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The Irish Freedom
Committee Rock 'N Roll Humanitarian Benefit played to an enthusiastic
150+ crowd at O'Malley's Pub Saturday night, April 16 2005. Four awesome
bands -- the
Blissters, Filthy
McChaos, Twin
Wrecks The Memory, and Low of
the Low, took the stage one by one and blew the crowd away with
raucous, original, high-energy rock ‘n roll.
First up was the Blissters with a scorching percussionist and an
infectious pop-rock sound fronted by a talented trio featuring the
smoky-voiced Erica. Next up was Filthy McChaos, who approached the IFC
at our St. Patrick’s Day parade pickets, and who had driven all the
way from Waukegan to make the venue. They didn’t disappoint, with an
explosive show featuring songs like “Irish Pride” belted out by
front man Ryan, who sports a distinctive 3-letter tattoo on his head…
Next up was the amazing Twin Wrecks The Memory, taking over the stage
with larger than life presence and blowing the crowd away with their
ferocious, powerhouse performance - clearly this band is on its way to
bigger things. And last but not least was Low of the Low, who dominated
the stage with a thundering punk show fronted by the formidable Mark
“F*ck Britain” Crowley.
Throughout the night’s events, a slide show ran on a dozen monitors
around the stage scrolling the names of sentenced Irish Republican
Political Prisoners and information about the worsening conditions
inside the prisons, including the loss of Political Status under the
1998 Stormont Treaty. The republican prisoners were there in spirit as
their names scrolled over the stage throughout the show.
Each of the bands made short statements during their performances on
behalf of the POWs; from thanking the Irish Freedom Committee for
hosting the show, to moving appeals to the audience to get more
involved.
Arnold from the Blissters thanked the Irish Freedom Committee for
inviting the band and told the crowd to “support the issues!”
Dan Sullivan, lead singer for Twin Wrecks the Memory, made an
impassioned statement to the audience:
“Pay attention to the names on the wall—these are people just like
us. They get picked up for bullshit. Pay attention, there’s something
going on. This is the South Side, a lot of you are Irish, these people
could even be related, they’re just like you. These people with the
IFC are putting themselves on the line here, they aren’t here just for
fun.” TWTM guitarist
Marcellus Salerni paused during the show to point to the IFC information
table and told the crowd “Go over there and buy something, read
something, learn something – support these people!”
Low of the Low lead singer Mark Crowley took to the stage proudly
hailing Cork and New York roots, and later took a break in the music to
comment on the state of the music industry by saying “We’re here for
the prisoners - Most of the big name Irish musicians care more about
what’s going on in other countries than their own blood in Ireland.”
Dedicating the band’s next song to Bobby Sands, Mark thanked the IFC,
the bands, “and most of all, F*ck you Britain!!”
As the night wrapped up, all of the band members signed a commemorative
poster to be sent to the prisoners. A raffle drawing was held with
prizes of handmade prisoner artwork including a vintage 1798
commemorative mirror, a hand painted hankie from Portlaoise prison, a
hand tooled and signed leather belt from Portlaoise prison, and a Celtic
football jersey.
All in all the event was a fantastic and high-energy evening with a
tremendous and highly supportive response from the bands and audience.
The Irish Freedom Committee extends a hearty THANK YOU to The Blissters,
Filthy Mc Chaos, Twin Wrecks The Memory, and Low of the Low for helping
put together a highly successful show of support for the families of
Irish Political Prisoners. Go raibh mile maith agat!!
Tiochfaidh ár Lá!
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