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PAT McMANUS BAND

PAT McMANUS BAND

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The ‘Pat McManus Band’ are a powerful three piece Blues/Rock Trio,headed up by the former “Mama’s Boys’ and ‘Celtus’ guitarist/violinist virtuoso and true gent Pat McManus (AKA ‘The Professor’). The ‘PMB’ line-up is completed by two other Irish musicians,the powerful drummer Paul Faloon and the fabulous bassist Marty McDermott,both of whom have served their time with a variety of top Irish acts and as top session men working all over the globe.

Pat is today considered to be one of the last remaining individual guitar hero’s of a generation of Irish guitarists,after the sad and early loss of both Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore and 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 world of Rock’n’Roll and were one of the greatest rock bands to come out of Northern Ireland. They are prehaps best known for their hit’s ‘Needle in the Groove’ and cover of Slade’s ‘Mama Weer all Crazy Now’,but during this time Pat wrote a huge amount of songs many of which are still strong favorites with the loyal fans right up to this day.During the eighties and nineties the band toured the world working along side such acts as BonJovi,Sting,Ratt,Y&T,Black Sabbath,The Scorpions,Hawkwind,Rory Gallagher,Thin Lizzy ,Iron Maiden,Gary Moore,Wishbone Ash,Deep Purple,Marillion,Rush,Twisted 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 at that time and also played such great UK Festivals as Knebworth and Milton Keynes.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 five 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.Songs written by Pat for ‘Celtus’ have also been used on many films and TV programs and still are being chosen for such projects to this day.

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 his own brand of ‘Rock’n’Roll’ ,writing and releasing his first solo cd,the blues/rock -‘ In My Own Time ‘ which was released in August 2007.Shortly afterwards the line-up of the touring band was settled.to include Gordon Sheridan on bass and Paul Faloon on drums.Both players provided a strong,driving ,rhythmic force which backed up Pat’s exceptional guitar skills perfectly.

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 second cd ‘2PM’ ,whilst still filling a busy Summer’s touring and headlining at many festivals such as ‘The Harley Davidson Bikers Fest in St.Tropez’,’Guitar en Scene-France’,’ Neiderdorla Bikers Fest – Germany’,”Nuits De La Guitare’in Patrimonio Corsica’Rory Gallagher Festival-Ballyshannon –Ireland ‘Raismes Fest – France’……. !The second 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 since become firm favorites with the fans.

As well as their Irish,UK and Festival dates the band completed two European Tours in March/April and October/November 2010,returning to some venues already established and many,many new ones.They headlined at a Jazz and Blues festival in Corsica,played two nights at the prestigious ‘Le Moods’ club in Monaco,toured as part of the ‘Irish Legends’ shows,with Andy Powell of ‘Wishbone Ash’ as their special guest,appeared at the International Rory Gallagher Festival,the 1st Annual Irish Guitar Festival and the Blues on the Bay Festival in Ireland and had support slots with the ‘Scorpions’ in sell-out arena shows in France and much more…

Their second live DVD ‘Live at Raismes Fest’,which had been recorded in France in September 2009,was released in March of 2010.

Recording of a new studio album started production in Summer 2010,and was released on the 8th March 2011.The new release called ‘Walking Through Shadows’ has picked up great reviews and aiplay.There was also a full 6 week tour in support of the cd in March/April 2011 and also in Oct/Nov 2011………and in a year which has seen the band start with a storming set at the 25th ‘Vibe for Philo’ in Dublin and play at many Festivals over Summer 2011,which included ‘The Patrimonio Nuites de la Guitare” where the band supported the Beach Boys,’Guitare en Scene’ with Joe Satriani etc,’Fiesta City Festival’in Verviers with Uriah Heap,10CC,The Rory Gallagher Ballyshannon Festival(a yearly favorite with the fans)Hard Rock Hell/Prestatyn.

