Amadan – Stout Irish Music!

March is now upon us, and that can only mean one thing – time to gear up for St. Patrick’s Day!  If you’re of Irish descent, there’s no question that you’ve been looking forward to this day since last March 18^th.  If you’re not Irish, at least you can pretend to be on the 17^th.  St. Patrick’s Day is a chance for everyone to tip back a Guinness, eat some corned beef and cabbage, wear green, and most importantly listen to some of the world’s finest music.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are blessed with one of the best Celtic punk bands you’ll ever have the great fortune to see.  I won’t lie – I have a completely biased opinion of Amadan, I know them all personally, and consider them to be friends.  That said, even if I only knew their music, I’d have nothing but good things to say about them.  *End of official disclaimer.*

The name Amadan comes from the Irish-Gaelic colloquialism meaning fool, or idiot.  The band members are neither, however – they are a group of highly talented and creative boys that love to share their music with an ever-growing group of fiercely loyal fans.  Amadan fans are so loyal in fact, they have been known to drive hundreds of miles to see a show.  Repeatedly.  Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything.

The six members of Amadan blend their musical skills flawlessly into the whole.  Drummer Mike Morrow and bassist Kevin Pardew tirelessly keep the cadence and provide the legs that keep the band marching on.  One arm of the band is fiddler Naoyuki Ochiai, whose fast and furious bowing never ceases to amaze.  The other arm is Andy Gross, didgeridoo player extraordinaire.  That’s right – a didgeridoo, which adds an exotic touch to the sound of the band.  Jeremy Bauer can be thought of as the nervous system of the band, with his high-energy penny whistle, banjo, snare drum, and vocals.  Finally, Eric Tonsfeldt – guitarist, lead vocals, and primary song-crafter is the skeleton around which the rest of the parts thrive.  And the heart and soul of the band?  The combination of the six band members and their fans, which together drive the living breathing creation that is Amadan.

Amadan has so far released two CD’s, Sons of Liberty (2002), and Hell Bent 4 Victory (2004).  Both are a combination of original songs, traditional Irish tunes, and an occasional cover tossed in for good measure.  Amadan sings songs that bring to mind Irish revolution, pirates at sea, blue collar sensibilities, and long nights of drinking and camaraderie.  Their songs evoke a spirit of not backing down when the world seems to be against you, no matter the difficulty.  Choosing a favorite tune or two from Amadan’s repertoire is almost impossible – every song is as good as the last.  However, since it is traditional to steer any new listeners in a direction that will get them off to a good start, let me point you thus…

Listen to all of their songs!!!  Fortunately, several of the songs from each CD can be heard on the Amadan website.  I might suggest either “Johnny Jump Up” or “Black and Tans” from Sons of Liberty.  As for Hell Bent 4 Victory, give  “Another Brass Rail” or “August 24^th, 1688” a try.  If I were forced to choose a favorite (thank goodness nobody has yet asked me to), I would have to select “Rhyme of the Remittance Man.”  Amadan has deftly blended the poetry of Robert Service with the best of their music – leaving me in sheer happiness every time I hear it.  What I’m getting at here, is if you listen to Amadan, you won’t be disappointed.  Both CD’s are fantastic – the second rocks a bit harder than the first, but both are top notch Celtic punk.

Currently, the boys are working on some new tunes, and Jeremy tells me they will debut a few next week at the big St. Patrick’s Day festival in Portland.  They are set to record their next CD in July, and expect a release date sometime in the fall or early winter.  They’ve been away from the stage for a few months, and are bursting with energy for next week’s performances.  I for one can’t wait.

If you’re seeking a quiet, calm experience – don’t listen to Amadan.  But if you’re looking for a high energy, dance your pants off fists in the air back against the wall shout until you’re hoarse experience – you have arrived.

Amadan will be playing several shows in Portland, Oregon at the Kell’s Irish Pub St. Patrick’s Day festival, March 17-19 (2006).  If you find yourself in the area, stop in to the west coast’s largest St. Paddy’s event.  Music, food, ale and dancing – all in celebration of the man that chased the snakes from Ireland!

Amadan – Stout Irish Music

Kell’s Irish Restaurant and Pub