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Instrument: Guitar Sort of guitar, sort of whistle, sort of piano, sort of banjo. Jack of all instruments ~ master of none. Funnily enough, the only music lesson I ever had was for the Bagpipes! Which I definitely cannot play. Musical Experience: From the fireside of the family home in Dublin, to ad infinitum, I think I’ve been there. I have been singing and listening to stories since the year dot. Pubs, firesides, and folk clubs around the world have been my classroom. In recent years, I have teamed up with Bob and Eoin and in truth; I believe that with the help of these guys I am playing my best music yet. Influences: My father, God rest his soul, and my mother, were the inspiration behind it all. As for particular artists or groups, the late Luke Kelly and the Dubliners probably head this list, but the list would be unending. Some of the characters I have met have had a huge influence on me over the years; both family and friends would bring tears of sorrow and joy to a glass eye. Who could not be influenced by such genius?
Instrument: Bass Musical Experience: I picked up the bass two years ago, but have been playing guitar for eight years. I enjoy playing music of all kinds; I'm very eclectic when it comes to what and how I play. I think that maybe in part it's because I spent half my life born, raised and soaked in Irish music and the other half playing in American punk rock bands.
Influences: I don't think there is enough room to name all of the musicians and artists who inspire me. Everyone from Shane McGowin and The Pouges to Nirvana, the Allman Brothers and Lennon to Sublime and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I especially like groups that are widely unheard of in America, groups such as Gomez, The Streets, or Aslan. There is so much great music out there that it is almost impossible to name it all. Side Projects: I've played with all kinds of Irish musicians from session to session in bars from Ireland to the States. In addition, I’m playing with a three piece band called "The Bumpin' Uglies Band". We have just finished a full-length album which we plan to release soon, so keep an eye out for it! Meanwhile you will find clips from a few of our songs on our website: click here to check them out!
Instrument: Lead Guitar Musical Experience: I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old, and formed a number of bands throughout my school years. None of them were ever very well known outside of the area, but it was great fun and it kept me out of too much trouble. I started teaching guitar at the local music store and the area college when I was about 16. I continued teaching and playing until I realized that I needed to support myself and music wasn't paying the bills. I got a real job and stopped performing for a long time - until I met Finbar. We seemed to strike it off right away. He liked my playing and I liked the freedom to express myself without anyone telling me what to play... no pressure. I've been playing with Finbar for about 6 years. Eoin joined us about 4 years ago, and together I think we make a pretty good combination. I hope you'll come to see us if we're playing in your neighborhood. I guarantee a good time. My guitars: 1998 Gibson Chet Atkins SST. This is the guitar I use mainly on stage. It's become one of my favorites because it can sound acoustic or electric and doesn't feed back.
1974 Martin D41 1966 Fender Telecaster 1989 Gibson Chet Atkins CE 1970 Aquarius 12 String 40th Anniversary Fender Stratocaster Yamaha Classical Degama Classical Fender Precision bass Influences: It's easier to pick the musical styles that didn't influence me. There are only a few styles of playing I wasn’t interested in. My biggest influences were probably the early 60's rock artists, primarily the "British Invasion" artists such as Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, The Beatles, The Stones, The Animals and The Who. During my hiatus from performing I became interested in the solo guitarists like Leo Kottke and John Fahey and worked on imitating their style of playing all of the parts of a song (bass, rhythm and lead) together. Side Projects: In addition to playing with Finbar I've just completed a CD with some friends of mine. The group is called Kelley-Norman-Nestler, and the CD is titled "Tales it is". It's a studio project where we brought in a number of our friends to join us in performing our original songs. We've used quite a number of singers, guitar players, bass players, drummers, horn players, and more over the course of the last year. The CD can be found on the recording studio’s website which I maintain in an effort to promote local and unsigned artists. Click here to go to the site! |
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Eoin MacCarthy
Bob Norman 