New Limerick punk/techno outfit The Ham release debut EP 'Ordinary Pet Food'
- Richard Blowes
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Ham is the new techno project of Bertie Kelly, frontman of Limerick alt rock/hardcore duo Japanese Jesus, and Ordinary Pet Food, their debut EP, is out now.
EP: Ordinary Pet Food
Band: The Ham
Released: February 4 2026
One of our favourite ever Blowtorch releases was Depression Breakfast from Limerick alt rock/hardcore duo Japanese Jesus. As well as fronting this band and being the bassist in another fine Limerick outfit SWEETS, Bertie Kelly has now turned his attention to the techno scene with his solo project The Ham.
lead single Becoming The Ham lays down The Ham's manifesto with a 90s rave inspired mash up of The Prodigy, Underworld and Chalk.
A debut four track EP Ordinary Pet Food is the result and the electronics hit as hard as his guitar based output. In particular first track and lead single Becoming The Ham lays down The Ham's manifesto with a 90s rave inspired mash up of The Prodigy, Underworld and Chalk. Can't Afford To Die has a robotic, industrial menace and if it isn't playing in a Berlin club this weekend we demand an enquiry.
The hopefully not autobiographical Creepy Guy shows no let up in the intensity with its Idles meets Warmduscher feel. Last track Homicide shows Kelly's knack for morphing from one sound to another in the same song (like Japanese Jesus track Tension); it closes this excellent EP by moving from abrasive techno worthy of the song title to a more melodic, ambient coda which wouldn't be out of place on Bowie's Low.
Maybe tongue (or ham) in cheek, or maybe not, Bertie says of BecomingThe Ham "You could say Becoming the Ham is a post Christmas song. It's making light of the dreaded January doom. The chorus lyrics state 'I have now become the Ham', a reflection on having an over indulgent festival period."
Limerick has a great DIY scene in which bands mix and collaborate - SWEETS frontman Liam Marley provides guest vocals on Can't Afford To Die. The EP was produced by Christopher Quigley and mastered by Richard Dowling.
Ordinary Pet Food is available on CD from our online store.
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