Different Drums of Ireland Rock Ironwood

IRONWOOD, MI - by Keri Singleton - Thursday, March 18, 2010 - St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2010, was celebrated at the Historic Ironwood Theatre with the wonderful collection of musicians from Ireland called “The Different Drums of Ireland.”

The drummers took the stage at 7:30 PM, playing until almost 10:30 PM. The audience obviously enjoyed the show immensely, and estimates said that approximately 600 tickets were sold. Hand clapping, whistling, and cheers met this talented group, who thrilled the crowd with their music; sometimes serious, sometimes lighter, always entertaining.

Different Drums brings the indigenous drums of Ireland, the Lambeg and the Bodhran together in a celebratory performance. Their music also features the Uilleann or elbow pipes, whistles, guitar, snares, long drum, 4 voices and is driven by the engine of the African Djembe. Adding myriad percussion and other instruments to original and traditional songs makes a unique celebration of cultural diversity and linkages in their music.

The band has played across the world for U.S. and Irish Presidents, to school children, and to gatherings such as the one assembled tonight at the Historic Ironwood Theatre.

Band member are: Roy Arbuckle, who has been in show bands and in the 70’s with the folk band Chaff. He moved to North America in 1978 and toured extensively with Fiddlers Elbow and later the Rambling Boys of Pleasure. Roy conceived and founded Different Drums in 1991 as a community relations project and has led its development since.

Stephen Matier is one of the earliest members of Different Drums. He has been involved in music for most of his life. He began playing music as a schoolboy in a variety of rock bands, most notably the band that went on to be known as “Ghost of an American Airman.” He then found the blues with Noella Hutton. Once involved with Different Drums, he has been exploring the roots of Irish and world music and has interests in Middle Eastern and American roots music.

Dolores O’Hare is a multi-instrumentalist, playing Uillean (elbow) pipes, Whistles, Fiddle, Button and Piano Accordian, Concertina and Bodhran. She comes from Mayobridge in County Down, an area steeped in music which has also produced the renowned Sands Family. She is a talented teacher, her pupils achieving great success in the Ulster and All-Ireland Fleadhs.

Paul Marshall is an instrument inventor, multi-percussionist and instrument designer for STOMP. With Different Drums since 2002, he brings a wealth of percussive experience having played drum set for 40+ years and hand percussion for 30+ years. He has wide experience in music recording, editing, and production.

Richard Campbell is the most recent addition to Different Drums and sports the official band hairstyle. Hailing from New Buildings in County L’Derry, Richard comes from three generations of competitive pipers and drummers, having learned his snare drumming in Bready Ulster Scots Pipe Band, County Tyrone. Richard is given occasionally to wearing the Campbell Tartan Kilt, nobody has dared check if he wears anything underneath!

Different Drums can be found at www.DifferentDrums.info.

Thank you for gracing Ironwood with your wonderful music on this St. Patrick’s Day, we wish you a wonderful trip and look forward to seeing you all again!