Social Weevils
NEWS
The new Social Weevils CD "Over the Ocean" is available at Fox Records, Hanoi, Vietnam and the Lafayette Renaisance Academy in Lafayette, IN (USA).
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The Social Weevils are a fluid bunch of musicians and singers who perform sets of traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes and songs from Ireland and Scotland. The band's first CD, "One for the Road," was recorded on January 3, 2000 at the Army Recording Studios in Hanoi, Vietnam, using instruments that were mostly cheap and/or broken. On that CD the Social Weevils were Peter Taylor (button accordion, guitar, mandolin, vocals), Kevin Higgins (tenor banjo, mandolin), Don McIntyre (fiddle), Huub Buise (guitar, vocals), Bob Baulch (guitar, vocals), and Mary O'Keeffe (vocals on one song). On Christmas Eve, 2000, the band recorded another CD, "Live at the R&R," at the R&R Tavern in Hanoi, Vietnam, thanks to owner Jay Ellis his wife and their son, and Ralph Raymond at the 4-track mixing board. The line-up that night was Peter Taylor on all his usual instruments and vocals, Don McIntyre on his fiddle, Ann Russell on recorders, Alec Soucy on tin whistle, Genvieve Thibault on bodhran and accapela vocals, Mary O'Keeffe providing Irish and English vocals, Joe Peters on guitar, mandolin and vocals, and assorted other friends (instruments, vocals, hand claps and foot stomps). The band's second studio CD, "Over the Ocean," was recorded in March 2004 at Kien Quyet Studio in Hanoi. The line-up for that album included Don McIntyre (fiddle, vocals), Anna Russell (recorders), Liz Druitt (bass clarinet), Darryl Rees (guitar, vocals), & Joe Peters (guitar).
Why this name?
Hmm, that's a strange story, one that probably walks that fine line between fact and fiction. But it is said that once upon a time in Hanoi there was a Drag Queen Ball, and as you can imagine this was frowned upon by the government authorities. Subsequently in the newspapers was a spate of articles decrying the "social evils" of western influence. Well, you can guess the rest, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Do you play live?
We most certainly do! In fact, in the early years the Social Weevils were forbidden to practice, and only played live pub gigs and house parties. Preferably acoustic only, in a bit of a semi-circle, or wherever we could fit into the tight pub quarters, you know, in that famous Irish pub scene style of free-form sessions where others could join in and those so moved could dance, clap, shout and cheer. Our favorite place to play in those days was the R&R Tavern; in later years as the lineup changed, we moved to the Labyrinth Bar in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Frankly, every moment with the Weevils is special, but one highlight in particular was when we played Christmas Eve at the R&R and had finished for the night around midnight or so, when in walked the young Vietnamese girls from Pepperonni's Pizza parlor, resplendent in their Santa Claus hats--and did they want to party. We played another full set, and never was there a more enthusiastic crowd. Merry Christmas!
How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?
Huh? Hey, this is an Irish band after all...
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
No, but we'd love to be invited to play the Lotus World Music Festival in Bloomington, Indiana or the Indiana Fiddler's Gathering in Battleground, Indiana...or anywhere else for that matter!
Band History:
The life cycle of the Social Weevils began on St. Patrick's Day, 1999 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since then the band has undergone several changes in lineup--there are now emigre Weevils living all around the world. Twas the love of traditional Irish and Scottish music that brought us all together in a foreign land.
Your influences?
Long-dead Irish and Scottish composers and commoners alike; The Pogues; Van Morrison; Natalie MacMaster; Dougie MacLean; and many others.
Favorite spot?
Hanoi, Vietnam...but the Social Weevils have played together in Ireland and Sweden, and are planning a reunion in Australia in 2005.
Equipment used:
Ha, ha, ha! Mostly cheap and/or broken instruments!
Anything else...?
Long live the Social Weevils!
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