Shillelagh Sisters
Encyclopedia
The Shillelagh Sisters were a UK female group composed of Jacquie O'Sullivan
(vocals), Lynder Halpin (double bass
), Patricia “Trisha” O’Flynn (saxophone
) and Maria “Mitzi” Ryan (drums
). Their music style was a mixture of rockabilly
and punk rock
, influenced by Halpin and O'Sullivan's boyfriends, who were, respectively, Boz Boorer
(guitarist) and Phil Bloomberg (bassist), both of the rockabilly group Polecats.
With this lineup, they toured, playing at London clubs and appearing as the supporting act for the likes of the Pogues (then named Pogue Mahone) and Bad Manners
, mostly playing covers of rockabilly tunes. However, they soon lost both female guitarists, and Boz Boorer
took over playing the guitar for their shows. Phil Bloomberg managed the group.
After gaining a substantial club following and some press coverage, they signed a record deal with CBS Records
, a move which Halpin later regretted:
Tensions arose when recording the first single, "Give Me My Freedom
". CBS felt the final result wasn't commercial enough and so it was re-done with a different producer, losing, Halpin later commented, the band’s original sound in the process. In addition, CBS refused to allow Boz Boorer
to be a full band member, not letting him appear on the single cover or in interviews or video clips.
Despite all these problems, "Give Me My Freedom
" was released in April, 1984. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows (most notably The Tube
) and a John Peel
session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear of Destiny. However, all this promotion did not lead to pop success and their single charted poorly at #100 in the UK charts in May, 1984.
Soon after, CBS released their second single, the Latin-flavoured "Passion Fruit
", with a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
" as the B-side. The record was remixed by pop mogul Pete Waterman
. It failed to gain any interest and didn’t make the UK top 100, peaking in the 140s.
The band's dissatisfaction with the way CBS was marketing them, along with differences between the band members, led to the band's demise in late 1984.
and Lynder Halpin created another group called Max Attraction. It was composed of O’Sullivan, Halpin, Boz Boorer
, Phil Bloomberg, Neil Rooney, John Buck, Hilary C. Book, and Shirley. They toured with Gary Glitter
and Captain Sensible
and did some demos, but nothing got released and the group parted ways a year later.
In 1986 Trisha O'Flynn became part of the female group Coming Up Roses (created by two ex-members of cult band Dolly Mixture), playing the saxophone, but it didn't last long and she, alongside Leigh Luscious (guitar) and Claire Kenny (bass), left the band. The band did not release any records while she was part of it.
In 1988 Jacquie O'Sullivan
joined girl band Bananarama
, where she enjoyed several UK top 40 hits (including 2 top 5 hits). After promoting a Greatest Hits album and releasing a studio album, she left the group for good in late 1991. She then formed the group Slippry Feet with friend Paul Simper.
Lynder Halpin married Boz Boorer and played in some indie bands.
, Halpin, and Boz Boorer
got together again as the Shillelagh Sisters for a Japanese tour. They recorded an album in one day, titled "Tyrannical Mex
", prior to the tour, and then went to Japan with drummer Woodie Taylor. The tour was a success. The band performed once more in 1998 for a one-off as part of an Irish festival.
signed a 3-album deal with AlmaFame records. She released a Slippry Feet album, "Freak Time Viewing" in late 2001, and in 2002 a Shillelagh Sisters album, titled "Sham’Rock & Roll
", which included some of the band's demos. "Give Me My Freedom
" and "Shout", from their CBS days, were also included in the album's demo forms. It also featured two demos from Max Attraction.
Around this time, an official website, http://www.shillelaghsisters.com: www.shillelaghsisters.com, featuring a discography and an interview with Lynder, was assembled.
A third album from Jacquie O'Sullivan
, tentatively titled “The Jacquie O Collection”, featuring new songs and re-recordings of her hits with Bananarama
, was announced but the label folded and nothing was released.
Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
(vocals), Lynder Halpin (double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
), Patricia “Trisha” O’Flynn (saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
) and Maria “Mitzi” Ryan (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). Their music style was a mixture of rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
and punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, influenced by Halpin and O'Sullivan's boyfriends, who were, respectively, Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
(guitarist) and Phil Bloomberg (bassist), both of the rockabilly group Polecats.
Early years
The group was founded in early 1983 in a men’s restroom at a party. The group had little experience playing instruments, but learned as they went along. Initially the group had two other members, Helen Shadow and Amice Boyde, both of whom played guitar.With this lineup, they toured, playing at London clubs and appearing as the supporting act for the likes of the Pogues (then named Pogue Mahone) and Bad Manners
Bad Manners
Bad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
, mostly playing covers of rockabilly tunes. However, they soon lost both female guitarists, and Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
took over playing the guitar for their shows. Phil Bloomberg managed the group.
After gaining a substantial club following and some press coverage, they signed a record deal with CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
, a move which Halpin later regretted:
“It was not particularly what I wanted to because I can’t stand majors. I would have gone for an independent like Rough Trade and keep more control over what we were gonna do. The records we did with CBS were not really what I would have wanted them to have been.”
Tensions arose when recording the first single, "Give Me My Freedom
Give Me My Freedom
"Give Me My Freedom" was the first Shillelagh Sisters single. It was released in April, 1984 by CBS. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows and a John Peel session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear...
". CBS felt the final result wasn't commercial enough and so it was re-done with a different producer, losing, Halpin later commented, the band’s original sound in the process. In addition, CBS refused to allow Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
to be a full band member, not letting him appear on the single cover or in interviews or video clips.
Despite all these problems, "Give Me My Freedom
Give Me My Freedom
"Give Me My Freedom" was the first Shillelagh Sisters single. It was released in April, 1984 by CBS. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows and a John Peel session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear...
" was released in April, 1984. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows (most notably The Tube
The Tube (TV series)
The Tube was an innovative United Kingdom pop/rock music television programme, which ran for five seasons, from 5 November 1982 until 1987...
) and a John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear of Destiny. However, all this promotion did not lead to pop success and their single charted poorly at #100 in the UK charts in May, 1984.
Soon after, CBS released their second single, the Latin-flavoured "Passion Fruit
Passion Fruit - Shillelagh Sisters
The Latin-flavoured "Passion Fruit" was their second single released by CBS with a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" as the B-side. The record was remixed by pop mogul Pete Waterman. It failed to gain any interest and didn’t make the UK top 100, peaking in the...
", with a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard . Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005)...
" as the B-side. The record was remixed by pop mogul Pete Waterman
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
. It failed to gain any interest and didn’t make the UK top 100, peaking in the 140s.
The band's dissatisfaction with the way CBS was marketing them, along with differences between the band members, led to the band's demise in late 1984.
1986-1992
In 1986, Jacquie O'SullivanJacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
and Lynder Halpin created another group called Max Attraction. It was composed of O’Sullivan, Halpin, Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
, Phil Bloomberg, Neil Rooney, John Buck, Hilary C. Book, and Shirley. They toured with Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
and Captain Sensible
Captain Sensible
Captain Sensible is a singer, songwriter, guitarist who grew up in Croydon, England, and co-founded the punk rock band The Damned in 1976. After leaving the band, he reinvented himself as an alternative pop singer with a rebellious, self-conscious image...
and did some demos, but nothing got released and the group parted ways a year later.
In 1986 Trisha O'Flynn became part of the female group Coming Up Roses (created by two ex-members of cult band Dolly Mixture), playing the saxophone, but it didn't last long and she, alongside Leigh Luscious (guitar) and Claire Kenny (bass), left the band. The band did not release any records while she was part of it.
In 1988 Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
joined girl band Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, where she enjoyed several UK top 40 hits (including 2 top 5 hits). After promoting a Greatest Hits album and releasing a studio album, she left the group for good in late 1991. She then formed the group Slippry Feet with friend Paul Simper.
