Music From Tuam Town Documentary - Part 1/3

[bohsgerry]

great 3 part programme.blaze x were great punk rock.does anyone have any info or details of a demo tape bt tuam punk/skin band called black revolver,who were app great rivals of blaze x.their name appears on the cover art of blaze x's re released 7".any info on what the lads are now doing,or the tape would be appreciated.

[123ubuntu666]

Great Documentary. Some great songwriters and performers. A lot of very talented but humble and beautiful people. Thanks a lot for this. Makes me wish I was around there with y'all. Maybe in the future, I'll make my way over there.......

[frankmck45]

The recent concert portraying the greats of the music scene should have made reference to one of the best music events ever in Tuam. Joe Stephens from Church View wrote a musical based on the Ancient Mariner that was way ahead of its time. I would love to know if there are any records of it photographic or on tape. If indeed this is Joe Stephens site hello from a fellow sham.

[tommy8859]

@frankmck45 Joe Strokes & John Lakes guitar. Padraig Mitchell lead singer. Joe Long pre-recording & lighting. ? Cunningham (vicar st) & Franny Quinn (athenry rd) choreography . Tomas Hardiman (church view) voilin. ? Long (vicar st) piano Older Long sister & John Grealish (church view) also played instruments Frank Kilkelly & Tommy Shaughnessy (both st endas ave) chorus Martin Keating (athenry rd) Tomas Lane (ballygaddy rd) Francis McKenna (st endas ave) Geraldine Melia (the mall) AN Others

[frankmck45]

@tommy8859

Well sham thought it was you. Does not appear that there are any recordings or photos which is a pity. Sad to think that at least two of these listed by you are deceased. I think Jimmy Cahill was in it as were Noel Grehan and Steve Lane (narrator?) Was it Agnes or Ger Cunningham?

[tommy8859]

@frankmck45 Thought was you too. The leeds reference on your page was the giveaway. Rasher taped the gig for me but it no longer works. I might have a souveneir programme somewhere. Reckon lots more people were involved but can't recall. Jimmy Ryan? Declan McIntyre? Kenny Ralph? Sean O'Dea? ? Canney (the square)? Think it was Ger Cunningham. Fantastic party in Pudge's mother's house after the final performance. It was a privilige to be part of the performance. Tomas Lane & Franny Quinn RIP.

[frankmck45]

@tommy8859

Tomás Lane? I meant Ger Melia and Franny.

[tommy8859]

@frankmck45

I didn't know about Ger Melia.

As far as i'm aware, Tomas is also departed.

[smokinseosamh]

Kenny Ralph is also a songwriter as well as record producer.

[smokinseosamh]

The real legend of our time though was the one and only 'Johnny Conboy'. Never saw him live but he was definitely the stuff of legend.

[smokinseosamh]

Incidentally, Pat Cassidy, the uncle of the guy who made this video played bass with a great band with Ray Brennan and Mike Shaughnessy. They used to play in the Hangar support for The Wild Breed and Philosophers. Dermot Brennan was also a songwriter. There was also a rock band from Castlebar, cant remember their name.

[smokinseosamh]

First song I ever heard that was written by someone from Tuam was 'the Suileen'. John Burke 'Turps' of the Sawdoctor's (another great congwriter) Dad used to sing it and we had a laugh cause if anyone knows the Suileen 'river' they will know why! However, if someone could write about the Suileen we could write songs too!!

[smokinseosamh]

In the early seventies in Tuam, Tommy Cosgrove and John Lambe were the biggest influences on us! Tommy had LP's from people that would only become famous way later. Springsteen and Nick Drake for instance. He was a fantastic gtr player. A girl I really liked thought he was brilliant so that was one of the main reasons I started playing, to try to compete! No one could compete with him though, he was 'way' ahead of any of us, Kevin Dwyer, Lakes RG Brown or others that were learning at the time.

[smokinseosamh]

Another influence on us were 2 guys from Mountbellew, John Daly and Patsy Cunningham. We met them in the square in Tuam at a fleadh and both of them had long hair and they were way cool to us. John Daly played the lick for 'Whats going on' by Gallagher' for us and we were blown away.

[smokinseosamh]

Johnny Flattery 'Lakes'from outside Tuam was a real rocker and played anywhere he could get a chance. When he got thrown out of the Square Inn he continued playing in the square or the Palace. John McHugh from Bishop St and Michael Cleary of RTE were both serious record collectors and had class records before anyone else. Rod Steward, Pentangle etc

[smokinseosamh]

The 70's in Tuam was magic for music; I hope the 2000's are as good for the kids today. Kenny Ralph was also a big help to us as he also had reallly good music, The Who and Blind Faith Sweeneys men etc; makes my mouth water now to think of the exciting bands that were around

[uptightkid]

Thanks for making this....fair dues.

[uptightkid]

Is 6:00 - 6:30s the 'West Awake' concert? Looks fantastic and brings back some great memories.

[lostonceagain]

No i took it from the live in Galway DVD. Couldn't get my hands on the West Awake DVD.

[seaninholland]

this is a tome video mush.