Promoting the Next Gig: St Joseph's Hall, Omagh

Just a day or so away!

From the Email Suggestion Bag: New Horslips Links

I thought I'd found everything on the web about Horslips, but this afternoon brought me a suggested new link:

Horslips Highlighted on Irish-Showbands.com

The site obviously expanding its range to "Irish Pop, Rock, Country, [and] Folk..."

There's an amazing picture of the Zen Alligators that I've never seen before!

And, inexplicably, over at The Best of British Rock, I found another Horslips discography. I like the use of the sidebar to hold singles and the main frame to hold albums.

It turns out, though, that the curator of this site is a kindred soul in his own discovery of music:

If I can remember, it was probably in the summer of '65 when two brothers, ages 6 and 7 took party to countless visits by their cousin - age 9 - and convened to the basement of a home in Pasadena Maryland. A brand new 45 - courtesy of our cousin - was placed on our portable record player. With tennis rackets in hands, not to mention a set up that consisted of shiny trash cans, we became The Beatles.

After our session of endless lipsynching to The Beatles' Please Mr. Postman, I Should Have Known Better and A Hard Day's Night, I myself would be hooked forever, specially after the night my grandmother sat with me as we watched a televised concert of the Fab Four playing The Shea Stadium - sadly, my grandmom would pass on that winter - but the seed was planted, the radio played endlessly. I Fought The Law by The Bobby Fuller Four and Devil With A Blue Dress by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels and scores of other great American classics were listened to, albums and singles were bought and I loved them all. But the sound of guitars being played through Leslie cabinets, the melodicisms, the blues, the progressions, the rockers from the U.K. is what snatched me up.

Ten years on, I'd been introduced to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple - courtesy of two more cousins. I had joined my first band two years prior (I can still see my step-father grimacing as he splurged to purchase my first drum kit). I saw my first of many concerts with my cousins in '75. Suzi Quatro's thunderous bass still echoes in my memories, as does Alice Cooper, Kiss and even Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band - Amercian bands will always be in my heart.

Twenty years on, children came - three son's God blessim'. I'd been in and out of the U.S. Army, been in countless bands and went to many concerts - I would purchase my third drum kit at my own expense. Musical success has pretty much eluded me, but the love and taste of the musical electricity is still there - it's in my soul, and there is where it shall stay.

And, hey! He likes Horslips!

Promoting the Next Gig: St. Joseph's Hall, Omagh

And Visit Horslypse Tribute Band on MySpace.

From the Email Suggestion Bag: Derry, March 2004

Eamon Carr on Regina Spektor

I've long hoped that the Evening Herald would go online in some format so I could keep up with Eamon Carr's music reviews. But, perhaps a good sign here, this article turned up in the Unison.ie world.

Musicbox with Eamon Carr

BORN in Moscow, raised in the Bronx, Regina Spektor’s domain is the landscape of dreams, shifting realities and the oddly normal.

Earlier adventures in sound such as Mary Ann Meets The Grave Diggers And Other Short Stories, a “greatest hits” package culled from her three hand-to-mouth indie albums, signalled the presence of a prodigious talent brimming with ideas, desire and fairytale ambition.

The question that album begged was, would The Strokes-endorsed queen of the New York anti-folk scene survive to develop her talent or would she spontaneously combust. More likely, it seemed, she might become one of the oddball characters that people her songs and disappear into the labyrinth that is Hell’s Kitchen.

But, despite her dizzying beauty and kookie image, 26-year-old Spektor is...

More at the link. Requires registration. And today is another blasted Spare the Air day!

"Horslips - One of my absolute favorite bands from the late 70's!!!!!"

A great 'find' of a six-year old discussion in the alt.music.byrds group. Although the topic is rock reference books, a casual mention of 'Nighttown Boy' spurs a number of posts on Horslips with information on several North American gigs.

Off topic: Rock music and recordings reference books. Your Opinions

I saw them in '78 at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., and again a few days later at William Paterson College in Wayne, N.J., and interviewed Carr backstage at that gig. A year or two later I interviewed him again at Mercury Records for the "Short Stories" album and saw the band at The Show Place in Dover,
N.J. Johnny Fean sang a great version of "Shakin' All Over" at that gig. -- Jim Bohen

Whole discussion thread at link.

Waterford News & Star on Johnny Fean and Steve Travers

An article from last June, but it was just sent to me via email.

Check out Horslips legend Johnny Fean at the Forum

Johnny Fean’s Celtic Rock history is a matter of record. To this very day he is still regarded as the definitive celtic rock guitarist. Raised in the Co. Limerick/Clare area of Ireland, his love affair with the guitar began at the tender age of 10.

---

For his appearance at Stage 2 acclaimed guitarist Johnny Fean will be joined by renowned Irish bass guitarist, Steve Travers well known for his work with The Miami and master of the Steinberger 5- string headless bass.

On the night, fans can look forward to a mix of Rock, Blues and Trad and of course some thunderous Horslips classics, including we are told, an electrifying 10 minute version of the anthemic ‘Dearg Doom’.

I'm feeling a little less grouchy about Chicago now.

Fean and Travers Official Site