Ceann
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Ceann

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Band Rock Comedy

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"It’s A Yee-Haw, Fun Musical Experience With A Little Rock, A Little Comedy and The Kitchen Sink Thrown In For Good Measure… And Oh Yeah, It May Be A Tad Irish!"

Reprinted from Campus Activities Magazine®, October 2008



CEANN

It’s A Yee-Haw, Fun Musical Experience With A Little Rock, A Little Comedy and The Kitchen Sink Thrown In For Good Measure… And Oh Yeah, It May Be A Tad Irish!



Ceann is comprised of Patrick Halloran, Jeffrey Hoag, Scott Taylor, Brian Halloran and Patrick Mannion and the guys like to say they may or may not sound like Stephen Lynch, Cake, Flogging Molly, Ween, Great Big Sea, They Might Be Giants, Barenaked Ladies or The Pogues. That determination, we will leave up to you.

Evolving from an acoustic trio playing pub music across the northeast, the band kicked off their career in 2005 as an Irish rock band in Pittsburgh with their first album, Almost Irish, which was comprised completely of original material. But Pat Halloran, the band’s official songwriter, says they like to mix fun Irish music in with their popular originals. Many of Ceann’s most popular songs have distinctively more contemporary themes. “We do have songs that have absolutely nothing to do with the Irish. I write most of the songs and Jeff, our guitar player, and I collaborate at times. Anything that has a country flare, Jeff and I wrote together. I actually started out as a drummer and got into writing when I was in college. I have been successfully writing the last four or five years.”

Their songs appeal far beyond the normal reach of Irish music giving them access to a larger number or venues and markets than the traditional Irish band. As one of the only Irish bands to find success on commercial radio, Ceann quickly grew their fan base outside of Irish music circles. As a result, they have become one of the more popular acts currently playing college stages.

As a fully independent band, Ceann has the luxury of controlling their own destiny. “We operate the band like a business putting as much of what we make back into the band. Over the last two years we have played more shows than any other nationally touring Irish Band in the country.” They’ve sold more CDs and have either appeared on or had their music played on more radio stations than 80% of all bands releasing CDs on music labels over the same two-year period. They’ve been singled out by music industry executives as one of the most successful business models
for independent music artists.


Success Breeds Success

When Ceann released their Album, Rave, Rant, Lose Pants in June 2007, it coincided with the selection of “Pretty On The Inside” being selected as the NPR song of the day. Overwhelming listener response led to the song subsequently being added to the playlists of a large number of AAA radio stations across the country. Their song “Blame The Viking” was used as the theme for an NPR radio program as well as being included in a motion picture soundtrack. By the end of 2007, they had become a phenomenon, appearing on over twenty commercial radio stations across the northeast which included stations with country, classic rock, alternative, talk radio, and top 40 formats.

The band concluded that year averaging 220 shows and 2008 seems on track to break that record. Their tenacity and willingness to work hard and deliver a fun, lively experience to colleges seems to be the key to their success and they top the ranks for one of the busiest bands in the country.

Pat explains that the band made the leap in 2006. “We decided to quit our day jobs and perform full time. From that point on, it was a business and we were forced to be successful. It was crazy trying to keep up with everything as busy as we got but if something went wrong, we had no one to blame but ourselves.

“When we first started out we were performing mostly bars and we took on any bar that would book us. Even though we had an Irish name, we ended up in biker bars and other places that we truly didn’t belong. But much to our credit, we made every situation work and helped them have a good time.”

The infusion of comedy in Ceann’s music gives it a universal appeal. It opens the door to a wider audience and keeps them from being pigeon-holed. “If I had a super power, it would be that I don’t mind getting up in front of a crowd and embarrassing myself. Irish music is about fun and the comedy element just adds to the appeal.”

Pat says the band is shooting for 35-50% of next year’s shows to be college appearances. “Each type of show takes a while to develop for a specific audience. We feel by next year we will have more and more exposure in the campus activities market. While we had been concentrating in the Mid-Atlantic area of the country, because of our festival work we will be taking more dates along the eastern seaboard and mid west next year too. The college market just makes sense for us.”

