ONE of Uttoxeter’s most popular and revered bands is set to take to the stage in a town pub at the weekend.
Shamus O’Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen will be performing at the Old Star, in Queen Street, from 9pm on Saturday, March 30.
The band has developed a reputation across the country for playing rock-influenced Celtic music in a hard-edged, fast and cheeky style.
The highly accomplished musicians have been playing together for more than 10 years.
They are known for delivering a high-energy set encompassing super-fast jigs and reels, enigmatic Celtic melodies, powerful folk-rooted songs and a heap of rock and roll attitude.
The six-piece band has recently announced a new line-up featuring Mell Gardner on bass guitar, penny whistle and acoustic and electric guitars, Dave (Wolfie) Moon on mandolin, acoustic and electric guitars and vocals and the return of old friend and previous Shamus axe man Mark Fox on electric and acoustic guitars and bass.
These new additions will play alongside Steve the Fiddle on violin and bass guitar, Poundin’ Paul Rhodes on drums and Mental Mick on piano accordion.
Shamus O’Blivion describes themselves on their website as: “A crowd favourite wherever they play, young, old, or anything in between, these boys have something for everyone.
“The older generation may not know much about the latest underground dance craze, but they sure know a foot tapping jig when they hear one.
“Youngsters who may have never before encountered Celtic music, can’t fail to be amused by the sight of some nutter bounding about the stage head-butting a tambourine, wearing Lycra tights and a multicoloured tasselled jumper that looks like an explosion in a chicken factory or be intoxicated by the infectious nature of Celtic heart-throbbing rhythms.”
The Gig Central wrote of the band: “Imagine a band playing a blend of traditional folk songs and covers of amongst other things Smoke on the Water and the theme tune to Captain Pugwash, a band where the accordion player wears green tights and dances around the stage like a baboon on speed, whilst banging a tambourine on his head. Then pulls people out of their seats and makes them dance.
“All this whilst the audience hit the floor with sticks covered in bells and ribbons. Well you don’t have to imagine any more because believe it or not they actually exist.”
More information on Shamus O’Blivion is available at http://shamusoblivion.co.uk
Admission to the Old Star gig is free and more information is available from the pub on 01889 562025.
