| The Killdares | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dallas, Texas |
| Genres | celtic rock |
| Years active | 1996 – present |
| Labels | None |
| Website | http://www.killdares.com |
| Members | |
| Tim Smith Roberta Rast Matt Willis Brek Lancaster |
|
| Past members | |
| Jim Dawson James Dunning Stacy Edwards Jeff Fentum Roy Fletcher Jim Folstad Troy Gallaher Wes Lorber Jesse Owsley Ann Purdy Linda Relph Ed Walewski |
|
The Killdares are a Dallas celtic rock group formed in 1996.[1] The group has released four studio albums and two live music projects; the live CD LIVE from 2002 and live DVD/dual CD combo Up Against the Lights in 2010. The Killdares have played many local Dallas Metroplex festivals including Taste Addison, MayFest, Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival, and Grapefest,[2] and have been featured at the State Fair of Texas for twelve years. [3]
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The Killdares were founded in 1996 by lead singer and drummer Tim Smith, along with former members Jesse Owsley, Ann Purdy and fiddler Linda Relph. Both Purdy and Owsley left within the first year, while Relph was with the band until 2002. In 1998, the band released their self-produced debut CD, Broken With A Word[1]
In 2001 The Killdares released A Place To Stand, which was produced by Chris Bell. This album would be submitted in 2001 for Grammy nominations in 5 categories.[1]
The Killdares released their third CD in the middle of the 2002. Titled LIVE, this album songs from their live set list, including cover versions of songs from Big Country, Fairport Convention, and The Ramones.[1]
In 2002 six-time National Fiddle Champion Roberta Rast joined the band.[1] More changes to the lineup would occur in mid 2004 with the addition of James Dunning on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Stacy Edwards on bass guitar, and Brek Lancaster on lead guitar. Matt Willis joined the band on highland bagpipes in September 2004.[4][5]
In 2005, James Dunning left the band to form Lost Immigrants, but his song-writing was prominently featured on The Killdares' fourth album Any Given Element (2005).[6] In mid 2005, Jim Dawson joined the band on bass guitar. This lineup, Tim Smith on lead vocals and drums, Roberta Rast on fiddle and ukulele, Brek Lancaster on lead guitar, Matt Willis on bagpipes and whistles, and Jim Dawson on bass guitar, would go on to record both Any Given Element (2005) and Secrets of the Day (2008).
For Secrets of the Day (2008), The Killdares again worked with producer Ronan Chris Murphy and engineer Chris Bell.[7] The Killdares released Secrets of the Day in July 2008 at The House of Blues (Dallas). The album has been submitted for multiple Grammy nominations in six categories including Album of the Year, Best Rock Instrumental, and Contemporary Folk Album.[8]
In 2009, Troy Gallaher would be featured on bass. In 2010-11, the lineup only included four members, with the bass position being filled by by special guest players. Gavin Kelso would play bass from January 2010 through April 2011. From April 2011 to present, The Killdares have featured Gary Thorne of the Denton-based band Shaolin Death Squad on bass guitar.
On July 30, 2010, The Killdares filmed a live concert at the historic Granada Theater in Dallas, TX. The project became a live dual CD and DVD titled Up Against the Lights, featuring the same members as in 2010, Tim Smith on lead vocals and drums, Roberta Rast on fiddle and backing vocals, Brek Lancaster on lead guitar and backing vocals, Matt Willis on various bagpipes and backing vocals, and Gavin Kelso listed as a special guest on bass guitar. The dual CD/DVD was released on November 4 at the Angelika Theater in Dallas, TX with a viewing of the DVD on the big screen.
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