EIRE OG - ILIR Gig at The Heritage
McLean Avenue, Yonkers, NY-
Sunday Night, March 18th, 2007
This was a great show for a great cause, a benefit concert with all the proceeds going to the ILIR, or Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, an organization that rallies support for Irish emigrant workers, fighting unjust Federal laws that make it extremely difficult for them to become American citizens, and you really coudn't find a more bustling place on a Sunday night, packed with fans, ready to show their support for this worthy cause , as well just have a good time and get down and shake it and not break it, to that Irish Rebel rhythm of Eire Og. The first thing I noticed about the place was the fact that the vast majority of the audience were Irish emigrants, ranging in age from about 18 years old to 30 something. (Although this is often the case at The Heritage , with a smaller crowd)
You couldn't see a better Irish Rebel band for the St. Patrick's weekend than the mighty Eire Og - Glasgow's answer to Shebeen or The Irish Brigade, and when Gary Og (lead vocals and guitar), Sean Lyons (mandolin) and Coach (bass and vocals) took to the stage -- all wearing their "Legalize The Irish" T-shirts in support of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform -
- Everybody stood to dance, sing along, or yell Fenian battle cries, people of all ages dancing - a middle aged couple, teenagers and people in their 20's and 30's, all shaking it to the rousing Irish Rebel anthems of Eire Og - 
One of the first tunes they played was "Merry Ploughboy" that flowed smoothly into the "Auf Weidersehen to Crossmaglen/Tiochfaidh ar la" medley, and they were sure to not disappoint as they next played:
"Boys of The Old Brigade"
"Boys of The Old Brigade"
"Crumlin Road Jail"
"Come Out Ye Black & Tans"
"The Men Behind The Wire"
"Something Inside So Strong"
"A Nation Once Again"
"Fields of Athenrye"
"This Is Your Land"
"Let The People Sing"
"Sunday Bloody Sunday"
"Go On Home, British Soldiers"
and even the Irish national anthem, "The Soldier's Song" which caused the crowd to cheer and chant Fenian slogans of jubilation...
Eire Og played a brilliant show, and you really couldn't imagine a better live show for the St. Paddy's weekend at a better location - McLean Avenue in Yonkers - and a better bunch of Irish Rebel Balladeers - playing all their kick arse Fenian anthems, nor a more nonpretentious, working class, and genuine band - they were even kind enough to give me a free copy of Gary Og & Sean Lyon's "Songs of Rebellion" which I now frequently play on Radio Rebel Gael ;-)
One of the bands that bass player Coach and lead vocalist and guitarist Gray Og also play in, is The Exiles, give them a gander at:
And to check out the solo musical ventures of Gary Og :
Thanks to Pauline, for all the great photos taken at this gig....Go raibh maith agat !
Rory Dubhdara, Radio Rebel Gael
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