A couple of weeks ago we stumbled across a session track from Dark Room Notes for Alison Curtis of TodayFM. Now a kind reader has sent in another track this time a cover of ‘Heartbeat City’ recorded in session for Jenny Huston of 2fm in March 2009. Dark Room Notes were Ronan Gaughan, Ruairi Ferrie, Arran Murphy and Darragh Shanahan (drums).
Heartbeat City (2009)
The Kid Sisters were Debbie Schow (vocals, guitar), Dik Evans (guitar), Alan Taffe (bass) and Johnny Bonnie (drums). The band was active from 1986 to 1989 when they changed their name to Screech Owls and moved to London. Debbie and Dik were the two constants in an ever evolving lineup which featured at various times members of The Slowest Clock, The Real Wild West, The Gorehounds and Those Handsome Devils. Debbie has since returned to Joshua Tree in the US something which is evident from her photography. She occasionally posts about her life in music, somethingwe always enjoy, maybe she’ll write for us or even better feature in our favourite podcast. In addition to the Kid Sisters demo recording we have included a live Screech Owls review from Hot Press.
Sniper On The Freeway (Demo)
Screech Owls (The Attic, Dublin)
While everyone else in Dublin was taking a crash course in petrol bomb manufacturing or else double-bolting their houses against those who had, The Screech Owls spent Hallowe’en creating their own verbal pyrotechnics courtesy of the “spoken word” musings of charismatic lead Owlette Debbie Skhow who was the star of a show that was never really allowed to ignite the way it should have.
For two reasons; firstly, a PA which should have been arrested at the end of the night and charged with conspiracy to obstruct the course of a good gig; and secondly, an attendance which would make Valentia Island look like Bangladesh.
But those who did darken the door had a treat (as opposed to a trick) in store for them in the shape of The Revenants, whose low key support slot left me with a grin on my face that some might describe as ‘shit-eating’. Debbie led the chorus of approval and, later on, was in the enviable position of being able to summon Stephen Ryan to the stage to tune her guitar for her.
But it would be unfair to dwell on the technical difficulties that surrounded the Screech Owls tonight at the expense of the songs themselves, which show Skhow to be one of the most interesting and intriguing songwriters around. Songs like the opener ‘Ghost’ or ’29 Palmtrees’ are charged with the same narrative bent of, say, Laurie Anderson, but without the avant garde pretensions, without the conscious aspiration that what she’s doing is ‘art’.
The excellent single, ‘Desert’, closed the show, a purple-hearted gem which sees Debbie using the landscape of her native California as a metaphor for her father’s misguided attempts to turn the clock back on his life.
It’s when you hear songs like these you wonder just why everyone stayed away.
Nick Kelly
From Dublin, Female Hercules were Michael Connerty (vocals & guitar), Aengus Hennessy (guitar), Reynald Masson (bass) and Dave Liston (drums). They released two EPs on Blunt Records in 1994. Reynald died in 2012. Pictured is a ‘DropOut’ article written by Eamon Crudden, clipping courtesy Abstract Analogue. This session was recorded in March 1993, rebroadcast by Dan Hegarty in 2022.
Point Of No Return (March 1993)
![Aïda & Skully [Métisse]](https://fanningsessions.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/aida-skully-metisse.jpg)
Métisse are an Afro-Irish musical duo featuring Aída Bredou of Côte d’Ivoire and Skully of Cork. A recent documentary ‘ Métisse: World Of Our Own‘ looks at their career from Skully’s first forays into music with Real Mayonnaise and The Chapter House. It was narrated and produced by Mark McAvoy author of ‘Cork Rock‘ and features interviews with Gerry Buckley of Real Mayonnaise, Ann Redmond of Porcelyn Tears and Chapter House and Dave Fanning producer (and Horslip) Jim Lockhart. For more on Métisse check out the Irish Examiner article ‘The Cork band picked up by Madonna‘. There was a Métisse session for Dave Fanning (produced by Jim Lockhart) but we have yet to locate a recording.
Verta-Ray was a short-lived band based in Dublin. The lineup featured Brian Murray (vocals), Ian Beesley (guitar), Joey Wilson (bass) and Bryan McMahon (drums), The band recorded a 3-track demo in 1993 featuring; ‘What Are You Waiting For’, ‘You Don’t Understand Me And I Know That You Never Will’ and ‘If Not Now Then When?’. Joey and Bryan would later go on to form the much loved Future Kings Of Spain. Thanks to Pat Barrett and irishmusicdb.com for the bio and Jamesomcm for the photo.
“Verta-Ray (named after Matt Verta Ray from Madder Rose) Recorded in July 24/25 1993 in Sun. Our first time in a studio. Lorcan Cousins on the desk. He told us Lee Ranaldo was in the day previously. Could’ve been a spoof. It impressed us anyway. We’d no idea what we were doing. We were 9 months old. Our first band etc. It cost a small fortune; we were 4 full time students! Peter Collins (filling in for Dave) gave it the first spin. Jim Lockhart called us later offering a Fanning Session. February 1994 the first on their new 24 track desk. We thought we’d “made it”. We hadn’t.”
Anyone got the 1994 Fanning Session?
verta-ray – ‘what are you waiting for’ (1993)
Thanks to the continued efforts of Dan Hegarty we now finally have the complete 1981 session for Dave Fanning by The Blades. The band at that time were; Paul Cleary (vocals & guitar), Brian Foley (bass) and Jake Reilly (drums). The Blades of course play The Academy, Dublin on March 19th.
This Sunday at 10pm Dan Hegarty has a treat in store for fans of Power Of Dreams with an hour long documentary on their debut album ‘Immigrants, Emigrants and Me’.
Downmarket (1981)
Me & My Girl (1981)
Tears That Tell The Truth (1981)
Empty Shell (1981)
From Carlow, The Castanedas were Eric Cole (guitar/ lead vocals), Jim Jordan (guitar), Colm Walsh (bass) and Eric Murray (drums). Thanks to Dan Hegarty for rebroadcasting this session on Tuesday 25th January. According to Dan the session was recorded for Dave Fanning on November 13th 1992. Eric Cole now lives in Brisbane, Australia and Eric Murray is currently in the U.S. The newspaper clipping is from The Sunday Times.
Present (1992)
So Soon (1992)
Mind The Gap (1992)
Happy Bus (1992)
Ill Dependents were the recording project of Hazo aka Paul Hayes a DJ, producer and rapper from Galway. They recorded this session for Dave Fanning in 1996 and released 3 EPs between 1998 and 1999. Scan courtesy photographer Paul McCarthy of a feature in Trace Magazine (1988) written by Will Ashon. Thanks to Dan Hegarty and Ian Wilson for digging this out of the RTE vaults.
Storm Comin (1996)
Dream Process (1996)
Many Disconnected (1996)
From Derry, Rare were Mary Gallagher (vocals), Locky Morris (bass), Seán Ó’Néill (guitar) and David Whiteside (drums). They released a single ‘Set Me On Fire’ on Setanta Records (1990) but waited six years before the next on Equator Records (1996). In March 1995 they recorded this session for Dave Fanning. It was repeated by Dan Hegarty on 16th October 2021. Photo courtesy irishmusicdb. Their 1996 single ‘Something Wild‘ never fails to cheer me up but the final track of this session is fast becoming a new favourite. If anyone has more details on the band, what they did or what they are now doing please get in touch.
