Goldenplec

Some things in music are just poetic. John Moore, Ham Sandwich Bass guitarist, working late shifts at St. Patrick’s Hospital and writing songs for his band. This is the hospital where Jonathon Swift, the Anglo Irish Satirist was dean and then subsequent recordings of the bands debut “Carry the Meek,” where Mr. Swift wrote “Gulliver’s Travels.” If that wasn’t enough the omens look good if they shadow this ushering; Swift’s most famous work ‘Gulliver’s travels’ has not been out of print since the 1700’s (seen as though Swift has become the inconspicuous Mascot), so lets hope this Kells outfit follows suit and continue for many years.

Since formation on Good Friday 2003, their work ethic has brandished the modern day perception of lethargic bands content on letting fortune rain on them as apposed to smashing down its door and demanding it. Ham Sandwich are assuredly different. That in part is contributed by the bands curious name. This again is thought to be the idea of Moore (as a joke initially), at an early rehearsals session.

The attention derived from the name has not always been unfailingly favourable. Ollie Murphy, the bands

drummer, met U2 front man Bono at a concert in 2006, where Hewson threw in his two cents that the band had palatable potential, but the name needed to be changed and is even rumored to of said ” you’d be the biggest band in Ireland by now (if not called Ham Sandwich),” but this outfit show no sign of selling out for commercial benefits and pointed towards the fact that U2 themselves came under criticism early in their career for their name. If anything, according to Niamh Farrell (Lead Singer), ” no-one ever forgets the name and it makes us work harder.” Their touring of the length and breath of the country proved this over the last two years. The debate may rage on if the epithet is an encumbrance or help, but at least give them the credit for their resolve to stick to the bread and butter in their own method or madness.
The band itself have a terrific charisma both onstage and off. They have no inhibitions about performing a personality lap dance for anybody willing to receive it and from the You Tube videos of ‘Nature Walks’ with Darcy, ‘Dancing with Wolves’ with Podge and the bands take on Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello,’ including the outtakes, they have stripped and exposed a most likeable side. They have a vigor embodied by the cape wearing Podge and his obvious on-stage chemistry with lead singer Niamh Farrell. This is not the alcohol induced bullsh*t nightclub chemistry our generation is exposed to, but unfeigned pit of the stomach butterfly chemistry.

From sharing their beers with celebrities backstage, to dancing with their fans after gigs, they are doing things their own way and winning ‘Meteors Hope for 2008 Award,’ is proof people are receiving the quirky and energetic Kells, Co. Meath quintet with comparable enthusiasm. They have maintained an admirable rapport with their followers and even invited their fans to submit designs, under the theme of heartbreak, for the artwork of the triumphant “Carry the Meek.”

But some will ask is the debut album under their own label Route 109 Records (comically named after the bus route from Kells to Dublin) really a heartbreak themed album? Or is the emotional downfall carefully hidden in the intricacies of guitars and piercingly profound lyrics? What is certain is that Podge, Niamh, John, Darcy and Ollie have produced an iconic debut. Darcy said of the album “We tried to make every track to be of single quality,” The objective suited but the collection of songs deserves more than separate single status. It is one of the finest album’s of its kind Ireland has been be privileged to be origin to in the last 5 years, certainly, and perhaps longer.

The opening track St. Christopher is as good an opening track that can be heard on an Indie- Rock record. “It just takes an ill wind to spread a disease/ Stifled by sunrays but I’m scared of the cold/ All hands are on deck but I need one to hold,” showing a music intuition that is a listener’s proverbial wet dream. Obvious gems will be (previously released) ‘Keepsake,’ ‘Click, Click, Boom,’ ‘Words,’ and ‘Sad Songs,’ but if your looking for diamonds in the rough, look no further than the understated track “Ashes.” It is only after a

