Celtic Explosion: Punk of the Irish: Culann’s Hounds mash up Irish folk songs and punk spirit, without diluting either.
Celtic Explosion
Culann’s Hounds bring big sound to London Bridge.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Over the last year, the San Francisco-based traditional Irish group Culann’s Hounds has been blowing up. Last St. Patrick’s Day, the quartet headlined a concert at the Great American Music Hall. That day also marked the release of its sophomore album, Year of the Dog. The 12-song CD features guest appearances by Blues Traveler’s master harmonica player John Popper and New Monsoon’s bassist Ben Bernstein.
Year of the Dog finds the quartet doing traditional numbers like “Wild Mountain Thyme” and a cover of the punk Irish band the Pogues’ “Dirty Old Town.” Another number, “The Skylark,” is an instrumental stomp that goes heavy on the fiddle and bagpipe. The band also tones things down for an effective take on the ballad “Foggy Dew.”
The group has a local connection: fiddler Steve Gardner and guitarist Mike Kelleher are graduates of Pacific Grove High School.
CULANN’S HOUNDS perform at 9:30pm Friday, May 18, at London Bridge Pub, under Saporro Restaurant next to Wharf Number Two, Monterey. No cover. 655-2879.
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