'Goodbye to the Madhouse' IS OUT NOW in all good records shops and online (HMVonline)
The extraordinary story of this album’s making is told in the August 2007 issue of Rock’n’Reel, be sure to pick up a copy!
The new McDermotts Two Hours album Goodbye To The Madhouse will be released on 20th August 2007 by www.onthefiddlerecordings.com The album will be distributed by folk specialist www.properdistribution.com and will be available in all good record stores and I-tunes. Please keep checking back for information.
This is a poem from Nick's new book 'All Kinds of Disorder'. The book comes with a CD of 5 poems where Nick has worked with Jon Sevink of the The Levellers.
If you want to buy it then copies (including CD, p&p) are only £5.00.
Please make cheques payable to Tommy McDermotts Theatre 24 Egremont Place Brighton BN2 0GA (01273 609121)
The Power of Prayer
We have new neighbours.
They keep parking on old Ford
with no tax disc on the sidewalk.
They come back drunk at three
in the morning and row over the television.
Steve wears a leather and torn jeans.
Leila's about nineteen: long dark hair,
too much mascara and short skirts
It's only a six month let.
But they keep the kids up.
I can see we're going to have words.
My wife tells me no.
She wasn't in last week
when this stranger was shouting on the doorstep
for some money they owed him
and Steve came down and beat him up.
Worse. They keep screwing about dawn.
She squeals and moans and shrieks.
He grunts like he's hitting a heavy backhand.
The wall shakes. But I don't think they notice.
Then the kids are up playing Pirate Ships.
I get a lot of headaches
and keep falling asleep at work.
I'm not what you call religious
but sometimes when all else fails
I get down on my knees
and beg for some kind of release.
I've seen them do it often:
come out of the house, rowing.
Steve gets in his car, pulls out and revs up
while Leila slams the door and lingers
on the sidewalk, biting her lip.
When we moved in
the agent called it a busy tree-lined street
which serves as a main bus route.
The old Ford wrapped itself
round our beech tree with the birdfeed
I haul in with a walking-stick. The horn jammed.
Steve's head came though the windscreen.
But his legs were mashed inside the chasis.
Leila leaped back into the doorway
with a few cuts. Some people
on the double-decker bus puked up.
We went out to help.
But there was nothing to be done.
The funeral's next week.
At the crematorium.
Leila says that she won't be staying on.
I told her I'm sorry for what happened
And I've been down to confess.
But this is what I worked for,
this is what I have to protect.
I think if he'd fot the chance
Steve would have understood that.
'The Enemy Within' (1989, 1994), HAGCD2
Lineup (McDermott's 2 Hours): Marcus Laffan (drums and percussion), Nick Burbridge (vocals, acoustic guitar and bodhran), Martin Pannett (bass and vocals), Matthew Goorney(electric guitar, banjo and harmonica), Tim O'Leary (fiddle, whistle, bouzouki and vocals)
Track Listing
1. Dirty Davey
2. Boys of the Blackstuff
3. Prisoner
4. Refugees
5. Paddy in Harare
6. Darkness & Sail
7. Rosa
8. The Fields Round Ballyclare
9. Fox on the Run
10. Paddy on the Level
'World Turned Upside Down' (2000) HAG006
Band lineup (McDermott's 2 Hours vs Levellers): Nick Burbridge (vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim O'Leary (fiddle, bouzouki, whistles, harmonica and backing vocals), Charlie Heather (drums and percussion), Jeremy Cunningham (bass guitar). Various guests including Ben Paley.
1. World turned upside down
2. Another Campaign
3. The Wheel
4. Blue Bandana
5. Harry Brewer
6. Taking it On
7. La Passionara
8. Laying the Sligo Maid
'Live at Ferneham Hall' (2005), recorded live at Ferneham Hall, Fareham on 26/03/05
Lineup: Nick Burbridge (Guitar and Vocals), Matt Goorney (Bass/Banjo/Melodica/Backing vocals), Dil Davies (drums), Ben Paley (fiddle/backing vocals)
Track Listing:
1. Fox on the Run
2. Song of a Brother
3. Harry Brewer
4. Refugees
5. Johnny and the Jubilee
6. Prisoner
7. North and South
8. Laying the Sligo Maid
9. Bloody Sunday
10. Darkness and Sail
11. Taking it On
12. Dirty Davey
13. Rosa
14. Farewell to Erin
'Disorder' (2003) HAG011 Band lineup (McDermott's 2 Hours vs Levellers): Nick Burbridge (vocals, acoustic guitar), Ben Paley (fiddle, backing vocals, mandolin), Matt Goorney(lead guitar), Charlie Heather (drums and percussion), Jeremy Cunningham (bass guitar). Various guests.
