You know, the time I’ve met the biography of The Mighty Regis, the first and the only thing I wanted to do that moment was just to go and check their music…. Hm… That’s what I’ve done! And now I’m in love with those Irish misfits! Just check it out:
Young Gavin McLoud had the idea to form a band with some of the best musicians in all of Ireland...it didn't quite work out that way. So instead he asked the help of his friend Ronnie McDonald, a local music teacher and the nicest of people. The fellas then found a drummer when Gavin's schoolyard chum Gabby Byrne was released from prison, having been mistaken for an IRA soldier. Next came the search for the perfect frontman. Gavin looked and looked and finally had no other choice then to ask his half brother Francis "Franky" McNorman. A failed soccer player, Franky doesn't like his brother and doesn't like to sing, but not having any other football teams in Ireland to get kicked off of Franky reluctantly joined. While touring through the Dingle Peninsula after about a year together, they picked up a hitchhiking rabbinical student named Paddy McRib. Convinced that a life dedicated to music and making people happy would be more pleasin' to the Lord, young Paddy traded his yalmulka and tallit set for a used accordion and never looked back. The final pieces were added when Franky heard the voice of an angel during Mass one fateful Sunday, and the lovely Ryan O'Neill was brought on board. Finally, the band's biggest fan, Darby, an orphan boy who couldn't even afford a last name, filled a void at bass, and hopes his real parents will one day come to a gig.
Got those feeling as well? Hope so!) The next moment I was writing the interview request to those guys. And oh magic! Less than in an hour I’ve got the answers from the vocalist Franky McNorman.So, here we go!
Francis: I will answer as best I can on behalf of The Mighty Regis.
Rommi: First of all, please, tell something about the Mighty Regis as a band. How long does the band exist? what does the name mean? And is there any conception of the band?Please, tell also some words about yourself and the other members.
F: We are a bunch of Irish misfits to be sure. We also just love to play music and shows together. Our band has gone through some changes as of late. Of the original 5 members of TMR only 3 remain. We added a new bass player in Darby. He came on to replace Jackie Collins. We have a new drummer in Gabby, who replaced George Glooney and we added the lovely Ms. Ryan O'Neill to class up our outfit a bit. We play Irish Folk/ Punk Rock but are influenced by all types of music. From Hip Hop to Ska to Jazz and blue. Some of our favorite bands are Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Flogging Molly, The Pogues, The Grateful Dead, NOFX, The Dave Matthews Band and A Tribe Called Quest. At the end of the day we are trying to put our own take on Irish punk out there and know we get to where we want to be.
R: As I know you started in Ireland, but then moved to the USA. What was the reason of it? Did states become like a new home for you?
F: We are all now living here in Los Angeles, CA. It been good. It's very different from where we come from but it has been a grand time to be sure. Though we miss our homes now and again. Doesn't everyone? We came to the USA because we wanted to give it ago. I love this country! It gets a run down by folks around the world and that is really fucked up. The people here are great and have alot to be proud of. I miss Ireland but America is truly grand.
R: Is band the only thing you are doing in your lives, or you also do have any jobs?
F: As the band gets more work we cut down on time at other jobs but as of now we all do some other gigs to help pay the bills. Everything from computer work to bartending to teaching. It's not what we want to be doing but it keeps us from going hungry...which is good.
R: What instruments should "Irish folk punk rock" include as a musical genre? I mean, is there any special instruments, without which this style of music is impossible?
F: I think you can play Irish punk with any instruments but you can't beat the old mandolin and fiddle not to mention the accordion to make that great Celtic sound. We are lucky to have Gavin and Paddy. They put so much heart into their mandolin and accordion. We also have Ryan on tin whistle and accoustic guitar, so we have the items to help our sound get that Irish touch.
R: Is mandolin a national Irish instrument? And please, tell some words about Gavin's abilities in playing this instrument.