And how about the affect of the internet on Ceann? “It may not necessarily be responsible for booking a show for you but for a musician, interactive sites keep you in touch with your fans and help you develop new ones. These are the people who will come to your show if you are anywhere close to them. CD?Baby has been great for us too. They help us get product out there and they treat you fairly. When we did the NPR thing, we sold out of everything on CD Baby and got a big boost on iTunes.”

Since joining Kate Magill at Sophie K Entertainment for college dates, Pat says the band’s approach has changed. “Some things about any show can be adaptable to almost any market. Other things can’t. The fun aspect of the show we do in pubs and festivals is the same with colleges but Kate has given us a lesson in how to approach college shows and it has been a learning experience that has made us a better college act. As we have moved toward doing more college shows, I think we have done a good job refining our act. We can play extremely well to 500 kids freaking out or 20 kids sitting there with their arms crossed. We just did a group of welcome week and orientation shows and we learned so much from those. There had been a week of rain so all these shows had been moved from the tents at the athletic fields with hot dogs to these spaces indoors outside the library. The results were some of these ridiculous weird shows, but we got everyone to adapt and we all had a great time.

BOOK IT! For more information on Ceann, contact Kate Magill at Sophie K Entertainment at (877) 664-8559 or sophiek.com. For a virtual link, go to www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com.

- Campus Activities Magazine


"Media & Festival List"


Festivals:

Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Baltimore Irish Festival
Oswego Harborfest, NY
Irish Rock Fest, NYC
Corning Irish Festival
Criusin Palooza, Binghamton, NY
Federal Hill Spring Festival, Baltimore, MD


Clubs and Venues
Connellys - New York, NY
The Banshee - Scranton, PA
Bloomfield Bridge Tavern - Pittsburgh, PA
Lincoln Square - Chicago, IL
Brittinghams Irish Pub - Lafayette Hill, PA
Carnsies - Binghamton, NY
Celtic Ray/Temple Bar - Punta Gorda, FL
Dennys Bar - Pittsburgh, PA
The Nags Head - Hoboken, NJ
Fado Irish Pub - Atlanta, GA
Galway Hooker - Cornelius, NC
Hurleys - New York, NY
Holahans - Pottsville, PA
Iggys Keltic Lounge - New York, NY
James Joyce Irish Pub - Durham, NC
J.F. Keanes - Pearl River, NY
M'Vorneens - Cartersville, GA
McGrath's Irish Pub - Killington, VT
McKinley Tavern - Philadelphia, PA
McSwiggins - Bradenton, FL
Mullaneys Harp & Fiddle - Pittsburgh, PA
Murphys Irish Pub - Alexandria, VA
Murphys Irish Pub- Virginia Beach, VA
O'Haras - Allentown, PA
Paczaks Pub - Pittsburgh, PA
Paddy Reillys - New York, NY
Partners Pub - Fitchburg, MA
Rex Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA
RiRa - Charlotte, NC
Rocky Sullivans - New York, NY
Shenanigan's Irish Pub - Ocean City, MD
Byrnes Pub - Columbus, OH
Tir Na Nog - Raleigh, NC
Diesel- Pittsburgh, PA
Mr Small's Theatre- Pittsburgh, PA
Fergie's - Philladelphia, PA
The Dan Dee - Binghamton, NY
Scruffy Murphy's- Orlando, FL
The Brass Tap, Pottsville, PA
The Mad Rose, Stroudsburg, PA
Sulivan's Pour House, Pittsburgh, PA
Joyce's Pub, Pittsburgh, PA
Excuses, Pittsburgh, PA
Molly Brannigan's- Harrisburgh, PA and Mount Lebanon, PA
Fado Irish Pub- Columbus, OH
The Bridge- Pittsburgh, PA
Claddagh- Pittsburgh, PA
Lacie's- Quakertown, PA
Finnegan's Wake-Pittsburgh, PA
St James' Place Tavern- Pittsburgh, PA
Delmonico's-Closter, NJ
McGirk's Pub-Binghamton, NY
Trooper Thorne's Irish Beef House- Reading, PA
Cannon's Pub- Allentown, PA
Gene's Place-Pittsburgh, PA
Mick O'Shea's- Baltimore, MD


