Go back about seven or eight years and you’d find that a sizeable proportion of those interested in making music were tripping over each other trying to get hold of turntables, mixers and samplers – the paraphernalia of dance music. Back then dance was king and, with a few honourable exceptions rock and roll was in retreat.

Take a look at the picture today and things couldn’t be more different. Good old-fashioned rock and roll is back in vogue again. Thanks to the brilliance of bands like The Darkness, The Strokes, BRMC, Interpol, White Stripes et al, not to mention our own home-grown heroes like The Thrills, The Frames, Snow Patrol and Bell XI, guitars are once more the instrument of choice for aspiring stars of the future.
Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter boom continues unabated, with dozens of contenders attending open mic nights throughout the country, hoping to become the next Damien Rice, Mundy or Juliet Turner. All this is good news – not only for music lovers but also for suppliers of musical instruments, accessories and recording equipment – an important but often overlooked sector of the music sector in Ireland.
“Rock and roll has never really gone away but it’s bigger than ever right now.”
So says Mark Walsh of Music Maker in Dublin, one of the country’s busiest outlets for music instruments and gear. According to Walsh, the popularity of bands like The Darkness has seen a new generation of young musicians coming into shops like Music Maker demanding classic guitars with flashy finishes.
“Fender will always be the staple rock guitar, whether you’re into Hendrix or Nirvana,” he says. “But Jackson, and BC Rich guitars are hugely popular with younger players who want those pointy, angular guitar shapes – the kind that some musicians hate – but bands like Slipknot have made famous. Marshall amps are going really well right now, again thanks to The Darkness who use huge stacks of them.”
Drum kits are another big seller at Music Maker, according to Walsh, with legendary drum maker Pearl offering starter kits at very reasonable prices. “They have recently brought out their Target and Forum range, which really are very high quality entry–level kits,” he says.
Music Maker’s keyboard department stocks all the big names including Roland, Korg, Casio and Novation, a new range of keyboards with software made in Northern Ireland. The Wicklow Street outlet, which almost doubles as a meeting place for bands and musicians, also has the full range of instrument accessories – everything for the amateur or pro.
The story is the same a few miles up the M1 at the Sound Shop in Drogheda, one of the country’s best–known and longest established musical instrument outlets. For over 35 years, the Sound Shop has been supplying musicians from all around the country, with their needs. According to Tommy Leddy, the run-up to Christmas is their busiest time of the year.
“We do a third of our yearly business over the Christmas period,” he says. “Guitars are the big thing right now and there is great value to be had. We’ve electric guitar packages from about E250, which includes a Stagg guitar, an amp, strap, strings and a cover. We’ve a range of student acoustic guitars called Makro available from E110. The great thing is they’re available in half and three quarter sizes. They’re very popular with learners, while music teachers love them as they’re easier for beginners to play.”
Not surprisingly drums are also doing big business at the Sound Shop with starter packages – featuring a five piece kit with stands, stool, cymbals – for around E399 available, with a choice 18” 20” or 22” bass drum.
Meanwhile The Sound Shop’s custom designed, “one-man band” seen in many an hotel lounge across the country is still a top seller, according to Leddy. “They’re fantastic for the guy out there on his own,” he says. “It’s basically a midi unit which is attached to your guitar and which drives a module. Whatever chord you play, you can have all the rhythms and backing you need to go with it, including a full orchestra.”
Meanwhile, further on up the M1, Matchett’s Music at 38 Wellington Place, Belfast stock every imaginable kind of instrument for the aspiring rock star – and more. According to Johnny at Matchett’s one of their most popular guitars right now is a Stagg Les Paul copy “just like the one used by The Darkness” available for Stg£119. “It looks great and sound’s fantastic,” he says “Stagg also do copies of Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters which are also excellent value.”
Fender acoustic guitar packages start at Stg £89 and they include tuner, strap, video book and CD. Beginner drum packages at Matchett’s start at Stg£180 complete with stool and sticks.