A look to the left will show that our band finally picked a name.
We are the WhiskyTones: Ken Thompson - percussion, Dave Mavity-zouk- mando-banjo, Brian Mavity-smallpipes-whistles-gtr, Dan Post- fiddle, Marilyn Merlino-guitar-bass gtr and me, whistles-harmonica-gtrs.
No demo yet or pic but gigs at a contradance and OLearys Irish Pub in mid-October. And fiddler is moving away after next two gigs so if ya fiddle and live in Bay Area, PM me!
We play Irtrad, including Donegal style tunes (ala Altan) and Scots tunes and a few Old Timey and sing old and neo-trad and a few sea shanteys. I always lobby for more Irish but group started with ex-members of Scots groups so tunes were built in.
Pickin a name was hard. I came up with many, including final choice, but I have a list of runner-ups if you are going through same process. Top contenders included: Molly and the Deadbeats (too many molly groups tho) and THe Hangover’s and Last Night’s Fun. I offered to use Weekenders, but can ya believe it, they didn’t like it Third Weekender even gave permission. He may fiddle with us yet tho.
In fact, we all are whiskylovers. At $20 a bottle for something dacent, rehearsals are expensive! I introduced the concept of the water pitcher with hi-quality branch but with only moderate success…
Ah… whiskey - oil far de finners,
cuttin da friction
greasin the fiddler
and whistler too
wit fiction fer da brain… whoo-hoo!
Aye, pass dat bottle roun agin.
I miss the fun, I do, but not the mornins arter.
and I wish I could remember all the lyrics to the tune “Whiskey yer the devil”:
Ah, Whiskey yer the devil, yer leadin’ me astray,
yer (something, something, something)
and sweeter far than tea,
Oh Whiskey, you’re the Devil, you’re my darlin’
No doubt it was that very influence that leaves it foggy in me brain
Dave M, the zoukster in the band, REALLY wanted “Whisky Before Breakfast” for the name, I swear its true. Either that or “Gardy Loo” or a whole series of self-deprecatin and/or semi-filthy monikers. Of course, he was in a band called “Plaid Attitude” so humour is in. We almost went with "WhiskyKings (which left out the other Weekender, gender-wise) or WhiskyTime. But Tones won out in the end, after we sobered up from Sat. wedding.
But because I do the graphics, I wanted shorter. But i did like
“Last Night’s Fun”
And as for all that poetic stuff about whisky, damn right!!!
Band names can be a real head-scratcher. At a céilí once, I told the dancemaster that our ad hoc band was called “The Scutterin’ Gobshites”. All very tongue-in-cheek. He kept reintroducing us to the dancers, and it was all I could do not to die laughing. He seemed to like repeating the name. He obviously didn’t get it, which was a bit of a surprise.
I related the story later to a fiddler, whose comment was, “Nice.”
Ya know that I’ve just gotta poke my nose in whenever whisky comes up!
Weekender, you’ve got a fine name for your group. Someday I hope to make it down to see you. Currently, it seems that I don’t even have time to make it around the block, let alone the Bay area. I have no time for anything yet I’m not doing anything…is that possible??
A Scottish Toast (Frank McNie)
Here’s to them… brought us this far
And to them we’ve yet to see,
Them that made us what we are
And them that we will be.
Here’s to them that are in need
And to them who help them too,
Them that follow them that lead
And them who’s heart’s are true.
Here’s to them that love this land
All them of Scottish creed,
Raise them now to that Almighty Hand
That spread them Scottish seed.
The Gobshites…dang…i shoulda thot of that. Or, in full homage to Peter Laban, The Feckin’ Gobshites… If Dave M. hears that, 'm back to illustratin a new logo.
Vape: is there a tune to that great toast??? Kewl. Also, don’t forgit November 8 Whistle-Bang. Yer invited. Parky too…
Oh, Whiskey yer the divil
Yer leadin me astray,
over hills and mountains,
unto Amer-ee-kay…
Yer sweeter, stronger, spunkier,
Yer decenter than tay (tea),
Oh Whiskey yer me darlin’ drunk or sooooober!
I don’t think there’s music for it, but since the author is still alive and his email address can be found at the above URL, I suppose you could ask him yourself. Maybe some original tunes from the WhiskyTones?? (Did I violate copyright by putting that toast up?? I figured he was dead until you asked if there was music for it and I investigated further )
I’ll put the November date on my calender! I’ll get the details once the date gets closer.
Third Weekender even gave permission. He may fiddle with us yet tho.
HIC!
)