Radio:



AZ Tucson KAMP
AZ Tempe KASC
CA Chico KCSC
CA Turlock KCSS
CA Orange KNAB
CA Los Angeles KSCR-1
CA Santa Cruz KZSC
CA Oakland Pandora/Music Genome Project Indie Submission
CA Lemoore KGAR
CA Norwalk WPMD
CA Sacramento KSSU
CO Denver KRCX
CT Fairfield WVOF
CT New Haven WSIN
CT Hamden WQAQ
CT Storrs WHUS
CT New London WCNI
CT Willimantic WECS
DC Washington WGTB
DC Washington WRGW
DE Georgetown WDTS
GA Atlanta SCAD Atlanta Radio
HI Hilo URH
IA Mt Vernon KRNL
IA Iowa City KRUI
IA Decorah KWLC
ID Moscow KUOI
ID Boise KBSU
IL Monmouth WMCR-2
IL Chicago WRDP / Radio Depaul
IL Godfrey WLCA
IL Peoria WRBU-1
IL River Grove WRRG
il Chicago WLUW
IL Lake Forest WMXM
IL Carbondale WIDB
IL Champaign WPCD
IL Summit WARG
IN Valaparaiso WVUR
IN Terre Haute WMHD
IN Greencastle WGRE
IN Richmond WECI
IN Fort Wayne WCYT
LA Shreveport KSCL
LA Monroe KXUL
LA Natchitoches KNWD
MA W.Barnstable WKKL
MA Milton WMLN
MA Springfield WTCC
MA Westfield WSKB
MA North Easton WSHL
MA South Hadley WMHC
MA Williamstown WCFM
MA Worcester WCHC
MA Bridgewater WBIM
MA Waltham WBRS
MA Norton WCCS
MD Baltimore WLOY
MD Towson XTSR
MD College Park WMUC
ME Bangor WHSN
ME East Orland WERU-2
ME Farmington WUMF
MI Kalamazoo WIDR
MI Dearborn WUMD
MI Rochester WXOU
MI Mt. Pleasant WMHW
MN Moorhead KMSC - Minnesota State U
MN Thief River Falls KSRQ
MO Columbia KCOU
MO St.Louis KWUR
MS Hattiesburg WUSM
MT Missoula KBGA
MT Bozeman KGLT
NC Greensboro WQFS
NC Winston-Salem WAKE
ND Fargo KNDS
NH New London WSCS
NJ Glassboro WGLS
NJ Upper Montclair WMSC
NJ Blackwood WDBK
NJ Pomona WLFR
NJ Lawrenceville WRRC
NY New York M3 Radio
NY Auburn WDWN
NY Geneva WEOS
NY Jamaica WSJU
NY Cortland WSUC
NY Syosset WKWZ
NY Morrisville WCVM
NY Saratoga Springs WSPN
NY Oneonta WONY
NY New York WPUB
NY Binghamton WHRW
NY Potsdam WAIH
NY Brockport WBSU
NY Dix Hills WFTU
NY Valhalla WARY
NY Fredonia WCVF
NY Clinton WHCL
NY Geneseo WGSU
NY St. Bonaventure WSBU
NY Troy WRPI
NY Amherst WRUB
OH New Concord WMCO
OH Oberlin WOBC
OH Oxford WMSR
OH Liberty Township WLHS
OH Bowling Green WBGU
OH Berea WBWC
OH Granville WDUB
OR Eugene KWVA
OR Portland KDUP
PA Wilkes Barre WCLH
PA Allentown WMUH
PA Shippensburg WSYC
PA Schnecksville WXLV
PA Slippery Rock WSRU
PA Pittsburgh WPPJ
PA West Chester WCUR
PA Grove City WSAJ
PA Meadville WARC
PA Millersville WIXQ
PA Mansfield WNTE
PA Pittsburgh WPTS
PA Nanticoke WSFX
PA Collegeville WVOU
RI Providence WXIN
SC Columbia WUSC
SC Clemson WSBF
SD Sioux Falls KAUR
TN Henderson WFHU
TN Cookeville WTTU
TN Chattanooga WAWL
TX Huntsville KSHU
TX San Antonio KSYM
TX Richardson Radio UTD
TX Canyon KWTS
UT Ogden KWCR
VA Williamsburg WCWM
VA Norfolk WODU
VA Harrisonburg WXJM
VA Blacksburg WUVT
VA Norfolk WHRV
VT Colchester WWPV
VT Middlebury WRMC
WA Olympia KAOS
WA Spokane KWRS
WI River Falls WRFW
WI Superior KUWS
WI Beloit WBCR-2
WI Waukesha WCCX

