Critters session in Cork every Monday

The Cork bluegrass and old-time scene continues to produce an inexhaustible stream of fine musicians and bands. Thanks to Eileen Healy of the Critters for news of the band's regular session on Monday evenings in the LV bar, MacCurtain Street, Cork city.

The Critters are Yvonne Leahy (fiddle), Eileen Healy (vocal/fiddle/cheese grater), Pete Hull (mandolin, vocal), James Dilkes (guitar, vocal), and James O'Sullivan (double bass). Their sound combines old-time and gospel with the music of eastern Europe - listen to the 'Hungarian set' and other audio tracks on their MySpace site.

For the benefit of instrument enthusiasts, we asked Eileen about her cheese grater. She replies:

It's a 1950s retro aluminium model with red handle and alternative grating holes for different effects. I use a steel dessert spoon I inherited from my granny to create that special subtle sound. I use a Fishman C-100 pickup on stage. It's a very difficult instrument to master, and now everyone wants to try it - in fact I've been asked to give workshops on how to get the most out of your cheese grater.

Festival organisers - take note.