The Vipers
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The Vipers were an Irish new wave group of the late 1970s. A live act fronted by Paul Boyle and guitarist George Sweeney, they toured with The Clash and The Jam.
The Vipers played in what was reported as Ireland's first punk festival in 1977, along with The Undertones. During the event a member of the crowd killed and the Irish punk music scene was subsequently blacklisted.[1] Their debut single "I've Got You"/"No Such Thing" (Mulligan LUNS 718) was released in late 1978. This was heard by the BBC's John Peel who invited the band across the Irish Sea to do a session for his radio programme.[2] A permanent move to London led to UK tours with the Boomtown Rats and Thin Lizzy,[3] as well as performances including at the Marquee, Music Machine and Fulham Greyhound. A further single, "Take Me" was released in early 1980. A failure to secure long term record company support led to the band splitting up in London in late 1980.[citation needed]
The group included Boyle (lead vocals/guitar), Sweeney (lead guitar), Brian Foley (bass), and Dave Moloney (drums).[4] Hastings performer Bernie Smirnoff (ex-Hollywood Killers) took over the drum stool from Moloney in late 1979. After the Vipers, Boyle later changed his career to acting whilst his colleagues remained musicians, Foley going on to Dublin group the Blades, Moloney to the Cajun Kings and Sweeney the Fat Lady Sings. Bernie Smirnoff went on to play for "my eyes my eyes" and subsequently for Kingbathmat.[citation needed]
Paul Boyle died in London on 8 May 2019.[5][3]
Reflist
- ^ Van Nguyen, Dean (2021). "'Utterly radical, subversive and alien': the untold story of Irish post-punk". The Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 27/02/1979 Vipers". BBC. 27 February 1979. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ a b Clark, Stuart (24 March 2022). "Paul Boyle from Dublin new wave band The Vipers has passed away". Hot Press. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "The Vipers". irishrock.org. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ For an obituary by his former bandmates see the Facebook page theviperspunk. (reference rip dot ie paul-boyle--dublin/388334)
External links
- The Vipers discography at Discogs
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