F: Gavin put this outfit together. He is a brilliant music man. He writes so much music and his mandlin playing leads the charge. He works himself to the bone and sometimes runs on no sleep. Without him we wouldn't be where we are.
R: Which bands can you compare the sound of the Mighty Regis with? And how can you define the style of music you are playing?
F: We have been compared to The Pogues and Floging Molly which is amazing to hear. They are just brilliant bands to be sure. Our live show as been likened to That of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Which is where we take the Mighty in our name. I'm a huge fan, always have been). We love the grand complements but we our trying to be what those bands are and that's unique. We want to be different and put our own take out there. some many Irish bands are trying to be Flogging Molly and there can only be one.
R: What are the main themes for your songs and where do they come from?
F: I write most of the lyrics. I like to write all sorts. Serious heart-felt, stories and sometimes to have a laugh. I think that sets us apart too. Ya can't always be political or sad. There is MORE TO LIFE than that! We love to laugh at ourselves. It beats the bloody hell out of bashing presidents and hating people. Live your life and let others live theirs. We are all people and that's good by me.
Got those feeling as well? Hope so!) The next moment I was writing the interview request to those guys. And oh magic! Less than in an hour I’ve got the answers from the vocalist Franky McNorman.So, here we go!
Francis: I will answer as best I can on behalf of The Mighty Regis.
Rommi: First of all, please, tell something about the Mighty Regis as a band. How long does the band exist? what does the name mean? And is there any conception of the band?Please, tell also some words about yourself and the other members.
F: We are a bunch of Irish misfits to be sure. We also just love to play music and shows together. Our band has gone through some changes as of late. Of the original 5 members of TMR only 3 remain. We added a new bass player in Darby. He came on to replace Jackie Collins. We have a new drummer in Gabby, who replaced George Glooney and we added the lovely Ms. Ryan O'Neill to class up our outfit a bit. We play Irish Folk/ Punk Rock but are influenced by all types of music. From Hip Hop to Ska to Jazz and blue. Some of our favorite bands are Beastie Boys, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, Flogging Molly, The Pogues, The Grateful Dead, NOFX, The Dave Matthews Band and A Tribe Called Quest. At the end of the day we are trying to put our own take on Irish punk out there and know we get to where we want to be.
R: As I know you started in Ireland, but then moved to the USA. What was the reason of it? Did states become like a new home for you?
R: Is band the only thing you are doing in your lives, or you also do have any jobs?
F: As the band gets more work we cut down on time at other jobs but as of now we all do some other gigs to help pay the bills. Everything from computer work to bartending to teaching. It's not what we want to be doing but it keeps us from going hungry...which is good.
R: What instruments should "Irish folk punk rock" include as a musical genre? I mean, is there any special instruments, without which this style of music is impossible?
F: I think you can play Irish punk with any instruments but you can't beat the old mandolin and fiddle not to mention the accordion to make that great Celtic sound. We are lucky to have Gavin and Paddy. They put so much heart into their mandolin and accordion. We also have Ryan on tin whistle and accoustic guitar, so we have the items to help our sound get that Irish touch.
F: Gavin put this outfit together. He is a brilliant music man. He writes so much music and his mandlin playing leads the charge. He works himself to the bone and sometimes runs on no sleep. Without him we wouldn't be where we are.
R: Which bands can you compare the sound of the Mighty Regis with? And how can you define the style of music you are playing?
F: We have been compared to The Pogues and Floging Molly which is amazing to hear. They are just brilliant bands to be sure. Our live show as been likened to That of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Which is where we take the Mighty in our name. I'm a huge fan, always have been). We love the grand complements but we our trying to be what those bands are and that's unique. We want to be different and put our own take out there. some many Irish bands are trying to be Flogging Molly and there can only be one.
R: What are the main themes for your songs and where do they come from?
F: I write most of the lyrics. I like to write all sorts. Serious heart-felt, stories and sometimes to have a laugh. I think that sets us apart too. Ya can't always be political or sad. There is MORE TO LIFE than that! We love to laugh at ourselves. It beats the bloody hell out of bashing presidents and hating people. Live your life and let others live theirs. We are all people and that's good by me.
