www.cruachan.cjb.net

Media Archive | Interviews | Big Beng magazine from the Czech. Republic. 2002

Feb. 2002 and was translated into english by Vespertilio.

Next, an interview about the new album "Folk-Lore" with the most important members of Irish folkmetal band Cruachan - Keith Fay and John O'Fathaigh. Don't be confused, the second one changed his name to the ancient celtic translation. It isn't the only sign of mysticism which comes from Cruachan. In the last few weeks they have been a very active band (review of novelty in nr. 1/02 and re-edited debut in nr. 2/02 ) likes very original conception of music, on which you can see big arrange progress disc by disc and a desire to perform live.

BB: You call your music Celtic rock. But this mark makes your music looks softer, because in fact you produce very dense, hard metal music.

CR: Of course, we do metal! Sometimes even extreme metal. The reason, why we decided to use the mark "celtic rock" is that we were irritated by all the different names we were called. Are we "pagan metal" or what? Finally, as a demonstration of a resist, we decided to use the "celtic rock" indication, like the band Horslips, which was a big inspiration for Cruachan.

BB: So we don't have to be afraid of "decent-acoustic" way of music, similiar to late Skyclad?

CR: On the new album Folk-Lore we took a step back from The Middle Kingdom, to the time of the debut Tuatha Na Gael. We are using very heavier riffs, but at the same time much more folk motives. The last track on Folk-Lore is from the time of our debut there is even one song, To Invoke the Horned God on digipack, which was re-recorded from the debut. About Skyclad, you're right, metal began to disappear from their music, nevertheless they are still a briliant band.

BB: Are there any genre-allied bands in Ireland? It doesn't seem to me that there would be some scene... Cruachan is very unique one...

CR: Yes. We are unique in every sphere of this significance. We don't know anyone from Ireland, in Europe we could regard as allies In Extremo or Subway To Sally, but although they play very different music. We like very much Primordial, we know them for a long time and we drink often together. But they are poor drinkers...

BB: You surly take you music like a compact whole, but how the fans regard it? What kind of people visit your gigs?

CR: Our gigs are pretty crazy. It's nice to see how colourful it is. The normal people who like folk stand usually at the sides and drink beer. And in the middle are the metalists.

BB: Actually, what kind of actions do you play on? Here, in Czech Republic folk was under a strange mutation and now it is something like a shit-form of music. And I would not expect any toleration from our folk loving people towards Cruachan.

CR: We haven't played in foreign lands yet, but it's gonna change this year. Of course we usually play on metal gigs with metal bands, but we were on a few celtic fests and we were the only one band with electrified instruments. It was cool...

BB: Important person for Folk-Lore is Shane McGowan. How did he come across to the production of the album?

CR: We met thanks to our manager Peader, who is Shane's friend. Once Shane heard The Middle Kingdom, he fell in love with it and wanted to meet us immediately. we visited him, were chating about music, had a few beers, and finally he said that it would be a great honour for him if he could produce our next album. His role was as a supervisor, we consulted with him our ideas, what sounds good and what does not.

BB: Shane is well-known alcoholic. Is it true? One could say that you took him as a mascot. Big name is allways useful...

CR: Well... Shane never denies himself a glass, but you could say that about plenty of Irish people. Media like kidding about things like that and Shane's drinking is definitely exaggerated. We understand what you mean about the name, but we can't change what people want to think. Shane simply wanted to help us and for us it was a very pleasant experience.

BB: You use a lot of unusual instruments for rock. Is it difficult?

CR: We felt from the beginning that we should use authentic instruments and not some keyboard sounds. Keith is a very tallented about learning to play instruments. He does everything in a moment, which is a gift from heaven for Cruachan. These instruments are unusual in rock, but are typical for Irish folk music and therefore we use them.

BB: The title single "Ride On" is a cover-version of song from Jimmy McCarthy, who isn't known in Czech republic.

CR: Honestly... we don't know much about him either. He isn't a very well known musician, he is more like wandering fidler and his song became famous in 80's thanks to Christy Moore's version. Even today, if you visit some pub where plays Irish folk band, you definitely will hear Ride On. Usually it's played by solo singer with acoustic guitar, but we like it very much and we made it to sound like Cruachan.

BB: When Ride On had appeared, you promised early release of the new album. But it was delayed...

CR: Yes, it was, for a few reasons, but mainly because John is lazy and the front cover took a lot of time. But, beter late, than never.

BB: Tell us something about lyrics. What inspirates you, the connection with music...

CR: Our band is based on celtic and Irish mythology. It was allways our main source of lyrics, but we aren't afraid to leave the conception. we have a few great songs about Tolkien's world, and also about todays problems from the north of our country.