Original Rudeboys for all-ages gig in Monroe’s

The Original Rudeboys play an all-ages show in Monroe’s Live on Sunday, July 13.  The Dublin based trio released their second album last year, which they recorded in London.

Robert Burch is the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, and Seán Walsh plays ukulele, while Neddy Arkins take on responsibility for rap vocals.

Robert and Seán come up with the band’s melodies and then Neddy responds with rapped verses.

“I’ve got my laptop and a notebook that’s littered with all sorts of lyrics about everything,” he says. “So if the guys come to me with a hook and it’s about, for example, falling in love, I’ll scrape through the notebook for anything that relates to it.”

It’s fair to say that writing pop songs with a ukulele and an Irish rapper is unusual. So it’s no surprise to hear the Original Rudeboys formed almost by accident. An impromptu session in Neddy’s flat eventually led to the lads playing in the 02.

“Walshie popped in to buy a Playstation game or something ridiculous,” says Neddy. “He said he had a ukulele, and came around with it. Our other friend who was there, we were fortunate enough that he wanted to record it. He got that on camera, and that was the video for Stars in My Eyes. That’s where it all started from.”

That video clocked up hundreds of thousands of hits and Original Rudeboys have had a loyal following since then.

Doors for the show are 5pm and tickets are €15.