Same As Always (1995)
Rollercoaster (1995)
One Kiss (1995)
Slow Rider (1995)
From Dublin, Bawl were Mark Cullen (vocals, guitar), Darren Cullen (guitar), Stephen McBride (bass) and Jason Cullen (drums). This session was recorded for Dave Fanning in May 1996 and rebroadcast by Dan Hegarty on October 27th 2021. Shortly after recording this session they released their debut album ‘Year Zero’. Circa 1999 they became Fixed Stars and in 2000 added A House alumni Martin Healy and David Morrissey to become Pony Club. In 2010 Mark Cullen formed The Unruly Trinity with Simon Quigley and Colm Keegan. Thanks to irishmusicdb for the photo and band chronology.
Older & Older (1996)
Beyond Safeways (1996)
Mistake (1996)
They say that buses come in threes, I wonder does the same apply to podcasts? We recently raved about a podcast revisiting classic Irish albums, well Dave Fanning has been looking at classic Irish tracks. Something Happens!, The Frank & Walters, The Saw Doctors and The Cranberries have featured so far and each installment is well worth a listen. Tom Dunne needs to write that Warren Zevon tour exposé but in the meantime catch his weekly ‘Music & Me‘ column in The Irish Examiner. And finally, this week’s classic Fanning session on the Dan Hegarty show is from Bawl (1996). Incidentally Something Happens!, The Frank & Walters, The 4 Of Us, Hothouse Flowers and An Emotional Fish all play Feile Classical this Thursday in the 3 Arena.
Noel Hogan: ‘Linger’ by The Cranberries
Leo Moran: ‘N17’ by The Saw Doctors
Paul Linehan: ‘After All’ by The Frank & Walters
Tom Dunne: ‘Parachute’ by Something Happens!
From Northern Ireland and with 3 releases on Terri Hooley’s Good Vibrations, details are once again annoyingly sparse for today’s session from PBR Streetgang. Please get in touch if you have any information. Update: Thanks to Stuart Bailie we now know the band were fronted by Colin Crooks later of The Graceland Conspiracy and The Dollybyrds.
Listen
Talking To You
Running Into Dust
These Days
From Dublin, Junkster were Deirdre O’Neill (vocals), Aidan Lane (guitar), Mick Creedon (guitar), Graham Darcy (bass) and Donal McParlin (drums). They released an eponymously titled album on RCA in 1997 but saw greater success in the US than on these shores. O’Neill, Darcy and Lane were previously in The Joys. More details on irishrock but as always please get in touch with memories and corrections. Thanks to Dan Hegarty for rebroadcasting. The first two tracks appeared on the debut album, ‘Silver Boy’ was never released. Pete Holidai produced the session and co-produced the album in Woodstock. For more details have a listen to Dee talk to Dan as part of his ‘For The Record‘ series.
Going Down (1995)
Twister (1995)
Silver Boy (1995)
From Churchtown in Dublin, Blue In Heaven were Shane O’Neill (guitar/vocals), Eamonn Tynan (guitar), Declan Jones (bass) and Dave Clarke (drums). Shane, Declan and Dave were previously in Amuse with Dave Long (Into Paradise). Shane, Declan and Dave would later form The Blue Angels with Quentin Cowper and Eamonn Tynan. Shane and Dave teamed up again in Supernaut and in May 2021 released an album ‘Moll & Zeis‘. Photo by Mary Lee (c) RTÉ Stills Department taken backstage at ‘Self Aid‘ (1986). Thanks to Dan Hegarty for continuing to plough through the archive and of course to the oracle himself Ian Wilson. Be sure to check out Mike McGrath-Bryan‘s radio preview in the Irish Examiner every Saturday as he has the inside track regarding what sessions will feature on Dan’s show. Check out this recent interview with Dan on the RTE Studio8 sessions.
Across My Heart (1985)
Brings Me Closer (1985)
Like A Child (1985)
We have absolutely no information on today’s demo, a track called ‘Real Thing’ by a band called Globes. If you recognise it or can fill in some detail please get in touch.
Real Thing (Demo)
From Cork, Manhole were Dick (vocals), Gussie (bass), Glen (keyboards), Gilbert (guitar) and Montage (drums). They featured on the Ten By Ten compilation which was the subject of a recent B-Side the Leeside profile in the Irish Examiner. Incidentally the Examiner has been doing sterling work of late, their radio preview of a Saturday is a first port of call to see which archive sessions will feature on Tuesday’s Dan Hegarty show. For further Manhole recordings check out Gus on Soundcloud.
Medicine
The Denim Queen’s Wet Dream
Submarine
Leisure Explosion
In 1997 The Frank and Walters released their second album ‘Grand Parade‘ on Setanta Records. A couple of weeks earlier on June 17th they dropped into 2fm to record an acoustic session for the Dave Fanning show hosted by deputy Pat O’Mahony. This session was detailed extensively in Hot Press magazine by Peter Murphy and can be read here. The band at the time were Paul Linehan (vocals/bass), Niall Linehan (guitar) and Ashley Keating (drums). All but 3 of the tracks featured on ‘Grand Parade’ the exception being the final track ‘Restraint’. Should anyone have a better copy of the session or a full recording of ‘Landslide’ please drop us a line.
Indian Ocean
Little Dolls
Landslide
Restraint
From Carlow, Sissy were from left to right Justin Kelly (guitar), Fergal Barry (lead guitar), Claire Noons (vocals), Sean McMahon (bass) and Padraigh Comerford (drums). They recorded a 4 track session produced by Paddy McBreen for Dave Fanning in 1999 of which we have the first two numbers. They were one of 6 Irish bands chosen by 2FM to go to Eurodisney in Paris to play shows over St Patrick’s week. Fergal, Sean and Padraigh went on to form Le Mons and later The Lemons. Fergal Barry died tragically in Prague in 2005 and is still sadly missed by Pádraigh and Sean. If you have the remaining tracks or any press reviews please get in touch.
Intro
Novelty (1999)
Crazy Time (1999)
Formed in 1988, An Emotional Fish were Ger Whelan (vocals), Enda Wyatt (bass, keyboards), David Frew (guitars) and Martin Murphy (drums). Martin Murphy sadly passed away in 2017. The band released 3 albums, ‘An Emotional Fish’, Junk Puppets’ and ‘Sloper’. Ger Whelan continues to perform as Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club. A big thank you to Dan Hegarty & Ian Wilson for digging out this 1989 session for Dave Fanning. Be sure to tune to Dan’s show this Sunday at 11pm on 2fm when he talks to Steve Murray on the 25th anniversary of the release of Rollerskate Skinny’s opus ‘Horsedrawn Wishes’.
Anyway (1989)
All Night Long (1989)
Hallelujah, Love & Stuff (1989)
Strange Things (1989)
JJ72 were formed in 1996 by Mark Greaney (vocals, guitar) and Fergal Matthews (drums). They were later joined by Hilary Woods (bass). They released albums in 2000 and 2002 and a third was recorded but never released at which point the band called it a day. On Tuesday 9th February Dan Hegarty revisited their 1998 Fanning session featuring all four tracks ‘Oxegen’, ‘Undercover Angel’, ‘October Swimmer’ and ‘Bumble Bee’. The show is available on the RTE radio player here (link to 2XM repeat on 10th Feb). Hilary Woods is a critically acclaimed solo artist releasing two albums in 2020.
Oxegen (1998)
Undercover Angel (1998)
October Swimmer (1998)
Bumble Bee (1998)
We didn’t know there was a 1997 Fanning session by A House so were very pleasantly surprised when Dan Hegarty gave it a long overdue outing on his show last night. Recorded just before the band broke up it features new versions of one song from each of the first 4 albums. We hope Dan plays the fourth track ‘Violent Love’ at some point and will update this post if he does. If you haven’t already checked it out we recommend Fergal Bunbury‘s latest musical project FBU62.
