Ritxi Skatalite
Hi, i’m Ritxi Skatalite and I’m a member of the basque reggae got soul collective. I’ve been involved in the skinhead world since the 90’s. after starting DJ-ing at parties and pubs, the last 6 or 7 years I have DJ’d regularly with the reggae got soul crew, and have played Marseille, Madrid, Copenhagen, Seville, Toulouse and Dublin. It really is a pleasure to link up again with our Irish friends Boss Reggae Train, see you all soon. – Ritxi.
Tommy Hunt
With over 65 years in show business Tommy Hunt is one of the original pioneers of “Rock N Roll”. In the late 50’s a member of the sensational doo wop group, “The Flamingo’s”, before embarking on his solo career in 1960. Tommy Hunt has worked alongside all the greatest artists such as Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, The Sherelles, Dionne Warwick, Chuck Berry, Sam & Dave but to name a few. In the 1970’s Tommy Hunt became a house hold name within the UK Northern Soul Scene, regularly appearing live at The Wigan Casino. Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001 as well as Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000, Doo-Wop Hall of Fame 2001. Now in his eighties Tommy Hunt shows no signs of slowing down. Still regularly performing across the Uk and Europe as well as recording new tracks for releases.
A Band Called Malice
A Band Called Malice was formed when frontman Andy Coultas decided to create a new band. A band to recreate the sound of The Jam with the attitude and feel of the original line up. Finding musicians to do this was not an easy task as the people in the band had to be of exceptional standard, able to sing, able to commit, love The Jam, and of course be fit and agile enough to reproduce the live performance of Weller, Foxton and Buckler. Andy turned to Jo Adams from Their music rocks promotional agency and the search was on. So after a year of auditions and rehearsals, trying different people, some who were good contenders but unable to commit and some others who for one reason or another unsuitable we finally settled on this superb line up we have today. The current band members are spread from around the Midlands so rehearsal time was precious but everyone did their homework and kept any wasted time to a minimum, meeting at Warren’s professional rehearsal rooms in Leicester, all the band needed now was to gel and work well together live, but thankfully because all three members were so experienced, the band were up and running in a flash.
John “Teflon” Sims
John Sims (aka Teflon), a Kentish man, was born in Farnborough in 1950 and grew up in Chelsfield, near Orpington. A winning picture of a Wellington Bomber painted in a primary school best artist playground competition was the beginning of a realisation that maybe talent exisited. John would listen for hours on end to his grand parents records on their Dansette record player at 78, 45 or 33rpm: Connie Francis, Pat Boone, Russ Conway, Mrs Mills, Elvis Presley, Billy Fury, Danny & The Juniors, The Hope Brothers and Bill Hayley and The Comets. Art though was in his blood and at 16 years old John won awards and prizes in a local art competition and this was the beginning of a career in… Read More
Irish Jack
Born in Cork in 1943, Jack Lyons the son of a classical violinist, grew up in London’s Shepherd’s Bush. In 1962 he met the newly formed Detours a year before they became the Who. Befriending Pete Townshend, his mod lifestyle was a major influence in Townshend’s writing of the classic Quadrophenia album. Christened ‘Irish Jack’ by the Who’s manager Kit Lambert in 1964, Jack casted actor Phil Daniels for the lead role as ‘Jimmy’ as well as writing scenario scripts for the official screen writer David Humphries. Still a mod to this day Irish Jack has read his Who / Mod memoirs to audiences in Dublin, England, Scotland and New York.
