Originally formed in 1996, The Killdares have come to be known as one of the hottest, cutting edge bands in music today - Celtic or otherwise. World-class musicians from all over the U.S., they have come together in Texas to create and perform a brand new version of hard-driving, alternative Celtic rock music.
Blending traditional Celtic playing skills, power-pop accessibility, and straight up rock n’ roll hooks, The Killdares have created a fresh new sound that’s blended with enough commercial edge to be instantly recognizable, always engaging, and appealing to fans of all ages. Their live shows are filled with an infectious energy so powerful that it has been known to move people to tears. Even die-hard fans of purely traditional Celtic music have embraced the band’s powerful genre-bending sound.
Expanding the definition of "Celtic", the band uses the unconventional pairing of screaming, fire-driven fiddle and bagpipes with the wail of electric guitar, bass and drums to create brilliant arrangements of traditional tunes and original compositions. This distinctive sound combined with the band’s incredible stage presence is nothing short of awesome.
Joining the likes of Don Henley (The Eagles), Phil Collins (Genesis) and Fred LeBlanc (Cowboy Mouth), Dallas native Tim Smith handles lead vocals and drums with amazing nonchalance, locking in with Troy Gallaher’s energetic and "in-the-groove" bass playing and the beautifully expressive electric and acoustic guitar stylings of Brek Lancaster.
Add to this dynamic rock-and-roll band, the 2005 Grand Master Fiddler Champion, Roberta Rast, and competition piper Matt Willis on the haunting Great Highland bagpipes, and you have all the right ingredients for a truly amazing Celtic Rock / World music / AAA / Rock-and-Roll extravaganza!
In 2002, six-time National Fiddle Champion Roberta Rast joined the band. With the title of Grand Master Champion, her fiddling journey has taken her from small-town Idaho to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and now on stage with The Killdares.
Since first appearing on the music scene over 10 years ago, The Killdares have gone from local pub performers to national touring headliners, sharing stages with an incredibly diverse range of national and international artists.
In 2008 The Killdares reached new heights with their 5th independently released and produced album, "Secrets of the Day". This album has been described as “dark, captivating and experimental,” and combines electronic, acoustic and other unique instrumentation to create an exciting new sound that has attracted new fans, but captivates and elates existing fans.
Presenting a perfect blend of rock, pop, and Celtic, The Killdares have established themselves as a unique team of musicians - stretching the boundaries of independent rock n’ roll, while bridging the gap between the traditional and the cutting edge.
Good show guys. I'll get the pictures off of the camera and uploaded as soon as I can then tag them to you. I will try to get the portrait printed up as soon as I can and get it to you.
I'll be at the Pavillion at 6:30 while you guys are setting up. I do plan on getting shots of you guys while setting up and during the show. I also plan on getting a new Portrait of you guys.
This weather is getting old. We tried to see yawl yesterday, brought the whole family out and it rains. Yawl should move the stage in with Dancing With The Dogs, hahaha. Hope to see yawl today.
OMG U GUYS WERE CANELDED ON OCT 30 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANTED TO SEE U GUYS :( WHENS THE NEXT TIME YALL GOING TO BE AT CENTRAL MARKET :( Oct 30 2009 7:00P Central Market (Cancelled by venue) Ft. Worth, Texas
Went out and saw you guys yesterday, was awesome music. If you do anything promotional I'd like to get ahold of a few cd's and pass it to my deployed army unit in Afghanistan. Thanks!
Just stopping by to thank your awesome bag-piper for playing at Middlefaire and to wish you guys some relaxation, fun, prosperity, and blessings during your long stint at the State Fair!!! :)