1. Tod the Ranter
2. Summer song
3. Black Sun
4. The old man's retreat
5. Watering the wine
6. Party to the process
7. The madness of John Clare
8. Bloody Sunday
9. A fable from Aigge
10. Just a life
11. The dutiful man as a moth
12. Johnny and the jubilee
'Claws and wings' (2002) HAG008 Band lineup (McDermott's 2 Hours vs Levellers): Nick Burbridge (vocals, acoustic guitar), Tim O'Leary (fiddle, backing vocals, guitar, whistles, viola), Charlie Heather (drums and percussion), Jeremy Cunningham (bass guitar), Jon Sevink (extra fiddler). Various guests.
1. Song of a leveller
2. North and South
3. Song of a brother
4. Postcard
5. Travelling to Cockaigne
6. Snapshot
7. Song of a Quakers wife
8. Sto Mo Chroi
9. Song of a father
10. Asylum
11. Beach scene
12 Murphy's wake
One is called 'Leave It at the Door' The other is 'Beautiful Creation'
I’d really, really love to know what you think of them!
I’ve also just given my MySpace a brand new crazy look!
Don’t forget to review & vote for me on Meer Music* and xfm uploaded**!
The fact that Meer Music are about to start Phase 2 with ABC Radio which will transmit all over the U.S.A on June the 30th has nothing to do with it! (Not much!!!)
Lithurgy are launching their new EP at The Pressure point this friday 23rd May. It will also be the last ever Metal gig help at The Pressure Point as it is shutting down at the end of the month. Come and say goodbye to the place!!
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
since metway steve gave me your album i've been playing it like a mad person!
Seamus and i LOVE Molloy and The True STORY Of Eugene McQuaid.....THANK YOU SO MUCH NICK for the brilliant songs you write....i believe i have one of your youngest fans in my house...our 5 yr old daughter Lucy-Jude. She loves RIVER ....she sings it word for word
excellent show in brighton last wednesday great to hear new songs live and to have a good bounce around to dirty davey. seeya somewhere soon hopefully for a long long long set cheers
1(Joint). The BibleCodeSundays: Boots or No Boots -Celtic rock masterpiece - easily tops last year "Ghosts of or Past"
1(Joint). The Radiators from Space: Trouble Pilgrim - Irish punk masterpiece - only 25 years in the making.
2. The Go Set: A Journey for a Nation -Mighty release. If anyone from this scene is going to break through to the real big time it will be the go set.
3. The Killigans: One Step Ahead of Hell - A band that can give Flogging Molly a run for their money
4. The Tossers: Agony - Strong follow-up to "Valley of Death", but just not quite as good
5. Dropkick Murphys: The Meanest of Times - Strongest release in a long time
6. McDermotts 2 Hours: Goodbye To The Madhouse
7. Zydepunks: Exile Waltz!
8. The Singing Loins: Drowned Man Resuscitator
9. Amadan: Pacifica
10. Filthy Thievin Bastards:I'm a Son of a Gun
Honorable Mentions Flatfoot 56: Jungle of the Midwest See The Mahones: Irish Punk Collection Three Day Threshold: Against the Grain The Mahones VS Catgut Mary (should be #1 but for ethics) The Swaggerin’ Growlers: The Bottle and the Bow
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace -
230 of 230, walkaboutsverse.741.com: AS GOSPELLERS HAVE SAID/CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith’s the star that we glance Attending Christ’s churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Hi dear friends ! this new album sounds good ! Hope I will find it in France ! I saw the Levellers live 3 days ago ! Great show ... hope to meet you on stage someday !!!
