| Performing religiously The
band formerly known as Slainte is no more. Bible Code Sundays — which
was the title of Slainte’s debut album — is the new moniker for the six-piece
group brimming with passion, verve and desire. Band member Andy Nolan
chats with trevor o’sullivan about how their latest album Ghosts Of Our
Past is the first step in the band’s reinvention.
 Made up of
mostly original compositions, Bible Code Sunday’s second album Ghosts
Of Our Past is a real labour of love.
The London-Irish band is made up of Ronan MacManus — brother of
Elvis Costello — Andy Nolan of Shane MacGowan and The Popes fame,
Carlton Hunt formerly of Bad Manners and Enda Mulloy, Joe Moran and Patrick
Franklin.
Band member Andy Nolan says the name-change reflects the group’s
new direction.
“Recently we have renamed ourselves the Bible Code Sundays basically
because we have been doing the circuit for a long long time. We were mostly
doing cover versions but more recently we have started writing our own
stuff.
“We wanted to give the band more of an edge and in essence represent
a bit more, the sort of stuff that we are writing.”
The bands decision to reinvent themselves, and the conscious decision
to record their own songs was harboured by a deep frustration at the dearth
of good Celtic rock.
The Pogues had opened the door for many Irish bands but nobody seemed
willing to carry the baton along. “Nobody had done it justice.”
says Nolan.
“I mean we have spoken for years about how the scene had become
monotonous and nobody was hitting the mark like The Pogues did. Nobody
ever seemed to be able to nail it since. But we believe we’ve finally
pulled it off with this album.”
The band seamlessly merges traditional Irish instruments such as the accordion
and fiddle with bass drum and electric guitar. It’s this unconventional
sound which makes them hard to categorise.
“People ask us what our music is like and we tell them our sound
is quite unique. Then a lot of people ask if we sound like The Pogues.
If I was to think about it I’d say some songs may sound like The
Pogues but then other songs might sound like The Levellers and others
again might sound like U2 only with traditional instruments.”
The group’s musical aptitude has been rewarded with a commission
to record tracks for a new Irish gangster movie called Townies.
It is an impressive coup and one they hope will showcase their work to
a legion of new devotees.
“They wanted some music that could elucidate what the movie is about
so we contacted Mike O’Dea — the guy who has written the movie.
“We sent him some CDs and he loved our work. He asked us to write
some songs especially for the film.”
Townies is due to commence filming this year and has a tentative release
date of St. Patrick’s Day 2007.
The music Bible Code Sundays compose embodies the disparate elements of
the Irish experience. Lead vocalist Ronan MacManus has penned a tune called
Dockside Lullaby, which chronicles his family’s Liverpool-Irish
background.
Nolan’s childhood in Hammersmith is also accounted for in the album’s
title track Ghosts Of Our Past. The group is also adroit in reaching out
and expounding the Irish narrative of others.
“One song, Boys Of Queens, which was written about the tragedy of
9/11, detailed how it affected an Irish American family who had relatives
that died in the fire brigade. We write about the day-to-day and historical
struggles throughout Irish history.”
You can find more about the band on their official website www.biblecodesundays.co.uk.
The band will be touring in April to promote their new album.
Band member Andy Nolan gets up close and personal with rí-rá
What was the last album you bought?
The Jackets Green by Shebeen.
What was the last film you watched?
Mystic River.
What TV programme would you not miss?
Rescue Me on Sky One. New series starting the end of February —
check it out.
Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday
party?
Jacqui my girlfriend and my two children Ryan and Ciara. They’d
be closely followed by a dozen or so close lunatics.
If you weren’t pursuing this career what other profession
would you have chosen?
No comment.
The key to making it as a musician?
Belief.
What do you love/miss most about Ireland?
My family and all the rows.
Who would you most like to work with in the future and why?
This band. I know we’ve got what it takes.
Best personal experience to date?
The birth of my two children.
Best professional experience to date?
Playing the US Fleadh back in 2000 with Shane MacGowan and The Popes.
What’s your greatest ambition?
For this band to get recognition for its long years of hard work.
Favourite method of relaxation?
Going missing with the band and our mate Marty Logan.
The most important lesson life has taught you?
Never give up — head down, arse up.
Humanity’s most useful invention?
The pint glass!
What’s your favourite tipple?
What have you got?
What’s your greatest extravagance?
Gail Porter.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who was loyal to family, friends and my roots.
Most desirable date?
March 17.
What is your favourite smell?
The smell of a fry-up.
And your favourite word/phrase?
We goan on da lash or wha?
Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Playing with these lads, no contest.
First gig/concert you ever went to?
U2 at Wembley stadium, ZOO TV Tour
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Over and Over — Celtic FC anthem.
Three songs you’d most like to record?
Three more of our own songs!
Best career move?
Playing in a band with my best mates. They’re my second family.
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