Young Dubliners tips its hat to traditional Irish songs for a change; quintet headlines ShamRock fest Saturday
By Chris Nixon
San Diego Union-Tribune
March 15, 2007
“I came over here 20 years ago,” said Young Dubliners lead singer Keith Roberts, recently reflecting on his journey from Ireland to America as a young man. “I probably got a much different reception than those that came before me. We have potatoes back home now, and I was able to fly here instead of coming on a hideous boat.”
This St. Patrick's Day finds Roberts reflecting on his Irish heritage more than ever. His band, the Young Dubliners, released its first album of traditional Irish songs last month, “With All Due Respect – the Irish Sessions.” Now, the Los Angeles-based quintet will headline the 11th annual ShamRock festival downtown on Saturday.
The Young Dubliners have always walked the line between traditional Irish music and original rock tunes, but this is Roberts' first foray into the canon of Irish songs. Self-described as “thirteen songs of love, war, emigration, incarceration and drinking” in the album's liner notes, the band puts its own rocking spin on traditionals like “Follow Me Up to Carlow” and “The Rocky Road to Dublin.”
Roberts and his band also give a nod to Shane MacGowan of The Pogues (probably Ireland's greatest modern songwriter), covering his song “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” and the ballad “Pair of Brown Eyes.”
“We've always been a band who put out original albums. This is more of a labor of love more than anything else. But this thing has taken on a life of its own,” said Roberts about “With All Due Respect.”
While the band tours all over the States, Southern California and particularly San Diego have provided the Young Dubs constant support and energetic crowds.
“A lot of people thought we were from San Diego for a while,” said Roberts. “Bands enjoy playing places where they think they're enjoyed. Nothing's more pleasing to get up on stage and have people sing them back to you. San Diego has always just been a really welcoming spot.”
After playing the House of Blues in Los Angeles the past 13 years on St. Patrick's Day, the Young Dubliners will headline this year's ShamRock in downtown San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.
The festival features 60,000 square feet of Astroturf, two stages, six bands, four DJs and many gallons of green beer.
“We just decided that San Diego deserves a proper Paddy's Day gig,” mused Roberts. “We always gotten a great reaction there and it does feel like a home away from home.”
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer.
DISCOGRAPHY
“With All Due Respect – the Irish Sessions” (429 Records, 2007)
“Real World” (2005, Higher Octave)
“Absolutely” (2002, Higher Octave)
“Red” (2000, Higher Octave)
“Breathe” (1995, Volcano)
THEY'RE WITH THE BAND
Keith Roberts – vocals, guitar
Brendan Holmes – bass
Chas Waltz – violin, keys, harmonica
Bob Boulding – guitar
David Ingraham – drums
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SHAMROCK FESTIVAL
LINEUP AND SCHEDULE
The 11th annual ShamRock with the Young Dubliners runs from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday in the Gaslamp Quarter along Sixth Avenue and G Street. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Details: (619) 233-5008.
THE BANDS
Carly Hennessy: Irish pop/R&B/soul singer known for her ultra-poppy, tailor-made-for-radio sound. Her 2001 debut, “Ultimate High,” is on MCA.
The Fenians: Solid Orange County five-piece traditional Irish band playing originals and standards.
The Down's Family: Local Irish punk rock band sounding like a cross between The Pogues and Social Distortion.
NRG: Local song-and-dance revue for the convention center crowd, giving ShamRockers an opportunity to get that refill of green beer.
Cobblestone: Traditional Irish quartet with regular gigs at The Field. They've played ShamRock since 2000.
A YOUNG DUBLINER ON ST. PADDY'S DAY
Dubliner Keith Roberts knows his St. Patrick's Day festivities. He's been celebrating the day every year since he was a wee lad growing up in Ireland.
As opposed to American revelers drinking green beer and adorning themselves with shamrocks, St. Paddy's means one important thing for an Irish kid: no school.
“It had a lot more significance growing up as a saint's holiday,” remembered Roberts. “Being in a very Catholic country, it meant a day off from school. You had to go to Mass, but you didn't care because you got a day off from school.
“If it fell on a weekend you cursed it forever because it was useless to you. There was a parade in the city center, but that was it. It was not a night to go party your head off.
“When I got here, I was stunned by what happens here: It was brilliant. And it basically helped launch a lot of our careers in the Celtic rock world. For me now, it's our big day. It's the day for all of our bands to go out and have a hell of a gig, if not a hell of a month of gigs.
“The religious significance has all been washed aside. I don't think there's anybody here going to Mass on St. Patrick's Day, unless they're holding the ceremony at the local pub.”
– CHRIS NIXON
