When they met in 1984, SWITCHBACK'S® Martin McCormack was a college student and in a pop band with his siblings, and Brian FitzGerald was moonlighting as a house painter and was part of an Irish quartet. Over the next few years, the pair played together in three different bands (two of them traditional Irish), to whom McCormack contributed bass and his classically trained tenor; FitzGerald supplied guitar and fleet mandolin. Finally, the tug of their own songwriting talents and love for American roots music inspired to them to break away and form their own duo SWITCHBACK® in 1993.
Their partnership has produced ten albums to date, ranging from the lean and energetic debut, Ain't Goin Back (1994), to the honky-tonk jukebox medley Dar's Place (1998), to the critically acclaimed Celtic twang of The Fire that Burns (2002). But these men, whose Americana creations alternate between sentimental ballads to blistering rockers that deliver the full-band experience with an efficient acoustic duo set-up, never abandoned their trad roots. Switchback's 2005 release, Bolinree, is their third traditional Celtic album. Produced by Texas legend Lloyd Maines, it is the first recording to truly reflect the bands unique interpretation of original and time-honored Irish music, a perspective formed by the lifelong experiences of their ancestral roots from this side of the Atlantic.
At once eliciting praise and frustration by critics who find it difficult to pigeonhole their eclectic sound, Switchback continues to be driven by their mission to create and bring music to far-flung places and unlikely audiences. The audiences, in turn, pave the winding road for the band's well-worn wheels with the soles of their dancing shoes.
Switchback® is the registered trademark of WayGood Productions, LLC
Hey! My sister watched your show last weekend at Blissfest and loved your performance! Send your press packet before our next October meeting and I'll present your info to the committee. Clare Irish Committee, PO Box 294, Clare, MI 48617 Thanks!
Hey! Heard that the Haymarket was a blast and that you two were amazing...as USUAL! The musical went off without TOO many hitches...and we had a good time, which was the point, right?!
Hello Martin & Brian, Pay attention at www.radiovizela.pt (today 10:00 PM GMT) or at www.folklandia.info WE WE'LL BROADCAST AN INTERVIEW MADE BY PETER GOREK with YOU at Folklândia radio folk show .... Portugal
Hey Switchback, I just bought you as my PET! <br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=in_comment._link...._PETL...._v4......'>Click here to find out how much I think you're WORTH!</a><br/><br/><a href='http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=361263053&source=in_comment._img1...._PETL...._v4......'><img src='http://cdn1.slicezero.com/oyf_prod/images/ffs_directory.png' border='0' /></a><br/>
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Hey, looks like we will be in Michigan at the same time (at least we are close state wise) and just missing you in Ireland. When can we see you again? Blessings~ us
