Review in the Dungarvan Observer 1/12/2010

I went out in Lismore last Saturday night, to take my mind off current affairs. Matthew Tull was playing in the hotel, and he kept the room well entertained for the evening with all kinds of bluesy numbers. Backed brilliantly by Ron Batteson on electric guitar, and joined onstage at times by Vick Ind and Fergal Colbert, the band was rocking and the crowd were fine and rowdy, all drinking and dancing and enjoying themselves while I wedged myself into a corner to quietly listen. Watch out for Tull the next time he plays your Parish, he’ll keep you rocking all night.

In the News

In the Dungarvan Observer - 24/11-2010

"Matthew Tull and the Watercats play Lismore House Hotel on Saturday night.  Tull plays a mean mix of songs from Robert Johnson to Rory Gallagher, with a pinch of Johnny Cash and Woodie Guthrie for the fun of it.  The Watercats are definitely worth a look too, I wouldn't be the first to say that Vick Ind is a great songwriter and I doubt I'll be the last either..."

Drag

He selects the finest words as he pinches the tobacco,
Brings them to his bosom as he rolls the thin paper.

The filter doesn't really take the bitterness away,
He sucks in her insults with every drag of his cigarette.

It's nice while it lasts,
But a small spark of life disappears with each stubbed out dog-end.

Upcoming Gig at the Lismore House Hotel

I will be playing the Lismore House Hotel with good friends the Watercats on Saturday the 27th of November.  We'll get started at 10pm  - mark it in your diaries now!

One Day Your Name Will Be in Lights (well bold type anyway)

Out on my own in Dungarvan.  It's funny how things work out sometimes - the day after I buy my own PA and I get a phone call to play in Dungarvan. 

I'd played in the Moorings before, when Ormy was trying to get an open-mic type thingy going.  The night Mick Flannery was playing the Town Hall Theatre, Mo O'Connor and myself kept things going.  Then when the music stopped at the Town Hall, the crowd came into the Moorings and we were treated to a couple by Mick himself. 

But on the 9th of October it was just me (and my mate Fergal).  I had 32 songs prepared.  Started just after 10pm and played my best Rory Gallager stuff.  After a short break, Fergal joined me and we knocked out some Eric Clapton unplugged material.  Finishing up just as the barman called time, I couldn't believe it, I'd got through all 32 songs (and then some).  The pub was packed on a Saturday night, and I had a hell of a lot of fun too. 

In Your Town

On the 28th of August, I played the Lismore House Hotel with good friends, The Watercats. 

I played the first half, joined by Ron and Fergal for a couple of tunes.  Then Ron and Vick took on the second half.

It must have been good because they asked to come back in November.

Fond Memories

One of the first appearances in Lismore (leaving out the Stars in Their Bars debacle) was at the Red House. We met up for a jam in the Red House. I had hoped that this would turn into a regular thing, but we all moved on to greener pastures.
Still, I look back with fondness at that night. We all had fun - acoustic, no format. We started out in the smoking area around nine, by about eleven o'clock the bar staff asked us in as the regulars wanted to listen in too.
We even got a mention in the newspaper. Second column, halfway down.

Where It All Began

Music had been on the back-burner for about seven or eight years for me. Shortly after the fire was re-lit I met Ormy, a great guitarist who lives in Lismore. Ormy repaired two guitars for me, and not long after he gave me the chance to play for him on a break at a small gig in Fermoy.

Ormy also introduced me to other musicians and was there right at the start of the Back Room Sessions at Merry's bar in Dungarvan. I played regularly at the Back Room Sessions and it was there that I started to become really comfortable playing in front of an audience.

The more I played, the short spots at the open-mic format seemed too short for me. I really needed my own gig. Teaming up with friends Ron and Vick from the Watercats, we hit some local bars and things started taking off.