ALB Edmonton CJSR
ALB Calgary CJSW
BC Victoria CFUV
BC Prince George CFUR
NF St John’s CHMR
ONT Guelph CFRU
ONT Hamilton CFMU
ONT Scarborough CSCR
ONT Thunder Bay CILU
ONT Mississauga CFRE










- Sophie K. Entertainment


"Ceann Headlines Irish Festival"

The fact that Pittburgh based Irish sing-a-long band Ceann has made it performing in an Oakland bar to holding the covedted timeslot preceding perpetual Irish Festival headliners Gaelic Storm says something about persistence. After all, when self-proclaimed "Yankee-Irish Drinking Music" band Ceann started out plucking tunes about cold bottles of Iron City, the group couldn't get a word in with promoters on the "serious" East Coast Irish-music circuit. Now, with the release of the professional (yet still funny) Almost Irish album, Ceann is playing nearly 200 shows each year on that same circuit - even if it still thinks Yeats is a beer ingredient. So celebrate the coming of age of a young, yet firmly instilled, Pittsburgh tradition and raise a pint to Ceann, along with the likes of Tommy Makem and Gaelic Storm, at the 16th Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival.

Justin Hopper - Pittsburgh Magazine


"East Coast Irish Music Has A New Voice"


East Coasters Ceann (who, Pogues-style, were forced to reduce their name from Ceann na Caca) reward both critical listening skills and the funny bone with their newest record. Lead singer/guitarist Patrick Halloran manages to skirt the fine line between silly and serious on such numbers as Green Beer, which is both a celebration of the imbibing of the fluorescent substance and an affectionate parody of the Saint Patricks Day Irish for a day crowd. Almost Irish could be a theme song for American-born Irish musicians, other songs celebrate or warn against the dangers of at least three different kinds of alcohol.

Possibly the best track is the opener, the autobiographical 31 (For Pittsburgh I am Bound) celebrating (and likewise having a good laugh about) the bands touring experiences. It wouldnt work half as well if the edge of parody wasnt simultaneously spot-on and all in good fun, but its particularly helped by the musicianship, featuring the whistle and banjo of Marc Wisnoskywho co-writes a few of the songs with Halloranthe fiddle of James Telfer, and the skills of guest musicians including former Black 47 piper Chris Byrne. The singing may not be virtuoso, but its spirited. Particularly impressive for the fact that it recreates a good pub set on record, and its made up of all original songs.

Dave Soyars - The Irish Herald (California)


"Ceann has gone from lark to hobby to serious green"

This band stands out in a field of four-leaf clovers.

By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

You can only avoid your calling for so long, or so found out Ceann singer-guitarist Patrick Halloran, who four years ago moved from Pittsburgh to New York City to pursue a film career behind the camera.

After all, Ceann was formed on a lark, when Halloran and Marc Wisnosky performed St. Patrick's Day 1999 at a packed Pittsburgh Polish bar. From there, the duo started writing goofy original music in the traditional Irish musical vein. Songs such as "Ahrn at this Bar," which is a parody of "Whiskey in the Jar," and "Top of the O" about a hot-dog shop were crowd favorites.

