A House

A House formed in Dublin in 1985, Dave Couse's sardonic, witty songwriting giving the band a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Blanco y Negro Records and released a series of albums that built a following in Ireland and the UK. Couse's lyrics were funny, self-deprecating, and occasionally devastating — a combination that was unusual in the earnest world of late-80s indie.

'I Want Too Much' (1990) and 'I Am the Greatest' (1991) were both strong albums. 'Endless Art' (1992) — a spoken-word piece listing the names of famous artists — became one of their most recognisable songs. 'Wide Eyed and Ignorant' (1994) was their commercial peak, reaching the Irish charts and receiving strong reviews in the UK.

A House split in 1997, leaving behind a body of work that has been reassessed positively in recent years. Couse has had a solo career since. The band's combination of wit, melody, and genuine originality made them one of the most distinctive Irish bands of their era.