"Alright, alright, I'll give you a quote, just stop bad mouthing me!"
Michaela Majoun, WXPN
Philadelphia based trio, Patrick's Head, have developed into one of the most vibrant acts on the Philly music scene.
This year has been a breakout one for this acoustic group based around Dublin born singer John Byrne and native
Philadelphian, Patrick Mansfield. After performing for the past 5 years with rhythm guitarist, Scott Wikander,
Patricks Head have recently reformatted with multi-instrumentalists Annah Winheld and Andy Keenan. Their sold-out
shows at the celebrated World Café Live venue caught the attention of the music press and gained mainstream radio
play for their critically acclaimed Nov. 2003 release "A Mild Case of Something Weird".
The band went into the studio in May 2005, with a vast collection of original material and the resulting album "Traditional Gentlemen of the Road" is their strongest to date. Driven by a pounding acoustic guitar, Mansfield's distorted electric, and Byrne's haunting vocals, these songs, inspired by the root influences of each band member, explore roads well traveled and journeys in their many shapes. Critic, Mike Lastracco, describes the characters in these songs as people who "don't necessarily live and learn, they just live." Patrick's Head continue to hone their brand of "ferocious folk with an almost non-stop regiment of live performances, which has seen them garner a loyal and considerable following.
The first single from Traditional Gentlemen of the Road, Poor Man Shuffle, featuring guest vocals from Lili Aņel, continues to receive regular play on Philadelphia's WXPN along with many other college and local stations. Patrick's Head have returned to the studio in late 2006 to begin work on a new album, recording with the Philly rhythm section known as The Heisenberg Uncertainty Trio, namely Michael Taylor on upright bass, and Joe Falcey on drums (yes, there are only 2 of them!). Lili Aņel also joins in on vocals on several of the new tracks.
The band went into the studio in May 2005, with a vast collection of original material and the resulting album "Traditional Gentlemen of the Road" is their strongest to date. Driven by a pounding acoustic guitar, Mansfield's distorted electric, and Byrne's haunting vocals, these songs, inspired by the root influences of each band member, explore roads well traveled and journeys in their many shapes. Critic, Mike Lastracco, describes the characters in these songs as people who "don't necessarily live and learn, they just live." Patrick's Head continue to hone their brand of "ferocious folk with an almost non-stop regiment of live performances, which has seen them garner a loyal and considerable following.
The first single from Traditional Gentlemen of the Road, Poor Man Shuffle, featuring guest vocals from Lili Aņel, continues to receive regular play on Philadelphia's WXPN along with many other college and local stations. Patrick's Head have returned to the studio in late 2006 to begin work on a new album, recording with the Philly rhythm section known as The Heisenberg Uncertainty Trio, namely Michael Taylor on upright bass, and Joe Falcey on drums (yes, there are only 2 of them!). Lili Aņel also joins in on vocals on several of the new tracks.
| John
Byrne Born in Dublin Moved to England as professional soccer player Didn't work out Move to Philly with an acoustic guitar Played solo gigs of Irish and original folk music Formed "John Byrne Band" Released 2 CDs Absolutely adores Bob Dylan Greatest moment: "I suppose that time that Bono and I chatted in a pub in Dublin. I really should've had him sign my CD." |
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Patrick
Mansfield Born in Philadelphia Moved to Syracuse, NY First bands "The Front", "The 4th Cow" Moved to Ireland/England as a writer Didn't work out Played solo gigs of original music Moved to Greece Formed "Scarecrow Dreaming" Released 2 CDs Returned to Philly Can't live without The Kinks Greatest moment: "I always promised I wouldn't mention her name." |
