by Cai Trefor | Photos by Press / WENN
The best Irish and Northern Irish bands of all time
Happy St. Patricks Day - here are the the most essential
Thin Lizzy: Without a doubt one of the greatest classic rock groups of all time. They write worldwide hit after hit, noted by the success of 'Jailbreak', 'Whiskey In The Jar' and 'The Boys Are Back In Town.' They also astonish live, Thin Lizzy Live And Dangerous is considered one of the best live albums ever. The late, great Phil Lynnot was the heart and soul of the band. Since his death the band have reformed in tribute to him, playing a number of lower key shows, which have ever quite recaptured the magic he had.
U2: A marmite band but for those who get them, they're one of the greatest rock bands on the planet. Their Brian Eno produced 1987 album The Joshua Tree is one of the best of the last 50 years and the rest of their albums are peppered with hits. Bono may have a reputation for going on a bit in between songs in stage but put all that aside and you have a truly great frontman. Meanwhile, Edge, is one of the greatest guitarists of all time who can fill so much space with his ingenious use of his pedal board..
Van Morrison: Sir Van Morrison is a genius. The blue eyed soul singer from Belfast has built a beguiling oeuvre since his career began in the 60s. He's most well known for Astral Weeks, which regularly features in critics' lists of all-time great albums. It set the template for the rest of his career with its mix of poetic lyrics, inspired by his native country, jazz improvisation, Celtic folk and soulful vocals.
Rory Gallagher: Jimi Hendrix described him as the greatest guitar player in the world, which is about the best compliment any guitarist can get, ever. His extraordinary bluesy playing is at its best on his 1971 album, and the exquisite Celtic, jazz-tinged, blues opening cut, 'I'm Not Awake Yet', is particularly special. He sadly passed away in 1995 aged 47 due to liver failure.
My Bloody Valentine: These godfathers of shoegaze nearly bankrupted Creation Records in the time they spent making their incandescent and essential album, Loveless. But the meticulousness it took in arranging the noisy avant-pop soundscape proved a wait well worth it. Loveless is a colossal, mesmeric work, still considered one of the most important guitar albums of all time.
Villagers: Ever since breaking through with the Mercury Prize nominated album Becoming a Jackal, Conor O'Brien's Villagers have been one of the most loved bands in the world. They've topped the Irish charts with each of their album releases and built a reputation for their brilliant live show all around the world.
The Pogues: Channeling the unbridled energy and enthusiasm of punk's heyday into a raucous folk rock hybrid, The Pogues produced some of the most innovative and enthralling music of the 80s. Lyrically, Shane MacGowan is a genius who combined traditional themes with modern concerns for an intoxicating ride.
Ash: Northern Ireland's Ash are one of the catchiest guitar bands to have broken the charts in the 90's. They became a major act with the release of 'Girl From Mars' in 1995. Ash's finest moment come on their albums 1977 and Free All Roots and they set the bar for what a well produced guitar record should sound like. They're still touring and put out their sixth album, Kablammo! last year.
Girl Band: Rough Trade's new indie rock hopes have been one of the most hyped bands of the last few years. Their visceral, invigorating performances nod to the destructive stage antics of Sonic Youth . Their debut album, Holding Hands With Jamie, was released in 2015 and will remain an important record for years to come.
Little Green Cars: Conor O'Brien told Gigwise that along with Girl Band, Little Green Cars are one of the most exciting bands currently working in Ireland. Their beautifully crafted songs and soaring harmonies make us strongly agree.
Kodaline: This is polished major label melodic indie pop at its best. Their breakthrough single 'High Hopes', topped the Irish singles chart and showed the band had promise. Through word of mouth they became a big deal internationally and their second album entered the official UK albums chart at no 4.
The Undertones: John Peel claimed 'Teenage Kicks' to be his favourite song and it remains one of the best singles ever release and made. The Undertones are one of the most successful bands from Northern Ireland ever.
