New Irish Bands Showcase
Whether acknowledged or not, the showbands, pop groups, rock bands, country artists, and folk acts of the 60's, 70's and 80's laid the groundwork that has brought a new generation of Irish musicians to the forefront. On this page, we'd like to salute those bands that have taken up the mantle of the Irish entertainment
industry and are making their own names across the country and across the world.
If you know of any bands that should be included in this list, please email us and let us know all about them, including a photo if possible and directions to any websites on which they are featured. We look forward to helping spread the word about Ireland's
new crop of musical talent!
Photo-click
to view |
Name |
Description/History |
Website |
|
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Indian
Listen
|
Formed in 1995, Indian are the first
band from Sligo to gain national recognition in many years. All seasoned
veterans, locals Joe Hunt, Martin Harte and Christy Behan are the backbone of
the band on lead vocals, keyboard and drums respectively. They are joined by Pat
McManus, former member of Mama's Boys, on lead guitar and Paul McCann on bass.
They tour regularly and have released two albums to date. |
indiantheband.com |
|
Kila
Listen |
Band formed in October, 1987 in Coláiste Eoin, Dublin. Boys aged 16/17.First heard on Bray Local Broadcast, their first gig is upstairs in Baggot Inn where three people attend. Line up : Eoin Dillon; Uileann pipes,
Colm Mac Con Iomaire; fiddle, Rossa Ó Snodaigh; Whistle, Bones, Rónán Ó Snodaigh; Bodhrán, Karl Odlum; Bass, Dave Odlum Guitar. |
www.kila.ie |
 |
The Frames
Listen |
Formed 1991 in Dublin, Ireland by Glen Hansard, the band managed to make a name for itself throughout Europe in the 90's with their powerful live shows and the release of a handful of records on Island and ZTT. The Frames
toured the US a handful of times over the years, mostly on the East Coast. These tours proved fruitful as the crowds grew even though the band's records were widely unavailable in the U.S |
www.theframes.ie |
 |
Big Generator
Listen |
Big generator are a five-piece band based in the West of Ireland town of Portumna, Co. Galway. Their name comes from the 1987 Yes
album of the same title. They were formed by Liam Martin and Barry Conboy in October 1992. The other members of the band are Alan "Mack" McEvoy (drums and vocals), Dave Hockedy (vocals and guitar) and Paul Cantillon (vocals/bass). They are managed by Barry's brother Jackie Conboy.
|
thebiggenerator.com |
|
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The Hooks
Listen |
Hailing
from Sligo, The Hooks are one of the most exciting live bands in
Ireland at the moment. The band, comprising of brothers Keith and Ronan
Mulligan (Guitars and Vocals), Bassist David Mullen, and Drummer Enda
McGoldrick, have in the last year reached the finals of the 2003 IMRO
Showcase, and the 2003 O2 New Band Competition. |
The
Hooks |
|
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Someday
Listen |
From
Dublin, Someday have been performing their intelligent blend of
mellow rock and moody female vocals around Ireland since early 2001.
Although their expanded line-up now consists of Hugh Denman on drums,
David O'Brien on acoustic guitar and vocals, Danny Simms on bass and
vocals and Kathryn Williams on electric guitar, piano and lead vocals.
|
Someday.com
Broken Link
Any info? |
|
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Altan
Listen |
Altan's international status and success
found a very practical recognition when they were signed in 1996 to
Virgin Records, the first Irish band of their kind to be signed by a
major label. The band gained gold and platinum albums in Ireland and
toured larger venues, literally thoughout the world. |
altan.ie |
|
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Tamarack
Listen |
Tamarack are a four piece rock band based in
Donegal. They have been touring Ireland for the past few years and hope
to play abroad in the near future.
By the way, they found the name Tamarack in
the dictionary, in case you were wondering. |
website Broken
Link
Any info? |
|
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The Revs
Listen
|
Formed in January, 2000, within six months The
Revs won the strongly contested “Spirit” Big Issue battle of the Bands
competition in Dublin. By late April 2001 they showcased at the NEMO
Music awards and conference in Boston and as a result have started to
attract serious interest from the USA and elsewhere. They are from
Killybegs, Donegal. |
therevs.com |
|
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Barry McCabe
Listen
|
Barry Mc Cabe, the "Celtic-Blues" guitarist from Virginia, Co. Cavan,
Ireland has never been a person who copies what others have done. That's
probably why he was the first Irish artist to record his debut album
live outside Ireland (For Fans Only - Live in Sweden). He followed that
up by recording his second album live as well (C'est La Vie - Live in
France) to become the first person to record two live albums in
succession. |
barrymccabe.com |
|
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Gary Gamble
Listen
|
Known throughout the UK and Ireland for his tribute act of Daniel
O'Donnell, Gary has released a new single 'Perfect Man', and is
currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to his
forth-coming album. Keeping the music of the showbands and country
artists of Ireland alive, Gary continues to work and tour regularly. |
garygamble.ie |
|
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9 Lies
Listen
|
From the ashes of
"Last Giants" comes "9Lies," a 5 piece rock act from Belfast. Influences
of the band include Danger Danger, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi and The Manic
Street Preachers to name a few. 2007
was the year which saw the 'Behind It All' album being released to
critical acclaim, with massive radio airplay around the globe, and all
without a record company being involved!
The band lineup: Steve (lead vocals),
Nick (guitar), Davey (guitar), Steve (drums), and Mark (bass/keyboards).
|
9lies.net |
|
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Angelfall
Listen
|
Angelfall have all come from different bands and from different
tastes of music and in fact, some of them are still members of other
bands, but AngelFall is 'THE' band they are focusing on. The band
is: Shauna Tohill (vocals and guitar), Grace Leacock (drums), Connor
Walls (guitar), and Andrew McGonigle (bass). |
anglefall |
|
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La Bamba
Listen
|
Formed in 2003, La Bamba is based in County Roscommon and has been
playing weddings and corporate gigs nationwide for the past four years.
The band features a lineup with a wide range of experience. They are:
Dave Lawlor (vocals), Bill Roberts (guitar),
Gordon Murray (bass), Kieran McGowan (percussion), Kealon McGowan
(drums), John
Byrne (sax/keyboards), and Terry McGowan (keyboards/flute). |
labamba.ie |
|
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Pink Floyd
Xperience
Listen
|
The Kilkenny based PINK FLOYD XPERIENCE are a 7 piece tribute to the
sound and music of the classic British progressive rock band
Pink Floyd,
Performing songs spanning from Floyds first album,the
psychedelic "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn"(1965) up to their most
recent "The Division Bell."
|
thepinkfloydxperience |
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