Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Strip District
"The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway.
They have achieved nineteen top-thirty singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990 and held the record for the country's all-time biggest-selling single. Renowned for their barnstorming live performances, the band has a loyal following, especially in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On 15 February 2008, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. After a 17 year breaks between number 1's The band returned to the top of the Charts in October 2008 with a cover of the Sugababes "About You Now" proving that after more than 20 years they are still one of Ireland's most popular rock acts."
They have achieved nineteen top-thirty singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990 and held the record for the country's all-time biggest-selling single. Renowned for their barnstorming live performances, the band has a loyal following, especially in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. On 15 February 2008, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. After a 17 year breaks between number 1's The band returned to the top of the Charts in October 2008 with a cover of the Sugababes "About You Now" proving that after more than 20 years they are still one of Ireland's most popular rock acts."
You can find the band at the official Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Last.fm, MySpace and SoundCloud. They return to the Altar Bar tomorrow night with support from The Honeyriders. My thanks to Leo Moran (Guitar/Vocals) for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.
The first album you ever bought?
I'm not sure, it may have been 'Abba's Greatest Hits' or a compilation called “Disco Rocket” with some amazing songs like David Dundas' 'Blue Jeans' and Pussycat's 'Mississippi' - there were albums in our house when we were children that my uncle Martin send us back from the States - he'd emigrated to New York in the 50's. I loved the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem albums as well as “Songs for Little Cowboys”.
I'm not sure, it may have been 'Abba's Greatest Hits' or a compilation called “Disco Rocket” with some amazing songs like David Dundas' 'Blue Jeans' and Pussycat's 'Mississippi' - there were albums in our house when we were children that my uncle Martin send us back from the States - he'd emigrated to New York in the 50's. I loved the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem albums as well as “Songs for Little Cowboys”.
Your last album bought?
I downloaded an album by a duo called The Lie-Ins lately, they're a punky, poppy outfit whom I saw playing around Christmas in my local pub at a young band bash; very good.
I downloaded an album by a duo called The Lie-Ins lately, they're a punky, poppy outfit whom I saw playing around Christmas in my local pub at a young band bash; very good.
Favorite album of all time?
I'ts one of the Springsteen ones - I love how he makes his albums so consistent in mood and atmosphere; it's a tie between “Darkness On The Edge of Town”, “Nebraska” and “Tunnel of Love”.
I'ts one of the Springsteen ones - I love how he makes his albums so consistent in mood and atmosphere; it's a tie between “Darkness On The Edge of Town”, “Nebraska” and “Tunnel of Love”.
Least favorite/most disappointing
album?
Hard to say, it might be one of The Saw Doctors' ones!!!
Hard to say, it might be one of The Saw Doctors' ones!!!
First concert attended?
The first proper rock gig I attended, my friends' father, Jimmy McHugh, God rest him, brought his three sons and myself to see The Boomtown Rats in Leisureland in Salthill, Galway, on New Year's Eve 1977. It was extremely exciting and we arrived very early and met Pete Briquette the Rats bass player out the back before the show, and saw Bob Geldof hanging out with the very beautiful Paula Yates.
The first proper rock gig I attended, my friends' father, Jimmy McHugh, God rest him, brought his three sons and myself to see The Boomtown Rats in Leisureland in Salthill, Galway, on New Year's Eve 1977. It was extremely exciting and we arrived very early and met Pete Briquette the Rats bass player out the back before the show, and saw Bob Geldof hanging out with the very beautiful Paula Yates.
Last concert?
I popped into Galway City the other night to catch The Lie-In's; they really deserve a bigger audience.
I popped into Galway City the other night to catch The Lie-In's; they really deserve a bigger audience.
Favorite concert ever?
The Waterboys played the old Seapoint Ballroom in 1986; they were a band just reaching an exceptional peak of creativity and energy at the time - I was working, doing security on the sound desk. The band were so good that the audience refused to leave after two substantial encores and they had to come back out and play 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' - it seemed like it was the only other tune they all knew together. Magic.
The Waterboys played the old Seapoint Ballroom in 1986; they were a band just reaching an exceptional peak of creativity and energy at the time - I was working, doing security on the sound desk. The band were so good that the audience refused to leave after two substantial encores and they had to come back out and play 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' - it seemed like it was the only other tune they all knew together. Magic.
Least favorite concert?
I love Bruce Springsteen but I went to
his outdoor show in Dublin in the RDS arena last Summer and, I won't say it was
my least favourite concert but it was very disappointing. The band played
brilliantly, he performed with all his class and energy and if you'd seen the
show in a two thousand capacity theatre it would've been a special night in
your life, but being so far away on a football field attempting to watch
screens just isn't good enough for me.
Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I
love Pittsburgh, we had a lovely day off and visit last year and we're lucky to
have the day off again this year. The neighbourhood where the venue lies is
very interesting and vibrant; we won't be bored there. I had the most beautiful
clams I ever had up the road from the gig and I'll be hoping they have the same
in stock this time around.
The first time we played Pittsburgh was in 1991 and 1992 - our driver Paddy O'Neill (RIP) parked the U-Haul truck out the back at the loading bay and went into the venue. A while later he went out to move it out of the way and presumed things were the same as when he entered the building - they weren't. The owner of the venue had parked his brand new Jaguar right behind the truck and Paddy reversed the truck back up on top of this beautiful new vehicle. Fair play to the owner - he took it well - the insurance paid for it, and thankfully, the gig went ahead!
The first time we played Pittsburgh was in 1991 and 1992 - our driver Paddy O'Neill (RIP) parked the U-Haul truck out the back at the loading bay and went into the venue. A while later he went out to move it out of the way and presumed things were the same as when he entered the building - they weren't. The owner of the venue had parked his brand new Jaguar right behind the truck and Paddy reversed the truck back up on top of this beautiful new vehicle. Fair play to the owner - he took it well - the insurance paid for it, and thankfully, the gig went ahead!
Thanks a lot, Leo. Have fun in the Strip!
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