Endless Art
I Want To Be Allowed To Love You
13 Wonderful Songs
Formed in 1987, The Mary Stokes Band were from left to right Beki Brindle (guitar), Mary Stokes (vocals), Dermot Stokes (piano), Dave McGuinness (drums), Joe Lahart (bass) and Brian Palm (harmonica). They recorded a Fanning session in 1989, the producer was Jim Lockhart. Some 33 years and 10 albums later the band are still going strong. They are currently recording a new album.
I certainly remember the day. Other than the sense of disbelief that we would go for five tracks – that was considered outrageous! … We took one break when the guitar player did an overdub on ‘Tough Times’, returning to the studio to record the next three tracks in one take each… road hardened, we were playing really comfortably as a unit! The engineer and Jim were somewhat agog…
Tough Times (1989)
Same Thing (1989)
Crazy About You (1989)
The Blues Aint Nothing (1989)
Fine Mellow (1989)
The Conspiracy were Greg Pearle (vocals), Eamon Mitchell (guitar), Keith Geraghty (bass) and Michael Dunphy (drums). There was at least one further track in this 1989 session but unfortunately our tape ran out. We do have a demo ‘Say Goodbye’ which we’ll save for a future post. Eamon Mitchell kindly shared some memories with us on facebook..
The band formed in 1988 out of the ashes of the defunct indie band No Time To Cry. We performed supporting gigs in the Baggot Inn, The Tivoli and The Underground. We played a venue in Galway called Riffs beside where Monroes is now. We won a Battle of the Bands hosted by Leslie Dowdall in Raheny in 1988. We then recorded some demos in Temple Lane Studios. In 1989 we recorded a session for the Dave Fanning RTE 2FM radio show. By summer 1989 we had a loyal following and started headlining our own gigs in the Baggot Inn and Charlie’s on Aungier Street. Charlie McGettigan took over as manager and the band got some high profile gigs supporting Aslan (without Christy). At one point Paul McGuinness came to the Baggot to check us out. Alas London was calling and the band packed up and headed for the big smoke. With a new manager and a management contract signed the band set out to play the Rock Garden in Covent Garden, the Mean Fiddler in Harlesden supporting The Dixons where after our set Dave Fanning burst in with cans of Castlemaine XXXX for the band raving about the gig. The band supported The Fat Lady Sings in the Borderline before heading back to Dublin disheartened and still under contract. While licking our wounds we auditioned for The Commitments.We performed 2 songs for Alan Parker and he said he liked the band the best out of all the auditions but alas we were a rock band and The Commitments were to be a soul band. The band limped on during summer of 1990 and with in house fighting and the dreaded musical differences we broke up in July 1990 not before our swansong gig in Charlie’s supported by a very young Pale and a very very young Lir…time to pass the torch.
Servant (1989)
Ten In The Night (1989)
On July 14th 1985 BP Fallon recorded a special London edition of his show the BP Fallon Orchestra with Captain Sensible as “guide”. The show was broadcast on RTE Radio 2 in August 1985, the photo is from the RTE Guide. Many thanks to the taper who digitised it especially for us, no mean feat given the state of said cassette some 35 years later. Fingers crossed for further BPFO shows featuring Joey & Dee Dee Ramone (1985) and Rat Scabies & Dave Vanian of The Damned (1986).
First stop on the voyage was The Cricketers in Kennington to see Basil’s Balls-Up Band. Then it was off to the Vauxhall Tavern and a chat with drag artist Candy DuBarry. This is followed by a visit to the Royal Festival Hall where Swan Lake is being performed and a chat with Steve Marriot. Next stop is the Marquee and a chat with Johnny Thunders. Then they accidentally bump into P.P. Arnold (who we at the end of the show are told features in next week’s BPFO). Then it’s on to an Adult Video store which was the site of the 2i’s Coffee Bar in Old Compton Street. Finally it’s off to the Hippodrome and a chat with the manager Roger Howe. The last item is a chat with some members of Frankie goes to Hollywood. The show was produced by Willie O’Reilly.
As always we’d love to hear what you think, can you remember the broadcast, do you have any BPFO episodes in the attic?
We were first reminded of this publication on the occasion of Gregory Gray‘s passing and the excellent Tom Robinson tribute. One of the people Tom spoke to was Noel McLaughlin, co-author with Martin McLoone of an academic publication on Irish music ‘Rock and Popular Music in Ireland: Before and After U2‘. We tracked down a recording of the 2012 interview with the authors on the Dave Fanning show and promptly did nothing more. Reading an excellent piece by Colm O’Callaghan for the Blackpool Sentinel ‘The Rats vs Ireland’s Showbands‘ however reminded us again of the book and the interview. We don’t have a copy but our local library does so we were able to read the chapter on Gregory. Posting the interview now for posterity.
showbands
them / van morrison
the method
sean campbell ‘english blood, irish heart’
rory gallagher
u2
horslips
sinead o’connor
gregory gray
The Irish Times byline sums it up perfectly: “Cult new wave national treasures The Atrix return with a gig, a CD and new material”. Dan Hegarty interviewed Hugh Friel (drums) and Dick Conroy (bass) on his show last Sunday and the two will appear on the Tom Dunne show tonight at 10pm. The remastered compilation album ‘Dublin 1979-1981’ will be launched on CD and vinyl this Thursday September 19th in the Sugar Club with special guests Kevin McAleer and Paula Meehan.
Dan Hegarty interview (2019)
Tom Dunne interview (2019)
Today we have a treat, a 45 minute recording of the Dave Fanning show from March 1983 courtesy the Irish Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Dave announces he is playing Irish tracks only and plays a number of sessions and even a demo we’d never previously heard from Blue In Heaven. There is one track we haven’t been able to identify so if you know your 80s Irish rock then please put us out of our misery. Updating year from 1984 to 1983 based on Evan’s comment.
u2 – surrender
max – song number 6 (session)
undertones – you’re welcome (live)
the outcasts (1981 session)
auto da fe – bad experience
some kind of wonderful – do you read my letter
pop mecanics – round & round (1984 session)
blue in heaven – say (demo)
blades – revelations of heartbreak
cuba dares (session)
?
microdisney – hello rascals
gerry cott? – ballad of the lone ranger
We’ve been taking a trip down memory lane for reasons to be explained at a later date but we rediscovered this hour long documentary featured as part of the excellent Great Irish Bands series over on Dublin Opinion. Hats off to the producers, we would love something similar on any number of bands, The Stars Of Heaven anyone?
Jubilee Allstars were Niall McCormack (vocals & guitar), Barry McCormack (vocals & guitar), Fergus McCormack (vocals & bass) and Lee Casey (drums). They recorded this session for John Peel on Jan 11th 1987.
Produced by Ciaran Ryan, ‘This Ain’t No Party’ is an excellent new radio documentary for RTE 2XM telling the story of ‘No Disco‘ featuring the voices of many involved in the production and presentation of the show. Among the contributors are presenters Donal Dineen and Leagues O’Toole, founding producer/editor Colm O’Callaghan, his successor Rory Cobbe and musicians David Gray, Carol Keogh and Dudley Colley.
