Band – Irish

1984 – 2024

1984

In September 1984, guitarist Darryl Oliver, drummer Dana Oliver, and bass player Greg Pfab left Tucson, Arizona, bound for Southern California in search of a singer and to pursue their music career. With no place to stay or plans when they got there, they packed a 24’ U-Haul truck and went on their way. Despite the uncertainty, it was clear divine intervention guided their journey, leading them to a home studio just minutes from the beach.

1985

After auditioning vocalists, ranging from James Brown-esque crooners to Klaus Meine sound-alikes, they settled on a singer from Mississippi named Mick Brandon (one of a few aliases). They developed an original set and quickly gained traction by winning a local battle of the bands contest, earning them a spot on Music Talk 85 TV show for an interview and an opportunity to perform two songs. They played the Southern California club circuit – from the Troubadour in Hollywood to the Dancing Waters in San Pedro. However, as the year progressed, the Oliver brothers decided to search for a new bass player and singer, signaling a new chapter for the band.

1986

The Oliver brothers, Darryl and Dana, expanded their repertoire by recording additional original material at a nearby recording studio, even covering April Wine’s “Tonight Is a Wonderful Time to Fall in Love.” Meanwhile, their search for new band members persisted as they auditioned potential singers and bass players.

1987

Following an extensive audition process, the band solidified its lineup by bringing in Rick Snider on vocals from Ventura County, California, and Anthony Barrios on bass from Whittier, California. With the new additions in place, they diligently expanded their repertoire and secured gigs at various Southern California clubs. Additionally, Irish ventured into the studio, recording four original tracks at Sound Affair recording studio in Santa Ana. In a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, the Fender’s Ballroom in Long Beach, where they once rehearsed, tragically caught fire, destroying much of the interior, yet miraculously sparing their band gear.

Early 1988

The band enlisted a manager who orchestrated a bold publicity stunt on Sunset Strip. Setting up a stage on a flatbed truck, they waited until 1:00 AM when the clubs were closing and the streets were bustling with club-goers. Driving down Sunset Strip, they caught the attention of passersby, including those exiting the Whiskey A Go Go, by striking their guitars. They managed to play two and a half songs before being surrounded by police cars and obliged to halt the impromptu performance. Despite the interruption, the officers were surprisingly supportive, offering a thumbs-up as they issued a traffic and sound disturbance violation to the manager driving the flatbed.

Previous slide

Next slide

Later 1988

Irish underwent a change in their lineup, swapping out bass player Anthony Barrios for Eric Tuttobene, a recent transplant from Rochester, New York. Undeterred by the change, the band pressed forward, crafting fresh material and maintaining a busy schedule of performances at numerous clubs across Southern California. Additionally, they returned to Sound Affair recording studio to lay down another batch of tracks, further solidifying their presence in the local music scene.

Irish once again showed their winning streak by snagging the top spot in a battle of the bands contest. Their victory earned them a much-deserved radio interview and the exciting prospect of a full-page feature in Bam magazine. Adding to their list of achievements, the KLOS DJ declared Irish the Best Unsigned Band of 1989, giving them a memorable send-off into the new year with an electrifying eight-song set on New Year’s Eve.

Late 1989

Irish received an invitation to perform at a lavish mansion nestled in the Hollywood Hills for the one-year anniversary celebration of a Champagne company on December 16th. The event featured four other bands, each showcasing a different musical style, performing simultaneously in various areas of the sprawling estate. Little did they know, this would mark Irish’s final performance together as a band.

1990

Forget about “Video Killed the Radio Star” — in the ’80s, it was all about the rock reigning supreme. Suddenly, the glitz of the Sunset Strip was out because grunge was in, shaking up the scene leaving ’80s rock stars shaking in their leather and/or spandex leaving the once-mighty rock stars of the ’80s scratching their heads and wondering what the heck just happened.

2024

Hello, rock enthusiasts! The hiatus is over, and it’s time for us to get back into the rhythm. To those who have continued to crave the exhilarating sounds of rock, we salute you! It’s time to plug in, turn up the volume, and demonstrate that our journey is far from over—it’s merely been on pause. While live performances may not be in our future, we are back in the studio, writing and recording new music, with plans for upcoming releases.