| LaFaro | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Genres | Alternative rock Punk rock Post-hardcore |
| Years active | 2004 – present |
| Labels | Smalltown America Records (UK) |
| Website | Official |
| Members | |
| Jonny Black Dave Magee Alan Lynn Cahir O'Doherty (Stand-In) |
|
| Past members | |
| Anna Fitzsimons Herb Magee |
|
LaFaro are a four piece alternative rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They consist of Jonny Black (guitar/vocals), Dave Magee (guitar), Cahir O'Doherty (Bass, Temporary) and Alan Lynn (drums).
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They have been described as: "old school post hardcore sounds with just drums, guitars and big chunky distorted bass and Jonny Black mangling his vocals like he’s got a mouth full of drill bits, believe me, it’s a good thing. They sound like Big Black in some garage rock hybrid blended with the explosive sounds of Girls Against Boys, Jesus Lizard, Mclusky and the Cows and other am rep artists. They are one of the finest Irish Alt rock bands you are likely to hear in quite a while".[1]
They were once signed to Nottingham's Field Records,[2] and while with the label released the well received "LaFaro EP" in 2006 containing the lead track "Tupenny Nudger". The band has been voted BBC Northern Ireland Across the Line Local Act of the Year for the last 2 years running[3] and had features in Hot Press[4] and Alternative Ulster magazines. They have also played support slots for Ash,[5] The Pogues,[6] Oppenheimer and Fighting With Wire,[7] as well as shows at the SXSW Festival 2007 in Texas.
They also contributed a new track "Mr Heskey", to the "Oh Yeah Sessions '08" album[8] a showcase for local Northern Irish music recorded at Belfast's Oh Yeah music centre which was released in April 2008.
Most recently "Tupenny Nudger" was awarded the title of 'Best Northern Irish song of the past 5 years' in a poll conducted by AU magazine, the results of which were published in October 2008, beating Snow Patrol and Ash.
The band released the 5 track "EP2" in the autumn of 2008.
After a successful UK tour in February/March 2009 supporting Fighting With Wire and And So I Watch You From Afar, the band came home to play one of their biggest shows to date at the re-opening of Belfast's Ulster Hall as part of the BBC's 'Do You Remember The First Time' show. They then went straight into the studio to record their debut album. LaFaro spent the following months writing and gigging around Ireland including an outstanding performance on the main stage at Glasgowbury 2009, being handpicked to support The Pogues by the band themselves, and their second show in the Ulster Hall in 2009.
The band toured constantly in 2010 starting in the UK in January through to the end of February. Their debut album LaFaro was released on Smalltown America Records on May 10, 2010 to universal acclaim both at home and on the mainland. Both "Tupenny Nudger" and "Leningrad" were under heavy rotation on Zane Lowe's Radio One Evening show.
Tours at home and across Europe in support of Helmet rounded out the band's most successful year to date.
Herb Magee, bassist and twin brother of guitarist Dave Magee, announced his departure from the band while on stage at the Pigstock festival in 2011.
The band's new album Easy Meat was released on 3 October 2011 and is already garnering excellent reviews.[9] The title track was released in the summer of 2011, with a second single, "Meat Wagon" currently scheduled for release on 3 September.