Con:
Nine Songs
© 2005 francis daly (837101077606)
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The results are finally in.
Local Irish rock band Con has decided on a winner for its Web-based "name the CD" contest. The entries ranged from high-brow musical terms like "Con Motto" and "Con Espressione" to the well-meaning but rather bland "Pride" to the intentionally deviant "O'Lingus" and "Stipated."
Understandably, the members of Con chose none of the above. Rather, they allowed fate to lead the way.
So, with the band slated to unveil its new compilation of nine original songs during a CD release party at Finnigan's Wake on Wednesday night, Aug. 10, the label will say, simply enough, "Nine Songs."
The four members of the year-old lineup, led by singer-songwriter Frank Daly, hope that the new recording - regardless of its name - will help them revive a rock 'n' roll spirit not often seen on Philadelphia's live circuit.
After all, original acts around the city are definitely a minority. And those who sound straight off of late-1980s, early-'90s alternative college radio are rarer still.
"From what I've seen in Philadelphia, it's going back to the garage sound mixed with 'eighties metal," Daly said.
By contrast, Con's four-piece combo is more reminiscent of acts like REM (the old version), Dave Matthews Band and Pennsylvania's own Live. In fact, Daly's voice is a dead ringer for the latter band's front man, Ed Kowalczyk.
Daly, 30, is a Mayfair native and Roman Catholic graduate who also plays electric guitar. The rest of the lineup includes South Jerseyans Wes Mekosh, 24, on acoustic guitar, and James Duffy, 21, on bass; as well as Kennett Square native Sean Callaghan, 32, on drums.
The foursome defies definition.
"Everybody asks you what kind of band you are, and I can never say," Mekosh said.
"We get booked as an Irish band, but I think of us as a rock band," Daly said. "If the Pixies learned to place Clancy Brothers songs, they might sound like us."
The Irish label is not a misnomer, however. All band members have Irish roots, while Daly's lyrics are largely pro-Republican.
"On the CD, of the nine songs, more than half are Irish themed - though they may not sound like it - and something political," Daly said. "That's where I come from."
The prose often refers to the fight for a free Irish state historically and the ongoing relationship between Loyalists and Republicans in Northern Ireland today.
That's nothing new for Daly, who cut his teeth on the local live scene fronting the now-disbanded Spirit of '16. He's been to Ireland several times and has seen the human suffering caused by decades of conflict.
The Irish Republican Army's recent pledge of disarmament held special meaning for Daly.
"I never thought I'd see that from being over there and knowing people," he said.
The upbeat sound of Con's music belies the underlying politics, however. After seven years with Spirit, Daly decided about three years ago that he wanted to play more than all of the old "rebel" songs.
"Irish music is fun, but there's so much (other) music around. We said, 'Let's try to do some covers, write some songs, mix it all together and see what happens,'" the frontman said.
Con was born. After two more years of lineup shifting, the current foursome settled in last September. The band still refuses to explain the meaning of its name, but its methods are self-evident.
"We have a lot of fun on stage," Mekosh said.
"Ninety-nine percent of the time (at our shows), ninety-nine percent of people had a good time," Daly said.
"We can play a college bar and have a really great night and we can play an Irish bar and have a really great night, and they're totally different crowds."
During their usual four-hour shows, they offer a variety of originals, along with popular covers and traditionals.
"You could hear a traditional Irish song, a Black 47 song. Or we could be doing a Cyndi Lauper song," Callaghan said.
The band admits that recording the album was not all that fun, however. It began in January. Studio sessions occurred weekly and were scheduled around weekend live gigs around the region.
There's one song in it that the band describes as a ballad. Otherwise, the sound is your basic tight four-piece rock ensemble with contagious rhythms and pure guitar melodies. It's mature, yet contemporary and alternative.
"For the most part, it's pretty energetic and upbeat," Daly said.
They have no particular aspirations attached to the production, which is being released independent of any label. The group plans merely to keep up its schedule of five or so live shows a month and perhaps make an overnight trip or two to New York, Boston or elsewhere.
Besides Finnigan's Wake, at Third and Spring Garden streets, Con regularly appears at Kildaire's in King of Prussia and Brittingham's in Lafayette Hill.
"We didn't do (the disc) with an endgame goal, like we want to get signed and tour the world," Daly said. "It seemed like the next step for us."
Added Mekosh, "We're real happy with the way it turned out. That's all we wanted." **
reviews
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Long awaited, great CD!
author: Jane KellyMy boyfriend loved this CD so I gave mine to him but I could not do without one of my own so I bought another copy. I still love it!
- author: :) mY FIRST REAL lOVE
Ohh... But the CD was Awesome!!! i can't stop listening. It's like an orgasm in my ear over, and over, and over again!!! Sniff, Sniff... God I miss him...
- author: :) mY FIRST REAL lOVE
He has eveyrhing planned and Ibelieved him, Straight donn to whowas going to be the wedding, Then he went , off on his on way left me with a horable brokern heart left behind still still try tring to conten to..oh well what you LOVE ALSP COME FORSJ. Anf i would never be selfish about that, I stll love him very very very dearly. Justwish he would just give me a HI once inawhile.....love angelThings were said out of angry and never ment on my behave. I hope all is well.. Still love to, to death Wesley.you know you..ANGEL of mine
Very original Irish influenced rock
author: JTSeeverRare blend of styles, instruments, with very well written lyrics, all with a point and story. Music is full and moving. Vocal clean and pure, expressive. Mix quality OK, but need to take care at times on lesser sytems to avoid some distort and blur at moderate to high vol. Still works out though. World class collection of songs---not a dog in the bunch.
- author: terri and sarah in DE
Patrick C. told us about your band and CD and we decided to get it. It is wonderful, the music is very appealing and emotional and you have a great voice.
- author: Kelly B
It's about time! Glad to have you back in my Cd player! Can't wait to see you live again!
hi lads just
author: gerard mc croryhi lads just got your cd today from helen mc crory yes thats right i am her big bro. it is fucking great i must have played it about ten times keep up the great work i hope the cd does well for yous and i cant wait for the nex one. songs 5 8 and 9 are great say hi to my we sisters for me talk soon and good luck. gerry mc crory
I officially now only own 1 CD ; )
author: Leanne aka "one of the whoa-whoa girls"This CD has not left my CD player since I got it...my comlpiments to the band on a job well done, it was well worth the wait for the album! My 4 nieces and nephews know all the words (it never leaves their mom's CD player, either!). It gives me goosebumps seeing and hearing my two and five year old nieces singing along to the entire CD, especially track #2. Keep Rockin, Guys!
Holy Moley!!!
author: PamForget the crap you hear on your local radio stations...this CD has far-surpassed all that nonsense! It's catchy, not cheezy; quality, not cheezy; deep, not cheezy; yet fun...and still not cheezy! :)
Great CD, one of the best
author: Dan SawyerThis CD is amazing.. I haven't stopped listening to it since I picked it up at the CD Release party. Every song is golden.. For those who do not have it.. GET IT NOW!!
Universal appeal, contagious sounds, lyrics with depth
author: MaureenThis CD appeals to everyone from Grandmothers to Gradeschoolers! The songs are each unique yet share the same tight sound and contagious rhythms. You will find yourself singing the refrains and humming the tunes.
Amazing Sound, Great Lyrics... Simply Awesome Music !!!
author: Jim FowlerI bought this CD like 2 weeks ago and have not been able to take it out of the CD Player, It's addictive. There is not a single track on this that doesn't rock. Great Job !!!
awsome
author: duffcd was awsome well worth the waite love ya fellas...duff
AWESOME!
author: CarinaOnly CD you would need to buy this year!