Young guns of rock hijack top awards

THE Hot Press Awards have long been a pat on the back for the old, well worn favourites of Irish rock, but this year's ceremony, at Dublin's Point Theatre last night, proved that seniority is no longer a guarantee of superiority.

The Best Irish Rock Band, category, usually reserved for the likes of U2 and Aslan, was scooped this year by the Downpatrick band, Ash, three kids who have cracked the UK Top Twenty while still studying for their A Levels.

The Dundalk band, The Corrs, three sisters and one brother who recently appeared on the American TV soap, Beverly Hills 90210, won the Philip Lynott New Band Award, while Whipping Boy, still relative whippersnappers despite being around a few years, pulled off an Oasis style hat trick, nabbing Best Irish Rock Single, Best Irish Rock Songwriter and Best Irish Rock Album.

The oldies got their share of the accolades, too, with U2's The Edge winning the newly established Rory Gallagher Rock Musician Award. The guitarist was presented with his award by the late Rory Gallaghers brother Donal, Bono got nothing this year, but his chum, Gavin Friday, won Best Irish Rock Solo Performer just a month after nearly upstaging the world's top supermodels with an explosive performance at the Irish Fashion Showcase.

Fashion designer John Rocha was on hand to present the prize for best solo artist to Gavin Friday, who said "I never expected an award in Ireland, but then I never expected divorce.

The inventors of Celtic progressive rock, Horslips, were acknowledged with a Special Award, while fiddle player Martin Hayes was a popular choice for the Roots Music Award.

The Television and Radio Award was presented to Mike Edgar, of BBC Northern Ireland, for his highly rated show, Across The Line.

The Personality of the Year Award went to Christy Moore, who defeated Bono, Dolores O'Riordan, Enya and Mary Black in a telephone poll of pubs around the country.

The Edge was there to accept the Musician of the Year Award.