Hal (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications.
Primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of the article are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please include more appropriate citations from reliable sources, or discuss the issue on the talk page.
This article has been tagged since May 2008.
HAL in 2005. From left to right: Dave Allen, Paul Allen, Stephen O'Brien. Photo: Tara Darby
HAL in 2005. From left to right: Dave Allen, Paul Allen, Stephen O'Brien. Photo: Tara Darby

Hal are a critically acclaimed Irish band comprised of brothers Dave Allen (vocals/guitar) and Paul Allen (vocals/bass), Stephen O'Brien (keyboards, occasional guitars and backing vocals) and Steve Hogan (drums) who formed in 2003.

Contents

[edit] Biography

HAL was signed to Rough Trade Records following a bidding war with several major labels.

HAL during a concert in 2005. From left to right.: Paul Allen, Dave Allen, Steve Hogan . Photo: Rubber Soul
HAL during a concert in 2005. From left to right.: Paul Allen, Dave Allen, Steve Hogan . Photo: Rubber Soul

Their first single, Worry About the Wind was released in 2004. This single was very well received by press, and many claimed that HAL would become the band of 2004. Their debut album, "Hal" was one of the best reviewed albums of 2005. Their singles "What a Lovely Dance" and "Play the Hits" are prominently featured on Match of the Day and World Cup 2006. Two other songs from this album, Don't Come Running/I Sat Down were released as a double A-side single. The band also released a double 7" single with UK Indie band The Magic Numbers. HAL contributed their song Keep Love As Your Golden Rule to this single.

They also contributed their cover of John Lennon's Mind Games for a Q Magazine special CD in October 2005. After a short tour through England, Ireland, Europe and Japan, the band went back into the studies at the end of 2005. Their highly anticipated second album was expected to be released in 2007.



[edit] Awards

  • The Irish Post Best Newcomer Award 2005
  • European Border Breakers Award 2006, awarded by the European Commission in Cannes in January 2006
  • Best Irish Album of 2005 in the Irish Independent
  • Nr.1 album van 2005 in French music magazine MAGIC
  • One of the albums of 2005 in Mojo and Uncut


[edit] Nominations

  • Best Irish Band of 2005 at the Irish Music Awards


[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

  • Worry About The Wind (26-04-2004)
  • What A Lovely Dance (24-01-2005)
  • Play The Hits (11-04-2005)
  • Don't Come Running/I Sat Down (15-08-2005)

[edit] External links