In 2012 Gordon Sheridan was replaced on bass by Marty McDermott,and straight away fitted in to the band perfectly.Marty joined the band at the start of their European Tour in March,for which the band also linked up with Uli Jon Roth for a few shows and had Mark Stanway of Magnum join the band as a guest player on keyboards for five shows.The tour continued on with the ‘PMB’ linking up with the Quireboys for a series of dates in England……………. and so the band continue into 2012 with the philosophy of giving a real good rock ‘n’ rollin’ time!!

The Pat McManus Band are :-

Pat McManus – All guitars,violin,Bouzouki and Lead Vocal

Paul Faloon – Drums and Percussion

Marty McDermott – Bass and Backing Vocals

Highlights 2012:-

Support to the Scorpions on their final French dates in France-May/June 2012

Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival- Ballyshannon- Ireland – June 2012

Hard Rock Hell Road Trip – Ibiza – June 2012

Fortstock Festival – Ireland – June 2012

Cahors Blues Festival – France – July 2012

Blues/Rock Festival – Germany – July 2012

5 x Irish Festivals – August 2012

Rock Knights Festival – France – August 2012

UK and European Tour October and November 2012

Plus recording of the bands fourth CD and new ‘Live in Ireland’ DVD

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)”Infinately fresher than half of 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)”A brilliant guitarist,who plays the Blues like he was sending shooting stars throughout the skies”(Blues Magazine/France and Blues Matters UK)The virtuoso’s talent continues:Review of ‘2PM’(Guinness Rock Magazine)”All his talent and energy explodes like lava from a volcano crater onto the audience”(Music Mirror-Germany)”Eye-watering guitar work”(Hot-Press-Ireland) …

….the guitar playing on this album is sublime(Walking Through Shadows) (Hot Press-Ireland)

“Pat McManus came up with one of the greatest riffs in all of rock history.the lazy,sleazy,incredibly sexy signature to ‘Needle in the Groove’”(Irish Independent)

“A lesson of mastery-A must”Review of ‘Walking Through Shadows’-(Blues Matters – UK)

‘Twelve tracks that demonstrate once again his talent as a songwriter’-WTS review(Blues Magazine –France) “It has the feel of a greatest hits album….being delivered with a distinct aplomb” WTS Review(Classic Rock-UK) – “Virtuoso guitar playing” BBC/Across the Line.

In 2009 Pat was awarded a life time achievement award for his contribution to music world-wide as a Musician from Northern Ireland.

In 2011 Pat was named as one of the top 5 Irish Guitar players of all time.

Pat’s career has also seen him record and collaborate with many other artists in many wide and diverse genres.Pat’s is the guitar work on Samatha Fox’s ‘Touch You’ and Sam also recorded another of Pat’s compositions ‘Spirit of America’.He recorded six tracks with ‘Tricky’ from ‘Massive Attack’ on his ‘Pre-Millenium Tension’ album,co-wrote and recorded with John Parr of ‘St.Elmo’s Fire’ fame,Gilbert O’Sullivan,Smokie,Robyn Robbins formerly of the ‘Bob Segar Band’,’Andy Powell’s Wishbone Ash’ and he helped produce and played violin and guitar on many,many traditional albums and movie and tv soundtracks.

The last year has seen Pat already guest with and have guest with him,Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash(for whom he has written a track for the new WA album-Elegant Stealth),Uli Jon Roth,Bernie Marsden,American guitarist Eric McFadden,Pat O’May,Barry Barnes of Sinner Boy,Henry McCullough(Wings,Joe Cocker),The Quireboys(Pat has also recorded some tracks with Spike of the Quireboys for a forthcoming project),Magnum,plus keyboard player has Mark Stanway guesting with the ‘PMB’ at several shows ,Smokie(who’s CD he also guested on)………………….

Pat McManus Band / CD’s and DVD’s

In My Own Time / CD………………….Released 2007

Live and in Time / DVD/CD……………Released 2008

2PM / CD………………………………..Released 2009

Live at Raismes / DVD……………….. Released 2010

New CD Release ‘Walking Through Shadows’…released 2011

Coming soon a new live DVD September 2012 and the new CD is expected for Jan 2013

TICKETS

€15 door / €12 in advance available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone or creditcard bookings)

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie/Electro Club w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm.