“Síleann tú go bhfuil tú ar drugaí, ach níl tú, tá sé níos fearr ná drugaí” – Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, RnaG
“Brilliant, original and energetic… a great act.” – Leo Moran, The Saw Doctors.
What they’re saying:
Scannal in Berlin
“We had Scannal play at St.Patricks Day Festival Berlin 2013 and the atmosphere was electric! There were hundreds of people dancing at an outdoor event – German, Irish and many more nationalities, all having a wonderful time. Their approach to Irish music and popular dance music made it very accessible for everybody and got everyone going. It was a proud and memorable experience for all of the Irish residents of Berlin. For a group of 2 musicians, Scannal have a huge and powerful sound and the audience really responded to this. This is an act I look forward to dealing with in the future.”
Dara O’Neill – St. Patrick’s Festival Berlin
Driving crowds wild in An Droichead Beag
“Scannal are very innovative in their sound and repertoire. The concept of Irish dance music and a refreshing technological dimension is without doubt a crowd pleaser. In my opinion, Scannal would make a great festival band as they have worked very well in a late bar and nightclub setting.”
John Joy – General manager, An Droichead Beag, Dingle
“They have a unique talent to entertain.”
“We had the pleasure of Scannal’s entertainment at our annual St Patrick’s Gala Ball. We had over 250 people in attendance, which included ambassadors and dignatries form 7 different countries. From the first minute they played until the last (some hours later!) Scannal had everyone on the dance floor, being entertained by the amazing, and unique, Irish music. It was a fabulous night and made all the more special due to the musical renderings of Scannal. The Hotel Staff commented that it was the best band they had seen in years! A number of the guests have also written to us asking to make sure we book them again for next years event! They have a unique talent to entertain.”
Ken Hickey – Treasurer, Greek-Irish Society, Athens
“The best band they had seen in years!”
“They have a firmly rooted respect for tradition and also entertain our diverse audiences with an eclectic repertoire and much humour. Scannal are as much at home with a sit down listening audience scenario as they are in some of the “wilder” events that I have seen take place.”
Dara Herlihy – Siopa Ceoil an Daingin & Dingle FolkFest
“An uncanny ability to send the crowds bananas, no matter who they are.”
“The most musically irreverent, creative and genre-weaving band that has an uncanny ability to send the crowds bananas, no matter who they are. You are always guaranteed a scandalously good night with Scannal!”
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh – Musician
Irish Music Magazine CD Review
SCANNAL
Sciodar
7 Tracks, 40 Minutes, www.scannal.com
Scannal, a Kerry based duo of Peter Staunton (box) and Bréanainn ó Beaglaoich (guitar), takes us for a night out in Dingle on this seven track recording. Now seven tracks might not seem a lot, but when you consider that the album begins with Lóda Bailics, a number that runs for over 12 minutes, you’ll understand this is music rooted in the dance traditions of the South West.
You have to play for turn after turn of polkas, slides and reel sets in the Kingdom. Stamina is a prerequisite for a night beyond the Connor pass. That opening track has whoops, hollers, words off, and the sound of cows mooing to the box and guitar combo. The music here is what has become the traditional driving style of Sliabh Luachra. The guitar channels the spirit of Steve Cooney, with triplet runs, picked arpeggios, the dynamics are as alive as a new born cat, you can hear as the box and guitar move in and out from the microphones, and this is vital music, bouncing along, waving to the crowds who are spinning below it. Originally recorded in 2014, it is presented in a distinctly homemade package, printed on white paper, complete with comic book illustrations of life in Dingle (not that strange as the town holds an animation fest each year).
Track one over; do you need a rest yet? Well you are not getting one, ever! The tune called Easy Now, is as lively as a spit on a trivet. At one point one of the lads shouts out “Rock and Roll”, not that tame, Rock has never been as much fun or more subversive. The track Shark Attack, it’s a day at the seaside gulls whirring overhead and a voice over that tells we are about to hear the jig, Out on the Ocean, more sea gulls and lapping waves shifting gravel, there’s ozone in the tide of tunes here.
The album closes with Ah Seriously, introduced by a faux RTÉ continuity announcer, it is a bit of a mess, a room full of dancers chattering over the din of the musicians complete with obligatory bleeps to avoid a parental advisory. I suspect we are not meant to take this album seriously at all, but there’s no doubt Scannal are serious players. Next February as I drive down to the Gathering in Killarney, as soon I pass through Macroom, this album is going on the car CD player. If you like your Sliabh Luachra authentic this is the unfiltered rough cut to beat all rough cuts.
Seán Laffey