Lynder Halpin married Boz Boorer and played in some indie bands.
Tyrannical Mex
In 1993 Jacquie O'SullivanJacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
, Halpin, and Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer
Boz Boorer is a British guitarist and producer most known for his work founding the new wave rockabilly group, The Polecats, and later for his work as a co-writer, guitarist and musical director with Morrissey.-The Polecats:The band "Cult Heroes" was formed in 1977 by Tim Worman , Boz...
got together again as the Shillelagh Sisters for a Japanese tour. They recorded an album in one day, titled "Tyrannical Mex
Tyrannical Mex
In 1993 Jacquie O'Sullivan, Halpin, and Boz Boorer got together again as the Shillelagh Sisters for a Japanese tour. They recorded an album in one day and in live conditions, titled "Tyrannical Mex", prior to the tour, and then went to Japan with drummer Woodie Taylor...
", prior to the tour, and then went to Japan with drummer Woodie Taylor. The tour was a success. The band performed once more in 1998 for a one-off as part of an Irish festival.
Sham’Rock And Roll
In 2001, Jacquie O'SullivanJacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
signed a 3-album deal with AlmaFame records. She released a Slippry Feet album, "Freak Time Viewing" in late 2001, and in 2002 a Shillelagh Sisters album, titled "Sham’Rock & Roll
Sham’Rock & Roll
In 2002 AlmaFame records released a Shillelagh Sisters album, titled "Sham’Rock and Roll", which included some of the band's demos, live performances and tracks from Tyrannical Mex album. "Give Me My Freedom" and " Shout", from their CBS days, were also included in the album's demo forms...
", which included some of the band's demos. "Give Me My Freedom
Give Me My Freedom
"Give Me My Freedom" was the first Shillelagh Sisters single. It was released in April, 1984 by CBS. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows and a John Peel session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear...
" and "Shout", from their CBS days, were also included in the album's demo forms. It also featured two demos from Max Attraction.
Around this time, an official website, http://www.shillelaghsisters.com: www.shillelaghsisters.com, featuring a discography and an interview with Lynder, was assembled.
A third album from Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan
Jacquie O'Sullivan is a singer and songwriter.-Early years:O'Sullivan was originally a member of the country/punk/rockabilly group Shillelagh Sisters. In 1978 she was one of three backing vocalists on Status Quo's album "If You Can't Stand the Heat". In 1982 O'Sullivan appeared in the videoclip of...
, tentatively titled “The Jacquie O Collection”, featuring new songs and re-recordings of her hits with Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
, was announced but the label folded and nothing was released.
Singles
- 1984 Give Me My FreedomGive Me My Freedom"Give Me My Freedom" was the first Shillelagh Sisters single. It was released in April, 1984 by CBS. The group had some press coverage and also did some television shows and a John Peel session at Radio One. The Shillelagh Sisters also went on tour as the supporting act for British rock band Spear...
(released in April). B-side: Teasin’ Cheatin’ Man. UK #100. - 1984 Passion FruitPassion Fruit - Shillelagh SistersThe Latin-flavoured "Passion Fruit" was their second single released by CBS with a cover of Nancy Sinatra’s "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" as the B-side. The record was remixed by pop mogul Pete Waterman. It failed to gain any interest and didn’t make the UK top 100, peaking in the...
. B-side: These Boots Are Made For Walkin'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard . Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005)...
Links
- http://www.shillelaghsisters.com: Shillelagh Sisters' website.
- http://www.myspace.com/shillelaghsisters: Shillelagh Sisters' Myspace website.
- http://www.myspace.com/lynderb: Lynder Boorer’s Myspace website.
- http://www.myspace.com/bozboorer Boz Boorer’s Myspace website.
- http://www.bozboorer.com/ Official Boz Boorer site.
- http://micksinclair.com/sounds/shillelagh.html: interview with the band from 1984.
- http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/jacquieosullivan: Jacquie O'Sullivan fan group