Bands join forces for tribute to rock’s finest

 ‘It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled’ sang Robert Plant, back in his Led Zeppelin heyday. Galway blues rock fans don’t have to wait for their fix, though. This Saturday No Stairway and Stomping Ground will blaze through a slew of seventies-era gems.

 Shane O’Malley, who plays bass with both bands, explains what punters can expect.

“A three-hour show, half and half between Stomping Ground and No Stairway. It’s the same members in the band, but we’re swapping singers at half time.

“I’m no good for the full 90 minutes anymore –I’m Paul McGrath!” says Stomping Ground front man Mike Duggan. “I can do half the match, but not the second half.”

Cover bands may be part of the weekend scene, but the lads are keen to stress that their show offers something different.

“A lot of people have a negative few of covers, but all of us love playing them as long as they’re songs that we love,” says Shane. “That’s what we’re going for.”
“And to take it out of when you go see bands and they’re in a pub, in a corner, and you’re not really listening, you’re just there,” adds Steven Sharpe, lead singer with No Stairway.