Who Now?
The Great Simones are a blues-rock, folk and americana band from Navan comprised of Barry McAuley, Mark Lynch, Brendan Kelly, Aidan Carolan and Ada McHugh.
Listen How?
In 4 words, how would you describe your music?
"Alternative, Americana, Outlaw folk."
How did The Great Simones come about?
"Myself(Baz) and Lynchy knew each other from around town. We picked up the guitar around the same time. We were both into the same kind of music and decided to get together with some other friends and start writing. We started off as The Superdudes, as you can probably tell from the name, we weren't taking it all too seriously at that stage, it was just bit of fun. We played one or two gigs with that line up and that was it I think.
"Myself and Lynchy then hooked up with two female friends of ours, Deborah and Sarah, who were sisters, and we wrote some songs together. We didn't do any gigs together as such, I don't think, but we did record a song or two, for Bandwagon Tv, before the girls moved to Brighton.
"Myself and Lynchy then continued to play local festivals and venues for a time, borrowing musicians wherever we could, until we eventually settled on the line up as it is today."
You recently released your debut album. Do you have a favourite track, and if so, why that one?
"I think as a band, our favourite track to play live, is the title track from the album, You Better Get To Heaven Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. It has a good vibe to it. We're also really happy the way Tumbleweed Row turned out. We can only describe it as outlaw folk, with tales of selling your soul to the devil, only to go and kick hiss ass to try get it back. It's pretty bad ass."
Have you been to Vantastival before? If so, what was your favourite memory?
"No we haven't been to Vantastival as a band, but we have a few friends that have, and they have nothing but good things to say about. So yea, we're really looking forward to been part of it, this year."
What would you call your campervan, and why?
"A friend of ours use to have a campervan, that we use to head to some of the festivals in, and I think we called it George. I have no idea why."
Other than on stage, where are we most likely to find you at a festival?
"We're quite a lazy band, and we do love sitting down. So you'll probably find us, chilling out on the ground, drinking a can and listening to some of the great bands the festival has to offer."
What can we expect from a live show?
"We have a good mix of songs, with different tempos and feel to them, that we can jam out live and some fun with. If there's good vibes coming from the stage, you get good vibes back from the crowd, and then its all just about enjoying the moment."
You’re making a party playlist. What song is first on the list?
"There's a band called Red Queen Contest, and they have a song called Eiderdown. Where we're from it's on every party play list."
What are your plans for 2016?
"Our plans for 2016 is to just do what we love doing, which is playing live and promote the debut album as best we can. Our next gig is on the 20th of May, in the Backrooms of the Lantern, Navan. We're having a little Vantastival warm up gig, with friends of ours, Saramai and Le Boom who will also be playing the GoldenPlec Stage at this year's Vantastival. So if anyone wants to come down and join us for our little warm up party please do. Should be lots of fun."
The Great Simones play the GoldenPlec stage on Saturday at this year's Vantastival.