by Brenda Stokes

Artist: The Fenians
Event: St. Patrick's Day Tour 2005
Venue: House of Blues at Anaheim
Date of Event: March 17, 2005

To the scent of Guinness and a variety of other alcoholic beverages, St. Patrick's Day with The Fenians is something I won't soon forget.

The intimate setting of the House of Blues made for an up-close experience that got the audience pumped as they jumped in unison to the traditional and contemporary Irish rock band.

Opened by the Poxy Boggards and the Fearon-O'Connor Academy of Irish Dance, the St. Patrick's Day festivities were lively and rambunctious, yet tame enough for the family to enjoy. The Poxy Boggards were a pleasant surprise, singing in tight harmony with hysterical lyrics, one of which was performed acappella and was dedicated to all of the non-Irish people. It was hilarious and appropriately titled, "I Wear No Pants." After encouraging the crowd to buy them beers, the Boggards left the stage.

Next up, the Fearon O'Connor dancers—ranging in ages from about eight years old to their late teens or early twenties—blazed the stage with their fancy footwork. The audience cheered and one man near me remarked, "Did you see her feet? I'd like to see you try that!"

After a bit of a break, The Fenians finally took the stage, firing up the crowd with ease. These guys know how to do St. Patty's Day right and combined the perfect mix of traditional pub songs with their own originals to keep the audience entertained. The simultaneous clapping (my hands still hurt!) and jumping bodies were an obvious indicator that this crowd was having the time of their lives.

From originals like, "Clare to Here," and "The San Patricios," to the energetic drinking songs like, "Drunken Sailor," and "Whiskey in the Jar," The Fenians rocked the House of Blues on Thursday night, providing myself and all those who helped to sell out the performance a rip-roaring good time.

The Fenians musical repertoire spans several years, including songs about rebellion and hard times and those that deal with the lighter side of life, like love and alcohol. Whatever you're in the mood for, the Fenians have something for you, from smooth jazz sax, tin whistle, or the oftentimes comical, yet talented ballads by drummer, Chris, "The Animal."

After spending four rollicking hours with the Fenians and company, they closed the show with one of their latest hits, "Everyday's a Hooley," and an encore that brought Poxy Boggards back to the stage for "Drunken Sailor." The whole crown joined in on the chorus and I was sad to see the show come to close. They were magic and I can guarantee I'll be first in line to see The Fenians next St. Patrick's Day. Where will you be?

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Celtic MP3s Music Magazine writer, Brenda Stokes is a freelance writer, former Irish Step-dancer and college student located in Southern California. She dreams in jigs and reels and is pursuing a degree in English with an emphasis in Irish studies. Her work has appeared in Woman This Month and N2arts and she can be reached at brenda@ph-x.com

Labels: music_news_2005

Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, March 24, 2005.
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