The Sultans of Ping FC

The Sultans of Ping FC
Niall O'Flaherty at the Savoy, Cork, 30 December 2006
Background information
Origin	Cork, Ireland
Genres	Punk
Years active	1988–1996 Reformed 2005
Website	www.sultansofping.com
Members	Niall O'Flaherty Pat O'Connell Ian Olney Morty McCarthy Sammy Stieger

The Sultans of Ping FC are an Irish band formed in 1988 by Niall O'Flaherty, Pat O'Connell, Paul Fennelly and Ger Lyons. The band's name is a play on the Dire Straits song "Sultans of Swing", dating from a time when "it was sacrilege to say anything whatsoever funny or nasty about Dire Straits".

Following a number of line up changes the band came to the attention of the UK and Irish music press, when "Where's Me Jumper" was released in 1992. After several other independently released singles, the band signed to Epic Records, through a deal organised by Rhythm King Records's Martin Heath.

With Epic, the band released their debut album Casual Sex In The Cineplex, and its follow up Teenage Drug, with additional tracks gaining a Japan-only release. Teenage Drug was renamed Teenage Planet Sexy War in Japan, and included the single "Michiko".

Renaming themselves as The Sultans, they released their third album Good Year For Trouble in 1996. However, the album cover's artwork caused problems, as major record chains like HMV and Virgin decided that the display of bondage and S&M was too explicit. By this time, Rhythm King had been absorbed into Arista Records, as Martin Heath became the head of the department. The record label released the band from their recording contract.

Following a split 1996, McCarthy joined the band Pharmacy, O'Flaherty was involved in producing the Japanese girl band Mika Bomb, while McFeely formed the rock and roll band, Sister, and later recruited a former member of The Young Offenders, Steve Hackett. McCarthy moved to where he taught English.