Meet The Kilkennys

Meet The Kilkennys Article taken from The Kilkenny Reporter – April 7, 2010 Out of all the local musicians and groups in Kilkenny, one band has certainly stood the test of time and are still rocking venues all over the country and abroad with their energetic youthful approach to Irish music. Taking Kilkenny around the world Apart from their incredible musical ability, this band brings the Marble City with them everywhere they go. From Las Vegas to the hills of Donegal and from Germany to their recent stint in the Czech Republic, The Kilkennys fly the black and amber everywhere they go. It was no wonder they whipped 30,000 local people into a frenzy for the homecoming of the Kilkenny hurlers last September.

Apart from their incredible musical ability, this band brings the Marble City with them everywhere they go. From Las Vegas to the hills of Donegal and from Germany to their recent stint in the Czech Republic, The Kilkennys fly the black and amber everywhere they go. It was no wonder they whipped 30,000 local people into a frenzy for the homecoming of the Kilkenny hurlers last September.

Over the past 12 years The Kilkennys have emerged from the traditional settings of the Irish pub scene as a group of musicians with the ability to reinvigorate traditional Irish music and ballads and take them to a new generation. From the humble beginnings of a bunch of young school friends bonded by their love of Irish music, The Kilkennys have toured the length and breadth of Ireland gaining recognition as one of the country’s hardest working bands.

Having shared the stage with world renowned Irish artists like Shane McGowan and Finbar Furey and after countless performances to Irish communities all over the world, The Kilkennys have taken their music to an international stage and have become synonymous with modern Irish music. They have successfully re-introduced Irish folk and ballads to a young audience while also winning the hearts of the more seasoned traditional music lovers.

Over 4,000 Czechs attempting to chant along to Irish ballads and chancing their luck at Irish dancing to the sound of The Kilkennys at the Irish Cultural Festival in Ostrava says it all. Their Germany shows are bigger and Las Vegas even bigger again. Every year the lads from the Marble City perform to thousands of fans all over the world and now The Kilkennys are fast becoming a household name. From humble beginnings The band was formed by brothers Adam and Dave Cashin with fellow pupil Tommy Mackey while attending St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, Ireland. Their unique vocal and musical sound was completed some time later when Robbie Campion finalised the line up. Originally called “Uisce Beatha” the band have grown into a professional outfit and their name change to The Kilkennys marked their departure from the humble surroundings of the local pub to some of the best venues throughout Ireland. They have also become regular favourites at Irish festivals all over the world including Boston, Vermont, Connecticut, Las Vegas, New York, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Czech Republic and Scotland where they play the famous Barrowlands venue in Glasgow. Not forgetting their roots, the band decided to name themselves after their beloved home of Kilkenny City, taking it with them wherever they perform.

The big break Their hard work and determination was recognised in 2008 when the band were signed to Dolphin Discs, a record label long associated with the finest and most recognised Irish musicians such as The Clancy Brothers and The Dubliners. They released their live album and DVD ‘Meet The Kilkennys’ to much acclaim and have since enjoyed an escalation into mainstream Irish music that has lead to many radio and television performances. These included the Up For The Match All Ireland special, where they performed Shine On Kilkenny, an original song released to coincide with Kilkenny winning the All Ireland hurling final for a fourth year in a row. The album is a must have for any lover of Irish music and those who have lost faith in the traditional songs of Ireland should really give this album a listen. You will be pleasantly inspired. Forget about the rebel tunes and Paddywhackery often associated with Irish music, this album contains true quality musicianship and is something we can all be proud of. From the opening tune of ‘Galway Girl’ to the finishing professional studio recordings of ‘Go Lassie Go’ and ‘Chandler Shop’, this album has it all – energy, emotion, fun and history. There is something there for everyone. And, with a youthful image and modern sound, The Kilkennys have revitalised some of the finest Irish songs.

A bright future ahead Now concentrating on building their international fan base through mini tours of Europe the UK and America, The Kilkennys are working on a forthcoming studio album which they hope will be another departure in their musical careers. The album is set to contain a collection of original tracks and renowned Irish songs with the expected injection of energy, melody and youth. The band have also set up a Facebook fan page that already has over 2,000 fans despite being less than a month old. Their Myspace page streams their music with thousands of hits and now their new and improved website has become a hub of activity with tour dates, band news, a photo archive and an online store where you can buy their album and DVD. The best thing about The Kilkennys is that they reproduce their studio sound at all their shows and their performance is always full of energy and a set list sure to win crowds. Catch them live while you can! Among their extensive set list are some of the finest ballads made famous by the legendary Clancy Brothers and Tommy Mackem. To mark the indelible influence the Clancy Brothers have had on David, Adam, Tommy and Robbie, The Kilkennys are set to embark on a mini Irish Tour – ‘The Legendary Story of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem,’ which will hit the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny on Thursday April 15. Watch this space for further details. For regular updates and tour dates visit www.thekilkennys.com, become a fan on the bands Facebook page or listen to their music on www.myspace.com/thekilkennys32