Review

The Bloody Irish Boys: Drunk Rock

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BIB are a “band” that managed to cause a lot of controversy and piss off more then a few people on the strength of the track “Drunk Tonight” that they circulated as a mp3 prior to releasing “Drunk Rock” – the big piss off factor was that it was maybe just a little to close to Flogging Molly’s “Swagger” to be a coincidence. Now while the rest of the CD is still hugely influenced by Flogging Molly and SoCal punk (“My Wicked Ways” is a little to close to something of the Mike Ness solo CD whose title escapes me) there is nothing else that can be stamped with the rip-off accusation, and in fact everything is highly listenable (even if the traditional instruments are electronic studio creations) and top quality.  So let’s give the guy (BIB are basically a one man show) a break and some encouragement and support and remember nobody in this scene is truly original and even  the mighty Flogging Molly have been accused of lifting from others – remember “Another bag of Bricks” and the riff from “Swagger” itself sounds like it was lifted from Slade.

February 2005

http://www.thebloodyirishboys.com/
Review

Slainte Mhath: VA

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Nova Scotia’s Slainte Mhath blends straightforward renderings of traditional Scottish tunes with modern applications like sampling, loops and groove-laden rhythms. With virtually no singing Slainte Mhath allows their impeccable instrumental prowess convey their message. Alternating between traditional and modern music ideals they are driven by a duo of fiddler players, Boyd MacNeil and Lisa Gallant, Scottish piper John MacPhee and keyboardist Ryan MacNeil who injects a jazzy and sometimes R&B flavor into their repertoire. Flanked by a funky rhythm section of drummer Brian Talbot and bassist Jamie Gatti, Slainte Mhath is North America’s answer to Shooglenifty and Tartan Amoebas. While their traditional approach is by-and-large flawless and can easily rival that of the genre’s major players, this band is at its best when it permits the collision and intermingling of styles.

November 2004

Review by: Dave Sleger

http://www.slaintemhath.com

Review

Shooglenifty: The Arms Dealer’s Daughter

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The fourth album by this Scottish outfit continues in much the same fashion as their previous. Moody, rhythmic and highly textured instrumental music influenced by traditional Scottish fiddle tunes and judiciously accented with other worldbeat snippets. The brassy “Nordal Rumba” might be the most engaging selection on this album as it is accompanied by the Salsa Celtica horn section giving it a slight island feel. Actually, this record contains far less of the reggae, bluegrass and Mid-eastern motifs that peppered their previous efforts. However, Shooglenifty remains one of the more interesting bands in the loosely defined Celtic-rock arena.

November 2004

Review by: Dave Sleger

Review

Paddy Goes to Holyhead: Acoustic Nights

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On their tenth album this veteran German folk-rock band revisits some of their old favorites with new singer Mark Patrick at the helm. Evidently Patrick felt the need to rework those old tunes (made popular by previous front man Harald Schmidt) in an effort to gain acceptance with the disgruntled fanbase. Risky move perhaps, but if this revamped band is to carry on the tradition of this top-notch German pseudo-Celtic folk-rock outfit they will have to connect with the fans and prove that the past is not forgotten. Patrick’s squeaky-clean vocal style is in stark contrast to Schmidt’s gruff, boozy style but Patrick does an admirable job particularly on the gypsy-inflected “Johnny Went to the War” and “Lady from Athina,” thanks in part to fiddler Jens Kempgens meticulous playing. Their rendition of the Charlie Daniels classic “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is the highlight, mainly due to it’s unlikely inclusion. Why this band opted to include two tracks “Troubadour” and “Cornerstone” (which appeared on their 2002 Mark Patrick debut, RED-LETTER DAYS) is beyond me. Those songs haven’t changed at all in the two years since their release. “Nice” sums up this album accurately. It’s neither dismal nor exceptional and far from the best work Paddy Goes to Holyhead has produced over the years.

November 2004

Review by: Dave Sleger

Review

Neck: Here’s Mud In Yer Eye! – A Pscyho-Ceilidh Retrospective

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If you haven’t heard Neck yet, now is a great time to start. In fact this latest Neck release “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” makes a perfect introduction to these “County Holloway” locals. Formed by lead vocalist/guitarist, Leeson OKeeffe, (Who at one time was a member of Shane MacGowan’s Popes), NECK are a London-Irish band playing their own brand of Celt-Punk described as “PSYCHO-CEILMDH” Their songs reflect 2nd-generation Irish life, (Known to some as Plastic Paddy) Neck combines the rip-roaring spiritual abandon of Irish songs and tunes with the vibrant electric guitar driven energy of punk rock, (Regular Shite’n’Onions readers might know a little about this genre.) Speaking of the term ‘Shite’n’Onions’, The name of the website itself comes from a Neck song off the original “Necked” album. The term has been described as James Joyce’s fathers’ favorite quote!

