Connemara Stone Company
| Connemara Stone Company | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Genre (s) | Folk rock |
| founding | 1995 |
| Website | www.connemara-stone.com |
| Current occupation | |
| Georg "Schorsch" Spellerberg | |
| Peter "Piet" Fürbach | |
singing |
Geordie |
| Hans Steinforth | |
Tin whistle , flute , vocals |
Michael Künzel |
acoustic guitar, electric guitar |
Michael Cernik |
| former members | |
Vocals, acoustic guitar |
Olaf Mesenbrock |
Electric bass |
Horst "Ofri" Pohl |
Electric bass |
Ralf Rumpelt |
| Christel Wegener | |
Bagpipe, percussion
|
Willi Wegener |
acoustic guitar, electric guitar |
Meikel setter |
Bouzouki , mandolin |
Stefan Mrezar |
Vocals, keyboard |
Dino Serci |
The Connemara Stone Company ( CSC for short ) is a folk rock group from the Ruhr area , most of the musicians live in Essen .
The band was named “Best Scottish Folk Band 2010” at the German Rock & Pop Prize for their version of The Gael , known from the film The Last of the Mohicans . One year later, singer Dino Serci won first place at the same event in the category "Best Folk Rock Singer".
The group is assigned to Folk Rock or Celtic Folk , where they play both traditional pieces and their own compositions. They refer to " Celtic " folk music and combine it with modern rock music , which is why they call their style of music "Celtic Folk Rock".
history
The Connemara Stone Company was founded in 1995. Flutist Michael Künzel has been with the band since 1996, bassist Peter Fürbach since 2015. Founding member Ralf Rumpelt (bass, technology) left the band in 2006. From 2007 to the end of 2010, Christel and Willi Wegener (both bagpipes) broadened their musical horizons. At the end of 2010 they both left the band - just like after a long time together, singer and acoustic guitarist “Olli” Olaf Mesenbrock. After ten years together, bassist "Ofri" Pohl decided in 2015 to end his membership for personal reasons.
Olaf Mesenbrock was replaced by the singer Dino Serci in 2011, while Meikel Setter joined the group as guitarist. The filling of this position in the band would prove to be unstable for a while. Because the initially new path with Setter - a representative of the heavy metal faction - did not last. In the meantime, the Gladbeck-born Stefan Mrezar (bouzouki and mandolin) returned to the folkloric origins. Ultimately, the position was then filled with Michael Cernik (acoustic and electric guitar). In 2015, Peter Fürbach took over the bass position for “Ofri” Pohl.
The Briton Keith Bailey (co-organizer of the Volmarsteiner Folk Festival) has been the band's manager for many years. Hannes Spellerberg (one of Georg Spellerberg's brothers) has also been there for a long time and is responsible for the live sound as a technician.
In 1996 the first album From Celtic to Rock was produced. In 1999 the band toured Ireland. The group achieved notoriety especially in the Ruhr area, where they regularly play in pubs, at festivals and (city) celebrations. For example, since 2005 they have appeared on the main stage at the large city festival “Essen Original” three times. There are regular appearances nationwide. But the band also performed across Europe (Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands).
Dino Serci left the band at the end of November 2016 and CSC has been with the folk-oriented singer Geordie since January 2017.
Discography
- From Celtic to Rock; 1997, "Basement" Studio Essen (LC 8248), only as an online download
- Made in Essen VIII (Sparkasse sampler); 1997, 12 bands; CSC with the song "Bonnie Ship the Diamond" (LC 6827)
- For one Ireland; 1998, Basement Studio Essen (LC 8248)
- Made in Essen X (anniversary sampler of Sparkasse Essen, 2000) CSC with The Town I Loved So Well (LC 6827)
- Live in roundhouse; 2001, "Lager 1" Studio Castrop-Rauxel (LC 8248), live album, only as an online download
- The Boys from the Ruhr; 2002, "Lager 1" Studio Castrop-Rauxel (LC 8248), single
- Birds and beasts; 2004, "Lager 1" Studio Castrop-Rauxel, Label: Steeplejack Music (LC 02106)
- For one Ireland .... again; 2009 (For one Ireland remastered + 4 bonus tracks) Label: Steeplejack Music (LC 02106)
- Dragonfly - Connemara Stone Company LIVE; 2009, recorded at "FOLK im Schlosshof" in Bad Rappenau (LC 8248)
- Original; 2013, recorded at "Essen Original" on August 31, 2012 - Live concert in the city of Essen (LC 15418)
- Back Home - 2015 The new studio CD from CSC
Awards
- First place at the German Rock & Pop Prize 2010 in the category "Best Scottish Folk Band"
- Third place at the German Rock & Pop Prize 2011 in the category "Best Scottish Folk Band"
- Singer Dino Serci: First place at the German Rock & Pop Prize 2011 in the category "Best Folk Rock Singer"
- First place at the German Rock & Pop Prize 2015 in the category "Best Folk Rock Album"
- Third place at the German Rock & Pop Prize 2015 in the category "Best Folk Rock Band"