CELTIC FOLK PUNK AND MORE: REVIEW - THE ROGUES FROM COUNTY HELL "Irish Dervish" (2015)

The Rogues from County Hell "Irish Dervish" Psycho Recordings

Release date: 21 March 2015

Running time: 16:05, 6 tracks

Curiously, a back to The Pogues wave has arrived to the Celtic punk scene. Keily’s Folk covered “The Old Main Drag” on their latest album; The Rathmines were formed after seeing The Pogues live; the Catalonian band Sigelpa has covered “Bottle of Smoke” on their brand new EP; and the German band The Rogues from County Hell introduce themselves as a Pogues tribute band.

The Rogues from County Hell is a new eight piece band that has recently released a 6 track mini-album. They are Acci (vocals), Patrick (banjo, mandolin, vocals), Wulla (accordion), Udo (drums), Merkel (bass, vocals), Donny (electric guitar), Tina (tin whistle,flute) and Hotte (acoustic guitar, vocals). Their mini-album is titled “Irish Dervish” and was recorded by Heiko Merten and mixed and mastered by Martin Don Schneider at Psycho Recordings.

“Irish Dervish” consists of 4 traditional standards previously recorded by The Pogues and two originals (“Irish Dervish” and “Shane”) written by banjoist Patrick Helle. As usual, I prefer to focus on the self-penned stuff. Both “Irish Dervish” and “Shane” (a tribute to Shane MacGowan) are upbeat and catchy songs that are a good starting point for the band’s career.

As far as the covers are concerned, although they remain faithful to The Pogues takes, all of them are faster renditions played with gusto.

The mini-album is delivered in a gatefold sleeve that has been designed by David Moos at Omma Hädwich Grakikstube. Band members pics and credits are stated. Maybe it would have been a good idea to include the lyrics to the original songs too.

“Irish Dervish” is a nice collection of songs in The Pogues vein. Next stop: a full album featuring more original material.