Breaking News

Dire Straits And Oasis Legends Play The Thatch




















Former members of the legendary Dire Straits and English group Oasis will be dropping into the Thatch in Rahan this week.

John Illsley (Dire Straits) and Greg Pearle plays The Thatch next Monday, November 10, while Oasis legend Bonehead and singer-songwriter Pete Macleod take to this stage this Friday, November 7.

John Illsley was the bass player with the legendary 120 million album selling Dire Straits and contributing vocalist to their Communiqué, Making Movies and Brothers in Arms albums until the group dissolved in 1995. John also released two albums of his own, Never Told A Soul in 1984 and Glass in 1988.

Until recently, John had retired from music and moved to rural Hampshire with his family to focus on his other passion, painting. He bought a local pub, the East End Arms, and The George Hotel on the Isle of Wight, and began exhibiting his art around the world.

Everything changed when he met the Irish rock group Cunla in a pub in Leicestershire. This was in March 2005, when Greg Pearle was their singer, and the vibe was so intense that John took to the stage for the first time since 1993, joining the band to play a couple of Dire Straits' numbers.

John recalls: 'I was asked to play a few tunes with them. I liked their attitude and the fact that despite the large quantities of Guinness that had been consumed they could all play very well.'

To coincide with an exhibition of his art in Les Baux de Provence, John was asked to perform some Dire Straits songs.
"The Mayor of the town asked me and it's not done in France to refuse the Mayor. I asked Cunla if they could learn some Dire Straits songs and it turned out that Greg was a big fan and knew a lot of the songs already," said John.

John and Cunla played at the Festival des Alpilles, performing to 1300 people in the Cathedral D'Image in Les Baux de Provence. The show was recorded and John was 'pleasantly surprised' by the results. 'I initially wanted the band to have a record of their French experience but several people heard it and encouraged us to release it.'

John and Greg became friends and John discovered that Greg was a songwriter. "We spent some time knocking his songs into shape then began recording them in Mark Knopfler's fabulous studio in Hammersmith. Wait 'til you hear them. Greg writes brilliant songs and has an amazing voice," he said.

John and Greg will play the Thatch Rahan on Monday November 10.

Meanwhile acclaimed singer-songwriter Pete Macleod and Oasis legend Bonehead are touring together this autumn.
Pete Macleod and Bonehead have come together to create a special one-off acoustic tour. This is the first time that Pete Macleod has toured the UK and is one of Bonehead's rare appearances since leaving Oasis. Bonehead's Myspace attracted 1000 + friends within the first hour of going 'live'.

LA based Glaswegian Pete has caught the attention of Q Magazine, Alan McGee and radio playlisters on both sides of the Atlantic. Voted one of the top 50 downloads by Q, and with a heavily downloaded album 'This Is Modern Soul'.
Pete's vision has been clear from the start, to create an album that has "great songs with a big sound to back it up".

Now touring the UK for the first time with Oasis' founder member Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, fans will get a chance to hear the songs live, and also see the much-missed Oasis guitarist playing live again.

Pete's powerful vocals & captivating lyrics combined with Bonehead's legendary and exemplary guitar playing will create a tremendous gig, not to be missed!
Expect hits from 'Definitely Maybe' and 'Whats The Story Morning Glory'

Catch them at the Thatch Rahan on Friday November 7. Tickets for both gigs are available from Heartbeat City and for more information log onto www.myspace.com/ thethatchrahan

Source: www.offalyexpress.ie

No comments