Former lead singer and songwriter of nineties Cavan power pop band The Fireflys, Barry Walsh, has released his debut solo single Rescue Me. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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Since The Fireflys, Barry has recorded and mixed new songs in his son Oisin's studio in Trim, Co Meath, which also serves as the home studio of Oisin and his brother Cian’s outfit Spearside.
Rescue Me was mastered by Grammy Award winner Sean Magee in Abbey Road Studios and is available now on Rufus Records.
Tell us three things about yourself?
I was once in a band called The Fireflys, we played our first gig on the back of a trailer in a car park in our native Cavan Town, we never reached the same heights again.
My two sons Oisin and Cian are the mainstays in Spearside, they asked for my advice and I said don’t ever play on the back of a trailer no matter how much beer they offer you.
I’m one of those MAMILS, middle aged men in Lycra, I love my road bike but have to remember that there is a difference between what I look like riding it and what I look like mincing about in my clip-ins - not a pretty sight.
How would you describe your music?
Pure Pop For Now People - just like good old Basher Lowe - coming to the NCH in September by the way!
Who are your musical inspirations?
The first band I played in was the Breffni Boys Accordion band when I was 10, learnt to play "parts", counter melodies, harmony lines to magnificent stirring marches. That experience never left me. After that it was hearing The Beatles for the first time at a youth club in St Augustine’s Hall, Cavan, they have remained a constant inspiration ever since.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Horslips in the Sports Centre in Cavan! Years later bass player Barry Devlin directed a live music programme for RTE that The Fireflys took part in, I told him I wouldn’t have been in a band if it wasn’t for him, we then shared a little Barry moment.
What was the first record you ever bought?
I think it was Tiger Feet by Mud, used to do the dance and everything.
What’s your favourite song right now?
The Feast of Saint Valentine - Nathalie Merchant, a towering song of huge emotion, which always chokes me up.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face where the visions of Johanna have now taken my place" - Visions of Johanna by Bob Dylan.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Now That You’re Gone - Kelley Stoltz. Power pop perfection and confection all in one easy to swallow dollop.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Here.
Alan Corr
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