The Cranberries: Initially they failed to make an impact with their debut album due to a hostile reception in the UK press. However, the band ended up touring the US with The The, Duran Duran, and Suede and their single 'Linger' earned them a following over the pond. Subsequently, the UK caught up and the their debut album became only the fifth album in rock history to reach no 1 more than a year after its release. After that the band became one of the world's top stadium rock bands, selling 40 million albums worldwide.
The Thrills: Their debut album, So Much For The City, became an Irish number one and charted at number 3 in the UK. It's still revered for its brilliant take on the classic American pop of the 60s and 70s. The bands follow up, Let's Bottle Bohemia, also charted well. Their third album didn't fare so well and in in 2008 they announced a hiatus. Hopefully we'll see a reunion soon.
Into Paradise: A gem for fans of Echo and The Bunnymen, Joy Division or The Church. These post punks pen some pretty anthemic stuff in the five years (1988- 1993) that they were together.
The Strypes: When the band members were all aged between 14 and 16 they already had Paul Weller, Miles Kane and Jeff Beck, and Elton John turn up to their gigs. They're currently on their second album and are still being praised for their visceral and melodic retro rock live shows.
Them: As Van Morrison's first group, Them will always make the cut as one of the greatest bands of all time. They were one of the most exciting acts of the British R&B boom in the 60s. They produced an array of classic 45s and album tracks, with Van Morrison, the son of Belfast Jehovah's Witness family, at his primal best.
Stiff Little Fingers: The melodic punks came to public attention when they supported the Tom Robinson Band on tour in 1978. They then played their own sellout tour in 1979, promoting their highly acclaimed debut album, Inflammable Material. Despite several line up changes and a hiatus, the band have gone on to release ten studio albums over their career. However, their late 70s material is still considered their most exciting.
The Boomtown Rats: Bob Geldof's first band were a fine new wave act best know for their worldwide hit, 'I Don't Like Mondays'.
The Corrs: They were siblings who got on well with each other, who punctuated their pop ballads with violin riffs and penny whistle solos, and melded contemporary rock and pop with tradition Irish folk themes. They produced three multi-platinum albums and the highest-selling release of 1998. Last year they reformed after ten years apart. Remarkably, their following is still strong and they played a knockout show at the 02 Arena in London the other week.
Taste: Them are Rory Gallagher's first band who signed to Polydor and opened for Cream in 1968. They went on to play The Isle of White Festival alongside Jimi Hendrix and The Who in 1970 but later that year Gallagher announced that he would be going solo.
Girls Names: Belfast's Girls Names are easily one of the best post punk bands around at the moment. they released their second album, Arms Around A Vision, to strong critical acclaim last year. They form part of a vibrant alternative scene in Belfast where Documenta and Sea Pinks are also making waves.
Hozier: With a multi platinum album under his name, it's safe to say Hozier has cracked the industry. He has an arresting voice that's charmed America and seen him receive multiple awards for his hit 'Take Me To Church'. Some religious people in America may have misconstrued the song to be supportive of the church. But the song is about his frustration of the catholic church's stance on homosexuality.
Two Door Cinema Club: They've been combining electronic music with guitar hooks exceptionally well since their formation in 2007. They're set to release new music this year and we suspect it could be their long awaited third album, which will be their first new material since the Changing of the Seasons EP, released in September 2013.
A House: John Peel praised alt pop. Their jangly single 'Heart Happy' and 'Call Me Blue' in a back catalogue of mixed quality. The bright moments are really bright and still sound relevant to the development of today's indie bands, hence why they make the cut.
Compulsion: These little known Irish punks signed to One Little Indian in the early 90s and produced a couple of critically acclaimed albums before disbanding in 196. Singer Garrett "Jacknife" Lee has gone on to have a successful career producing the likes of U2, R.E.M and Robbie Williams.
The Frames: Few bands manage to convey their raw emotions as clearly as The Frames. Singer Glen Hansard has an exceptional way with words and an enigmatic stage presence. One of the highlights of their career is supporting Bob Dylan in Australasia.
Future Kings Of Spain: Solid rock band who supported Muse, Biffy Clyro in their time. They split in 2009 but leave behind two quality albums.
