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Marian Burns - Fiddle, Guitar, Vocals & Persussion
Eddie McIntyre - Guitar, Mandolin & Vocals
Peter Williams - Bass, Accordian & Vocals
Paddy Hallissey - Drums, Guitar, Vocals & Percussion
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The McSweeney Brothers have established themselves as one of Auckland’s leading performing Irish bands. Begun in 1996, they were invited to ‘put the Irish back’ into Auckland’s then famous Kitty O’Briens Hotel. During their residency at Kitty's, they were asked to open for such prestigious acts as ‘Shaylee Wilde’ from Australia and NZ’s own ex- pats ‘The Hooligans’ (formerly Irish Heartbeat).
In 1997, they were joined by NZ’s Top Country Fiddle Player, Marian Burns, also winner of the Viewers’ Final in TV One’s Showcase 1997. The McSweeney Brothers then went on to play at ‘The Colleen of the Year’ function, various St Patrick’s Day functions, The Immigrant Hotel and both the Pre & Post Dinners of The Riverdance Show throughout its season in Auckland. This has been supplemented by a wide number of outside appearances, ranging from The Mud Brick Café on Waiheke Island to The Grace Hill Vineyard in Kumeu Auckland.
In 1997 the group obtained a residency at Auckland’s newest Irish establishment, ‘The Claddagh’ in Newmarket. From here, they built up one of the most popular followings in Auckland. This led to the release of their CD "The McSweeney Brothers, Live at The Claddagh". Recorded in July 1998, this coincided with co-founder member Phil McSweeney's departure for London. The album was successfully launched on St. Patrick's Day, 1999.
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Songs on the CD
| Intro | Fields Of Athenrey | Hornpipes |
| Seven Curses | Sam Hall | Knocking on Heavens Door |
| Whiskey In The Jar | The Ould Triangle | The Times They Are A-Changing |
| The Star Of The Country Down | The Leaving Of Liverpool | The Wild Rover |
| Like A Rolling Stone | Black 'n' Tans | Brown Eyed Girl |
| Gloria | Red Rose Cafe | The Moonshiner |
Originally this recording was to be made for posterity to coincide with Phil's departure for London. However, such was the response to the performance that night from family, friends and supporters, that what is on this CD is a reord of that night. The recording is also unique in that it features the three original McSweeney Brothers, with their 'sister' Marian. It is essentially a collection of McSweeney favourites and we hope that it captures for you too the enjoyment of the Claddagh Irish Pub, one special Sunday night in winter.
Following the departure of Phil saw the almost seamless addition of Eddie McIntyre from another popular Irish band, Twisty Willow, to strengthen the lineup vocally, and to add the diversity and colour of the mandolin.
Over the St Patrick’s Day 2000, the band played a hectic schedule of 12 gigs in 11 days! The highlight being two sell-out nights at SKY City’s ‘New City Bar’ - The McSweeney Brothers are already pencilled in at SKY for St Patrick’s Day again in 2001!
As a result of their consistency, and authenticity in their live performances, The McSweeney Brothers are now appearing regularly at The Muddy Farmer (Central City), O’Hagans Bar (Pakuranga), The Cheshire Cat (Victoria Park Markets) and at Muldoon’s Bar in Orewa.
Since their arrival at O'Hagan's in Pakuranga, The McSweeney Brothers have become 'house band' appearing fortnightly (on Sundays) and on every 17th of the month which is treated as St. Patrick's Day. (A tradition that has been successfully established in many Irish pubs in Australia). With a fanatical following called "Adrian's Army", every McSweeney Brothers appearance at O'Hagan's has become not just a musical performance, but more a total experience - slightly unnerving for 1st timers apparently! It is a venue and event at which everyone from children to grandparents can take part in and enjoy themselves.
This has led to a number of private engagements and to the possibility of the next McSweeney Brothers album being recorded there.
At this stage, the album has been given the working title of 'Songs To March Around The Room To', and further details will be released on this website.
The McSweeney Brothers, to quote the pundits, "...is a band that delivers traditional and modern Irish music only as you would hear it played in Ireland..." Their exciting blend of great musical virtuosity, and vocal harmony has led to their establishment on the Auckland scene. This only lives up to the McSweeneys Pledge - to bring to as many people possible, the enjoyment and craic of Irish music!
On December 3rd 2000, the Sunday performance was recorded live by Peter Van Gent of South Auckland Studios (who'd also worked on "Live At The Claddagh") before a packed and enthusiastic O'Hagan's house. Rumour has it that "some"regulars were there as early as midday to secure a prime spot. What resulted was the 18 track CD "ANY OTHER SUNDAY" -- LIVE AT O'HAGAN'S.
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Songs on the CD
| 40lb Float | Maggie May | Maid of Fife * |
| Back Home in Derry | Sloop John B * | Drowsy Maggie |
| Reels | God Save Ireland * | Orange Blossom Special |
| Four Strong Winds * | Banks of the Ohio * | Orange and the Green |
| Lily the Pink * | Jacobites | Boys of the Old Brigade |
| The Devil Went Down to Georgia | 500 Miles | 40lb Float/Those Were the Days |
Eddie McIntyre performs lead vocals on most tracks,
except those marked with *, where Paddy Hallissey performs.
Marian Burns sings lead vocals on The Devil
Went Down to Georgia.
Thanks to Eamon McIntyre for backing vocals, tin
whistle and guitar on Boys of the Old Brigade.
Thanks to Elizabeth Barnett who joined us to play
violin on Drowsy Maggie.
Recorded live at O'Hagans Irish Bar, Pakuranga,
Auckland, 3 December 2000.
Engineered and mastered by Peter van Gent.
Mixed at South Auckland Studios.
Produced by Paddy Hallisey and Eddie McIntyre.
Photography by Darren Knight.
Cover design by The Writers Workshop Ltd.
The McSweeneys finished the year with "sell-out" Christmas and New
Years Eve gigs at O'HAGANS to complete over 100 gigs for the year. After only
a 2 week break the McSweeneys were back to work gigging and working
on production of their new CD. The culmination of the early year's work was
the release of "ANY OTHER SUNDAY" on St Patrick's Day (March 17th 2001)
and 2 nights at SKY CITY to co-incide with this. The band has continued to
work steadily throughout the year being in demand privately, maintaining their
Sunday residencies at O'HAGAN'S and THE IMMIGRANT and appearing in other Irish
Bars around town as they are available.
Brent Cardy of REAL GROOVE Magazine (Sept. 2001 Edition) described them as
a "rollicking band" who play "real Irish soul music". Requests from Irish
Pubs in Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Queenstown and Christchurch have
lead to the possibility of a National Tour this Summer. This remains a definite
possibility but in the meantime the McSweeneys will continue with their
regular Pub committments and psych up for the added onslaught that Christmas
and New Year traditionally bring.
In addition to this they will be producing the Video version of ANY OTHER
SUNDAY and will be looking forward to a new EP featuring the McSweeney
treatment of 6 or so very well known Irish tunes. It is hoped that the Video
should be ready for Christmas this year. (See this site/newsletters for further
information on this).
It is also of some note -- much to their amazement -- that Marian and "The
Brothers" have attracted their own fan clubs e.g. Adrian's Army. This is perhaps
not so amazing if you were to experience a performance by the McSweeneys
on any other Sunday out at O'HAGAN'S. Get a group of friends together and
treat yourselves. You could even go on your own and it wouldn't take you long
to get to know someone . Adrian's Army is always looking for recruits!
For further information and gig guide etc email mcsweeny@ihug.co.nz
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