Stomping gypsy folk at Monroe’s from top-class Eskies

Superb and stomping in concert, The Eskies come to Monroe’s Live on Friday next, February 19.

The Dublin based band who play gypsy folk with a swagger, are led by singer and guitarist Ian Bermingham, with Tim George on bass, Steven Kearney on drums/vocals, Rob Murphy on mandolin/guitar and Sean O’Reilly on guitar/ vocals.

Do the band write together or bring finished pieces into rehearsals?

“It depends on the song,” Ian says. “A lot of the time, one of us will write something then bring it to the rest. I’ll have a chord progression and what I think is a finished song, then I’ll bring it to the jam room, and it’ll totally change.”

Along with talent, some songwriters can also bring fragile egos into a room and aren’t always open to criticism, however constructive. That’s not an issue for the Eskies.

“We’ve learned to communicate a point without attacking someone,” Ian says. “Initially you might go ‘that line’s crap’ and hurt someone’s feelings. You learn how to go ‘I really like what you’re doing, you’re brilliant, but can we try this instead?’ We’ve all gotten very god at that!”

The Eskies’ debut album was recorded in Inchicore by Gavin Glass, who’s a member of Lisa Hannigan’s band.

“He’s a fantastic producer. We’re a bunch of messers, so it’s not that easy to handle us!”

Messers they may be, but The Eskies are top-class musicians who are well worth checking out.

■ Doors 9pm, tickets €10/€8 online.