If you’re looking to join up with the Shamrockers on Saturday before the St. Patrick’s Parade, we’ll be on 6th Ave. between Kalmia and Juniper. Stop by and say hi and witness Kevin stress out setting up a mobile PA system. Or help us hang some banners and decorate the truck. The parade starts at 10:30 AM. After the we roll past the judges stand and wrap up the parade, we’ll be in the park for a while, probably on Juniper St. Then the band takes the Festival Stage at 5:00 PM to start out the evening. And then on to ShamRock in the Gaslamp at 6:40 PM. It’s going to be a whirlwind, but we wouldn’t be the Shamrockers if we didn’t have three shows on the same day. Hope to see you out in the fine San Diego sunshine. Slainte! Erin Go Bragh!
Where To Find Us Saturday
Parade Ready!
We found our driver for the Parade! Patrick is ready to go, we just need to work on reaching the pedals.
The Waterboys go back to Irish roots
To say we are greatly influenced by The Waterboys and the amazing Fisherman’s Blues would be an under-statement. One of the most tremendous albums of all time. Unfortunately we weren’t paying attention and missed this in time for the Christmas list and the North American Tour. Click the link or photo below for the article.
“We were high on music” – Mike Scott, The Waterboys (from The Guardian, 2013-12-05)
And below, watch a clip from a Mike Scott and Steve Wickham performance of “Raggle Taggle Gypsy” at SXSW in 2013 (from mikescottwaterboys.com).
Searching for the heart and soul of Irish music
This article brings back some great memories of traveling the west of Ireland and really brings out the point of any trip to Erin – finding a good pint and a great ceili!
Searching for the heart and soul of Irish music (from The Guardian, 2012-12-28)
Paddy not Patty
(re-posted from paddynotpatty.com)
A Modest Proposal to the People of the New World
Each and every year millions of Irish, Irish-ish and amateur alcoholics are needlessly distracted from their Holy Tradition of drinking themselves into a stupor in honour of Saint Patrick and the wee island he adopted as home. They spit-take their libations—a shameful waste; they wring their flat caps; they clutch their camáin that little bit tighter; and the cailíní rua glow their familiar shade of rage.
The source of this terrible distraction?
An onslaught of superficial, dyed-green references to Saint Patrick’s Day as Patty’s Day. Like nails on a chalkboard. It gnaws at them. It riles them up. It makes them want to fight… you know, more than usual.
It’s Paddy, not Patty. Ever.
Saint Patrick’s Day? Grand.
Paddy’s Day? Sure, dead-on.
St. Pat’s? If ye must.
St. Patty? No, ye goat!
Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig: the source of those mysterious, emerald double-Ds.
Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and just not something you call a fella.
There isn’t a sinner in Ireland that would refer to a Patrick as “Patty”. It’s as simple as that.
Grand
- Paddy
- Pat
- Packie
- Podge
- Pád
- Pod
Daft
- Patty
While I’m bending your ear…
- Shamrock isn’t just any auld piece of clover: it’s three-leafed. Tradition holds that Saint Patrick used shamrock to teach the Trinity. Give it a bit o’ thought before ye slap a lucky four-leaf clover on yer plastic leprechaun hat.
- Irish Car Bomb isn’t a cute name for a drink or a cupcake. Cut that shite out. Those of us that have lived their lives punctuated by car bombs aren’t giggling along with you. Feckless gombeens.
- Paddy, Mick, and Taig / Teague / Tadhg have long been used as slurs but they are still names. However stereotypical it may be, it isn’t a slur to call you by your actual name.
This was a public service announcement © 2010 Marcus Campbell.
The Big Weekend
St. Patrick’s Day 2014
It seems like we just started 2014, but the big day is almost upon us. So what are we doing, you ask? Well, stay tuned for announcements to the band’s gigs for the weekend. Two big days on Saturday, March 15 and Monday, March 17. We’re looking forward to a lot of fun.
Happy New Year!
Thanks to everyone who made it out to celebrate the early New Year with the Shams and the Princess Pub. We’re proud to be part of a great tradition there – no better way to kick off the New Year, a little bit early.
The band has a list of New Years resolutions – new songs, to practice more, maybe some merch sales would be nice, more posts and photos on the website…the usual stuff. And to get a recording done. Just for fun, we took a live recording from the afternoon on New Years Eve at the Pub. Click the link below to listen or go to our Audio page.
…on to 2014!!!
Putting the Band Back Together
Ok…so we’ve been on hiatus. But New Years is right around the corner. Check out the Upcoming Gigs at the Princess Pub on Tues. Dec. 31 from 2pm – 6pm. Admission is free, but get there early. It’s the best pre-party in town!
Parade Day
As we get ready to embark on our 25th St. Patrick’s Day Parade appearance, we look forward to seeing all the best San Diego has to offer this Saturday! If you are interested in joining us before the parade or on the parade route, here’s some information you might find helpful.
The parade is on SATURDAY, March 16, 2013 in San Diego’s Bankers Hill area, next to the west side of Balboa Park.
If you are planning on joining us on the float or en route, we’ll be flying the Irish with McGregor’s. We begin staging the float and setting up the equipment at 7:00 AM near 6th and Ivy (this is subject to change, so check back and we’ll try to get an update). But if you’re coming that early, you would at least deserve for us to buy you breakfast – and that’s probably not going to happen. So anytime before 10 is fine with us. The parade kicks off from 6th and Juniper at 10:30. They usually save the best for last, so look for us near the end of the parade. We’re officially entry #108. The days of trophy’s have ended, so we just do it for the chicks…we mean kicks now; and for the free beer at McGregor’s the next day.
Also, parking can be tough in the area, so the earlier you arrive the better. There are a few garages, but mostly just street parking.
For more information on the parade, click here. For parking and transportation info, click here.
And don’t forget to wear your green.
The Shamrockers 