Biography
The Sultans of Ping F.C. surfaced amid the late-'80s and early-'90s explosion of groups, among them Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, that British weeklies such as NME and Melody Maker promoted with considerable enthusiasm. Their profile rose sharply through the singles "Where's Me Jumper?," "Stupid Kid," and "Veronica." Formed in Cork, Ireland, the band endured repeated personnel shifts and a dissolution that stretched more than ten years before reassembling in the closing years of the 2000s for renewed performances across the British Isles.
Niall O'Flaherty on vocals, Pat O'Connell on guitar, Paul Fennelly on bass, and Ger Lyons on drums first convened under the football-derived name in 1988. Following strong local appearances they entered the studio in April 1990, capturing three tracks later issued as Confessions of a Sellafield Sex Guru. Dublin dates followed later that year, and an invitation arrived for the EuroRock Festival held in their hometown of Cork.
The initial roster adjustments came in 1991 when Ger Lyons and Paul Fennelly departed, replaced by Morty McCarthy on drums and John McAuliffe on bass. Their headline set on the final night of Cork Rocks Weekend drew the attention of Martin Heath, who signed them to his Rhythm King label. McAuliffe exited before recording could begin, and Alan McFeely stepped in.
Late 1991 brought their first shows in the U.K., which met with success. The following year they released their debut single "Where's Me Jumper?," prompting a John Peel session on BBC Radio One; its successor "Stupid Kid" then reached number one on the U.K. indie charts. Festival appearances in 1992 encompassed Fleadh, Feile, and Reading. While preparing their first album they joined Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine on tour and signed with Epic.
Casual Sex in the Cineplex appeared in 1993 and reached the Top 30. Continued road work and festival dates built further momentum, after which the band removed "F.C." from its name. Teenage Drug, their second album, arrived in March 1994 and was issued in Japan as Teenage Planet Sexy War; European dates followed. Their first U.S. shows occurred that year alongside the EP Wake Up and Scratch Me. In 1995 they shortened the name again by dropping "Ping" and supported the Ramones on tour.
The group disbanded in 1996 after the single "Mescaline" and the Arista album Good Year for Trouble. Members later contributed to projects including Pharmacy, Mika Bomb, and Sister, largely setting aside the band's earlier catalog until a 2005 reunion billed simply as the Sultans of Ping, with touring associate Jim Bob of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine. Activity continued in 2007 with dates at Brixton and in London alongside the full Carter USM lineup, plus the single "Girlwatching." Smaller regional shows sustained the band through the next year.
Niall O'Flaherty on vocals, Pat O'Connell on guitar, Paul Fennelly on bass, and Ger Lyons on drums first convened under the football-derived name in 1988. Following strong local appearances they entered the studio in April 1990, capturing three tracks later issued as Confessions of a Sellafield Sex Guru. Dublin dates followed later that year, and an invitation arrived for the EuroRock Festival held in their hometown of Cork.
The initial roster adjustments came in 1991 when Ger Lyons and Paul Fennelly departed, replaced by Morty McCarthy on drums and John McAuliffe on bass. Their headline set on the final night of Cork Rocks Weekend drew the attention of Martin Heath, who signed them to his Rhythm King label. McAuliffe exited before recording could begin, and Alan McFeely stepped in.
Late 1991 brought their first shows in the U.K., which met with success. The following year they released their debut single "Where's Me Jumper?," prompting a John Peel session on BBC Radio One; its successor "Stupid Kid" then reached number one on the U.K. indie charts. Festival appearances in 1992 encompassed Fleadh, Feile, and Reading. While preparing their first album they joined Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine on tour and signed with Epic.
Casual Sex in the Cineplex appeared in 1993 and reached the Top 30. Continued road work and festival dates built further momentum, after which the band removed "F.C." from its name. Teenage Drug, their second album, arrived in March 1994 and was issued in Japan as Teenage Planet Sexy War; European dates followed. Their first U.S. shows occurred that year alongside the EP Wake Up and Scratch Me. In 1995 they shortened the name again by dropping "Ping" and supported the Ramones on tour.
The group disbanded in 1996 after the single "Mescaline" and the Arista album Good Year for Trouble. Members later contributed to projects including Pharmacy, Mika Bomb, and Sister, largely setting aside the band's earlier catalog until a 2005 reunion billed simply as the Sultans of Ping, with touring associate Jim Bob of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine. Activity continued in 2007 with dates at Brixton and in London alongside the full Carter USM lineup, plus the single "Girlwatching." Smaller regional shows sustained the band through the next year.
Live
