The Pat McManus will play the Irish Guitar Fest
Pat McManus is prehaps best know for his previous band Mama’s Boys,which he formed with his brothers John and Tommy in the eighties. Mama’s Boys, although very young, soon proved to be a great success in the Rock World and were one of the greatest rock bands to come out of Northern Ireland,with Pat being the writing and driving force behind the band. In Ireland the band are prehaps best known for their No.1 hit ‘Needle in the Groove’ and during the eighties and nineties toured the world working along side such acts as BonJovi, Sting, Ratt, The Scorpions, Hawkwind, Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash, Deep Purple, Marillion, Rush,Twistered Sister and so,so many more. They held the house record for the prestigious Marquee Club in London and were the only unsigned act to play the Reading Rock Festival. During their career the band recorded eight albums and scored hits both at home,as well as in America and Japan.
After the untimely death of Pat and John’s Brother Tommy from Leukaemia in 1994, the brothers were not sure if they would continue. After a break and some time of reflection they got back together and formed Celtus, producing a sound which blended their early traditional roots,with a strong rock feel and dance beats.They were quickly signed by Muff Winwood to Sony Records and went on to record four highly acclaimed CD’s. As Celtus Pat and John quickly made their mark in the music industry, receiving awards for their music and scoring chart hits.
In 2001 Pat chose to return to Ireland to live and at this point was mostly writing for other artists, film and television across all genres of music. During this time Pat returned to his roots, having once been the youngest ever fiddle player to win the ‘All Ireland’ in the adult category. Pat recorded with many Traditional artists and was involved in the ‘Hidden Fermanagh’ and ‘Erne Rising’ projects with whom he represented Ireland in both Europe and America.Culminating in representing Northern Ireland at the Prestigious ‘Smithsonian Festival’ at the White House in Washington.He also wrote,recorded and performed with Sligo based band ‘ Indian ‘ during this time.
By 2006 Pat was ready to get back to ‘Rock’n'Roll’ and form his own band, writing and releasing his first solo CD.The Blues/Rock CD ‘In My Own Time’ was released in August 2007 and shortly afterwards the present line-up was settled.Gordon Sheridan was first recruited on Bass and shortly after Paul Faloon on Drums.Gordon and Paul have provided a strong,driving ,rhythmic force which backs up Pat’s incredible guitar skills perfectly.Indeed it has been said in the press,with the furiously energetic Gordon and the phenomenal Paul on drums that prehaps Pat can take it easier.Yet Pat never takes it easy and lives up to his nickname ‘ The Professor ‘ everytime.
In November 2008 the band recorded the live DVD/CD ‘Live and in Time’ in France, responding to the request of many fans and it has proved more than popular since it’s release. In April 2009 Pat and the band started recording the new CD ‘2PM’ , whilst still filling a busy Summer’s touring !The CD was completed at the end of August 2009 and was released in September 2009 at a launch in Paris. For ‘2PM’ Pat wrote fourteen new compositions,which all showcase his truely exceptional talent as both a writer and multi-instrumental player. Such tracks as ‘Rough Diamond’, ‘Chasing Away the Blues’ and ‘Law of the Jungle’ have already become firm favorites with the fans.
So with a full schedule ahead well into 2010,another live DVD to be released beginning of March 2010 and the next new CD expected in Autumn 2010, recording again for the third time with producer and friend, Shaun ‘Mudd’ Wallace.The band continue to entertain everywhere they go playing their brand of Blues/Rock with a hint of the Celtic,but always with the philosophy of giving and having a real good time!!!
Recent journalistic quotes/soundbites include:
“A master virtuoso of the six strings” Metal France
“Mo-nu-men-tal” Blues Magazine
“Don’t miss him” Sensation Rock
“Indispensable” Paris What’s On Magazine
“A ‘concert shaped’ breath of fresh air” Rock Hard
“He seeks notes you might not expect” Guitar Magazine/France
“Infinitely fresher than half the hack blues ‘prodigies’out there, It works!” Classic Rock Magazine/UK
“An album with a huge sound,which breathes the most efficient of blues rock” Blues Magazine
“The Professor is back and what a pleasure” Volumenbrutal
More info on the Pat McManus Band and Pat’s Discography,can be found on www.patmcmanus.co.uk
Also at http://myspace.com/patmcmanus