It’s been too long, thank you Paul McArdle of The Hellfire Club for kicking us into renewed action. The Hellfire Club were Tom Doyle (vocals/guitar), Joe Ussher (lead guitar/vocals/piano), John Doyle (bass), Paul McArdle and later Mark Downing (drums). They recorded a Dave Fanning session in studio 8 on March 14th 1989. There were 4 tracks put to tape that day, one of which can be found here. We are now posting the three remaining tracks. Last but not least, thank you Thomas Erbsloh for your awesome tape archive.
Come With Me (1989)
Blind Ambition (1989)
Sweet Smell of Success (1989)
Thanks to Ian Wilson we know The Switch recorded a 4 track session on Feb 23rd 1987. That is the sum total of our knowledge so hopefully you can help us out with further details and a band photo.
The first votes in the inaugural Fanning Sessions #AltFab50 Readers Poll have been submited, we would love to hear your 3 fave songs of 2017. While you’re at it submit them to Fanning’s Fab50 and you might win tickets to the Electric Picnic.
She Rises Over Heartache (1987)
Cover Charge (1987)
Perfect Description (1987)
Stay (1987)
We have minimal information on this session from New Holland. They won a Battle of The Bands competition in the Ivy Rooms judged by among others Dave Fanning and Dave G Kelly with the winning prize the opportunity to record a session. If anyone can name the band members or provide a photo please get in touch.
Take Your Time (1985)
Weekend (1985)
The Strait (1985)
The Tower (1985)
If a definitive tome on The Story of Irish Rock ever comes to be written we look forward to reading how The Subterraneans did not conquer all. These two tracks are we believe from the same demo that featured ‘Slum‘ and ‘Maxi Joy‘. Thank you Colm for digging these out.
Nobody There (demo)
Bogside Rock (demo)
The ever reliable Blackpool Sentinel yesterday published another excellent read on local favourites Into Paradise. As serendipity would have it we also just received a recording from Colm in Arklow of a session previously posted but now with better audio so we’ve decided what the heck. The session recorded for Dave Fanning on Jan 13th 1986 featured 3 further tracks which we’d love to hear – ‘Alone Again’, ‘A Good and Honest Man’ and ‘John’. Incidentally does anyone recognise the guest host sitting in for Dave? We have it on good authority that it could be Fachtna O’Kelly but stand to be corrected. Update: Thanks to Colm we have a further track.
She Falls (1986)
A Good And Honest Man (1986)
From Wexford, Cry Before Dawn were Brendan Wade (vocals, acoustic guitar, uileann pipes and whistle), Tony Hall (electric guitar), Vince Doyle (bass) and Pat Hayes (drums). On June 25th 1984 they recorded 3 tracks for the Dave Fanning show; ‘Follow Me’, ‘Cry For Me’ and ‘Pain Of Life’. Thank you Colm for digging out the session track and to IrishRock.org for the photo.
Follow Me (1984)
This unreleased track by In Tua Nua was recorded live on the Dave Fanning show when the band dropped in to celebrate the launch of their second album ‘The Long Acre’ in late 1988. In Tua Nua are about to set out on their first Irish tour since that same year.
Jealous Knife (1988)
We’ve been sitting on this one a little while holding out for a band photo so thank you Colm Walsh for coming up with the goods. From Athy, Co Kildare, Intoxicating Rhythm Section (also known as IRS) were at the time of the photo; Mick O’Rourke (guitar), Steven Mangan (vocals), Robbie Robinson (drums), Sean MacMahon and John Byrne. This differs from the lineup detailed on our previous post so hopefully someone in the know can fill in the blanks and tell us who played on the 1990 Fanning session.
Bomb Belfast With Love (1990)
She’s My Jesus (1990)
Strange Fruit (1990)
The Dadas were Andy Fitzpatrick (vocals, guitar), Gráinne Tiernan (backing vocals), Maelíosa Tiernan (backing vocals), Brian O’Connor (keyboards), Dan Stuttard (bass) and Ciarán Lally (drums). Andy Fitzpatrick is a long-standing member of The Harvest Ministers as well performing as a solo artist. As luck would have it both acts have just released new albums, Andy’s is ‘Antoinette Plaza‘ whilst The Harvest Ministers have released ‘Back to Harbour‘. Watch The Dadas perform ‘Skyscrapers’ here.
Dandruff
Early Days
Good To Be Happy
Mercy Mercy
Formed June 1987 in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone, Tiberius Minnows were Michael Rafferty (vocals), Paul Maynes (guitar), Kevin Carson (bass), Barry Corr (keyboards) and Stephen O’Sullivan (drums). The band reconvened as The Minnows a number of years ago and are currently putting the finishing touch to their debut album. If anyone knows the year of this Fanning session please set us straight..
A Song Called Love
Elephant Man
New York City
Roonkin
Today’s post was inspired by the Cloudberry Records blog, a site dedicated to digging out indiepop new and old, unearthing quite a few gems from bands close to our hearts. Roque specialises in forensic research on occasion following up with interviews, e.g. Sean A McDermott of Mickey Rourke’s Fridge. Many of the Irish bands featured have appeared here but others like the Bruce Wayne Experience prompted a visit to the attic.
The Bruce Wayne Experience were a 5 piece active from 1988 – 1991. The lineup was David O’Connor (vocals), Steve O’Connor (guitar), Steve Connaughton (bass), David Houlihan (keyboards) and Woppy (drums). The band featured on the 1990 compilation ‘Something New, Something Blue‘.
I Only Wish
Better Left Unsaid
If Only
Irish bands featured on the Cloudberry Records blog – please let us know if we’ve missed any.
Azure Days
Bruce Wayne Experience
Cherry Brogues
Cliff Edge Panic
Crocodile Tears
Cuba Dares
Cypress Mine!
Donnelly Brothers
Donnelly Brothers (Interview)
Empty Shell
Feargal is the Applejack
Guernica
Hasbeens
Holsteins
Outpatients
Premonition
Red Circus
Rex and Dino
Scale the Heights
Shocking Stockings
Skips
Sleepwalkers
Slowest Clock (Interview)
Wilder
Wilderness Years
Wrong Door Raid
Gradapenda Rosindale
From Belfast, Andy White recorded a Fanning session on December 4th 1989. Andy has just released a career spanning box set and is on tour in the UK before playing Whelan’s on December 29th. Andy will be the focus of an hour long profile on the Tom Robinson BBC Radio 6 Music show on Saturday December 3rd at 9pm.
6 String Street (1989)
The Pale Moonlight (1989)
Raspberry Beret (1989)
Your Cheating Heart (1989)
Vision Of You (1989)
Donal Coghlan who sadly passed away and that prompted a trip to the attic to look for a copy of the Hinterland Fanning session. Recorded in studio 8 on May 16th 1990 the session features Donal Coghlan (vocals, bass, keyboards), Gerry Leonard (guitar) and Wayne Sheehy (drums). For more on Hinterland start here.
God’s Reverb (1990)
Reporter (1990)
Stanley’s Minutes (1990)
Desert Boots (1990)
Kilkenny’s My Little Funhouse were formed by Alan Lawlor (vocals), Anthony Morrissey (guitar), Brendan Morrissey (guitar), Gary Deevy (bass). They later recruited Derek Maher (drums) who left in 1993 to be replaced by Graham Hopkins (drums).
Catholic Boy (1991)
Rachel (1991)
Raintown (1991)
The Sweetest Dream (1991)
From the northside of Dublin, Hoover Clinic were from right to left Kieran Dalton (guitar), Dermot Behan (guitar), Alan Caffery (lead vocal & bass) and John Lawlor (drums). This Fanning session was recorded circa 1990.
