County: Kildare

Genre: Punk

Decades Active: 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s

About Blood or Whiskey

In September 1993, Barney, Kevin Murray and Colm Gallagher played songs together in a bedroom. In December, Pat Gallagher, a mandolin player, joined the band and successfully suggested calling the newly formed band Blood or Whiskey. The band grew to seven members in March 1994 with Dugs Mulhooly on guitar and Damien Bowden on banjo, and in May 1994 with drummer Chris O'Meara. In September 1994, the band played its first gig in a local pub. There were no amplifiers and only three microphones. In addition, the band could only play ten songs, all of which were played three times. After the gig, Pat Gallagher left the band and Niall Bowden joined as bassist.

From March 1995, Blood or Whiskey played an acoustic concert every Thursday at The White Horse pub in Dublin. In September 1995, they were discovered there by Kim Fowley, who had previously been manager of The Runaways. After Fowley offered to record some demos, their debut album, Blood or Whiskey, was released in June 1996 on the Sound Records label. It was recorded in three days in October 1995 and produced by Kim Fowley and Pat Dunne.

In July 1996, banjo player Damien Bowden left and was replaced by Paul Walshe. The band's first tour through Germany, Denmark and Sweden in September 1996 was met with little enthusiasm, as the owners of the Irish pubs where Blood or Whiskey performed preferred to hear cover versions of Irish folk classics.

In May 1997, Sean O'Neill replaced bassist Niall Bowden. As the label was now increasingly demanding cover versions, Blood or Whiskey terminated their contract with Sound Records in August 1997. Between September 1997 and March 1999, Blood or Whiskey toured Ireland, Scotland and Wales almost non-stop. After the tour, Sean O'Neill left the band and Tom Touhy took his place.

Blood or Whiskey made their first US appearance in September 1999 in Lowell, Massachusetts, and in November they signed a record deal with Rejected Records. In June 2001, the second album 'No Time To Explain' was released. It was recorded in June 2000 and produced by Dennis Buckley. During the recording, founding member Colm Gallagher left the band. In August 2001, Blood or Whiskey toured the USA with great success.

After singer Barney Murray left Blood or Whiskey in 2003, several band members changed. The third album, 'Cashed Out on Culture', was released in 2005. After touring England with Stiff Little Fingers, flautist Alan Confrey died of a heart attack.

In 2009, the band made a fresh start with the EP 'Live and Learn'. In 2010, they toured Europe, Japan and played at the Rebellion, Reading and Leeds Festival in England.

The band released a third album, 'Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil', in 2014.

Video

Blood or Whiskey - Dirty Aul War