Oftentimes the group would have fun with its decidedly loyal Irish music lovers by performing contemporary pop songs with a Celtic flavor. For example, Hanson's "MMMbop" became a very "sad and Irish" sounding song.

Even though the Irish band grew into a regional attraction, Halloran, an Allentown native, viewed his musical digression as nothing more than a fun evening out.

"It was a hobby for a couple of years," Halloran said. "Then it kind of snowballed."

Worthy effort

It wasn't until the end of 2004, when Halloran wrote an album's worth of new material � current concert staples "The Worst Pirate Song" and "31 (For Pittsburgh I am Bound" � that the band realized this part-time endeavor was worthy of full-time support.

"It was like, 'Well, how are we going to make this leap?'" Halloran said. "So we spent all of last year making the album, and we decided to give ourselves this one-year plan."

Released in late 2005, "Almost Irish" showcases Ceann's strength as an Irish act that caters to its heritage without being limited by expectations.

Literally two weeks into its one-year plan to give the band a chance, Halloran said it became obvious Ceann was something special. In 2006, the outfit � which now includes Halloran, Wisnosky, James Telfer IV (bass, fiddle), Jeff Haog (mandolin, guitar) and Scott Taylor (drums) � has already performed 140 dates.

It's the band's keen sense of humor and oftentimes adult discussions that make it stand out in a crowded four-leaf clover market.

About the show

"We've always described it as we play kids songs for drunk adults, but it's still an Irish music show," Halloran said. "Half the songs are about being American Irish people playing Irish music and the comedy of that. We have one called 'Almost Irish.' It's all about playing in Irish bars and having people yell at you for not being Irish enough about playing Irish music, when what you are playing you think is Irish music."

Halloran, who is excited about Ceann's upcoming Youngstown debut Aug. 18 at County Maigh Eo, offers his take on why Irish music seems as though it's getting more popular every year.

"I think the simplicity of the melodies," Halloran said, "and a lot of the themes � especially the stuff we do with the fun sing-along drinking stuff � never gets old in a bar." - Youngstown Vindicator


"Irish Music Has Finally Met It's Match"

Allentown native Patrick Halloran returns to the Lehigh Valley this weekend to push his band Ceann's new CD "Almost Irish." A title that appears to be right on target for a band that insists it plays "Yankee-Irish Drinking Music", not simply Irish music. For the new album the band flexed some of their New York muscle by enlisting some of Irish music's biggest names. Musicians like former Black 47 uilleann pipe player and current Seanchai and the Unity Squad front man Chris Byrne as well as accordion player Tommy Walsh along with some other venerable names show up to add some pop to a collection of songs funny enough to make Oliver Cromwell wish he was Irish.

Ceann have found a knack for the celtically absurd. Their new album is a non-stop 12 song barrage about drinking, debauchery, delinquency and drinking (The 4 D's). These themes are not uncommon to traditional Irish music or to newer submissions to the genre, but Ceann is one of the rare "new-Irish" bands that seem to have some legitimate songwriting chops. Their songs are not merely imitations of already popular Irish songs, but are in themselves genre defining. Ceann describe themselves as "Five Americans of ambiguous Irish descent who didn't want to pay for beer anymore." The bands success as an east coast touring machine probably dictates that these lads won't have to pay for any beer any time soon.

On more than one track the band shamelessly plugs one beer product after another. One of the highlights of the album, "Pabst Blue Ribbon" is pop-country catchy with a incredible payoff dropping a Dennis Hopper ala Blue Velvet homage that would bring delight to any beer drinking filmophile. On another track the bands extols the wonderfulness of coal region girls who swig Yuengling Lager. And while the band earnestly warns children of the dangers of whiskey on "Whiskey Hurts My Tummy", I get the impression that the band probably doesn't heed their own advice as often as they give it.

