Critics Roundup 1990

“… I am not denying that Ireland is rich in its musical heritage, culture and talent. The problem is that we are sometimes inflexible and other times so slow to change. Will we be forced to listen to cacophonous Dublin four-piece guitar bands right into the 21st century? Is there a factory up there that mass produces these bands? Wake up Ireland, you’re dead!”

Herb, Cork

Hot Press, Shooting Gallery, 12/12/90

Dear Herb,

Help, I’ve got a problem. Having fronted various cacophonous Dublin guitar bands over the last 13 years, I feel partly responsible for this sorry state of affairs. I must also admit to enjoying the performances this year of Something Happens and That Petrol Emotion at Féile ’90, Bird at the Baggot inn, The Fireflys at Belfield and the Georgia Satellites at the Olympia. What a fool I’ve been, and a drunken Betty Boo lip-sync her way through an exhausting 15 minute set. But wait herb, there’s more. The other day I heard a song by the Power of Dreams on the radio and, shameful as it may seem, I liked it a lot! Add to this catalogue of crime and indefensible fondness for the Would Be’s, The Honey Thieves, The Whipping Boy, etc., and you will surely decide in your infinite wisdom, guilty, guilty, guilty! So put that black cloth on your wig before you pass sentence Herb, you’re about to hear the ultimate in reactionary guff. My favourite bands of all time are: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Byrds, The Undertones, The Golden Horde, The Blades and The Partisans and not a skateboard between us. No surrender, no compromise, not an inch.

Paul Cleary

Age (13)

P.S. Happy Christmas Herb, check us out next time we’re in Cork. No not The Partisans, rather C.B. (Conor Brady) and his Partisan Party-Party featuring Grandmaster Chess P.B.C. (Paul Bernard Cleary), 7th Jan. Yo!!