Digital -Playing the music of Joy Division
Digital – Playing the music of Joy Division – was formed in late 2016 by guitarist Colum Brady, John O’Connor on drums and Tom Kearney on vocals. Early 2017 saw Rory O’Sullivan join as bassist to complete the initial line up. This was expanded in mid 2018 with the addition of Bobby K. on synths & effects to complete the sound. Digital reproduce the iconic music of Joy Division, from their early post-punk recordings through to their posthumous releases. Paying particular attention to the production techniques of Unknown Pleasures, Closer & Still producer, Martin Hannet, Digital perform an energetic live show that captures both the starkness and warmth of Joy Division. Blasting out classics like Disorder, New Dawn Fades, Ceremony, Atmosphere and LWTUA, Digital will have you moving to She’s Lost Control, rocking to Warsaw and singing along to Transmission…Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance to the radio…
Pacemaker
The band is called PACEMAKER and features Paul Bolger (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Michael Wall (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Steve Roche (Bass/Vocals) and Andy Kavanagh (Drums). We all took our first steps towards stage play in local 80’s and 90’s rock bands such as Purple Haze, Sub Zero and too many more to mention. We are excited and delighted to be playing the Retro Festival and will play two shows of classic hard rock with a few punky numbers thrown in for good measure.The band name came after Paul suggested “Peacemaker” and Mick fired back with “PACEMAKER” as something more suitable as we are all on the wrong side of a big birthday these days. Pacemaker is also how some Waterford people might say “Peacemaker” 😉 so it’s a win win situation – like we hope the gigs will be. Who can ask for more when you get to hear the likes of AC/DC, Whitesnake, The Undertones and Deep Purple and a whole lot more in two special shows this year.
Donal Dineen
Donal Dineen was renown across the country as presenter of No Disco , RTÉ’s former flagship music television programme which was broadcasted on Network 2, from 1993 – 2003. During Donal’s time hosting the show, musicians and bands such as David Gray, The Frames, David Kitt and The Divine Comedy attribute a large portion of their success to exposure on No Disco.
Liam Dollard
Liam Dollard also known as “The Godfather Of Dublin House Music.” Liam Dollard, one of the first generation of Dublin based DJ’s to really bring the house sound to the city. Liam has been rocking raves and clubs for over 26 years. His first serious gig in Dublin was a warehouse party near Thomas Street on a Friday night in the Summer of 1990. That night the infamous SIDES club was empty with Dublin’s small party faithful going up to check out was going on at the Thomas St. all-nighter. The following week Liam was asked to become SIDES Friday night resident, a role he played for the next four years. In 1994 he released alongside Vintin a remix of Mad Sound Disease’s ‘Moonboon’ which became a Dublin House classic. Liam followed with residencies in the Ormond Multi-Media Centre, Temple of Sound, PoD and the Kitchen. In the late 1990s, his last major residency was downstairs in The Temple Theatre. He also had a monthly resident at the club called Can’t Stop in Waterford City from 1994. In March 1999, he teamed up with Billy Scurry and played San Francisco, Los Angeles and Hawaii all in the same week. Liam subsequently went into semi-retirement but these days comes out every now and again to rock out special gigs. And any time I’m on Dame Lane I think of the beginning of the clubbing revolution in Sides with Liam Dollard’s DJ-ing, that really broke down the class barriers in the city forever. He is not to be missed at the Cant Stop 25th Anniversary gig here in Waterford City the venue is The Factory on April 12th 2019.
DJ Nailer
DJ Nailer whose real name is Niall McLoughlan, was resident DJ of both clubs Can’t Stop and Man Fridays back in the 90‘s. Cited by many as the pioneer who brought real dance music to Ireland in the early to mid 90s. He was the fore front of the dance music scene in Waterford City. With people still talking about its legendry sets today, and today’s generation, too young to have experienced it at the time, wondering what it was really like to have experienced such a DJ set when the House music scene was at its strongest. he was that gifted and always up for the craic too. He is after playing all over Ireland in several venues. Nailer don’t play much these days as he is all settled down with a job and kids, but still has a passion for House Music, and is not to be missed at Can’t Stop 25th Anniversary at The Factory in Waterford City on April 12th 2019.
DJ Evan Boyle
Having been involved with running events with Friday Night Social in Tramore and Footnotes in Cork & London for the last number of years, Evan is currently a monthly resident on Dublin Digital Radio hosting a new music show entitled The Newness. For this event he will bring along nothing but blues records; expect Jimmy Reed, Big Mama Thornthon, Peter Green, John Lee Hooker etc etc etc
Garry O’Neill
Garry O’Neill is a Dublin collector and curator of Irish youth culture history. He is the author/editor of the highly acclaimed book Where Were You – Dublin Youth Culture & Street Style 1950-2000. Alongside illustrator/graphic designer Niall McCormack, he forms Hitone Books, who recently released a compendium of the revered Irish post-punk magazine Vox, titled Vox – Complete 1980-83. A regular contributed to radio, television, exhibitions and talks. He is currently compiling a series of decade specific follow-up books to Where Were You plus a book on the history of the Dublin record shop.