| The Band |
The New Barleycorn |
The Boys From the County Hell |
Brace Yourself Bridget! |
| The Meeting |
Irishmen John Delaney and Alec DeGabriele met in Cleveland in 1995 at local festivals and concerts. Delaney had played for 24 years with The Barleycorn in Ireland. DeGabriele led a well-known Irish show band. |
An assortment of musicians from local rock bands formed a Pogues cover band for St. Patty’s Day in 2000 at the Euclid Tavern. They sold out the show and have been at it ever since. |
Five years ago, Jim Stamper, a veteran of the bar business and the band business, wanted to form a rock band that played Celtic music with a ton of instruments and even more energy. With his two sons and folks he’d met over the years, they formed Brace Yourself Bridget! |
| The Insturments |
7, including a mandolin and a bodhran |
9, including a fiddle, accordion and tin whistle |
14, including a flute, didgeridoo, djembe, bouzouki and bagpipes |
| The Sound |
A mixing of traditional Irish tunes with original material penned by DeGabriele. “We add in a bit of traditional Irish dance music, reels and jigs,” Delaney says. “Very often when we play, the kids will get up spontaneously and dance.” |
Ninety percent of the time, it’s all about the Pogues. They match each song, instrument for instrument, and then add their own touch. “We play up the rock side a little bit more,” says Chris Allen. “We might be a little rowdier, if that’s possible.” |
Eight band members and a meld of Irish and rock ’n’ roll instruments create a unique sound, including traditional tunes with a twist and original material. The band even gets radio play in Ireland. |
| The Albums |
Six full-length records, the latest one called “It’s Good to See You” |
None |
“Brace Yourself Bridget!” (2005) |
| Favorite Irish beverage |
“Tullamore Dew for whiskey drinking, but we’ll really drink anything damp,” Delaney says. |
“We’re Guinness guys,” Allen says. “A Guinness or a Powers whiskey, the band won’t say no to onstage.” |
“Guinness, of course. We all drink Guinness,” Jim Stamper says. (Everyone that is, except his underage son.) |
| Favorite Irish Thing About Cleveland |
“Undoubtedly the people. The Irish connection in Cleveland, primarily,” Delaney says. |
How much the city embraces the culture and tradition of Irish music. |
“Taking the stage on St. Patrick’s Day is the most fun we’ll have all year,” Stamper says. “I’ve been working [in a bar] every St. Patrick’s Day since 1972, and I know Cleveland rallies around that day.” |
| St. Patty’s Day Gig |
Nighttown in Cleveland Heights |
A morning gig at the House of Blues, followed by a show at Flannery’s in the afternoon, and their annual St. Patty’s performance at the Harp. |
Stamper’s in Fairview Park — where else? |
