Our tour of the regional scenes crosses the water for the first time: Germany and Central Europe, from Münster to Munich and Bern to Utrecht. No corner of the planet outside Boston grows Celtic punk bands like this one, and this month’s big story is a comeback.
Continue reading Germany & Central Europe Scene Report: Third Class Party Rise From the Paddyhats’ Wreckage and Mr. Irish Bastard Hit 20Tag Archives: The High Kings
California & West Coast Scene Report: The Young Dubliners Hit the Rising Road, the Sinners Ring In 2027 and the Wallopers Head West
Next stop on our tour of the regional scenes: California and the West Coast, from San Diego up to the Puget Sound. Flogging Molly’s home turf, where the Irish pubs have patios and the circle pits get sunburnt. The Mollys are out at sea this week with no 2027 dates posted yet, so here’s what everyone else is up to.
Continue reading California & West Coast Scene Report: The Young Dubliners Hit the Rising Road, the Sinners Ring In 2027 and the Wallopers Head WestThe High Kings: Friends For Life
May 5, 2014
In our almost 13 years of operation this is the first album we’ve ever received with a return address from Sony Music (or any other major label in fact)! Now it would be very easy to take snotty potshots at The High Kings (staring with the ageing boy band cover shot) but I won’t. I played the album a good few times and it’s very good for what they are trying to achieve – polished Irish ballad AOR aimed at the American mass market. These guys have a lot of talent both musically and vocally and why wouldn’t they with the serious folk music genes they have going on – Martin Furey (vocals, banjo, bouzouki, guitar, and the modern low whistle) is the son of Finbar and Finbarr Clancy (vocals, guitar & banjo) the son of Bobby. The High Kings have made the bold step of including originals along with the various Irish standards (Galway Girl, Peggy Gordon & McAlpines Fusiliers) which I always salute. Personally I like my Irish ballad groups with dirt under the fingernails, nicotine stains on their fingers and beer spilled on their white shirts.
To be seen on PBS soon I guess but I’ll take ‘em over Celtic Woman any day.
