Neck (band)
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (August 2010) |
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Celtic punk, Folk punk, Street punk |
| Years active | 1994 to present |
| Labels | Golf |
| Associated acts | Shane MacGowan and the Popes, Alabama 3, Hayseed Dixie |
| Website | www.neck.ie |
| Members | |
| Leeson O'Keeffe, Sara-Lou Bowrey, Brendan Hartley, James Gavin, Liam Maher, Kieran Power | |
| Past members | |
| Sean Gannon & Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers), Jason Cook (Blaggers ITA), Kieran "Mo" O' Hagan (Shane MacGowan and The Popes) | |
Neck is a six-piece London-Irish Celtic punk band from the North London neighbourhood of 'County Holloway' (known informally thus due to its Irish population). 'Born in a bottle' during late-night drinking sessions in 1994 by Leeson O'Keeffe, a former member of Shane MacGowan and the Popes, and a mixture of Irish emigrant & second-generation Irish drinking buddies, the band blends traditional Irish music with punk rock. Neck take their lead, both musically and ideologically, from two other great London rebel bands: The Clash and The Pogues and distilled that to come-up with their own unique London-Irish brew: 'Psycho-Ceilídh'.
Initially playing exclusively on the London Irish bar circuit "for the free booze and to meet biddies", and with a name serendipitously gleaned from the exasperated landlord at their first gig, who on discovery of their cavalier attitude towards required band possessions (forget amps or drums - they didn't even have a name ), cursed them with the old Irish saying "Ye've a neck like a jockey's bollocks, ye feckers!", they have branched-out considerably, both aspirationally and geographically, since then.
That initial essence of typical Irish elan has served Neck well, seeing them tour extensively throughout the United States, Europe, UK and Ireland; their raucous, high energy live act cementing their reputation as a great festival band. Amongst their many highlights include: Tantsy festival in Moscow Hermitage Garden; Dublin Irish Festival, OH - the second largest Irish festival in the USA; Paas Pop in The Netherlands; The West Belfast Féile an Phobail; Berlin's Punk & Disorderly festival four times; the UK's largest festival, Glastonbury festival, six times; and the UK's Wasted/Rebellion Punk festival eight times.
Their defiant, uplifting music reflects the life experience of the emigrant and second-generation Irish diaspora, with O'Keeffe's inherited, passionate voice and authentic song-and-tune-writing being considered both faithful to the form, and in direct lineage from his former 'guvnor' and mentor, Shane MacGowan. Combined with the musicianship supporting these 'family heirlooms', Neck have released four albums to date, with their third, 'Sod 'em & begorrah!' being voted 3rd greatest Celtic Punk album ever, behind only The Pogues and Flogging Molly[1]. Their natural London inclusiveness and Punk sensibilities came well to the fore also, on their Joe Strummer (of The Clash)-inspired anti-racism anthem "Everybody's Welcome to The Hooley!," which charted in the UK Singles Chart and UK Indie Chart in 2006.
Their music can also be heard on The Emerald Diamond, a documentary film about the Irish National Baseball Team; they contributed two songs, the traditional "Star of the County Down" and the original "Every Day's Saint Patrick's Day." They also appeared performing the traditional "Carrickfergus" and the original "The Ferry Fare" in the 1999, Belfast-set, Film 4 Movie With or Without You , directed by Michael Winterbottom (24 Hour Party People).
With half their members drawn from the renowned London Irish traditional music session circuit, their various members and ex-members have been guests live and on other band's recordings: the most well known being O'Keeffe guesting, on banjo, with the Alabama 3, as well as co-writing an original song "That's It, I Quit" on the Hayseed Dixie album No Covers.
This all leads to them being recognised as one of the leading bands on the international Celtic punk, Folk Punk and Street Punk scenes[citation needed], alongside their US contemporaries Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, and such is their influence that not only is the Boston, Massachusetts-based website covering the Celtic Punk scene, Shite 'n' Onions, named after one of their tunes, but bands as far flung as in Germany and the USA now cover their songs, while O'Keeffe even gets name-checked in songs by other bands.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- 2001: Necked (A Few Odds From the Oul' Sods)
- 2004: Here's Mud in Yer Eye!
- 2005: Sod `Em & Begorrah!
- 2009: Come Out Fighting! (UK)
- 2010: Come Out Fighting! (USA & Canada; Europe)
[edit] Singles and EPs
- 1999: The Psycho-Ceilídh EP
- 2002: The Fields of Athenry
- 2006: Everybody's Welcome to the Hooley! – proceeds go to Love Music Hate Racism
[edit] Band members
- Leeson O'Keefe – lead vocals, guitar, 5-string banjo
- Sara-Lou Bowrey – tin whistle, backing vocals, guitar, mandolin
- Brendan Hartley – bass guitar
- James Gavin - fiddle
- Liam Maher – tenor banjo, backing vocals
- Kieran Power - drums
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] Reviews in Celtic punk media
- Shite 'n' Onions review
- Greenman review of Here's Mud in Your Eye!
- Featured band on Shite-n-Onions
- Roaring Jack review
- Irish Bands Live UK
- Punknews
- Anti-Racism single review
- Fungal Punk review
- Distorted Magazine
- Organ review
- Shite 'n' Onions Top 10 Greatest Celtic Punk albums ever
- Shite 'n' Onions Top 10 albums of 2009
- Tasty Fanzine review
- Young Poor And Angry
- Street Voice review]Neck
