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From left are Kevin Keeley, Mike Ayres, Jim Pfau, Mike Scott and Jesse Pollock. “We practice in the our drummer’s mom’s basement,” Ayres said.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Tattoos, shaved heads, kilts and bagpipes describe the Charm City Saints — a Baltimore punk rock band with a Celtic twist.
Lead vocalist Jesse Pollock belts out lyrics to Irish pub classics like “Finnegan’s Wake” and “Whiskey in a Jar” while his band members provide hard, fast punk rhythms and gritty electric guitar riffs.
“We may have an Irish punk feel because we have a fiddler and a bagpiper, but we are really a hardcore punk band,” guitarist Mike Ayres said.
The band is a potent mixture of individuals from local punk bands Mobtown Hooligans, Next Step Up, Together We Fall and Under Every Stone. Ayres, formerly of Mobtown Hooligans, started Charm City Saints in 2003.
Charm City Saints became: Fiddler and tin whistle player Jeff Foreman, bass player Jim Pfau, guitarist Kevin Keeley, drummer Damon Stowell, bagpiper Mike Stowell, Pollock and Ayer. They released their first E.P., “Never Go Home Again” in 2005.
“That song [Never Go Home Again] is always a crowd favorite,” Pollock said at band practice last Saturday. “We are practicing our playlist for the Saint Patty’s Days show at Ottobar,” Ayres said before Mike Scott, A.K.A Piper Mike, deflated his musical balloon again.
Guitars, bass, drums and stern throat-chafing lyrics meet the bagpipe's sharp wet pitch as the guys rush through “Medley,” a song for all the people who just want to hear Irish pub covers.
“Medley is just all those pub songs wrapped into one, and played really fast,” Ayres said.
One of the their songs, “Charm City Saints,” is also featured on the soundtrack for “The Emerald Diamond,” a documentary that followed the Irish National Baseball team.
gsmith@baltimoreexaminer.com
IF YOU GO
» Who: Charm City Saints
» Venue: Ottobar
» Where: 2549 N. Howard St, Baltimore
» When: Tonight at 9
» Tickets: $10 open to all ages
» Information: 410-662-0069, www.theottobar.com
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glitch said:
Todd has always been a bit of a left wing nut - "If you hope that the Earth is just going to go back to its normal temperature." And what is the earth's normal temperature Todd? That aside I've heard a couple cuts from this CD and they are just incredible - which is to be expected from this phenomenal musical genius. I absolutely can't wait to get TR's latest offering.
2 agree | 1 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Todd needs to grow up. He's such an angry old man it's scary. He says what bothered him about Obama is the message of hope? Just how in hell does one expect a change if one does not have hope that change can take place? In one of his new tunes he talks about losing his convictions....he could not be more correct. He has lost more than his convictions, he's lost his way and he's losing fans with every stop on this tour. People are walking out of these shows. Todd used to make people think in constructive ways, in ways that made the world have more COMPASSION instead of more ANGER. Go get some help for your late-life crisis - it's not so bad being 60. And being all pi$$ed off about it isn't helping you or anyone else. Get over yourself, write some decent tunes and try it again....unless you want your last effort to be a CD everyone looks back on as your worst ever...except those who will gladly kiss your arse just because you are "Todd".
5 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The 60th birthday, "Toddstock" was phenominal. He opened his home and land to any fan who could fly to Kauai. The $300 covered a campsite in his yard, 2 meals a day, endless fresh fruit and 24/7 tap beer, Martini's and Mai Tai's, a Real Luau, the fun never ended. The Rundgren's were unbelievably gracious and had to have lost a lot of money on this party. Hodja451
7 agree | 4 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
todds up to the challenge as long as you dont touch his money his land or any of his property....just everyone else....the average american. great musician, producer...moron of a human being
6 agree | 14 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
"Could I save your life like you saved mine?" ... doesn't that refer to his own son? You actually quote him later saying "...the most selfish thing I could do, to leave my children..." This article could probably have used a bit more research.
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Examiner Reader said:
Camp Mather produced revenue of $1,490,000 in the 2001-2002 fiscal year. Campers paid fees totaling $1,352,000. Revenue from concessions included $16,000 from the general store and $1,000 from Mather Saddle. Camping fees were last raised in 1998. • The Strawberry Music Festival has used Camp Mather on the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends for 20 years. RPD has extended its use through 2008. Strawberry Festival, Inc. paid RPD $121,000 for use of Camp Mather in the 2001- 2002 fiscal year. RPD staff members do not agree on whether use of Camp Mather by 5,000 persons over each weekend of this bluegrass festival has a negative environmental impact. • RPD anticipates that Camp Mather operating expenses, including facilities maintenance, will total $678,594 for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The camp is projected to return revenue of $1,275,000 in the 2002-2003 fiscal year.
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Examiner Reader said:
The city has been neglecting Camp Mather for years and this increase in fees had better be accompanied by major improvements in the way they maintain this jewel of a camp. Parks & Recs own public financial statements from earlier this decade show total Camp Mather income of $1.6 million($125k from Strawberry, plus all the non-cash work). Out of this only $600k went back into Mather, the rest was siphoned off into The City's General Fund.
