2005/early 2006, Tom Dunne, frontman of the Irish band Something Happens, asked McLoone to produce his own music show on Today FM, Pet Sounds.

After hosting Pet Sounds for nine years, Dunne left Today FM in August 2008 to join national independent radio station Newstalk. McLoone switched to radio presenting. At first, his role was intended to last for three months until a new replacement could be found. However, because of the increasing popularity of McLoone's unnamed show, he replaced Dunne on a permanent basis, and The Paul McLoone Show was launched in September, 2008. For the first five years, the show aired from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, then from 7:00 pm to midnight, and as of June 2012 from 9:00 pm to midnight.

In a 2014 interview for the Derry Journal, McLoone explained why he is an "accidental radio star". [5]

A regular nominee, McLoone won two PPI Radio Awards in 2012, a gold for Specialist Music Broadcaster Of The Year, and a bronze for New Irish Music/Musical Talent Programme in his role as organiser and also as the main presenter of the annual Meteor Choice Music Prize awards ceremony held in Dublin, and a silver in the Specialist Music Programme category in both 2013 [6] and 2014. In 2016, he won Silver in the Specialist Music Programme and Gold in Music Special/Music Event Category for his work on the Choice Music Awards Live Special he presented along with fellow Today FM colleague Alison Curtis which was held at Vicar Street in March 2016.

McLoone's interviewer from In Dublin magazine for Radio Month 2014 introduced him as "one of the most instantly recognisable voices on Ireland's airwaves". [7]

Television

McLoone has been a writer and creative consultant on the Jam Media series Funky Fables, and their BAFTA Drama Award-winning series, Roy (both for CBBC). [8]

McLoone provided the voice of Baboon, the secondary villain in the Cartoon Saloon-created Irish cartoon series Skunk Fu! which aired from September 2007 to September 2008.

Four years after appearing in Skunk Fu!, McLoone also appeared in the Cartoon Saloon animated film, Moon Man, voicing an unnamed father. The movie, based on the 1966 book, Moon Man by French artist Tomi Ungerer, was released in 2012,.

McLoone also appeared in the film, Sunset Heights as Dingo Green. The movie, which was released in 2002, was also featured in a Top 100 list for IMDB. [9]

He stars as an aspiring Elvis impersonator in the music video for Cherry Bomb, a song by the Irish rock band, The Minutes which was released in March 2014.

The Undertones

After splitting in 1983, the Undertones reformed in November 1999 and when original frontman Fergal Sharkey turned down the offer to join the band, McLoone was asked to join the group, becoming the new frontman and lead singer. The band, with McLoone at the helm, played their first gig at the Nerve Centre in Derry on 19 November 1999. intermittent live appearances followed including a concert in Termon Hall, Donegal in 2001. McLoone had previously fronted a hotly tipped band with Undertones drummer, Billy Doherty, in the late 80s, called the Carrellines. Doherty and McLoone partnered again as producers at their recording studio, Big River Records in Derry, helping local punk band Schtum make several acclaimed singles before their 1995 signing with Columbia/Sony.[ citation needed ] McLoone went on to record two studio albums with the Undertones, Get What You Need (2003) and Dig Yourself Deep (2007). For Record Store Day, 20 April 2013, the band released a new single, "Much Too Late"/"When It Hurts I Count To Ten". To coincide with the 2013 release of their CD/DVD An Introduction to the Undertones, the band undertook a European summer tour. 2016 was the band's fortieth anniversary which was celebrated with live dates and the release of a book by founding member, Michael Bradley.[ citation needed ]

Since reforming in November 1999, the Undertones have performed gigs internationally with McLoone as the band's permanent frontman. They also retain a considerable live following at their concerts, which usually take place at weekends around members' day jobs, as McLoone explained for a lengthy 2015 blog interview. Audiences are typically receptive to McLoone as the band's current frontman. [10]

Filmography

Film
YearFilmRoleNotes
2002Sunset HeightsDiego GreenCameo.
2012Moon ManFather (voice)Animated movie.
TV
YearTitleRoleNotes
2008 Skunk Fu! Baboon (voice)26 episodes.
Music Video
YearTitleBandRole
2014Cherry Bomb The Minutes Unnamed Elvis Impersonator.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today FM</span> National commercial radio network in Ireland

Today FM is a Republic of Ireland commercial FM radio station, owned and operated by Bauer Audio Ireland Limited, which broadcasts throughout the State. Broadcasting since 17 March 1997, it broadcasts mostly music, with a daily news and current affairs programme. Today FM holds a licence from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland as far as the year 2027. The station recorded pretax profits of €7.4 million on a turnover of €19.4 million in early 2009, more than twice what it was two years previously.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray D'Arcy</span> Irish radio and television presenter

Raymond Michael D'Arcy is an Irish television and radio presenter currently on his second stint at state broadcaster RTÉ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Dunne</span> Irish broadcaster and singer-songwriter

Thomas Dunne is an Irish radio broadcaster with Newstalk, and a singer/songwriter with the band Something Happens.

Dave Couse is an Irish musician, producer, and radio presenter best known for being the lead singer and main songwriter with the band A House.

TXFM was a Dublin based radio station, founded in 1997 as a pirate radio station. TXFM broadcast under a contract awarded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The station ceased broadcasting on 26 October 2016.

<i>Morning Ireland</i> Radio show

Morning Ireland is an Irish breakfast news programme broadcast by RTÉ Radio 1 and is noted as the country's most listened to radio programme. It is broadcast each weekday morning between 07.00 and 09.00 and alternate items are normally presented by two presenters from the current rota, which included Audrey Carville, Rachael English, Gavin Jennings and Fran McNulty as of Cathal Mac Coille's retirement in 2017. Occasional weekend editions are also aired on the occasion of major breaking news stories such as general elections, referendums or important news events.

