| A Healthy Debut By Grainne McLoughlin
Sláinte is one of those bands that help give Irish people in Britain
an identity and sense of belonging. Having just released their debut album,
Bible Code Sundays, Sláinte’s frontman Ronan McManus chats with Grainne
McLoughlin about their unique approach to music and how the recent launch
marks only the beginning.
It seems talent runs in the McManus family. Half-brother to Declan McManus
— better known as Elvis Costello — and son to legendary musician Ross McManus,
Ronan McManus is set to follow in similar footsteps.
Having started Sláinte over 10 years ago alongside his brothers, the
group were content to play the London pub circuit. But when Ronan met Andy
Nolan — who was then the accordion player with Shane McGowan and the Popes
— they really started to piece together a serious group consisting of some
of London’s finest musicians.
Now Sláinte — which encompasses Patrick Franklin, Enda Mulloy, Joseph
Moran and Carlton Hunt alongside Ronan — have just released their first
and much-anticipated album Bible Code Sundays.
Drawing on the influence of traditional Irish music and modern rock,
the lads are delighted with the finished product.
“We’re really happy with it,” says Ronan. “But it’s merely a stepping-stone
to the next level. We’re really excited about writing and recording our
own music which we’ve started work on already.
“That is where we want to get to and we feel we are well equipped to
fill the void that seems to have developed.”
Conscious that many of the world’s big Irish bands are American Irish,
Sláinte want to give the people of Irish descent in Britain something that
they can feel is their own.
“With most of the band having been born in England, we have a slightly
different angle on Irish music. Our lads that play the trad instruments
certainly don’t play them in a trad way. There’s a lot of purpose about
how they approach it and indeed with it we want to create something that
the Irish all around the world can identify with.
“But equally, we’re not about to exclude people of other cultural backgrounds.
We’re just expressing ourselves through ours.”
The album includes mainly cover versions of bands such as Goats Don’t
Shave, U2 and the Pogues as well as arrangements of Spancil Hill, Whiskey
In The Jar and songs by The White Stripes and Stevie Wonder.
In the years building up to the release of their debut album, Sláinte
have toured around Britain and abroad playing many prestigious events including
several gigs at Glasgow Celtic FC where they shared a stage with bands such
as Travis, Coldplay, Oasis, Sir Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and Gerry Marsden.
For more information e-mail:
slaintemusic@hotmail.com.
Sláinte’s frontman Ronan McManus tell rí-rá all about his tastes in
music, film and TV rite tipple and most desirable date would be.
What was the last album you bought?
It was actually an old LP of my dad’s (Ross McManus). I’ve been searching
out and buying all his old recordings on places like ebay, as he doesn’t
have copies of all his stuff. Before that it was to replace my lost copy
of The Pogues’ Rum, Sodomy & The Lash.
What was the last film you watched?
The last thing I watched on DVD was some episodes of Kilinaskully. One
of the guys in the band, Enda had it. Absolutely brilliant, hope it gets
shown over here.
What TV programme would you not miss?
There isn’t really one I wouldn’t miss — I’ll just watch anything that’s
on.
The key to making it as a musician?
If I knew that... No, I suppose I’d have to say finding what you do best
and sticking to it no matter what.
What do you love most about Ireland?
The humour.
Who would you most like to work with in the future and why?
The rest of the band I’m with at the moment. We all get on really well
and you can’t buy that.
Best personal experience to date?
The birth of my son Finn.
Best professional experience to date?
Playing on the pitch at Celtic Park (well, miming).
If you weren’t pursuing this career what other profession would you
have chosen?
Anything creative and nothing mundane.
What’s your greatest ambition?
To never die, that’s all!
Favourite method of relaxation?
A nice pint and the craic — you can’t beat it.
The most important lesson life has taught you?
To enjoy yourself while you’re here.
Humanity’s most useful invention?
The pub.
What’s your favourite tipple?
Guinness.
What’s your greatest extravagance?
Too much Guinness.
How would you like to be remembered?
As an alright bloke.
Most desirable date?
I’m married now — don’t do that sort of thing.
Weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Being in a band.
First concert you ever went to?
My big brother’s concert (Elvis Costello) at the Hammersmith Odeon (as
it was known then), he was supported by The Pogues and I met Lenny Henry
— very surreal.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Going Underground by the Jam.
Three songs you’d most like to have written?
Grace, The Wee Small Hours (Frank Sinatra) and The Lakes Of Pontchartrain.
Best career move?
Answering these questions — you’re only as good as your last one.
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