Before Ex Libris, there was something called “When The Shooting Started” or wtss for short. Set up amid in 2002 amid increasing exploitation of performing bands in the Portrush area, wtss was a music collective that sought to promote the raw talent of the region’s burgeoning live scene, in as much of a musically conducive atmosphere as possible.

Over 11 bands were involved with the movement, and during the summer months the collective ran weekly gigs at both the Portrush Yacht Club, and The Retro Bar. Many young bands such as Litmist, Mellowdramatic and Waxx played their first ever shows under the wtss banner, and they quickly established a strong local following. A weekly fanzine, entitled This ‘Aint No Daily Mail, was established, along with a website that received hundreds of visits each week. Through sales of fanzines, door takings and raffles, wtss was able to raise enough money at the end of the summer to purchase a digital 8-track. This was subsequently used by musicians and bands involved with the collective to record some of the material that is now available on Ex Libris.

Many of the gigs were taped onto minidisc, and Mostly Noise represents a distillation of the music, chaos and adlibs of that heady summer. It features live performances from For The Birds, Litmist, Pond, Nameless, Sub 60, Hidden Insanity, Waxx, Syndrome, Resin and the original line up of Mellowdramatic.

Available on tape cassette, Mostly Noise is purposefully designed to screw with your I-Tunes.