Irish band’s album influenced by punk sounds, unique percussion
Marques Hunter
Issue date: 5/15/03 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Their songs surge a vibe of thrashing punk and Irish dance music while lyrically intoxicating listeners as they absorb the music and alongside glasses of beer, vodka and whiskey.
The band Amadan uses traditional instruments and a variety of other tools that add flair to their unique Irish music. Amadan’s six members were not born in Ireland, yet still follow the traditional Irish notes and add strong energetic attitude to pump up the volume.
“Its very eclectic,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Eric Tonsfeldt.
Many of the group members, including Tonsfeldt, grew up listening to punk music. He thinks the addition of punk to Irish music gives it a jarring, but traditional percussion.
“You could basically take a traditional Irish tune and add serious energy to it,” said Tonsfeldt. “It’s like Irish music given steroids, dragged out into the street and beaten seven or eight times and basically left to die in the gutter.”
The band laughs over the comments of Tonsfeldt as his descriptions of Irish punk music reverberate head banging and fist raising.
Jeremy Bauer, who plays the whistle, spoons, mouth, snare drum and background vocals, reflects upon this Irish-punk style.
“We play at weddings and see sons lifting their grandmas up out of their wheel chairs because they want to dance,” Bauer laughingly said.
Band member Andy Gross plays the Australian didgeridoo and is also a background vocalist. Gross believes the kinds of instruments the band uses creates a more distinct percussion.
“It’s a bunch of diverse musicians,” Gross said. “We have a mix of different musical instruments and musical backgrounds.”
The band has been playing together for four years but experienced personnel changes in the molding of the group. Tonsfeldt noted that Amadan originally started out as a three piece band that migrated to a six piece band.
The band Amadan uses traditional instruments and a variety of other tools that add flair to their unique Irish music. Amadan’s six members were not born in Ireland, yet still follow the traditional Irish notes and add strong energetic attitude to pump up the volume.
“Its very eclectic,” said lead vocalist and guitarist Eric Tonsfeldt.
Many of the group members, including Tonsfeldt, grew up listening to punk music. He thinks the addition of punk to Irish music gives it a jarring, but traditional percussion.
“You could basically take a traditional Irish tune and add serious energy to it,” said Tonsfeldt. “It’s like Irish music given steroids, dragged out into the street and beaten seven or eight times and basically left to die in the gutter.”
The band laughs over the comments of Tonsfeldt as his descriptions of Irish punk music reverberate head banging and fist raising.
Jeremy Bauer, who plays the whistle, spoons, mouth, snare drum and background vocals, reflects upon this Irish-punk style.
“We play at weddings and see sons lifting their grandmas up out of their wheel chairs because they want to dance,” Bauer laughingly said.
Band member Andy Gross plays the Australian didgeridoo and is also a background vocalist. Gross believes the kinds of instruments the band uses creates a more distinct percussion.
“It’s a bunch of diverse musicians,” Gross said. “We have a mix of different musical instruments and musical backgrounds.”
The band has been playing together for four years but experienced personnel changes in the molding of the group. Tonsfeldt noted that Amadan originally started out as a three piece band that migrated to a six piece band.