Almost every song merits a second listen. The lyrics are always catchy and clever and hide more subtle and sinister lines then one listen can unearth. The title track "Almost Irish" is sure to become the band's epic sized Irish festival sing-a-long by capturing the spirit and comedy of the American-Irish experience. Another song worth checking out is "Green Beer", an Irish-style polka about the kind of people who partake in the world's most unfortunate beer experiment. The band deliciously pokes fun at the contrast between the struggle and toil most Irish immigrates experienced in mining towns across Pennsylvania and the current practice of St. Patrick's Day style idiocy.

The album hits it's high note on "The Worst Pirate Song", an amazingly funny and incredibly catchy tune about the fairer sex's shortcomings when it comes to piratude. The album is a lot like a kids album targeted at an over 21 crowd and at it's best moments sounds like drunk Wiggles with too much whiskey and no curfew. If you have a chance this weekend, pry yourself away from the Celtic Fest or your late night watering hole and stop by Lacey's for a beer and laugh. You'll thank me.

Christopher Diehl - Merge Magazine


"Ceann - Almost Irish"

"Celtic rock is on the rise in the USA. Every moment sees the formation of some new group. Many of them really do have something to say. Ceann is a gaelic Irish group - drinking songs in American. They are therefore influenced country as can be heard even in the vocals of Patrick Halloran. We also have a little rock-and-roll embedded with the pub atmostphere. "Almost Irish" is the third album of the group Ceann (the previous ones came out under the name Ceann a Caca). The first expressed the repertoire of its author. Maybe because of this it rings amazingly fresh. The earliest seemed like some sort of Irish evergreens punctuating the songs of Patrick. Presently we have only new songs. They excellently bring to light the poetry in Yankee-Irish recordings, even though the musicians distance themselves from the quasi-nationalistic, pro-Irish movement. The music remains folklore to its core, thus doing great service to its band. Here earthy and enthusiastic songs already dominate. It is not surprising therefore that this group's recordings have real pub elements. In reality, almost all the songs of these recordings are on a very high level and this is another plus for the group. Style-wise they can be compared with a few records of the Canadian "Great Big Sea" but Americans shy away from pop music. If therefore you want the lighter but authentic celtic rock, look for the new album of Ceann." - Folkowa Magazine - Poland


"CD Review - Almost Irish - Ceann"

The name of this CD gives some insight into the band Ceann. If you are tired of all those bands out there who drag out a simulated Irish accent and put it on for the show, they are for you! You won't find that here . . . but you will find some fun Irish music in the Celtic Rock style. The band describes themselves as: five Americans of ambiguous Irish descent, and they don't put on airs, they just sing and have a darn good time, and it is contagious! If you need a pick me up, try this CD on for size. With songs like, The Worst Pirate Song, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Butt Tattoo, you won't be able to keep a straight face for very long. They are sure to give you a smile and a chuckle, and some good music to boot. Their music varies from songs with a heavier Celtic flavor to those who are nearly rock, and many variations in-between, so there is some variety. The humor, though is really what sets these guys apart from the pack and they are pretty darn funny! Why not start the New Year with a smile?

by Catherine L. Tully - Celtc MP3's Magazine


"Ceann bring Ireland back to Finn's, sort of"

By Ryan A. Bunch

Thursday, August 17 Mickey Finns Pub, In hopes of reviving the energy of its monthly Irish night (the 17th of every month), Mickey Finns recently asked one of the East Coasts most notorious Irish bands to come to Toledo and teach the Midwest once and for all what it really means to get trashed to great drinking music. Ceann is a "Yankee-Irish drinking music" outfit currently based in New York City. The band jams a mixture of traditional Irish music, comedy, bluegrass and folk rock, and with the release of its most recent album, "Almost Irish," has catapulted itself into the national spotlight, being asked to play festivals around the country and even Canada. Drummer Scott Taylor is a Toledo native, and will return home for his successful bands Toledo debut. Stop out, welcome Scott home, drink some Guiness and indulge in one of Americas greatest past times, celebrating the beauty and culture of Ireland by getting really drunk. Mickey Finns Pub, 602 Lagrange. 419-246-3466 or www.mickeyfinnspub.com.

