Running to stand still .... Red Queen Contest back for one night only

Reunion gig to mark 10th anniversary of eponymous album

The Lantern on Watergate Street, Navan, will host the four piece rock band, Red Queen Contest, for the 10th anniversary of their absolutely rockin’ eponymous album this Friday 20th October.

The four Navan lads, Paul Clarke, Cormac O’Keeffe, Paddy Smyth and Barry Fitzgerald, formed a band called The Dolldrums in the late noughties, (former band alumni includes virtuoso bassist Kevin Mulvey). Following excellent EP releases and live performances, they then went on to become Red Queen Contest. The band from time to time included star-lighting members Alan Carmody and Saramai Leech who also feature on the album alongside Liam Mc Cabe, Cora Venus Lunny and Kate Ellis.

The new band name Red Queen Contest was taken from a book called ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory David Roberts which struck a chord with the band. It is a metaphor for ‘running to stand still’ like the Red Queen in ‘Alice in Wonderland’. The 10 track album was recorded and co-produced by a stalwart of the Irish music scene, Adrian Garry, in Old Castle over a period of months. He also mixed the record and was instrumental in seeing the album come to fruition. Adrian might be familiar to locals as he was one of the founders of the renowned Co Club sessions in Oldcastle.

Red Queen Contest played in many of the country’s best music venues from Cyprus Avenue, to the Róisín Dubh, to Dolans, to Whelans, to The Academy, selling out the latter for their album launch 10 years ago. The band received excellent critical reception and enjoyed frequent radio play, interviews and sessions including arts show ‘Arena’ on RTE 1. For various reasons, after signing to Zephyr records, the band went on hiatus with each member continuing their musical journeys just as passionately for the last decade; Paul Clarke has been writing under the name ‘Bowery Boy’ and collaborating with Barry Fitzgerald, Cormac O’Keeffe has been busy writing and recording in a duo called ‘Perlee’, Barry Fitzgerald among other projects has been drumming with Cork Jazz Festival regulars ‘Blutack and the Greenhorns’, with brilliant local songstress Joy Booth and also with his talented brother Robbie Fitzgerald. Meanwhile Paddy Smyth on bass guitar has been bringing serious groove to the rhythm section of ‘If’ with his brother Alun Smyth (Minty).

The last remaining copies of the album itself will be on sale on the night. The artwork designed by local graphic design guru Anthony Mackey features the one and only escape artist ‘Houdini’. In fact the band had to request permission from the ‘Houdini’ estate to use the magician’s image. Luckily it was granted and now the legend suspends himself on the cover of this classic record and compliments the track ‘Houdini Hexes’ perfectly.

Ska/Reggae big band, If, will lend their groovy vibes to night by way of support.

Admission €10. Doors at 8pm.

Reviews.....

“The voices of co-vocalists Cormac O’ Keeffe and Paul Clarke complement each other well and the combination definitely helps make Red Queen Contest feel worthy of the majestic name” – Hotpress Album Review 7/10

“This is a confident debut from the band; it will not be overly surprising if they are a much bigger name by the time their second album drops” – GoldenPlec

“Overall there’s not a bad track on the album. It’s one of the most complete, satisfying rock albums I’m likely to hear in a long time” – 2uiBestow Album Review 11/12

“Most bands are blessed to have one accomplished vocalist, but these selfish ****** kept two for themselves, sharing the lead at first, but then combining in gorgeous harmonies to thrill” – Dublin Concerts Live in Whelans’ Review