The Hitchers

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Eric, Niall, Andy, Hoss.

The Hitchers are a band from Limerick city, Ireland who formed in early January 1989.

1 Band members
2 History
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] Band members

Andy Gallagher - Vocals, Guitars.

Niall Quinn - Vocals, Drums.

Hoss Carnage - Bass, Vocals.

Eric Fitzgerald - Guitars, Vocals.

[edit] History

Timeline:

6 January 1989: “10.6 Rothmans & a Stolen Barrel of Heineken Please” officially shorten their moniker to “The Hitchers” – a name derived from the Rutger Hauer ‘80’s road movie, The Hitcher.
20 January 1989: First gig in Limerick Youth Service Center non-alcoholic teen disco “The Oasis Club”.
Summer 1989: following several line up changes and a local band slam win, -first studio recording emerges “The Streaking Chicken From Mercury Who Exposed Himself to Everything E.P.”.
Spring 1990: “Alice is here” on “The Reindeer Age”, a compilation of Shannonside bands. The Hitchers win ‘Skool Band 90’ Band slam. First T.V. appearance on ‘Jo-Maxi’.
June 29, 1990: Hastily re-arrange release gig for debut single ‘There’s a Bomb in that Basket of Fruit’ so as not to miss out on Republic of Ireland's World Cup Quarter-Final clash with Italy.
Aug 1990: Video for ‘Alice is here’ shown on Network 2s Puirini.
18 October 1990: Release second single ‘Blame it on His Hormones’ Perform acoustic set on Network 2s Scratch Saturday.
April 1991: Perform ‘Blame it on His Hormones’ and ‘Dirty Diane the Deceased Citroen’ on Network 2s Scaoil Amach an Bobailinn.
5 March 1992: New three-piece line up with a new heavier, faster sound release third single ‘Holy Spirit Level’. Poor local live scene means gigs are few and far between.
Autumn 1992: Niall wins inaugural Hot Press Songwriter of the Year award for ‘Red Mohair Jumper’.
Summer 1993: Invited to play RTÉ 2fm Cork Rocks …Cassette EPs ‘Spermgargle’ and ‘New Improved Spermgargle’ sell like hot cakes. Win third band slam competition –in Mitchelstown. Irish Fashion commentator Pat O’Mahony has high praise for The Hitchers and their ‘Jack Charlton’ T-Shirts.
Spring 1994: Red Mohair Jumper’ makes final of 2TV new band challenge.
Autumn 1994: The Hitchers become a four piece with the addition of Eric Fitzgerald on guitar. Release fourth single ‘She’ll Be Sorry’. Video shown on ‘No Disco’.
Summer 1995: The Hitchers play Freiburg Music Festival, Germany and support ‘A House’ on southern Irish tour.
Feb 1996: Sign to Murgatroid Independent Record Company and spend first half of 96 in Xeric studios recording debut L.P.
7 January 1997: ‘Killed It With My Bare Hands’ is The Hitchers fifth single and their first for Murgatroid.
Mar 1997: Debut L.P. ‘It’s All Fun & Games ‘Till Someone Loses An Eye’ is released in Ireland. The Hitchers perform on Kenny Live.
April 1997: The Hitchers First UK dates coincide with the release of ‘Killed It…’ in Britain. Positive reviews –notably in Kerrang! Video shown on MTV's Alternative Nation and on No Disco.
June 1997: Support The Divine Comedy (band) in Belfast’s Mandela Hall. The Hitchers set later broadcast by BBC on Steve Lamacq show. Double A-side single ‘You Can Only Love Someone’/’Strachan’ released in Ireland & UK –Fantastic reviews in NME/Melody Maker. Single of the fortnight in Hot Press.
July 1997: Coventry City F.C. manager Gordon Strachan phones to wish the lads well on first major UK tour as ‘It’s All Fun & Games…’ is released in the UK The Hitchers kick off their tour with an appearance at the Phoenix Festival and while in London record session for the late, great John Peel at BBC Maida Vale.
Oct 1997: ‘Big Mug’ is final single lifted from ‘…Fun & Games…’. Video shown on No Disco
Spring 1998: Monthly trips to UK for showcase and demo-ing second L.P. Spend St. Patrick’s weekend playing in Paris, France.
April 1998: In Belfast on the day Good Friday Agreement is reached as nominees in best Irish single category of Heineken Hot Press awards. –‘A Life Less Ordinary’ by Ash (band) wins.
August 1998: Record second L.P. in just eleven days at Xeric studios just before it closes for good.
Nov 1998: ‘I Can’t Breath in Outer Space’ – the first single from the new L.P. is released in UK & Ireland. Bob Geldof describes The Hitchers as ‘…the best Irish band in the last twenty years…’.
May 1999: The Hitchers second L.P. ‘For the Want of Some Better T.V.’ is released in UK & Ireland. However shortly after it’s release Murgatroid cease trading and release their artist roster, which also includes The Shanks, Figment and Siobhan McGowan from their contracts.
Spring 2000: The Hitchers set up their own record label 4-3-3 and begin planning a UK tour and a new release for summer. Universal Pictures approach the band about using ‘You Can Only Love Someone…’ in a new Irish based movie ‘Rat’.
April 2000: Bassist and founder member Hoss Carnage announces his retirement and plays his last Hitchers gig.
Sep 2000: Frank Ryan - lead singer and guitarist with Limerick band Barberskum is unveiled as the Hitchers new bassist and plays his first gig in Galway. ‘Rat’ is released in Ireland.
Dec 2000: The Hitchers play the AMCs 1st birthday party in Dolan’s, Limerick. The gig is recorded for future release.
Feb 2001: The Hitchers announce they are to split. Their 286th gig, in The Basement at The Globe on Thursday 15th, will be their last.
Dec 2001: The Hitchers briefly reform to release their farewell CD EP ‘Liver’ with a gig at Dolans Warehouse, Limerick on 30 December.

“The more you ask (Limerick) people about them, the more the word Legends shows up. Everyone seems to have a story about their favourite Hitchers moment, scariest Hitchers gig or nearest Hitchers miss. For an awful lot of people The Cranberries were far from the biggest band to come out of Limerick… …at a time when people like The Strokes and The White Stripes are turning heads and filling pages, you wonder did The Hitchers call it a day a year too soon.” Limerick Event Guide - Dec 2001.

Spring 2002: Liver video receives repeat plays on Irish language TV's Pop TV (TG4) and No Disco (Network 2).
Dec 2002: The Hitchers are back at Dolans Warehouse, Limerick on 29 December.
Jan 2003: 'A Well Earned Break For The Firing Squads -The Hitchers 1989-2001' is released.
Dec 2003: The Hitchers by now annual Christmas party gig takes place at The High Stool, Limerick on 27 December.
Dec 2004: Christmas party gig takes place in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick.
Dec 2005: The Christmas party gig took place in Dolans Warehouse, Limerick on Friday 30 December.
2006+: Rumours of a new record release sometime in 2006 are as yet unconfirmed.