If you have heard Neck before, you’ll want to know that the new album “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” mainly contains previous releases.(With the exception of “Spancil Hill” & “To Win Just Once” The difference is they are produced WAY BETTER than earlier efforts. And in my opinion, is the main reason for releasing this album. In fact, just think of those previous albums, as mass produced demos! Another great thing about “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye” is the County Holloway slang” glossary located inside the liner notes.

Examples:
“Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” is a toast given while drinking, as favored by Willie O’Keefe!
“Jackey” is a name for the people who habitually drink alcohol in the street in Scotland!
“Sassenach” is an Englishman!
There’s plenty more. Reason enough to check it out, right?
As you can probably tell, Neck is a favorite among the Shite’n’Onions staff, and that should be reason enough to familiarize yourself to the London-Irish Psycho-Ceilidh! I don’t really have anything else to tell you. I’m honestly too busy listening to the album…

Track Listing: (Complete with classic definitions provided by: Barnacle Brian Gillespie)
1. McAlpine’s Fusileers (Irish manual workers tale)
2. Loud ‘n’ Proud ‘n’ Bold (A song about drinkin’ in Dublin)
3. Spancil Hill (This is a great version of the traditional ditty)
4. To Win Just Once (Let’s hear it for the underdog!)
5. Here’s Mud In Yer Eye! (Cheers! Ya Bastards!)
6. The Maid Behind The Bar / The Sally Gardens (Another traditional)
7. Suzie MacGroovie (Can’t cheat on that lass back home)
8. I’m A Man You Don’t Met Everyday (Yep, the Jacobite song made popular by The Pogues)
9. A Fistfull Of Shamrock (Worse than getting hit by brass knuckles)
10. Hello Jackey! (AKA-What’s up, ya Scottish lush, get outta the bloody street!)
11. Topless Mary Poppins (A twisted Neck nursery rhyme)
12. The Feilds Of Athenry (This is the best version around.)
12.A Ole Hooley (Ole, Ole Ole……football fever, only 2 more years ’till the cup!!)

November 2004

Review by: Barnacle Brian “Jackey” Gillespie

http://www.neck.ie/

Review

McDermott’s 2 Hours v Levellers: Disorder

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Brighton based McDermotts Two Hours are 80’s UK folk rock legends and also one of the most influential bands on the scene – so influential infact that The Levellers are constantly tipping their hats collectively in McDermotts direction. During the 90’s the band went on hiatus but in 2000 Levellers bass player Jeremy Cunningham persuaded McDermott’s signer Nick Burbridge to start recording again under the McDermotts Two Hours moniker. Joining Nick was fellow McDermott, fiddler Tim O’Leary and Levellers, Jeremy Cunningham and Charlie Heather (drums).

Disorder is the third collaborative with members of The Levellers (though the first I’ve heard) and it’s a very polished and passionate effort, the music is solid Celtic influenced folk-rock with a distinctly English (I don’t meant that in a bad way at all, The Levellers defined the English folk-rock sound and McDermotts defined the sound of The Levellers) fokie feel. The lyrics are very political yet never preachy though always thought provoking. Good stuff

November 2004

http://www.burbridgearts.org/

Review

The Town Pants: Weight of Words

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“Weight of Words” is the third outing by Vancouver based Celtic-Folk group – The Town Pants – and the first with new fiddler, Virginia Schwartz (if there is ever a case of Beauty and the Beasts it’s here). The music is still the same spunky and infectious Irish/Scottish influenced folk as before but now with the addition of Virginia we have a touch of an alt-country to the sound. Standout tracks included – “The Old Landlord”, “Breakfast with St. Swithin” (originally by Jimmy George) and the very mushy “Ships made of Wood”.

