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POWER OF DREAMS

Whelans25.com presents

POWER OF DREAMS

Performing IMMIGRANTS, EMIGRANTS AND ME

As part of the Revisited Series for Whelans 25th Anniversary

plus guests

MINERAL // www.whelans25.com //

Whelans Launches its REVISITED series of shows on March 27th with the POWER OF DREAMS playing their debut album Immigrants, Emigrants & Me. Part of Whelans 25th birthday celebrations, REVISITED in a series of gigs where some of Ireland best albums get an airing live. Over the rest of the year 8 acts will dust off their best known works and play them in their entirety. Some of the acts already signed up are Something Happens who will perform Stuck Together With God’s Glue on May 10th and Sharon Shannon who will play her ground breaking debut album on June 21st. More information on these shows and further additions over the coming weeks…

“Power Of Dreams were a genius band who should have been massive, Craig has it going on even now” – Alan McGee

The landmark debut album by Power of Dreams was released in 1990, receiving glowing reviews worldwide with Craig Walker garnering praise for a lyrical maturity beyond his 18 years and the band’s spiky indie pop assault winning fans among press and public alike.

Power of Dreams released their critically acclaimed debut EP “A Little Piece of God” on Keith Cullen’s London-based Setanta Records in 1989, while Craig Walker was still at school. Following a six-figure bidding war between rival record labels, the band signed a deal with Polydor Records. In December 1989, the British music magazine NME picked Power of Dreams, along with others such as Carter USM and The Charlatans, as their ‘stars of tomorrow’.

Their debut album, Immigrants, Emigrants and Me was released in 1990, receiving glowing reviews worldwide. The album was produced by Ray Shulman and sold well in France, Japan, the UK and Ireland. The band then embarked on a world tour, taking in more than 30 countries, including Japan and North America. The follow-up album, 2 Hell With Common Sense, was released two years later, produced by Dave Meegan and featuring a more powerful sound, helped by additional guitarist Ian Olney (ex-Cypress, Mine!).

Later albums were less successful in the UK/Ireland but the band retained a following – and their major label contract – in Japan. Third album Positivity was released on Lemon Records in 1993, and further developed the sound introduced on their previous record. Power of Dreams then released their last album Become Yourself the following year. In 1995 the band backed and recorded with musician Soichi Taniguchi in Japan before disbanding.

Following the split Craig Walker and Ian Olney formed Pharmacy with Chris Pierce, and Morty McCarthy from The Sultans of Ping FC. Pharmacy released one single called “Shine” in 1998. Subsequently, Craig Walker recorded three albums with Archive before releasing his debut album, Siamese, in 2009. Ian Olney formed and performed in a number of bands including Temperance Union, Miracle Retreat, Deer Park and Red Atlas, and has been playing bass for Sultans of Ping since 2005. Keith Walker went on to front Paranoid Saints, The Ex-Kings and The Bollox.

In November 2009, Power Of Dreams announced a reformation and tour to promote the 20th anniversary re-release of their first album (on 100% Music) in March 2010. In December 2010, a further tour of Ireland took place with Sultans of Ping and The Frank and Walters to support the release of a compilation album, 1989: The Best Of Power Of Dreams, which included a new track.

In March 2011, Keith Walker announced an amicable departure from the band, and has gone on to play with Sister Cities, Being Cool Is Lonely and The Holy Coast. Ian Olney plays with new band Cat Meat. Craig Walker has continued to perform as Power of Dreams and work on new material alongside his new project, Paris-based Mineral.

In December 2011 “Immigrants, Emigrants and Me” was featured in the book 101 Irish Records You Must Hear Before You Die. In April 2013 the album was featured in the Irish Independent’s top 30 albums of all time.

TICKETS

€15 available online from WAV Tickets [Lo-Call 1890 200 078] (50c per ticket service charge applies on phone, internet or creditcard bookings) Strictly over 18′s, I.D. may be required

AFTER THE GIG

Whelan’s Indie Club /// ZEBRA /// [Live Bands and guest DJs] w/ Late Bar from 10:30pm (Free entry before 10:30pm). .