JJ72: This Dublin band had two hit albums in the early 00s. Their success was helped by the post Britpop success of Travis, Muse, and Coldplay who blew the door down melodic guitar pop to dent the charts. Check out 'Oxygen', 'Snow' and 'Forumale' for a taste of their heaven-sized rock - they could have gone on to such greatness.
Paranoid Visions: Acerbic punks who released music in the vein of The Sex Pistols their own label F.O.A.D (Fuck Off And Die) in the 80s and 90s probably because nobody else would take them. But the band have developed a devout cult following and even had Steve Ignorant of the band Crass as guest vocalist on their latest album.
Snow Patrol: The band rose to prominence in the post-Britpop movement and since the release of their debut album the band have sold over 13 million albums worldwide. They have won seven Meteor Ireland Music Awards and have been nominated for six Brit Awards. Their piano ballad 'Chasing Cars' remains one of the most tear-jerking songs ever written.
Stump: Mick Lynch form Cork was the frontman of surreal wonky pop band Stump who formed in London. The band wee praised by the likes of Melody Maker, NME, and John Peel throughout the 80s and their song 'Buffalo', which featured on C86 has become a cult hit since the compilation has claimed legendary status.
Sweet Savage: Considered one of the pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement alongside acts such as Iron Maiden, Saxon, Motörhead and Def Leppard. Their line up once included former Dio and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell. Despite all this major success somehow eluded them. In 1991 Metallica covered their song 'Killing Time' as a b-side to 'The Unforgiven'. Singer Ray Haller joined Metallica on stage to sing it with them in 2011.
The Answer: A powerful classic rock band formed in the noughties who once supported Deep Purple and went on the Black Ice Ac/Dc tour.
Sinead O Connor: If she released 'Nothing Comapres To You' and nothing else her whole career she'd still be considered a legend - it's that good. But fortunately there is more to her oeuvre than just that hit.
The Dubliners: They were instrumental in popularising Irish folk music in Europe. They influenced many generations of Irish bands, and their legacy can to this day be heard in the music of artists such as The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, and Flogging Molly.
Therapy?: The punk metallers from Belfast have sold over 20 million albums worldwide. They made their biggest impact with their second album, 1994's magnificent mercury nominated, Troublegum. We've always got time for a band with a keen sense of melody delivered with punk rock aggression. Fortunately, these guys do both in equal measure
Virgin Prunes: Gothic post punk band who released an incredible four part 92 minute debut album on Rough Trade Records in 1981. Another highlight is their album ...If I Die, I Die, which was produced by Colin Newman of Wire.
And So I Watch You From Afar: Easily one of the greatest post rock instrumental bands of the past 10-plus years. They're relatively obscure but deserve every bit of recognition they can get. Fans of Battles will love them.
Bell X1: The anthemic pop rockers from Dublin are the Irish band with the most airplay in their native country after U2. It's quite surprising to find a band to be so big in Ireland without making a massive dent in the UK.
Enya: She's one of the world's best selling artsits with an estimated 75 million worldwide. She began her career in her family's folk band, Clannad, and since her breakthrough as a solo artist in the late 80s, her enchanting voice has been a blessing to many.
It's St. Patrick's Day, so to celebrate we present 41 of the greatest Irish and Northern Irish bands of all time. For a small island with only 6.3million people - and even less when most of these came out of the woodwork - they have a staggering amount of succesful bands.
To reflect on the riches that both country's have produced, we look at the influence of the likes of The Dubliners and Thin Lizzy. There's also nods to anthemic music of the likes of U2, Snow Patrol, and Kodaline, and the more wild contribution of Girl Band and My Bloody Valentine. Meanwhile, we look back at Van Morrison and Rory Gallagher's first bands as well as the success of their solo output.
There's also a focus on lesser known 80s acts such as A House, Virgin Prunes, and Into Paradise, who have contributed a sound which new bands are still edging to recapture today.
So guzzle down that Guinness, chase it with a Jameson's and get submerged in the glorious world of Irish and Northern Irish music.