Runaway (1990)
Funky Love (1990)
Conscience (1990)
Scandal (1990)
Shortly after Ian Dury’s death in 2000 following a long illness, Dave Fanning paid tribute by broadcasting a 31st July 1981 interview with the singer-songwriter. Thank you John for digging out the recording.
Ian Dury Interview (1981)
Left Of The Dial (2016)
This Sunday at 6pm TXFM will broadcast a documentary ‘Left Of The Dial‘, “looking at two periods of time in radio and music when alternative music programmes ruled the national night-time airwaves – 2FM in the 80s and TodayFM in the late 90s”. The show was produced by Cathal Funge and will feature interviews with Dave Fanning, Mark Cagney, Donal Dineen, Tom Dunne, John Kelly, Dan Hegarty, Paul McLoone, Ian Wilson, Dave Couse, Paul Cleary, Richie Egan, Peter Murphy, Olaf Tyaransen and Nadine O’Regan. Then at 7pm stay tuned for 2 hours of music featured in the documentary interspersed with listener requests and stories..
So for some reason when I was in 1st year in school, I decided it was time to join the workforce. At the time I was living a few miles outside Gorey in the Wexford countryside and got a weekend job at the petrol station just down the road. After a few weeks my obvious talent for pumping fuel and checking oil levels was spotted and I was soon working three evenings a week after school.Now this place really was in the middle of nowhere and business wasn’t exactly booming despite my high profile promotion, so my daydreaming skills were honed as I sat on a rickety stool in a kiosk staring into space.I did have a radio and Atlantic 252 was my station of choice, for the first few months anyway, but soon I got bored of hearing the same 30 songs on a loop so I decided to give this guy Dave Fanning a shot.I pretty much hated the show at first, but my options were fairly limited so I stuck with it and within weeks it became something of an obsession. I had no time for daydreaming now as I sat there with a pen and paper scribbling down names of bands and songs I was hearing for the first time. You had to be fully alert due to Dave’s rapid fire delivery and the dreaded scenario was the sight of a car pulling in to refuel just before Dave was about to back announce what he had played.By the time I was finished pumping £5 of diesel into a rusty old Ford Cortina, Dave would already be on to another string of songs and that was it, gone, no way of checking online or texting in to the station to find out who the artists was. The only lifeline I had in those days was to check with someone in school the next day; “Were you listening last night? What was that track he played around 8.30? You didn’t tape it did you…?”Lots of tracks I fell in love with listening to the Fanning show pop up on TX Breakfast every now and again, particularly in Record Revival and Song Club, and I can almost smell the petrol fumes whenever I hear Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Oh Well, Part 1’.By 1997, I was out of the petroleum business and on to another late night radio programme. Donal Dineen’s ‘Here Comes The Night’ was a little too out there for me when it first aired on Radio Ireland/TodayFM in March 1997, but in early ’98 I tuned back in and was rewarded big time.I reckon about 90% of the records I bought over the next few years came on the back of hearing them on ‘Here Comes The Night’. The pen and paper were in use again as I jotted down names of bands, singers, labels, and compilations. Unlike Dave Fanning’s million word a minute approach to presenting, Donal’s was at the lower end of low key. There was many a night Donal would keep me awake by playing four or five amazing songs back-to-back and I would have to fight off the sleep until his whispering voice returned to name the tracks.Late last year I was thinking about how essential certain late night radio music programmes were for anyone wanting to hear alternative music back in the days before the internet made music so accessible. You could of course read about new music but actually getting to hear these records was not so easy and you depended on a handful of presenters to play the music no one else would.So I decided to go off and make a documentary telling the story of how important these programmes were in a pre-digital era. The documentary is called ‘Left of the Dial’ and it’s going to air this Sunday at 6pm followed by the official soundtrack to the documentary – basically two hours of great music from that era.
We’ve long been fans of Mickey Bradley both as musician and DJ so when we heard he had written a memoir we were head of the queue. The book is a great read although despite all the humour we found it a little sad. ‘Teenage Kicks: My Life as an Undertone’ by Michael Bradley is published by Omnibus Press. The Irish Times has an extract here. Mickey was recently interviewed by Tom Dunne on his Newstalk show. The Mickey Bradley Record Show is broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster every Tuesday 8-10pm
Mickey Bradley – Tom Dunne interview (2016)
Photo (c) Jack Lyons
Whilst listening to UCC98.3FM to catch the premiere broadcast of Paul McDermott‘s excellent Stump documentary we happened to catch a rerun of another show worthy of mention. Back in 2014 some good folk at UCC library were inspired to create an exhibition around renowned Cork venue/club Sir Henry’s. This exhibition captured the imagination of the public and generated much activity on facebook, twitter and a wordpress blog. Jim Morrish who has a weekly show ‘Centrifugal‘ on UCC98.3FM in turn decided to create a radio program looking at some of the artists who played in Sir Henry’s over the years. He invited Paul McDermott, Conor O’Toole and Morty McCarthy (Sultans of Ping) for what turned out to be 5 1/2 hours of radio – music from the bands interspersed with memories of the gigs in the venue. We have listened to these shows a number of times and much enjoyed the tunes and the discussion. For more on the shows check out the post on Conor’s website (named after his show) ‘The Underground of Happiness‘. PS If you’d like to download the shows for offline listening check out offliberty.
1983-1988: Microdisney, Cypress, Mine!, The Pogues & Elvis Costello, The Stunning, Belsonic Sound, The Damned, The Wedding Present, Stump, 5 Go Down To The Sea, That Petrol Emotion, Big Audio Dynamite.
1989-1991: A House, The Sisters of Mercy, The Sultans of Ping, The Golden Horde, Cork Rocks 1991, Dancing Bastards from Hell, Whipping Boy, Echo & the Bunnymen, Toasted Heretic.
1991-1992: Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Babes in Toyland, The Shanks, The Would Be’s, Stereolab.
1993-1994: LMNO Pelican, Mercury Rev, My Bloody Valentine, Fatima Mansions, Pavement, Sebadoh.
1994-2000: Ash, Manic Street Preachers, The Mary Janes, Frank Sidebottom, Aidan Walsh & Cow in the Water, The Cork Music Resource Co-op, The Fall and Super Furry Animals/Grandaddy, Ian Brown, Godspeed! You Black Emperor
Produced by Paul McDermott, Lights! Camel! Action! – The Story of Stump is an hour long documentary funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland through the television license fee for UCC 98.3FM. The documentary will be broadcast as follows with a podcast to follow:
Lights! Camel! Action! – The Story of Stump is a documentary about Stump, the Anglo-Irish experimental, rock band from the 1980s. The documentary has been in production for the past year and sadly in November 2015 Mick Lynch, the enigmatic front man and lyricist with the band fell ill and passed away on 17 December, 2015.
The documentary is compiled from over 15 hours of interviews with the four members of Stump and key figures from their story. Contributors include: Mick Lynch, Rob McKahey, Kev Hopper, Chris Salmon, Jack Lyons, Elvera Butler , Liam McKahey, Simon Reynolds, Nigel Grainge, Hugh Jones, John Robb and Roy Weard.
Paul McDermott teaches Media Studies and Journalism at Rathmines College and is the Director of Programming at Dublin City FM. He previously produced Get That Monster Off the Stage, the award winning radio documentary about Finbarr Donnelly and his bands Nun Attax, Five Go Down to the Sea? and Beethoven.