Gerard Michael Anderson was a radio and television broadcaster for BBC Northern Ireland. Renowned for his unique style and distinctive sense of humour, Anderson often referred to himself on his show, as "Turkey Neck", "Puppet Chin" or "Golf Mike Alpha".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Fanning</span> Disk jockey and journalist from Ireland

David Fanning is an Irish television and radio broadcaster, rock journalist, DJ, film critic and author. Fanning currently hosts weekend midday magazine/chat show The Dave Fanning Show on the Irish national radio station RTÉ 2fm and a number of RTÉ Radio 1 programmes. He regularly deputises on RTÉ Radio 1 across a range of primetime programmes and also presented his own Monday-Friday 9 am show Mornings With Dave Fanning in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Rosenstock</span> Irish actor, comedian and musician

Mario Rosenstock is an Irish actor, comedian, impressionist and musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Across the Line (radio show)</span>

Across the Line is a radio show on BBC Radio Ulster. It broadcasts Fridays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, presented by Gemma Bradley, who also presents the national BBC Music Introducing on BBC Radio 1. It is also known for its website at www.bbc.co.uk/atl.

Dan Hegarty is an Irish radio presenter employed by RTÉ. He presents his show The Alternative on RTÉ 2fm Monday to Thursday from 10:00 pm – 12:00am. He is regularly dispatched to important musical events such as the Eurosonic Festival in The Netherlands, Electric Picnic and Oxegen for live broadcasting purposes, as well as being sent around the country to present the 2fm 2moro 2our. In 2008 Hegarty featured on the panel of judges for the Choice Music Prize and was sent to The Music Show to distribute advice.

Tony Fenton was an Irish radio presenter and DJ. For 18 years until he left in 2003, he worked with RTÉ 2fm; then joined Today FM in 2004, where he worked until his death 11 years later.

RTÉ Lyric FM is an Irish classical music and arts radio station, owned and operated by RTÉ. The station, which is based in Limerick, was launched in 1999 and is available on FM throughout Ireland, on Sky Digital satellite in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and via the Internet worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choice Music Prize</span> Award

The Choice Music Prize, known for sponsorship reasons as the RTÉ Choice Music Prize is an annual music prize awarded to the best album from a band or solo musician who is born in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland or holds an Irish passport. For bands, the majority of members must have been born on the island of Ireland or hold an Irish passport.

The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show is an Irish breakfast radio show broadcast on weekday mornings from 06:00 – 09:00 on Today FM. Presented by Ian Dempsey, it is noted for its Gift Grub feature, performed by Mario Rosenstock. It is the tenth most popular radio programme in Ireland and was named best breakfast programme at the 2007 PPI Radio Awards.

Raymond Foley is an Irish television host and radio presenter. Having worked at Dublin's 98FM and SPIN 1038 early in his career, Foley moved to Today FM in 2004. In 2006, he moved to midday and presented The Ray Foley Show, with sidekick JP Gilbourne and Adelle McDonnell. He hosted the breakfast slot on 98FM from October 2012 until December 2015. He also hosts TV dating show Take Me Out on TV3. On Friday 12 October 2012, Foley and JP announced on the show that both of them would be transferring to Today FM's sister station 98FM to present the breakfast show. They both have expressed how difficult the decision was for them, due to their fondness of their workmates and friends in Today FM. In 2022, Foley returned to Today FM with an afternoon show from 2pm - 4:30pm.

Today with Claire Byrne is a current affairs magazine broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 on weekdays from 10:00 until 12:00. The Today with... format, originally associated with broadcaster Pat Kenny who presented the show from the 1970s until 2013, has also been hosted by Sean O'Rourke (2013–2020) and Sarah McInerney. Claire Byrne has hosted the show since August 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">98FM</span> Radio station

98FM is a local radio station in Dublin, Ireland, operated by Bauer Media Audio Ireland, under a sound broadcasting contract from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The station broadcasts on the 98.1 MHz FM frequency. 98FM's broadcast antenna is located on Three Rock Mountain, County Dublin at 5 kW, and can be heard in Dublin and neighbouring counties. 98FM also has a relay in north County Dublin, broadcasting on 97.4 MHz. Since 2022 the station has been marketed as "Dublin's Good Times"

The Minutes are a three-piece rock band from Dublin, Ireland consisting of Mark Austin, Tom Cosgrave and Shane Kinsella. Début album Marcata was released on 20 May 2011 in Ireland.

Sarah Jane Brett is an Irish radio presenter, who broadcasts on BBC Radio Ulster's breakfast show.

References

  1. Live review: The Undertones, Playhouse, Whitley Bay Archived 2 February 2013 at archive.today - The Shields Gazette
  2. "The Undertones-Official Website". Theundertones.com. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  3. "About Us & Video Biog". todayfm. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008.
  4. "Another Side With Paul McLoone | TXFM". Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  5. "The accidental radio star". Derry Journal . Archived from the original on 19 May 2014.
  6. "PPI Radio Awards 2013 - Recognising the Best in Irish Radio Broadcasting". PPI Radio Awards. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013.
  7. "Radio Month! Indublin Meets Today Fm's Paul Mcloone". In Dublin. Archived from the original on 22 June 2015.
  8. Hennessy, Michelle. "Irish animation company wins BAFTA for children's show". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  9. "The Best/Top 100 Irish films". IMDb.com. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  10. "The Undertones : Return of the Jump Boys". Soul Shine Magazine . Retrieved 3 July 2020.