November 2004

http://www.thetownpants.com/

Review

Fairport Convention: Over the next Hill

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By strictly unofficial count this is Fairport’s 30th studio release. While not their most impressive release in recent years (in fact, it could be said that this is their most lackluster effort of the last 15 years or so) this album is still reflective of the perseverance and willingness to adapt that this band has adopted for decades. For those inquisitive few who’ve heard the name repeatedly but were never formally introduced to this band, Fairport have been in existence since 1967 and in ’69 introduced to the world a brand new genre of music called British folk-rock via their seminal album LIEGE AND LIEF. That, in turn, opened the door for Irish folk-rock, thanks to (then) fiddler Dave Swarbrick’s inclusion of the occasional Irish jig in his repertoire. Well, 35 years have since passed and this band is still legit. This may not be to the liking of strict alternative and punk folkers, as this is more accurately described as acoustic-based folk rock. However, every release in Fairport’s vast catalog is noteworthy simply because they have never slipped into the dark and outlandish abyss that many of their contemporaries have experienced in desperate efforts to appear relevant. Anchored by longtime bassist Dave Pegg and guitarist Simon Nicol, Fairport has most recently added multi-stringed instrumentalist Chris Leslie to the family. He compliments fiddler Ric Sanders nicely and has filled the role of chief songwriter as well. Highlights in clued the instrumental “Canny Capers,” the upbeat “Willow Creek” and the country-tinged “Westward.”

November 2004

Review By: Dave Sleger

Review

Enter the Haggis: Casualties of Retail

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Like much of the folk-rock emanating from Canada, Enter the Haggis combines a smorgasbord of influences like country, bluegrass, Scottish folk and alternative rock. This is their fourth release and most assuredly won’t disappoint their growing legions of North American fans. Similar in sound to Slainte Mhath, Enter the Haggis incorporates a heavier electric guitar and bass than their compatriots. In fact, at times their aggressive electric vibe brings to mind what Muse might sound like if they included folk instruments. Listen to “Gasoline” and “Martha Stuart” for insight into this outrageous analogy. “Minstrel Boy” will likely appeal to folk-punkers given its fuzzy, distorted rhythm guitar. More importantly Enter the Haggis should satisfy both alternative and mainstream Celtic-rockers alike as it forwards elements from across the Celtic-rock spectrum. CASUALTIES OF RETAIL is definitely one of the finest and most interesting releases of 2004.

November 2004

Review By: Dave Sleger

Review

Saint Bushmill’s Choir: Saint Bushmill’s Choir

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I’ve been waiting for something new from Saint Bushmill’s Choir since 2000, when they released their first EP (That I know of) “Give ‘Em Enough Booze”. It only contained a 5 songs, but it did the job as far as I was concerned. Containing former members of Seattle punk bands such as The Gits, Subvert, Alcohol Funnycar, and The Pinkos, Saint Bushmill’s Choir is a band that quite simply enjoys playing the songs that they play. In fact, if you’re ever in Seattle and get a chance to seem them live, make sure you do it, because they only play a couple of times a year, and you’ve seriously gotta be in the right place at the right time. Known to the world as a “Clash band that likes to play Pogues songs”. The Choir formed back in 1994 (Before celt-punk was cool) on a drunken dare, and by all accounts, I’d have to say the mission has been accomplished. So far, they have only been responible for 15 injuries. Oh yeah, for those of you keeping track, the total drinking time of the album clocks in at 51:31, and contains 14 fan-fucking-tastic tracks.(4, or maybe it was 5 of them previously appear on the now hard to find “Give ‘Em Enough Booze” EP)

Check out their website more answers to this “mystery band from “Capital Hill” Don’t forget to click on the big red letters in the middle of the page for bonus coverage. By far, this is my pick for album of the year. In fact, the Saint Bushmill’s Choir are one of my all time favorite Celt-punk bands. They just do everything so perfectly, they don’t try to hard to sound “ethnic” or “Irish” or whatever, and even better than that, they don’t care what you fucking think either way.They’ve been though the whole game before in previous bands. It’s really quite simple, they just enjoy having a few pints & playing traditional songs the way they wanna play them, and what else can possibly top that?

1.Molly Maguires
2. Goddamn Shame
3. The Secret Set
4. Mineshaft
5. Three Jigs
6. Whiskey In The Jar
7. Just To Get Away
8. The Greenland Whale Fisheries
9. Three Polkas
10. The Leaving Of Liverpool
11. Black & Tans
12. Sam Hall
13. John Hardy
14. The Foggy Dew

November 2004

Review By: “Barnacle” Brian Gillespie

http://www.saintbushmillschoir.com/

Potato-eating, Whiskey-drinking, Bog-trotting, CELTIC PUNK ROCK