number of listens that we can visualize this strain of heartbreak, subtly disguised by evocative vocals. Farrell and Podge have to be applauded for their balance between innocent and sinister in vocals. Podge, for me, distributes the optimum amount of pain and angst in his vocals reminiscent of Nick Cave meets Brad Roberts of the Crash Test Dummies.
While Farrell, her voice so versatile, can screech an exhibitionistic stripe of a stand alone performer but also serenely and instinctively bring a sterling softness to each song where needed. They have found that enigma of middle ground between sweet and savory. Many critics have said that Niamh is well able to hold her own against a widely talented Podge, I believe this to be wholly inaccurate; she is as stand out and as indispensable for the intimacy and strength of their mature brand of music. Jack Hyland of Phamtom Fm said of their music ” It’s not that it’s radio friendly, but it is radio friendly.. It’s very listenable music, but very creative as well.”

The one thing that Ham Sandwich lovers will be left venerable to is indeed the search for Ireland’s new greatest cult band. Ham Sandwich really deserves their success and has paid their dues. They have even exposed themselves to audiences outside their own such is there eagerness to gig. Their appearance on the Late Late Show was a mildly disappointing in my opinion and Pat Kenny supposedly said that Podge, sporting a space costume, was “embarrassing.” I have to defend the man; he puts more energy into his demeanor and performance than the sum of most bands. Even Niamh gave an insight to his mystique off stage; whilst debating with Band member Ollie and been told to “Calm down,” Podge responded with the riotous “You can’t tame a lion.” He is the most likable of characters and clearly destined to be the clown character in the band.

They have made ample appearances on shows such as Tubridy Tonight and their rendition of “Do you think I’m Sexy,” on The Podge and Rodge’s Rock ‘N’ Roulette was as good a cover as can be heard, along with Golfrapp’s ‘Ride a White Horse,’ at the launch of State magazine. They have more charm and have more authenticity than most other bands I have encountered. If anyone doubted there music idols, bear in mind that Niamh gave birth to her first child (Oscar Eamonn Byrne) on the 8th June of this year and yet was determined to perform at Glastonbury on the Saturday 28/6/08 (Not three weeks later). It’s not exactly the maternity leave you would get if residing in the 9 to 5’s of this world, but her maternal instincts are obviously shared with her first baby, music.

In the entire duration of the pregnancy, there has been no let up in appearances or interviews and Niamh herself did a photo shoot 7 months into her pregnancy for Hotpress titled “How Irish Women are conquering prejudice and making great Rock ‘N’ Roll.”

Where it is from here is unknown. It will either be the depths of the nadir or international utopia. I hope they get the taste of success they crave, provided it is not the mainstream corporate route, mirroring one fan’s poignantly plea to them at a gig in Whelan’s “Please don’t sell out.” If they don’t get seduced into the business of making their music more accessible, like Snow Patrol did particularly with ‘Eyes Open’ and to a lesser degree ‘Final Straw’, you will have many fans demanding to lash the Ham on thick, no butter. We don’t want it cured, smoked, sliced or lean. We want the raw, untreated and uninhibited rump from the haunch of inherent music impulse.

Links Of Interest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gm7EYNiTzo
A small Ham Sandwich Documentary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0CILj5-QXs
Cover of ‘Material Girl.’ They have done a few covers, Britney’s ‘Piece of Me,’ being one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeaiXBTuTz0
Cover of Goldfrapp’s ‘Ride A White Horse.’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU1N7o4nO24
St. Christopher. Promotional Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ytmJL0Ultw
The Podge and Rodge show “Do you think I’m Sexy,” Rod Stewart Cover.

Ham-py Pisstakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpkEb_bm5H8
Dancing with Wolves with Podge. Niamh heavily pregnant and looking grand for it!

Nature Walks with Darcy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9bFEyLyRFM
Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkqTlxv2XQI
Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uilj1JlQTT8
Part 3

Mc Namee…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnWZvQ60qZU
Classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm0bp5KBC74
Lionel Richie’s Hello. If you want a video to brighten a Friday, this will do no harm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ru18uilUU8
The outtakes of their take on ‘Hello.’ Funny stuff.