Info

Formed somewhat hastily over too many beers in 2000, and disbanded almost as hastily as they were formed, Whacking Shilleilaghs played a brand of celtic folk music which defied flattering description. Described at best as 'raggedy' and at worst as 'tossers', they always performed in kilts and they drank enough Guinness to float a ship.

They were a five-piece outfit, featuring tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and bodhran, and were occasionally accompanied by double-bass (courtesy of The Kissers very own Ken McKisser!) and bagpipes.

Whacking Shilleilaghs only played a few gigs in their short existence. Many of these were private shows, some were street-busking events, but the public gigs were as follows: December 2, 2000: Ocayz Corral in Madison * Phil had flown in from London that day, and was totally trashed. They still rocked Ocayz though!February 23, 2001: The Great Guinness Toast at Conway's Bar and Grill in BarabooMarch 16th, 2001 at Conway'sMarch 17th, 2001: St Patrick's Day at Martin O'Grady's in Madison
Wednesday March 14, 2001 saw the band feature on Channel 3000's Live at Five, a local news program in Wisconsin, as part of a celebration of local celtic music in the run-up to St Patrick's Day. The band gave an interview and played several tunes at the end of the show.

The band picked their name from a line in the traditional song Arthur McBride: "We gave them no chance for to launch out their swords, our whacking shillelaghs came over their heads and paid them right smart in the morning."

The alternate spelling of shillelagh in the band's name is because there is a German band which also glories in the name.

Line-up

Phil - mandolin, vocals Neil - tin whistle, occasional bagpipes Adam - guitar Beverly - fiddle Brice - bodhran, mutton chops

Legacy

The only available recording of Whacking Shilleilaghs is a 12-track live show performed at the Lake House in Madison in early 2001. Contact Studiosity for more information

John Ryan's Polka (Traditional) The Raggle Taggle Gypsy (Traditional) Wild Rover (Traditional) Ned of the Hill (Pogues) The Jiggy Jig (Whacking Shilleilaghs) The Jolly Beggar (Traditional) The Gentleman Soldier (Traditional) Drunken Lazy Bastard (The Mahones) Irish Blood (Whacking Shilleilaghs) Arthur McBride (Traditional) Rattlin' Bog (Traditional) The Galway Races (Pogues)

Testimonials

See below some entries from the original Shilleilaghs site's guestbook:

You guys rock! Your music sounds awesome, when can I purchase something...adam, you're my hero, plus you look hot in kilt You guys were pretty cool. Fun. I think "Flailing Shilleilaghs" would sound better but whacking is cool too. Top stuff kids, very much top stuff.....'nuff said.... Like dude I thought at first you were going to be lame, with those stupid dresses and all, but those bagpipes fired up and it grabbed me by the balls and took me to another dimension, you fuckin rock!!!! You were yelling without anger but firm and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end! I have told all my friends about you dudes and how much you rock as a band so we will be coming to see you as many times as possible, I hope you are all together for a long time You guys were great!! It was the best time I've had in a looong time!! I'm Jerry Schulz's friend, I saw ya at Conways... Lookin forward to the show on the 23rd!.. This time were gonna go back to Madison and party with you guys!

Links

The Pints