County: Dublin

Decades Active: 2010s, 2020s

About Gilla Band

Gilla Band (formerly Girl Band) are an Irish post-punk and noise rock band from Dublin. It was founded in 2011 and comprises vocalist Dara Kiely, guitarist Alan Duggan, bassist Daniel Fox, and drummer Adam Faulkner.

Their career began with the 2012 single 'In My Head'. With influences ranging from the Bad Brains and the Contortions to Neu! and the Chemical Brothers, Girl Band went about playing shows around Ireland and making an EP. Recorded live and produced by the band, 'France 98' was available in a limited run of 300 on 12" vinyl through the Any Other City label and included the infectious groove of "You're a Dog." Following this, Gilla Band recorded a cover of techno artist Blawan's 'Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?,' which furthered their reputation and expanded their fan base, setting them up for a handful of U.K. live dates in 2013. They developed live followings in both Ireland and the UK, and a recording contract with Rough Trade in 2015. That year The Irish Times described them as "the most fascinating act out of these parts at present...[who make] thrilling, menacing, exciting noise". Girl Band's debut EP for Rough Trade, 'The Early Years', included some of the tracks from the singles that were originally put on the Any Other City label, as well as the Blawan cover.

They released the critically acclaimed album Holding Hands with Jamie in 2015. After a gap in 2016-7 due to health issues, the techno- and glam-influenced The Talkies was released in 2019. Their first concert album, Live at Vicar St., arrived in 2020. It was recorded over two nights in 2019 at the famed Dublin venue. In November 2021, the band changed their name from Girl Band to Gilla Band. The album 'Most Normal' was released in 2022 under their new name.

Video

Girl Band (Gilla Band) - Lawman [offical video]


Gilla Band - Um Bongo (live at Other Voices)