RAB - Toledo City Paper


"My New Favorite Irish Band"

Ceann
Almost Irish

This CD is really great--kids love The Worst Pirate Song (and evidently my son has been singing it in school because his teacher wanted to know why he thought girls can't be pirates--he told me he tried to tell her it's just a song..duh!). I think the Green Beer Song is the landmark tune of the CD-though the title track appeals to most of the people I've played it for. My only concern is censorship around the kids. They're not attentive enough to lyrics, yet, to know exactly what's being chanted at the end of Pabsts Blue Ribbon. It'll be weird when songs they were allowed to sing at 7 are banned from ages 9-14 (they'll have to sneak into my itunes with their pre-adolescent buds the way kids in my generation stole their parents/older siblings Richard Pryor Albums--'Dad, Sorry, I thought it was Bill Cosby!).

Ceann are on the verge of a take-off, as the founding band of Yankee-Irish Drinking Music (I can't wait for how 20 years from now some tool at Rolling Stone Magazine will write the definitive history of the genre saying something pompous like "Though Yankee-Irish Drinking Music proved to be much deeper and wider than the primitive ramblings of Ceann, we can't diminish their germinal role in the procreation of this all-encompassing vibrant musical culture..." and then they'll go on to list the 10 bands no one ever heard or liked as the 'real' but forgotton artistic geniuses of the genre.

Liam O'Brien - Towne Online


"Ceann - Making Friends"

July 27, 2008 - CelticRadio.net - “Making Friends” is the third album from the Irish Rock outfit Ceann. Based loosely out of Pittsburgh, PA, Ceann continue to be one of the busiest bands in North America averaging over 220 shows a year for the third straight year since their inception in the fall of 2005. For their latest album Ceann welcomed a small handful of guest musicians into the fold, including Irish troubadour Seamus Kennedy, Accordionist Vladimir Mollov, and Alto and Tenor Saxophone players Greg Sloan and Dan Rusnak. Also appearing on the album is fiddle player Patrick Mannion who has been playing occasionally with Ceann since September of 2007. The album was recorded entirely in Pittsburgh at Mr. Smalls Recording with the help of engineer Larry Luther. Although Ceann are Pittsburgh natives “Making Friends” is the first album they’ve recorded entirely in Pittsburgh.

“Making Friends” is the by far the best sounding and most well-produced effort yet from Ceann. All of their albums have been self-produced and it’s easy to hear the musical growth from their first album “Almost Irish” in 2006 to their latest musical adventure “Making Friends.” From a band better known for their songs about Pirates and Vikings than for heartfelt songs of love, life, and Ireland, Ceann have opened a window into their appeal as an Irish band that hadn’t yet been featured on their two previous efforts. Ceann have made a name for themselves as one of the biggest Irish bands on the east coast on the appeal of their Barenaked Ladies like sense of humor and fun originals like “Pretty On the Inside”, “The Worst Pirate Song”, and “Pittsburgh Makes Me Drunk.” With “Making Friends” Ceann have not only found a sound for themselves, but they have clearly found an effective and compelling way to showcase their instrumental chops while still featuring their impressive and funny songwriting skills. Also evident for the first time on their recordings is their affection for traditional Irish standards. “Making Friends” clearly points to Ceann’s dedication to becoming one of the biggest Irish Rock bands in the world. With their third studio release, Ceann have made an album that has put them well on the path to that end.

The album opens with the Eastern European tinged “Green Badge of Shame”, a rousing and thoughtful number that seamlessly melds accordion, fiddle, and electric guitar. Ceann’s new polished sound on this album is a new step in the right direction for a band that had already been carving out their own niche in the Celtic Rock scene. The second track on the album is the popular pub tune by Andy M. Stewart “The Ramblin’ Rover.” The band makes no attempt to hide their approval for the panicked triumphant style of Flogging Molly as they powerfully rip through this Irish pub standard. The guest vocals of Seamus Kennedy add a fun touch to the upbeat pageantry and fiddle shredding solos of Patrick Mannion.

