If I’d tried to write this last night it may have been something totally different .
The journey begins in Croke Park in 1985 when U2 were touring The Unforgettable Fire, for me, still the best work they’ve ever done , and R.E.M were on the support bill at the time they were touring with the Reckoning album. They melted my head in the most beautiful way that afternoon. Walked home that night and into town the next morning to buy Reckoning on cassette . There was no looking back after that .
Recently , if I’m honest , I’ve fallen out of love with Music, which has really punched me in the heart . 2 Ten Speed Racer albums and an EP in between them , 3 Hedge Schools albums , 3 Arrivalists records and that’s not including 8 years working as a music buyer for HMV . Is it any wonder ?
I’d asked Ann O’Connor to my debs . She was on the school basketball team and a week before the boogie night, she broke her leg . Some might argue it was the luckiest break she ever had, anyway, 16 year old me had money saved and I wasn’t letting it go to waste. Some schoolmates had started a band and were looking for a Bass player, I’d never even picked up a Bass let alone played one. Two parents who rarely said no allowed the folly and the game was on . Goodwins on Capel Street (now closed) supplied the red and white Squire Fender copy that I learned on . Tommy Matthews a dear friend of Dad’s, both now gone, used to play in the “Showbands” and he drove me to a shed/warehouse somewhere near Finglas and I purchased a H&H Bass amp . It was a beast .
Sean O’Connell on vocals , Fiachra O’Brien on guitars, Conor McCabe on Drums and me on the red and white Bass and The Wrycatchers were born . Brother Brendan (Bunty), the school principal gave us the keys of the school hall each Sunday and we’d push the amps through Kilbarrack in shopping trollies and in between cups of tea and biscuits we’d rehearse , U2 , Joy Division , SLF , Undertones, REM songs till all the biscuits were gone. I was obsessed with Andy Rourke’s Bass playing, with Mike Mills playing, Peter Hook’s playing. Melody, groove and cool all in equal measure. Ann O’Connor’s loss was someone elses gain as I saw it .
We recorded some demo’s together with the great Paul Thomas , built an “egg carton sound proofed” rehearsal room in our back garden shed, thanks Da, played The Underground , The Earl Grattan, The Baggot Inn , The Fox & Pheasant, The Attic and like most bands those days were obsessed with getting signed. Sean left, moved to France and we continued with a newly recruited Vocalist , the great Eileen Gogan, played some more gigs. Then Eileen joined The Would Be’s and , then, we ran out of biscuits .
In 1989 REM came back on the GREEN WORLD TOUR , the first album on the Warner Brothers label after the I.R.S indie years and once again I saw the maestro Mike Mills at work . A machine. Himself and the criminally underated Bill Berry were a force. An unmoveable force . The Go Betweens played support and I was besotted with Robert Forsters white and black polkadot shirt and thier delicious jangle . I don’t think I ever recovered. Let the music play on .
Some of my dearest friends are music friends . Late night pints and phonographic conversations were the norm. The HMV years for me started in 2004 in Grafton St, where after 20 minute conversation about Sparklehorse, which I had assumed was an interview , my dear friend Paul Lawlor offered me job . Himself and the beautiful Phil Redmond increased my eyes and ears and the employee discount increased my record collection. Michael “superb” Curran, Kev Cotter , Angie Sheehan, Aidan “the bullet” O’Connor, the Golding crew , Munroe , Jenn Connolly , Ruthie Medj, George, Arina B , all soldiers of songs . Collectively if we could write a book . I would at least buy it .
The brothers racer and the music we made . In a different age we might have been dangerous. I am always rose tinted with these years , the snack box years, and in the midst of the madness some wonderous jangles and laughter and tears. They stood at the end of my hospital bed with Sparklehorse records and discman’s. I missed many a note down the years, first to admit it, but for me it will always return to the softness of family and friendships . Of that there is no doubt .
Ten Speed Racer - Stitched Up & Blue
When Jody Stephens sang Thirteen last night in The Button Factory the layers of the years of music in my body wrapped around me . For so many of my people that Big Star No1 record was a light bulb going off . They were all there last night. Those who are lost to this world , those still in it but in different parts of it. I felt you all. The voice of Alex Chilton , the songs of both him and Chris Bell . A fleeting moment of recorded genius, recreated with such love and passion and fun. It was a joy.
Thank you Leagues O’Toole for bringing the Big Star Quintet to Dublin , thank you Tiernan Henry for your random “ I have a free ticket would you use it “ instagram message . It shan’t be forgotten .
For, Elliot Smith, Ron Sexsmith, Talk Talk, Sparklehorse, Wilco, Damien Jurado, Spiritualized, The Beatles and The Stones, Van and Emmylou, Yo La Tengo , Stevie , Aretha, Prince, Duke Ellington, Planxty, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell, so on and so on and for the people I’ve shared roladex rock and roll recollections with down through the years, perhaps like Ann O’Connor’s leg the heart will mend and the music will return .
I saw the innocence mission again a week ago in NYC. I had a sentence or 2 before the show with Don Peris and offered him the honor of trying Dublin on for size. He had fans there to back it up. He smiled. They are playing Chicago in a few months. Steps further away from home...so there's a chance if you're an optimist.
REM - there has not been a more generous band in my lifetime. They are such decent people.
Be well, Pat, and eat the rich.
Great read Pat. I'd also buy that book. I'd actually love to read a book of recollections from our generation of giggers. I'd contribute.