Thanks to our friend Conor McCabe for uploading this seven minute clip from The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2). It features presenter Andy Kershaw traveling to Dublin to report on the local live music scene in May 1985.
It opens with clips of the Ha’Penny Bridge and the Liffey. Followed by images of gig posters for:
– The Virgin Prunes, TV Club, Friday 17th May 1985
– Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, National Stadium, Saturday 11th May 1985
– The Alarm and the Faith Brothers, National Stadium, Sunday 19th May 1985
– Jason & the Scorchers, National Stadium, Thursday 16th May 1985
Cutting to the TV club venue on Harcourt Street, there is footage of live performances from local bands Blue In Heaven performing ‘Big Beat’, Cactus World News performing ‘The Other Extreme’ and Flo McSweeney performing ‘You Are’.
Intertwined between these clips is an interview with DJ and music journalist Dave Fanning.
Finally, presenter Andy Kersahw talks to Paul Cleary of The Blades as he takes them for a walk in the shadow of the now-demolished gasometer. Cleary compares the scene in Dublin to Manchester and Liverpool and discusses their recent record management woes with Electra.
Check it out here. Thanks again Conor.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
nice one, enjoyed this!
[…] It was the catchy tune “George Hamilton’s Dead” that first caught my eye although it was a different George Hamilton to the RTE commentator we know and love. A Scottish band they had some nice jangly pop and liked their feedback. They were on Sarah records for a period in the late 80’s. There was also a band in the late sixties of the same name that released a number of albums……. oh and there’s the Greek Far Right Party Golden Dawn too. And while we’re on music this might be of interest …..The Old Grey Whistle Test Dublin 1985 features on Come Here to Me […]
I’m fairly sure the pub where In Tua Nua are interviewed is The Suffolk House on Suffolk Street which became Thing Mote, then O’Donoghue’s