When we first heard about this particular tape we thought it was a recording of an Uaneen show but it turned out to be 45 minutes of a Dave Fanning tribute to Uaneen broadcast a month after her tragic death. It makes for sad listening but is also very touching and so we have decided to share. We hope her friends and family do not mind us sharing, please let us know if this is not the case. If anyone has a nice recording of an Uaneen show we’d love to share that also. Uaneen of course needs no introduction, she was the face of ‘No Disco‘ post Donal Dineen and host to her own RTE 2FM show in the slot after Dave Fanning. ‘No Disco’ also paid tribute with a special show compiling many of her interviews.
Uaneen Fitzsimons Tribute on Dave Fanning Show (2000)
Recorded live on the RTE 2FM Mike Moloney show June 21st 1995. Something Happens! are Tom Dunne, Ray Harman, Alan Byrne and Eamonn Ryan. Check out Tom Dunne nightly 10pm – midnight on Newstalk.
Fishboy (1995)
Pray (1995)
The Sultans of Ping F.C. recorded this, their second session for Dave Fanning in January 1993. At the time the band was Morty McCarthy (drums), Pat O’Connell (guitar), Niall O’Flaherty (vocals and harmonica) and Alan McFeely (bass).
U Talk 2 Much (1993)
Armitage Shanks (1993)
Karaoke Queen (1993)
Time to break our duck with something a little bit unusual. This is either very unfair or very apt given David Bowie’s recent renaissance. In 1984 he released ‘Tonight‘, his sixteenth studio album to mixed reviews. In this clip from the Dave Fanning RTE2 radio show Tom McLaughlin of Light a Big Fire offers his take on the album.
In other news voting for the inevitable Fanning’s Fab 50 is underway with the event itself taking place on Monday 22nd December and Tuesday 23th from 10pm-1am. Check out Dan Hegarty’s ‘Top 50 Irish Albums Of 2014‘ for some inspiration.
While we’re going off topic, all the best to Mr Terri Hooley who is in hospital at the minute. Get well soon Terri.
Tom McLaughlin (1984)
If like me you think it’s time to listen to the album check it out on youtube here:
How do I casually mention that Mr Dave Couse is back on our airwaves from Monday 3rd November filling in for Paul McLoone on TodayFM? How about another Dave Fanning interview? This one features ‘I Think I’m Going Mad’ (live), ‘Call Me Blue’ (brand new single out 11th July), ‘You Break Me Up’ (live), ‘Heart Happy’ (live) and ‘Plain or Pearl’ (another of the 4 tracks from the 12″). Check out Dave 3rd – 13th November 9pm-midnight on TodayFM.
A House interview Dave Fanning (1987)
From Artane, Dublin, The Subterraneans were Derek Barter (bass/vocals), Paddy Brady (guitar), Mitchel O’Connor (guitar) and Colm Coughlan (drums). Thanks to Padser Dalhoun for photo and lineup. We’re guessing that this is a session and that it dates from 1992 so if anyone can confirm or correct please do!
L – R Colm Coughlan, Derek Barter, Paddy Brady, Mitchel O’Connor
Rubbernose (1992)
Where’s The Hook (1992)
Showdown (1992)
From Cork, Mahogany Men were Myles Horgan (lead vocals/guitar), Cormac Curtis (guitar), Danny McElhinney (bass) and David Tinsley (drums). They recorded this session for Dave Fanning in January 1993.
Emily Dickinson (1993)
Unicorns (Do Not Exist) (1993)
Grow Your Own (1993)
Hello How Are You I Am God (1993)
The Pale were formed in Dublin in 1990 by Matthew Devereux (vocals), Shane Wearen (mandolin) and Sean Molloy (bass). This Fanning session recorded for RTE in 1991 was their first ever recording and the only one to feature the original band lineup. This is the first time since they were recorded that the band have heard these tracks which were never released or indeed recorded again. The Pale are playing Hard Working Class Heroes on the 3rd October in the Mercantile, Dame Street, Dublin.
Opium Poem (1991)
Cynical Sun (1991)
Ventriloquist (1991)
One good interview begets another. Recorded during the same tour as the recently posted Mickey Bradley interview, here are Stuart and Ian from Big Country on RTE Radio2 with the venerable Dave Fanning on November 26th 1986. Thank you to the kind reader who dug this out.
Big Country – Dave Fanning Interview (26.11.1986)
In 1986 Big Country toured Ireland stopping off in Derry’s Templemore Sports Complex on the way. Stuart Adamson took time out from the sound check on December 2nd 1986 to speak to Mickey Bradley for his Radio Foyle show Mickey’s Monkey. Stuart Adamson sadly passed away in 2001.
Stuart Adamson – Mickey Bradley Interview (1986)
Another great band that are sorely missed round these parts, Future Kings Of Spain were founded by Joey Wilson (guitar & vocals), Anton Hegarty (bass) and Bryan McMahon (drums). Their first gig in 2000 was a support slot for J Mascis & The Fog. They were joined in 2003 by Karl Hussey (guitar). I first came across them on the March 2003 HMV Playlist CD. This is a 2007 interview with Alison Curtis on her TodayFM show ‘The Last Splash’.
Joey Wilson (Future Kings Of Spain) – Alison Curtis Interview (2007)
From Dublin, The Mary Janes were Mic Christopher (vocals, guitars), Simon Good (guitars), Karl Odlum (bass) and Steven Hogan (drums). Mic Christopher tragically passed away on 29th November 2001. The Mary Janes released two albums ‘Bored Of Their Laughing‘ (1994) and ‘Sham‘ (1998). Both are available on Bandcamp. Mic Christopher’s solo album was released posthumously on his one year anniversary but completed to Mic’s instructions by Mic’s sister and friends. The 2019 documentary ‘Heyday: The Story Of Mic Christopher‘ is an excellent watch and gives a lovely introduction to Mic by his friends. It can be watched on the TG4 player here for the next 33 days.
Instigator
Taken In
Friends
Trilogy
From Finglas in Dublin, The Brilliant Trees were Alan Hoey (vocals, guitar), Tony Barrett (guitar), Sid Barrett (bass) and Dave Farrell (drums). We had previously featured one track from this Fanning session albeit a very lo-fi recording. We are no longer certain however from which year the session dates. There was a further track ‘Slavedriver’ on this particular cassette which may or may not be part of the session..
If I Die
Home
I Know You Know
Candy Apple Red were a Dublin 4 piece featuring Dave Dorgan (vocals), Gerry Fahy (guitar), Eamonn Elliott (drums) and Damien Byrne (bass). This track reminds the writer of The Stars Of Heaven and so jumped straight to the top of the pile. If anyone has a band photograph please get in touch. The artwork is the inlay for the tape containing this track. If you click on it you should land on our facebook page where you will find many more Fanning tapes. Your mission should you chose to accept it is to peruse same and tell us what bands/tracks should feature next.
Snakeskin (1993?)
If pushed to chose our Desert Island Discs ‘Manic Pop Thrill’ by That Petrol Emotion would be on the list. We are excited to hear that 4/5 of that band are about to release a new record. As an excuse to plug the efforts of The Everlasting Yeah to fund ‘Anima Rising‘ here’s an archive interview with one Mickey Bradley from 1986. Mickey’s very first radio show ‘Mickey’s Monkey‘ featured an interview with the band in the very first episode. This particular interview with Ciaran and Raymond was broadcast on the Radio Ulster show ‘The Bottom Line’.
