Far too many to mention, but people that immedeatly spring to mind are, John Bonham, Ian Paice, Dave Grohl, Buddy Rich, Jim Keltner, Angus and Malcom Young, The Bad Plus, Levon Helm, John Convertino, Calexico, Deus, D.J. Shadow, Millionaire, Slint, Henry Rollins, Q.O.T.S.A., Fugazi, John Stainer, Pat Shortt, Shara Worden, Tool, Matt Cameron, Chadd Smith. The birds and the bees and the flowers on the trees.
The story so far.......
Got hooked on drums aged 15 and immediately started forming local metal bands with like minded rockers.
In 1990 I joined The Frames who to this day are still running very successfully.
I had a brilliant eight years with them, recording three albums and gigging extensively. I also got to work with some great people like Gil Norton and Trevor Horn amongst others.
After splitting The Frames camp in 1998 I started working with irish singer/songwriter/rocker Mundy, who I still record and tour with on a regular basis. He's had great success with being featured on the Romeo & Juliet soundtrack, and singles like July and Healthy. A day with Mundy will activate the funny bone.
Around summer 1999 I was asked to play for a band named Juniper who quickly changed their moniker and went onto establish themselves as Bell-x1. I spent 4 years touring and recording with the Bellies as they changed and reinvented themselves until reaching platinum status. A fierce organised bunch o' guys.
Another side project emerged around this time with some close friends entitled Label.
A kind of grunge rock affair which was great fun to play. A couple of E.P. releases and some touring followed, but juggling all the bands got too much so, after two years we jumped ship.
In 2003 I found myself back on the drum stool helping out The Frames. We did some extensive touring of the States, Canada and Australia throughout the year. It was brilliant traveling with some old friends and seeing how the band had evolved and gained success abroad.
Meanwhile back in Dublin, longtime drumming buddy Graham Hopkins was starting up his own band to front called Halite, and insisted I take up residence behind the kit which is a a compliment coming from a drummer like Graham.There was a much more DIY ethic to this band, so a blast was had over two years making our own records and pushing the van in the pissing rain out of Galway.Ya Gotta suffer for your art! Being the opening band for Slane 2003, (with an unbelievable line up of drummers) a drum clinic was organised entitled Slane Drummers where I got to play alongside some of the greats like Taylor Hawkins and Chad Smith.
At the begining of 2007 while recording Joe Chesters new record I got a call from american band My Brightest Diamond ,who were drummerless for three dates of their european tour.With only a day to learn their stuff, I worked real hard to get it down cause their music totally blew me away. I established a great relationship with them and took up the sticks for them again at the Electric Picnic 2007.
My latest venture is the most fun yet. Concerto for Constantine, consists of myself, my old friend Gavin Fox (Turn, Idlewild), and my new friend Mark Greaney (jj72). Being in a three piece is the best! It's early days yet but we've covered a lot of ground so far. A ten date tour of Ireland with 2 fm, supported The Futureheads, and most recently The Smashing Pumpkins on both of their Irish dates. Looking forward to getting into the studio to make our first album this year.
Most recently I have been touring with Mercury award nominee Gemma Hayes to promote her new record "The Hollow of Morning".
Other than that, there's always recording sessions, gigs and depping for various artists that keeps me busy.
................So far, so good. I think ! Other people/bands that I've recorded, gigged, toured with:
Interference, The Maryjanes, Nick Kelly, Gemma Hayes, The Fat Lady Sings (reunion), Pugwash, Scott Maher, Wilt, The Martin Staunton Band, Declan o Rourke, Pat Barret,Neil White, Bobby pulls a Wilson, Alice Jago, Miriam Ingram,Ann Scott, Joe Chester,The Sound of Bells, Ali o Dwyer, Vyvienne Long, John Carney, Rob Bourke, Richie Buckley.
Michael Brunnock will be performing with his Irish Band "Little Palace" November 5th 8pm Whelans, Dublin November 7th 9pm Headfort Arms, Kells, Co. Meath November 12th 8pm The Backroom, Navan, Co. Meath Little Palace will be releasing their New Single "Beekeeper" from their latest album Invitation Time. We all hope to see you there. Keep Music Alive go hear a show.
It seems you lads are playing in Galway the same night as we launch our single (25th Sept). We're playin up the road from the roisin dubh in Cuba! Dunno if your going back that night, but if your free, Keith and yourself should join us for a few pints! Ben.
hey Binzer, how are you?... C4C record, when??...C4C is your best project in my opinion.... i would like to see C4C in MTV or videos....it si my dream for you.. take care... edo
The Annesley House North Strand (Fairview) Dublin 3
The Hootenanny Launch Gig
2 Stages 7 Acts
Collaborations on the night from…
Matthew Devereux (from The Pale) Keiron Black (from The Amazing Few) Wally Page Stephen and Tony Boylan Mick Duffy and Niall O’ Shea Alan and Breda Trimble Q and more…
Kicks off at 8.30pm Admission: 5 Euro
Everyones welcome along-it's gonna be a great nite full of fun+frolicks, so come along+join us for lots of Hootenanny Maddness!!! Emma, Q and Co. at The Qube Studio:)
FairplayCollective's Michael Brunnock has teamed up with his old band Little Palace and have just released a single entitled "Eviction" and can be down loaded at www.downloadmusic.ie
They have also released their third album called Invitation Time and is available in all good music stores.
Little Palace will be touring Ireland to support the release of their album and can be seen/heard at these venues.
March 29th CRANE LANE - CORK March 31st ROISIN DUBH - GALWAY April 1st DOLANS WAREHOUSE - LIMERICK April 3rd THE SPIRIT STORE - DUNDALK April 4th HEADFORT ARMS - KELLS April 7th WHELANS - DUBLIN April 9th THE BACKROOM - NAVAN
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