Tipperary’s Rebel Hearts - a band that has thrilled gig-goers for a quarter of a century

Looking back on the first 25 years of the Rebel Hearts, I spoke with band member Tom Doran to reflect on the milestone. Tom took a trip down memory lane to when it all began: “Back in 1999, my brother Paidi, got the show on the road. He had a vision as there didn’t seem to be any rebel bands in Tipperary at that time. I was only 15 and was looking in from the outside. When Pauidie Coen and Jamie Mockler came on board, they started to practise in our shed in Galbertstown. There were only three of them at the start and I was doing sound for them, which was great as I was allowed into the pubs at the age of 15!

“As it went on they let me up for a slot to sing a song or two and then I ended up with them full time. Liam joined the band as well afterwards and Paddy was playing in the Raparees that time and Liam played with John Dwyer in a band called The Men Behind The Wire,” Tom says.

The culture of Ireland and Tipperary was different back then. The Feile was a recent memory, Nicky English was the Tipp hurling manager and pubs were full of live music. The Celtic Tiger era was one where socialising was popular in a way that it isn't anymore, for many different reasons.

After the economic crash of 2008, the rise of smartphones and social media along with drink driving laws amongst other reasons created a perfect storm for cultural change in Ireland.

“It was great back then when we started. We used to play in small pubs, which were full of people. When you look back at a lot of the pubs we played in I’d say 80% of them are closed now.

“I suppose people aren’t going out as much anymore. It is a pity but I suppose hopefully with the resurgence now in Irish music, in rebel music and folk music it will drive it on again. Hopefully it will get them all back out again.

“We released our first album ‘Our Fight For Freedom’ in 2000 and it gained traction. The band went to Australia in 2002 to work and tour. The three lads were over there but my mother told me I wasn’t going until I had the leaving done!

“So I did my Leaving and headed over with Liam. We played some great gigs there. One was in the Gaelic Club in Melbourne inside a small hall with over a thousand people there. Fantastic times.

“We ended up playing nearly five nights a week and the work was thrown to one side for a finish! When we came back it wasn't as though we were rock stars or anything like that. We did a few gigs at the weekend. We had times where lads came and asked us to sign up and do a record deal but it never interested us. It feels too much like work when it goes down that road.

“I see bands there that play five or six nights a week and I don't know how they do it. It is not that you don't enjoy it but it becomes a job and then perspective completely changes.

“Like, after a hard week at work it is tough to get on the road and head to Belfast or Bantry. But when you get into the van, the craic starts and the crowd reacts at the gig which makes it worthwhile then.

“At the moment we are loving it again. There is a resurgence there. The next generation is enjoying it too. They are asking us for songs that we played 20 years ago!

“It’s gas, they are only hearing about these songs now,” he says. Looking at the repertoire over the years, the Rebel Hearts say most of their influences and heroes are home grown: “Obviously MacGowan is massive. His was the first CD the boys had out in the shed when they were practising. Shane MacGowan and the Pogues tunes were played all the time.

“The Blarney Pilgrims too, and my father was in Keltic Swing who were mad busy when we started out. I tagged along to gigs there and took ‘a gra’ from it then. They were really fantastic times with the pubs full and everyone enjoying themselves,” he says.

“The first pub we ever played in was Taffy McGrath’s in Loughmore,” says Tom. “He gave us our big break! We got great support starting out. Coopers up in Ballagh, we had a good few gigs up there and also with Joe Loughnane in Borrisoleigh got us on the road. When we branched further we went to Achill island a good bit and brought half a parish with us!

“Kerry, Cork, Derry and Belfast became regular destinations. After 25 years I think we have only three counties yet to play in, so we hope to cover those this year!”

Their fame and reputation has taken the band around the world and they are guaranteed to please the crowds wherever they play. There have been a couple of late shows, particularly in the early days:

“I remember starting out in the early days and Keltic Swing were playing at the same time. As I was getting ready to go to a gig, the father was too. Joe Brennan, the lead singer with Keltic Swing was there in our house and it was about half nine on a Saturday night. I said to Joe ‘Where are ye playing tonight?’ and he said ‘We are playing out in Everards in Templetuohy, where are ye playing?’ and I said (looking at the clock) The Lower Deck in Portobello in Dublin!

“Our timekeeping wasn’t great back then but opening times were different and you couldn’t meet lads more laid back, so we don’t tend to panic that much.”

The buzz with the crowd has defined Rebel Hearts gigs over the years and their followers adore the energy the band brings to the stage. The crowd means everything to the band as well:

“Absolutely. You’d probably have an idea before the gig what kind of crowd would be there. You’d nearly have a set list done depending on that but it could be a completely different crowd sometimes so you judge it after the first two or three songs. We respond to the crowd and go with the flow.”

The band has earned the trust of punters who are willing to travel and part with their money as they know the band is worth it: “I suppose a lot of it is that we are not professional. I think people see that if you are in their face for 25 years they will be sick of you so maybe it is the fact that we are all working at different jobs and this is a hobby, so people wish you well. We are out for the craic.”

Many have been on the road with them at gigs for years such as Mike Cassidy and Darren Byrnes. Like the rest of the band, Tom Doran comes from a musical background as his father played the accordian and his mother often sings. Music was always in the air: “It was never forced on us but I had an interest in it,” he says.

“There is so much music in Tipperary. I would see guitar players or banjo players in or around Thurles who are unbelievable but they don’t get the credit they deserve. You could see a brilliant guy playing on a Saturday night but just not getting gigs outside of Thurles. I don’t understand how it happens for some musicians or not for others.”

The Rebel Hearts may have been lucky to get a break all those 25 years ago, but they have certainly stood the test of time.

UPCOMING GIGS:
2nd February - Balladfest, Belfast
24th February - Seans Shindig, Hickeys Bar, Thurles
16th March - Roddy McCorleys, Belfast
31st March - The Ragg 25th Anniversary celebration
Summer: West’s Awake; Hooley in the Hills; Portroe Festival