ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
Music Society Party Features Who's Who of Phoenix Irish Music
By George L. O'Brien - Arizona Correspondent
The 3rd Anniversary Party of the Arizona Irish Music Society (AIMS), www.azirishmusic.com, will be held on Sunday, May 12th starting at 2:00 PM at O'Connor's Pub (Dunlap at I-17). It will feature a veritable "who's who" of the local Irish scene. So while there are many fine bands that will not make it, the AIMS Party has an outstanding lineup of performers.
2:00 PM Carroll MacGreggor
2:55 PM Afan
3:50 PM Hooligans
4:45 PM Blackwood
5:40 PM The Clare Voyants
6:35 PM Seanachie
7:30 PM Pat McCrossan
8:25 PM Bringers
9:30 PM On the Dole
CARROLL MACGREGGOR: Opening will be Celtic Rock band Carroll MacGreggor. Carroll MacGreggor has toured all over the world and have performed at major festivals including the Milwaukee Irish Festival and the Teluride Bluegrass Festival. Their second CD, "Gloom, Doom, and Whisky" was produced in England and includes support by members of Fairport Convention. Lead singer, Brian O'Carroll plays the guitar and wrote all the material on their second CD. Greg Kozak plays fiddle and mandolin. Gary Diekmann plays bass guitar and backup vocals. Their latest addition is Jim Brown on drums.
AFAN: Afan, is Arizona's only true "pan-Celtic" band. They do Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and even Breton pieces. Afan (named after a river in Wales) started out as mostly a Welsh band, but they soon became popular with the Irish. They now do regular Sunday afternoon performances at Rula Bula (401 S. Mill in Tempe). The band is led by Welsh born John Good, who plays the whistle as well as doing vocals while playing the guitar. John has an extensive background in music including once being a professional studio musician in LA. He is widely considered to be the premier whistle player in the area and is an outstanding vocalist. Kevin King plays the bodhran and plays the guitar as a second vocalist where he specializes in Irish pub songs. John Piggott on the harp helps give the band their unique sound as does Caven Clark on pipes (uilleann as well as highland pipes) and whistle. Eileen Connell is their dancer. Hooligans, is a new name for a band formerly known as One Eyed Fiona. The new name not only reflects some personnel changes, it also symbolizes an "edgier" style. Their lead singer and bodhran player, Brian Abernathy brings great energy and a fine voice. Their fiddle player, Jerica Leathers is one of the best Irish fiddlers in the area as reflected by the fact that she is frequently asked to sit in with others bands such as Blackwood and Rose Blood. Rob Roski plays guitar. The Hooligans have not lost their traditional roots, but their name reflects their edgier style of vocals.
BLACKWOOD: The name Blackwood comes from the trademark flute of lead singer and flute player, Sven Henrich. It sounds improbable that a German named Sven would be great doing traditional Irish music, but his flute playing is beyond description. Sven is also fine vocalist and accompanies himself on the guitar and banjo. Dennis Putscher always accompanies Sven with the guitar. Usually, their performances also include Jerica Leathers (Hooligans) on fiddle and Kevin King (Afan). They are all included on the Blackwood CD "From the Sessions". Sven's vocals includes a mix of Irish and Scottish songs. The CD features several tunes with flute and fiddle instrumental combinations by Sven and Jerica.
THE CLARE VOYANTS: Blessed with three first rate vocalists. The Clare Voyants, are one of Arizona's most popular Irish bands. The Clare Voyants are known for a their high energy blend of traditional, contemporary, and original materials. Lead singer/song writer, Shay Veno is one of the finest vocalists in the area and wrote five of the songs on their CD, "Pass It On." Paul Knight on second vocals and bodhran is also the lead singer in Allanah. Billy Brett on vocals and mandolin, who also plays with the eclectic Celtic group Rose Blood. Billy is a long time musician who has played with notables such as Bob Dylan. Sitting in on fiddle will be Brandy Driscoll from On the Dole.
SEANACHIE: Seanachie is famous for their "Clancy Brothers" style of folk/pub songs. Vocals are performed primarily by lead singer Steve Colby. Steve is an outstanding singer and instrumentalist who plays the guitar, banjo, and bouzouki. Dennis McMorrow on accordion also does vocals. Kenny Mulqueen on fiddle has been a fixture in local Irish music scene. Their CD, "Tell Me A Story" has been popular since its release in September. Seanachie has developed a very strong following with their great music and wry humor.
PAT MC CROSSAN: Derry born Pat Mc Crossan has been professional musician and entertainer since the '60's. Pat can probably play anything and has with a resume that includes everything from rock to country, classical to ceili, and even played in a German "ompah" band. Pat is a consummate showman with his jokes almost a good as his music.
THE BRINGERS: The Bringers, have made a name for themselves on Renaissance Faire circuit with a wildly entertaining combination of music and patter. The star of the group is their fiddler, Michi Regier. Michi began playing professionally at the age of 9 and never fails to wow the audience. Their front man is Vash (just Vash) on the bodhran and vocals. Their selection of songs is unusual as reflected on their CD "It's About Time." Vash brings a steady stream of patter and jokes that is always get the crowd going. Byron Miller specializes on the Australian dijeridoo - a really long tubular instrument that has the effect of bagpipe drones (sort of). The Bringers will be leaving Arizona in a few weeks to go on tour and won't be back until December.
ON THE DOLE: On the Dole, has gone through a number of personnel changes over the past year, but the addition of fiddler Brandy Driscoll has done a lot to establish them as a up and coming band. On the Dole was started by lead singer Gerry Muisener on guitar and banjo and supported by Leonard Rheaume on bodhran and concertina. Gerry does a mix of pub standards plus other materials. Brandy is new to Irish music, getting involved less than a year ago after doing mostly classical and blue grass. Everyone has been impressed at how well she plays and is already making a name for herself as a rising star. The Anniversary Party will raise money for the Arizona Irish Music Society.
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