Uncle Monk in Ireland, 29 Apr.-9 May 2010

Nigel Martyn reports:

Uncle Monk (aka Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan) will be in Ireland in late April and early May 2010.

Uncle Monk is an indie-acoustic duo featuring Tommy Ramone (of the Ramones) on vocals, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and dobro, and Claudia Tienan (the Simplistics) on vocals, guitar, and bass. The music of the two artists complement each other. There is a Yin and Yang sensibility at work, a touch of light and dark, of bitter and sweet.

They have been drawn towards the classic simplicity of string band music, but at the same time are deeply involved with the aesthetics of alternative music, and use their musical influences to create an original style. Tommy Ramone says:

There is a similarity between punk & old-time music, both are home brewed as opposed to schooled, both have earthy energy, and there is a certain cool in old-time music that is found in the best alternative acts.

Thurs. 29 Apr. The Village, Dublin
Fri. 30 Apr. The Crane Bar, Galway city
Sat. 1 May Dolan's, Limerick city
Sun. 2 May Rhythm & Roots Festival, Kilkenny city
Mon. 3 May Colfer's, Carrig on Bannow, Co. Wexford
Tues. 4 May De Barra's, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Wed. 5 May The Pavilion, Cork city
Thurs. 6 May Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
Fri. 7 May The Playhouse, Derry city
Sat. 8 May Barry's, Grange, Co. Sligo
Sun. 9 May Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co. Mayo (TBC)