Mickey Bradley Interview (1986)
This Fanning session was recorded on 9th October 1989. That is the sum total of our knowledge at this time.. the usually reliable irishrock.org has no listing. Update: Thanks to a comment from Paul we have the band lineup – Ray Colman (vocals), Ed Thornton (guitar), Phil Garry (bass) and Johnny Brewer (drums). Thank you KillianM2 for digging out the band photo!
Speak To Me (1989)
Nine Blind Years (1989)
Tripwire (1989)
Secrets (1989)
The Elite recorded this Fanning session on 25th September 1989. According to irishrock.org the frontman is Derek Dempsey. Further details of the band personnel and a picture would be gratefully appreciated.. Now might also be a good time to mention the Irish Metal Archive.
1. Never Surrender (1989)
2. All I Ever Wanted (1989)
3. Bad Attitude (1989)
4. Rock’n’Roll Woman (1989)
Here’s a video recording of the band performing ‘Bad Attitude’.
Today we have 2 tracks from the Ian Wilson produced 1988 Fanning Session by The Skips. The Skips were Amanda Claxton (vocals), Derrick Dalton (guitar), Pete Corrigan (bass) and Darren Nolan (drums). Derrick Dalton sadly passed away in 2008.
What Do You Mean (1989)
You’re In Love (1989)
From Dublin, Giant were Niamh McDonald (vocals), Susan Kavanagh (vocals), Ken Haughton (guitar), Joe McDonnell (bass) and Ronan Buckley (drums). Thanks to Eddie Joyce for the picture, check out irishrock.org for more band details. This Fanning session was recorded in autumn 1989.
Promised Land (1989)
Crocodile Tears (1989)
Big Mouth (1989)
The Devil (1989)
L-R Phil Lynott, Brian Downey and Eric Bell.
Marking 40 years since his departure from Irelands greatest known rock band Thin Lizzy, founding member Eric Bell speaks candidly to Danny Carroll about his life.
This RTE Radio 1 documentary was produced by Danny Carroll and won a Silver Award at the New York Radio Festival recently.
Whiskey In The Jar – The Eric Bell Story
Ahead of their upcoming Whelan’s gig this Monday here’s a demo recording of ‘Another Love Song’ by The Frames. At a guess this dates from 1990.
Another Love Song (Demo)
Sad news, Bobby Womack has left us. Dave Fanning interviewed him a year ago and played this short excerpt on his show today.
Bobby Womack (excerpt 2013 Dave Fanning interview)
Image via IrishRock.org
I’ve been trawling the archive for something vaguely related to Sir Henry’s in Cork, the subject of an upcoming exhibtion at UCC Library hence today’s post. Burning Embers were Sean O’Neill (vocals), John Poland (guitars), Niall Macken (keyboards), Mel Poland (bass), Gordon Ashe (drums). They recorded this session for Dave Fanning on November 17th 1986.
Champagne & Toffee (1986)
Waiting (1986)
The Blood Game (1986)
Continuing our series of BPFO (BP Fallon Orchestra) shows, here’s one from 1987 featuring a certain Iggy Pop.
Tonight The Pavilion, Cork pays tribute to Finbarr Donnelly. Donnelly fronted seminal Cork bands Nun Attax, Five go Down to the Sea? and Beethoven between 1978 and his untimely death in London’s Serpentine in 1989. To commemorate 25 years since his passing on June the 18th Ricky Dineen has put together ..and NUN Came Back, featuring himself, Liam Heffernan, Humphrey Murphy, Tom Healy and Ian Walsh who will play songs from the back catalogue of all 3 bands.
Be sure to check out ‘Get That Monster Off The Stage’ a radio documentary produced by Paul McDermott on Finbarr Donnelly featuring interviews with Cathal Coughlan and Sean O’Hagan amongst many others.
I’m guessing the date at 1985 (Billy says he is 27) so correct me please if I am wrong. Billy talks to BP about money, success, politics, joining the army and Kirsty MacColl who had a hit with Billy’s ‘New England’
Billy Bragg on the BP Fallon Orchestra (1985)
Doctor Millar and The Cute Hoors are Sean Millar (vocals/guitar), Phil Martin (guitar/fiddle), Mark Megannety (bass) and Mark Hugget (drums). They recorded a Fanning session on 23rd April 1990 featuring 4 tracks: ‘Hand Me Down’, ‘Sappho Smile’, ‘Nail Me To A Saviour’ and ‘My Lover Has Got No Soul’. Sean Millar, named one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters by Hot Press, released his sixth album ‘C48‘ to acclaim last year. NEWS UPDATE (7.11.2016): The Cute Hoors have just released their first new material in 25 years, ‘You Are Not My Kind‘ out now.
My Love Has Got No Soul (1990)
Recorded between December 1989 and an unknown date this demo from Fountainhead was played by Dave Fanning on his RTE Radio 2 show presumably sometime in 1990. The band was essentially Pat O’Donnell and Steve Belton although there were a number of live lineups. I suspect this is track is quite rare so enjoy.. Thanks to Owain for digging this out.
Black Cloud (1990)
From Dublin, At Gunpoint were Karl Walsh (vocals), Didi Cassidy (lead guitar), Woppy McGrath (rhythm guitar), Sam Cregan (bass) and Alan Shaughnessy (drums). At Gunpoint recorded a Fanning session in 1987 but this track is from their 1986 demo. Photo courtesy irishrock.org.
All Go Away (1986 Demo)
This 1987 Fanning session by Real Wild West is their second and was recorded on 4th May 1987. Real Wild West were from Dublin and featured Charlie Rafferty (bass & vocals), Paul Murtagh (guitar), Robbie Warren (drums) and Ian Smith (trumpet). Photo via this YouTube video of ‘The Sixties’.
Chappaquiddick Bridge / Hello Joe / Captain Of Your Ship / Burn, Burn, Burn (1987)
From Galway, GUAVA were active from 1997 until 2000. The band featured Dave Garol (vocals, guitar, electronics), Maria Shiel (vocals, guitar, bodhran), Joe Keane (bass), Mark Dempsey (guitar) and Ryan Lacey (drums). They recorded this session for Dave Fanning in 2000.
Funk #1 Instrumental / Modification / Slow Down / See Down Here (2000)
From Dublin, Missing Link were Jimmy Tague (vocals), Gerry Bennett (guitar), Dave Morrissey (keyboards), Charlie Bennett (bass), Donal McPartlin (drums). Thanks to IrishRock for the photo. This Fanning session was recorded on 14th June 1988.
Back Of My Mind / Maybe I Will / Shake It Up / Wrong Impression (1988)
This is the second Fanning session by Cork outfit Belsonic Sound and was recorded on 20th June 1988. The band featured Finny Corcoran (guitar & vocals), Gene Russel (bass), Jim O’Mahony (keyboards) and John McCormack (drums). Thanks to ‘Cork Bands of The 80’s‘ for digging out the photo.
Sex Cells / Alcohol / We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place (1988)
Blue In Heaven hailed from Churchtown in Dublin and featured Shane O’Neill (guitar/vocals), Eamonn Tynan (guitar), Declan Jones (bass) and Dave Clarke (drums). They recorded this session on 15th July 1988.
Red Dress / Hold On / Come Back / Try A Little Love (1988)
Listeners to Sunday’s Dave Couse Show on TodayFM this week got a little more than they bargained for. Dave was hosting a special all Irish ‘An Teach Solas‘ edition to commemorate our national holiday when with 15 minutes to go he announced that his show was to be axed. Dave had apparently known for some time but as he himself says, naively thought a reprieve might come. Alas that was not the case and the Sunday evening 10pm – midnight show which has been running for almost 6 years has but two final installments remaining. Check out the show on the TodayFM player.
