The BeerMats
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland | INDIE
Music
Press
“On my own radio program, “Shay’s Ballad Session”, The Beermats are one
of the most requested Dublin groups and I regularly play their recordings and have
had the pleasure to interview them live on air. They are a great bunch of lads, with
all the wit and character of true Dubliners! “SHAY EUSTAGE”
- “SHAY EUSTAGE”
“they bring a freshness and energy to their music which is vital in
this regenerative aspect of Irish culture.” BRENDAN PHELAN” - BRENDAN PHELAN
“Seven Sober Nights” by The Beer Mats is a cheerful and witty Irish folk CD. Stunning musicianship can
be found on all ‘seven nights’ of this record! The use of traditional Irish instruments coupled with beautiful
violins, acoustic guitars, and banjos make an unbeatable musical mixture! The title track accurately
represents the light-hearted, humorous lyrical approach of The Beer Mats. Moreover, the vocals on these
songs are jam-packed with fun personality! Putting the finishing ingredient in this potent brew is
professional production fit-for-the-best! If you enjoy the joyful
sounds of Irish folk, this album is one that you cannot
do without!
-Xavier P. for RadioIndy - RadioIndy
First time to Ireland, Sep 1 - 10 of 2006. Everything was better than expected until I went to Polly Hops and you guys were playing. This took my trip to Ireland over the top. Fantastic music, songs, and entertainment! After being in what I'll call commercial pubs, I was beginning to be disappointed in hearing any traditional Irish music and what my expectations were of being is an Irish pub. That is until I was directed to Polly Hops because you guys were playing. The experience, music and entertainment you provided were the highlight of my visit to Ireland. Can't wait to come back, hear and see you again and hopefully run across you in the states. Ever in Texas, please let me know. Thanks for a wonderful time. Ken Pendergraft - Ken Pendergraft
Discography
The BeerMats one of the Nominations for the 2009 Irish Music Awards
Album released Date 2002 Seven Sober Night. Radio Play, Streaming.
Album released Date 2007 Jayo. Play, Streaming.
Album Easter Lilly released Date 2008 Play, Streaming.
Album Peace one day in time released 2009, Radio play UK, Ireland, USA, Streaming.
Photos
Bio
The BeerMats, It's hard to believe that we are celebrating our 16th year in the Irish music scene this year. "It's been an amazing journey, we did not think when we started playing in a small bar in Dublin, we would still be going strong after all these years, says Brian Smith, guitar player and one
of the founding members of The BeerMats.
Ballyfermot our home town is 3 miles from Dublin city, and is one of the best places to serve your apprenticeship in Irish music, with
groups like The Furey brothers, The Keenans and singers like
Paddy Sweeney of the Barley Corn and The Dublin city Ramblers
all growing up in the area. Ballyfermot is rich in music and culture
and its people are proud of their musical heritage.
The BeerMats began with one thing in mind the love of Irish music, founded in 1993 by Colm Gibbons and Brian Smith and later joined
by Tono Brennan & Francis Scattergood, from humble beginnings the
group became a house hold name throughout Ireland.
Theres been many hi-lights over the years, opening the show at
the Rose of Tralee for Phil Coulter, performing with groups like The Dubliners,The Fureys, The Wolfe Tones, The Dublin City Ramblers,
Tommy Sands to name but a few, we also had the pleasure to work with one of Irelands best song writers Brendan Phelan, and recording some of his songs like Seven Sober Nights, The Equalizer, Easter Lily which have seen great success on our albums with radio play in the Ireland, UK and the USA.
In September 2002 the Group took a chance and booked one of Irelands best venues Vicar Street and put on the biggest ballad show Ireland ever seen Echoes of Ireland it was a huge success, The show sold out two weeks before opening, 2003 we did it again, Vicar Street was full to capacity with Echoes of Ireland II and later that year we did it again, when people said we were mad we
proved them wrong.
The BeerMats have over five albums to their credit. The first album, "Seven Sober Nights" was an instant hit with their fans with songs like "A Song for Ireland" becoming an anthem of sorts in the Dublin Area. Within a few years, the band was back in the studio recording "Jayo," the CD that cemented The BeerMats as one of the premiere Irish Bands on the music scene.
Singer Colm Gibbons says, "Those first two albums were really important in establishing us as a different kind of Irish band, we still paid homage to the influences of The Fureys and the Wolfe Tones but we did our own version of the songs using a different approach."
In March of 2007, the band recorded their third CD Easter Lily, a 14 track album with 9 brand new songs, a first for a Irish Folk/Ballad group in recent years, working with one of Irelands best song writers was a great honor for the group. Brendan Phelan has become a great
friend to the group.
The group is well known for their charity work and have raised thousands of euros for local and national causes and have established themselves as a group that always have time to help out in whatever way they can.
Over the years the group have performed throughout Ireland and the UK and in recent years have performed in Switzerland and Spain and 2008 seen the group perform in the USA at Louisville Irish Festival,
as part of The Ryder Cup.
The BeerMats have just recorded with Finbar Furey and new EP Peace one day in time.
The BeerMats are Bigger today, than ever. So Soak it up, and enjoy
Links