R: How did you get to Molly Malones? And please, tell about it as a place and as a label also. How often do you have concerts at Molly Malones?
F: We had heard of Flogging Molly when we got to the states and when we moved to LA we went to see the pub they started in. We got a gig there and the next thing ya know we were a rsident band like they were. It a great place and we love playing there every Thursday night. Recently the Booker (JT Tinsley) started up an on-line label and signed us. We are on with some great acts. They released our first record "Co. Sligo".
R: Are you still on Molly Malones Music?
"Another Nickel For Pope"F: We just released our 2nd album called "Another Nickel For The Pope". It's not on Molly Malones Music. We went it alone this time to see how we could do on our own. We are very proud of the record. It's our first with the new line up. Please grab it if you can and let us know what ya think. It has a bit of everything we do.
R: What are your relations with the other Irish bands? Do you have something like support for each other?
F: We are friendly with some other Irish bands. Recently with played with The Filthy Thieving Bastards and Spider Stacy of The Pogues. That was amazing! It's great to talk with and listen to some of those that influence us. We are also lucky to be friendly with bands that don't play Irish music because they inform our sound too. There are so many great punk bands in L.A.
R: What are your plans for future? Do you have any ambitions to become a world well known band, like, Flogging Molly, for example?
F: Again, we don't want to be Flogging Molly. They are the only ones that should do that. So many Irish Punk bands try to get to the next level by looking to imitate Flogging Molly. It's fucking bollocks! we want to raise to the type of success they have to be sure but we'd rather be influenced by them them be them. They are so great and to try to do what they do so well would be a waste of time. we'd rather just be TMR and see where the chips fall.
R: Think, thats all. Thank you for the interview. Good luck to TMR! I believe in you!
F: Thanks for the interview. I hope I was able to give ya some answers about TMR. We are giving it all we got to become the biggest band we can be. I think that's the secret to getting there. Worry about yourself, say what you feel and enjoy the ride. We hope to be in the Ukraine to play for you sometime soon. Thanks so much again.
CHEERS, SLAINTE' and GOD BLESS!
The Lads and Lady of
F: We had heard of Flogging Molly when we got to the states and when we moved to LA we went to see the pub they started in. We got a gig there and the next thing ya know we were a rsident band like they were. It a great place and we love playing there every Thursday night. Recently the Booker (JT Tinsley) started up an on-line label and signed us. We are on with some great acts. They released our first record "Co. Sligo".
R: Are you still on Molly Malones Music?
"Another Nickel For Pope"
R: What are your relations with the other Irish bands? Do you have something like support for each other?
F: We are friendly with some other Irish bands. Recently with played with The Filthy Thieving Bastards and Spider Stacy of The Pogues. That was amazing! It's great to talk with and listen to some of those that influence us. We are also lucky to be friendly with bands that don't play Irish music because they inform our sound too. There are so many great punk bands in L.A.
R: What are your plans for future? Do you have any ambitions to become a world well known band, like, Flogging Molly, for example?
F: Again, we don't want to be Flogging Molly. They are the only ones that should do that. So many Irish Punk bands try to get to the next level by looking to imitate Flogging Molly. It's fucking bollocks! we want to raise to the type of success they have to be sure but we'd rather be influenced by them them be them. They are so great and to try to do what they do so well would be a waste of time. we'd rather just be TMR and see where the chips fall.
R: Think, thats all. Thank you for the interview. Good luck to TMR! I believe in you!
F: Thanks for the interview. I hope I was able to give ya some answers about TMR. We are giving it all we got to become the biggest band we can be. I think that's the secret to getting there. Worry about yourself, say what you feel and enjoy the ride. We hope to be in the Ukraine to play for you sometime soon. Thanks so much again.
CHEERS, SLAINTE' and GOD BLESS!
The Lads and Lady of
THE MIGHTY REGIS
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