Dave Couse Axed (2014)
Dave Couse is doing a Saint Patricks Day special this Sunday night from 10pm featuring two hours of tunes by Irish artists. He has form here so be sure to tune in. The current promo for Dave’s show is a 2014 update of ‘Endless Art by A House..
Endless Art (2014)
The Would Be’s are no strangers round these parts but this track was a welcome surprise. It’s a demo version of ‘Must It Be’ featuring a male vocal and it’s impressive how good it sounds. The Would Be’s are undergoing something of a renaissance reforning and releasing an excellent album ‘Beautiful Mess‘ in 2013. They play The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick On Shannon on March 21st.
Must It Be (1988)
From Walkinstown in Dublin, The Kendalls were Johnny McMahon (vocals), Ben Rawlins (guitar), George Murphy (bass) and Alan Biggs (drums). Thank you Harry and Sarah for filling in the details.
A Place In The Sun (1988)
Yesterday we had a session from Wexford’s Tru’penny Opera and today we have a demo track and bio uncovered as part of that investigation.
Homecoming (1988)
Courtesy of YouTube we also have two RTE TV recordings; ‘Brilliant Field’ was recorded live in Clonard Community Centre for the Bibi Baskin Show on October 24th 1988 and broadcast on October 27th. ‘Solo On The Corner’ was recorded to backing track in Montrose Studios on December 20th 1988 for JoMaxi and broadcast on January 9th 1989.
On 29th June 1988 Dave Fanning broadcast 4 session tracks by Wexford’s Tru’penny Opera. The fourth of these ‘If You Were Right’ featured previously in demo form and now thanks to a kind reader we have three tracks from the session. The band were Michael Egan (guitars, vocals), Paul Merrigan (saxophone), Peter Murphy (drums), Noel Quaid (bass), Maurice McNamara (keyboards) and John Murphy (mandolin, harmonica). On the way home from recording the session the band suffered a car accident which sidelined two members for several months. Thanks to Paul Byrne for digging out the photo and bio, more of which to feature when we post a further demo track ‘Homecoming’.
Road To Mandela (1988)
Last Night I Dreamt (1988)
Souls Are Closer (1988)
From Dublin, one lineup of The Fountainhead according to irishrock.org was Pat O’Donnell (guitar), Steve Belton (guitar), Phil Rennicks (keyboards), Willie Demange (bass/synth) and Peter McKinney (drums). Essentially though the band was a duo around based around Pat O’Donnell and Steve Belton who appear in any publicity photos I’ve seen. This particular track is not listed in the band discography and could be a demo, hopefully a reader can help fill in the blanks.
All Is Red (1983?)
From Skerries in Co. Dublin, The Pink Hurts were Derek Kavanagh (guitar/vocals), Lilian Kavanagh (keyboards), Michael O’Reilly (bass) and Brian Kavanagh (drums). Thanks as always to irishrock.org for the bio and photo.
Newspapers (1986)
From Limerick, A Touch Of Oliver were Diarmuid O Sullivan (vocals & guitar), Hugh Mulqueen (lead guitar & backing vocals), Brian Corr (bass, keyboards & backing vocals) and Willie Banks (drums). Their 1991 Fanning session featured ‘Candy Bottle Green’, ‘Boulder Dust’, ‘Golden Valley Reserve’ and ‘Mind Bomb Trial’.
Candy Bottle Green (1991)
Mind Bomb Trial (1991)
Golden Valley Reserve (1991)
Boulder Dust (1991)
From Carlow, Leo O’Kelly is a member of folk duo Tír na nÓg with Sonny Condell of Scullion. O’Kelly (guitar, vocals, violin) recorded this solo Fanning session on 18th December 1984 featuring three tracks; ‘Cinema’, ‘The Window’s Not High Enough’ and ‘Get Into Focus’. We have two of these tracks for you today. Keep an eye on this site for news of upcoming Leo / Sonny / Tír na nÓg gigs.
Cinema (1984)
The Window’s Not High Enough (1984)
The very first artist to feature on this site was Galway band The Swinging Swine. The lineup that recorded today’s session were (I hope) Joanne Loughman (vocals), Eamonn Dowd (guitar, vocals), Doug Steen (lead guitar), Hugh O’Carroll (fiddle), John Lalor (bass) and Billy Geraghty (drums). The session was recorded on 16th March 1988. Eamonn Dowd plays O’Keefe’s, Clonmel 21st Feb and Tom Steele’s, Ennis 22nd Feb 2014. Joanne Loughman featured on a track on David Long‘s solo album last year.
I Won’t Be Home Tonight (1988)
All You Need Is Love (1988)
This Wicked World / Everything Will Shine (1988)
An early 33rd Hurricane – Finbarr & Denis Doherty, Neil & John McGrory
From Inishowen in Co.Donegal, 33rd Hurricane were Finbarr Doherty (vocals, guitar), Liam Bradley (drums, backing vocals), Delilah Cuddihy (keyboards, backing vocals), John McGrory (guitar), and Neil McGrory (bass). Finbarr Doherty released his third solo album ‘Skyscrapers’ in 2011. Check out previous posts on the band here
Ships & Planes (1990)
Do You Know (1990)
Shotgun Blast (1990)
Buffaloes (1990)
From Dublin, The Pleasure Cell were Noel Green (guitar & vocals), Dermot Reid (bass) and Will Walsh (drums). They recorded a Fanning session on 5th May 1986 featuring 3 tracks; ‘Keeping The Secret’, ‘Nuclear Device’ and ‘Father Dear’. The tape we have lists a different name, ‘Uniformed Man’ for the third track. If anyone has further details please let us know. Check out this 1987 video of ‘She’s Just A Girl’ for RTE’s ‘Visual Eyes‘.
‘Keeping The Secret’ (1986)
‘Nuclear Device’ (1986)
‘Uniformed Man’ (1986)
From Limerick The Groove were a five piece featuring Alan Cheevers (guitar & vocals), Paul Healy (vocals & guitar), Bryan Healy (bass), Charlie Smith (trumpet) and Brendan Wallace (drums). The band won the RTE Borderline band of 1987 competition and as part of their prize released a single ‘Blue Blue Monday’ on EMI Records which reached 19 in the Irish charts. That same year also saw the band performing at one of Ireland’s biggest open air gigs supporting David Bowie at Slane. Sadly Alan Cheevers passed away in 2000. They recorded one Fanning session on 20th May 1986 featuring three tracks; ‘Since You’ve Gone’, ‘Skin Deep and ‘Another Number’ which we have yet to track down. Check out the Limerick Library archive for more rock articles.
Preacher’s Paradise (1988)
This particular recording by The Fat Lady Sings was presumably made live in studio while the band were interviewing with Dave Fanning.
Man Scared (1988)
Recorded from the Dave Fanning show this track may or may not come from the demo pictured above. The Screech Owls were Debbie Schow (vocals, guitar) and Richard G. Evans (guitars). Special guests on the demo at least were Brian Neavyn (bass) and Dave Burke (drums) of The Slowest Clock. Check out Hey Toreador here.
Sniper On The Freeway (1988)
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In the absence of an official RTE Fanning Session archive consider this blog a humble starting point. Any musical submissions would be gratefully accepted as are any corrections or recollections... click on the pic to send an email or even better comment on the post in question. We are interested in anything recorded from irish radio or TV in the 1980s and 90s.
The Fanning Sessions Archive 