Interview - The Mighty Regis - 8.9.08
Welcome back, we're glad you're here!
You guys might have picked up on this from the review of Co. Sligo, but Bonnie really sort of fell in love with The Mighty Regis. So, we asked the guys if they would be interested in doing an interview here at Celtophilia, and luckily they agreed. Bonnie must have had a dozen questions ready, but managed to limit herself to only asking six. Frankie McNorman, front man for The Mighty Regis, supplied the answers.
So, without any chicanery and no further ado whatsoever, here is Bonnie’s interview with The Mighty Regis.
Bonnie: What is the biggest difference between performing in Ireland versus the U.S.? Is there a discernable change in crowd reaction/participation at all, or is it about the same?
The Mighty Regis: In Ireland playing Irish music or Irish influenced music is a tougher sell. They’ve heard it all before. I think Phil Chevron of The Pogues said it best. Bands like The Pogues and Flogging Molly, The Dropkicks etc… had to have happened outside of Ireland to bring a different spin or take on the traditional music. Crowds in the States and the States on a whole seem to still be in love with us Paddies. Crowds here really are wonderful and just love to have a great time at the show and the music seems to cross over from punkers to college kids to older folks. That’s what makes it so much fun. Make no mistake though, Irish crowds can get just as wild but it’s harder to stand out.
B: I think your sound is very unique, so I tried to give people an idea of what your music sounds like. Did I make ya’ll hate me with my band comparisons, or do you guys get that a lot?
TMR: I agree and thank you. We are most influenced by The Pogues and Clancy Brother etc… from the Irish music point of view. Shane MacGowen has always been a huge influence on me and Gavin (Co-founder). But we also love Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, The Grateful Dead, The Clash, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Dave Matthews Band. I love having our backbone be Celtic Punk but bringing elements of great Hip Hop, Singer Song writer, Jam Band, Ska and good ol’ Punk Rock. We get sized up with Flogging Molly, The Tosser and so on which is great high praise. They are amazing bands but they are unique in how they sound and that’s what we drive to be.
B: I really love The Parting Glass. How did you decide to record that particular song, and how do you feel about how it turned out?
TMR: I was really nervous about singing The Parting Glass on the record. It’s always been one of my favorite songs. It always gets me when I hear it. We were in the studio and they gave me a couple whiskeys and I gave it a shot. I like the way it came out…I must confess that I don’t listen to my version often. But I hope I did it justice. It’s a beautiful and powerful song.
B: Has anyone ever played the Murphy’s Song drinking game, and NOT been unconscious by the end of it?
TMR: Murphy’s Song can be pretty crazy at times, especially ’round St. Patrick’s Day. We try to keep an eye out and make sure nobody gets too out of hand. It’s a song that I never thought would become what it now is. I wrote the lyrics after a break up and rather than dwelling in the sadness I figured bring a young lady up on stage wit’ us and let all have a drink. It’s good fun. We’ll have you up to drink to Murphy with us sometime.
B: Ya’ll mentioned you’re mixing a new album, when do you expect it to be done, and can you tell us a little about it? Maybe let us in on the title?
TMR: You will be the first to know. Our next album is called “Another Nickel For The Pope”. We are very excited about it. It should be ready to go end of next week. We have a new line up since “Co. Sligo”. Gabby Burns on drums and Darby on bass. They are really great players. There will be 13 tracks, a couple traditionals done with a bit of rattle and pop to them. I’m really proud of the band. They are all so focused at doing all they can on the record. Paddy’s squeeze box, Gavin’s mandolin, Ronnie’s electric guitar and Ryan’s beautiful voice and acoustic guitar. Not to mention Darby and Gabby. They were brilliant. It’s going to be a lot of fun….I hope.
B: Fair warning here, we’re going to deliberately provoke you. What do you think about American beer?
TMR: American beer? It’s a bit of alright. I am a Guinness drinker to be sure but there are great beers here in the States. I’ll take a tall, cool, Budweiser anytime. Anytime Guinness isn’t available. What can I say, I’m a man set in his ways.
Again, huge thanks to Frankie McNorman for taking time away from bringing young ladies up on stage to drink with the band to answer our questions. If you want to find out more about The Mighty Regis, you can find it on their Myspace page.