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Examiner Reader said:
I too have attended this festival since it's inception in 1982. This time, the Park & Rec dept. is cutting off its nose to spite its face. The rent increase will double the rent in five years time. They clearly want to "stick it" to the festival to off-set their new water treatment plant. The rent increases for the festival alone over the eighty year life of the plant total more money than the original cost of the plant. This is what some people would call: Rent Gouging ! Shame on You Parks & Rec. Dept.
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Examiner Reader said:
I have attended this festival since it started. It is truly a beautiful and well organized family event. The festival leaves Mather sparkling. My children have grown up there and now return as adults. Why that this is even an issue with the Parks and Rec people is beyond me. Hopefully in this time of budget cuts, a wonderful, treasured money maker for the city will be allowed to continue on with it's wonderful tradition. SF Park and Rec, Wake up!
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Examiner Reader said:
Regarding the article on the problems with the lease for the Strawberry Music Festival. If the rent was the only thing Strawberry brought to Mather that would be one thing, but they also clean the the camp grounds prior to the festival and after the festival the camp staff mentioned it is cleaner than at any time of the year. Yes in this time when State, County and City budgets are in a squeeze and in need of money nothing is going to replace the festival at Mather. I am a consultant for another music festival and when I read the the City would not be able to tender a contract until August I couldn't believe what I just read. No festival could allow that short of a lead time knowing they may not have a facility for the next year. Within a week or so after the festival you begin planing for the next one. I can't believe that since November the City has not been able to specify the "outstanding issues". Is this they way the conduct their business in all ways?
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Examiner Reader said:
ilove cher im not dissopointed with her at all;
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Heidy from Holland said:
I went to the Cher show and also saw her Farewall tour in Holland in 2002. I thought the 'opening' night was very dissapointing, her voice wasn't very good and a very stiff public, no dancing at all. I think after this show she should retire. Yes a legend but don't push it.
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Ian H said:
I can't wait to see these guys at the Greek on Saturday. "Living Well's the Best Revenge" is their best barn-burner since the Monster tour 13 years ago. And as a 20-year fan, I'm totally with Buck on the layering. Thanks for leading the charge on a great album, Peter!
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Music Lover said:
Cher is amazing...a true legend! She got the talent 4ever. Her Music & Show nobody can do, only her!
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Examiner Reader said:
Asia show at the Ballroom was fabulous. Steve was complete animated like I have never seen at a yes show. Carl Palmer, what can you say except assume? Did anyone buy the $30 wrist band of the Show? Wondering how it sounds.
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Examiner Reader said:
nice. we remember seeing the band in Dan's Bar and the G street pub in sacto and playing with other local bands trying to launch out of San Fran, and thriving ivory did it while others feel off the face of the earth. bravo.
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Examiner Reader said:
Was very disappointed with Nick Lowe. My new ex fav. Acoustic on stage with a mic for his warmup then with him. How about a band, some pub rock? It was like Donovan in a bad time warp. I remember when that bard used to rock and roll... sadly...
13 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ray Davies' "Peace In Our Time" is about a troubled relationship, not about the end of the war. Please read the lyrics before writing your article. Rolling Stone made the same error. You'd think the media in San Francisco could learn to read before writing. Thank you.
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Examiner Reader said:
$215, plus fees, for such an ecclectic lineup? No thanks.
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Examiner Reader said:
Regarding "Come to the Cabaret" no mention has been made of how the new Razz Room intends to include local artist or even if they will be able to book the room as in the old days with the Plush Room. While it is nice to know that the "Big Names!" in Cabaret will have a place to play, it would be nice to know that the little man will still be considered. That's what was nice about The Plush. It did provide opportunity for local talent.
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Examiner Reader said:
Can't wait for this. Biffy Clyro are probably the best band on the planet at the moment.
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Examiner Reader 2 said:
Actually, spreading 'virally on the Internet' is how Ms. Gauthier seems to be getting her music heard these days. Being from Britain, of course, you don't fathom the sorry state of US radio. And it appears she wants nothing more than to share these multilingual versions of her song with listeners around the world, for free. Perhaps sparking some understanding, or at least a potential discussion, in the process. Aided, of course, by that malevolent Machiavellian device, the Internet. Does that sound like a self-centered 'celebrity' to you? We Yanks aren't as stupid as we look.
132 agree | 124 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I doubt that Mr.Lanham did anything more that reprint a press release, which will no doubt spread virally on the Internet and make money for Ms. Gauthier as "news." This is the problem with celebrity culture and the lack of a world view in the United States. To think that a song which stands to make the "artist" some money is going to stop the torture that is life in the Mideast is a grave disservice to the people suffering there. Celebrities are a simple-minded lot and Americans believe them. From UK visitor
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Examiner Reader said:
great band - great show!
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Examiner Reader said:
Huey was hot in the 80's, but now it's sort of sad to see that he's becoming, well, middle aged. I'm glad to see that he can still rock and roll even though it makes me feel old!
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Examiner Reader said:
I know this is a really third-rate rag and you're doing the best you can, but would it kill you to proofread a bit and spell the names of the people you quote correctly?
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"Weird" Michael said:
Good article! I always head that Al got his nick name "Weird Al" whilst attending university. deadairpodcast
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MCRGirl said:
Interesting.
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