Description: From the crowd stunning live covers band Silvertape to the short-lived outfit The Breakes former front man Kieran Byrne embarks on a solo career that is set to light up the Kilkenny music scene with his own material. He played his first solo-gig since the break up of his ironically titled and ill fated band the breakes on the night of February 11th this year to great enthusiasm and applause, since then he's been writing non stop on his own material.
Kieran first picket up the guitar at the age of 16 and over a short period he learned the basics while listening to the greats such as The Pixies, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, U2 and his all time favourite and biggest influence Irelands best kept music secret The Frames, In Late 2001 Kieran was attending St.Kierans College predominantly known for its hurling accolades but also home to some great musical talent, classmates Paul Hindle, Eoin O'Reilly, Martin "Mossy" O'Shea and Brian Culleton had formed the band Silvertape practicing up in the loft of Mossy's house shortly afterwards Lead singer Brian Left to pursue a career in teaching leaving the band without a frontman. After an approach from basest Eoin O'Reilly Kieran received a chance to further his musical talents as Lead
singer and guitarist, he made quite an impression proving to be a valuable asset.
The band spent months practicing and perfecting their music as a group and after a false start in Pedigree Corner Co. Laois Silvertape gained a regular spot in what became known as the bands Headquarters Maggies of Kieran St. where singer Byrne was working as barman at the time.
Friday nights were set alight in the city centre venue as the band played to enraptured audiences, word spread around the city and their popularity spread rapidly It was during the Maggies era that real potential was seen in Silvetape Kieran believed a strengthening of numbers would enhance the quality of already electrifying live performances. Maeve O'Reilly (sister of Eoin} was recruited on violin and Eoin Carey brought in on backing vocals.
The band now with six members they continued to pack Maggie's to the rafters until the premises was put up for sale in the summer of 2004, The band played the prestigious Cleere's Theatre in august of that year as part of the Expose festival. They returned to Cleere's a year later to headline the last expose event of 2005.
Arguably their best performance with Kieran at the helm steering the ship they played tribute to The Frames with stompers such as Revelate, Fitscarraldo, Pavement Tune and Fake and beautiful melodies like Star Star, Lay Me Down and Red Chord the band received critical acclaim and admiration and a new recruit Eamon Mckevoy on Base. Silvertape would play Cleere's one final time in December 2005 headlining Kilkennymusic.com's Christmas Party on the eve of Kieran's 21st Birthday once again a to a sell-out crowd on top form doing what they did best paying homage to their heroes The Frames.
Kieran had decided the band needed to move away from covers and concentrate on new material in order to progress and he changed the name from Silvertape to The Breakes but it became clear that band members wanted to pursue other projects it was decided not to continue the venture any further and the band called it a day. Still with the yearning to write new material Kieran has gone solo. After being well received in the Pumphouse in February and many songs penned and under his belt already Kieran will be gracing more venues across the city shortly. WATCH THIS SPACE !
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