Fans of Ceann’s sillier material won’t be disappointed either. From a first listen, Ceann fans will realize that on “Making Friends” Ceann’s material has matured in sound and execution but songs like the Tom Jones style “Friends With Benefits”, the self deprecating “So Canadian”, and the hilarious “The Famous Allentonian Club” can assure their listeners they haven’t lost the ability to craft funny and clever lyrics. Their song “Moron with Bodhran” pokes fun at rhythm-impaired Irish drum purchasing tourists with an ironically impressive Bodhran solo by Seamus Kennedy.

The highlight of the album though might be two traditional Irish songs though. “The Old Dun Cow” is a Raggae twist on an Irish favorite. With a full horn section arrangement, the song takes on a Ska-Folk feel that flows over drummer Scott Taylor’s dance hall beat underneath. The song never loses its original appeal and it could be one of the more effective reinventions of a traditional Irish song since Thin Lizzy’s “Whiskey in the Jar.” On another track, it’s again the horn section along with the impressive fiddle playing of Patrick Mannion that make “Johnny Jump Up” possibly the definitive version of that song. The song would do as well in the big band dance era as it will in the traditional Irish music circles.

With 16 songs, Ceann’s new album “Making Friends” has something for everyone. Their impressive to-the-letter recording of the traditional Irish song “The Star of the County Down” proves they don’t change songs just for sake of changing songs. Music fans will enjoy yet another musical journey in hilarity and fun with a band that have made themselves one of the top Irish and college bands in the country. In just two and half years Ceann have become one of the most popular draws in the North East and Midwest and are now armed with an album and a sound that will assuredly seem them continue to grow as quickly as any independent band in America. - Celtic Radio.net


Discography

2005 Almost Irish
2007 Rave, Rant, Lose Pants
2008 Making Friends
2009 It's Not Hard

Photos

Bio

In the past four years Pittsburgh Pennsylvania’s Ceann have become one of the most successful independent bands in the country. They were nominated for the 2010 APCA College band of the year and have headlined shows and festivals as far away and diverse as Texas, Florida, Ireland, and Italy.

They've sold more CD's and have appeared or have had their music played on more radio stations than 90% of all bands releasing CD's on major labels over the same three-year period. Their latest album "Making Friends" was one of the top charting Independent national releases on the CMJ music charts. They are the only Irish band besides Floggy Molly, The Pogues or Dropkick Murphy's to chart on a non World Music chart in the US.

Thanks to the Steelers 2009 Super Bowl run their songs “Pittsburgh Makes Me Drunk” and “31 (For Pittsburgh I am Bound) both charted on the iTunes Independent singles chart for most downloads for the month of January.

Musically Ceann have made a name for themselves as one of the most fun, entertaining, and musically adventurous bands in the country. With their roots in Irish music, Ceann mix in modern musical styles and a cutting edge sense of humor that has won them fans across the globe. Ceann are often compared to the Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants. They've also been called been called anything from a funnier version of Flogging Molly to a Celtic Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Ceann formed as an Irish Rock Band in Pittsburgh in 2005 with the release of their first album of all-original material "Almost Irish." Ceann continue to mix fun Irish music with their popular originals. While some of Ceann's songs revolve around the culture of being Irish Americans many of Ceann's most popular songs have distinctively more contemporary themes. Their songs appeal far beyond the normal reach of Irish music and have given them access to unprecedented access for an Irish band to commercial radio and have allowed them to play at non-Irish music festivals to equal success. Ceann have also become one of the most sought after college music acts in the country.

With the release of their album "Rave, Rant, Lose Pants" in June of 2007 Ceann's reach extended even further. The release of the album coincided with their song "Pretty On The Inside" being selected as the NPR song of the day. The overwhelming listener response led to the song subsequently being added to a large number of AAA radio play lists across the country. From 2007-2008 Ceann appeared on over 50 commercial, college and public radio stations across the northeast including Country, Classic Rock, Alternative, Talk Radio, and Top 40 radio stations. Ceann are redefining the definition of cross-over success. With the radio success of their latest album "Making Friends" Ceann have established themselves as one of the most intriguing and successful bands in a changing music market.