Dont worry im still here and more about the show and the latest with Celtic coming up throughout the week. I will still for the moment be working from here until get the show set up again. Sorry for being away been a pain of a thing to get right. Get there eventually. Anyway in the mean time see below a fantastic interview i manage to do with Gary OG. Give me your feedback and i hope you enjoy it.
Gary rarely from what i can find interviews so was very privelaged to secure this interview. Im sure you will agree this is a fascinating read into his thoughts on music, politics and celtic.
Hi Gary, can you give us a update on what your up to at the moment? Are you working on any new projects you can you tell us about?
I’m just plugging away as ever, “giving it the message” and hopefully doing a little good along the way. I’m still involved with “The Exiles” which is a fun sideline from the seriousness of my solo projects.
As far as new projects go, I’m still working on the new album, trying to get it right and hopefully it’ll see the light of day in the next few months.
A lot of fans have wanted me to ask about a new Exiles album? Is this something your considering?
I don’t know if you would call it a “new” album as we have yet to make one at all, but I get the point. It is most definitely something that we will get round to in the future. It is however, a little difficult for us all to find the spare time to write,rehearse and record the material required due to all the other commitments that we all have away from the band. We’ll get there though.
Can you tell me how you became politically minded? And where you see the struggle now in the present time?
I have been fairly politically minded since I was very young. I can remember getting into trouble as a young teenager in Modern Studies at school for giving the local MP a bit of going over for several issues. It didn’t go down well with the teacher but I was well on my way at that age to being very interested in politics and more importantly, being willing to stand up for my beliefs.
I most certainly believe that there has been progress made in Ireland over the last decade or so. We’ve seen almost total demilitirisation over the six counties(although not total, as the military intelligence operations are still ongoing), the formation of a government in which Nationalist politicians hold many key positions, a huge surge in people taking up the Gaelic language, to name just a few of the areas in which that progress has been made.
I think there is still some way to go before the end goal is realised, ie: a united 32 county country ran completely by the peole of the island, but I feel today that the Irish people are well on the way to that goal. There are issues, don’t get me wrong, that don’t sit entirely comfortable with me. But I find no constructive reason for me to pick out single issues and have a go about them. I believe that, if overall progress is being made then that is the most important thing.
Do you feel as passionate about the songs as you did when you first started gigging? What influences have kept you going throughout your life?
I think everybody changes as they grow older, sometimes for the better, and obviously, somtimes for the worst. I’ll let other people decide for themselves how I’ve changed down the years. One thing I can say though is that I no longer sing a number of the songs I used to. This is not because I no longer feel passionate about them, but more to do with the changing political climate around the world today. I have always tried to be relevant in what I sing. I don’t just make albums for the sake of it, I try to sing songs that at that moment in time will affect change, and hopefully, that change will be for the good.
Down the years ther have been many big infuences on my thinking. I think the first big one was meeting and staying with the Jordan family in Belfast. At the time I was travelling back and forth to Belfast playing a number of gigs and I would stay with them when I was there. Their son Pearse was killed by the RUC in the early 90’s and this was, for me the first real connection I had to the fact that the war or “The Troubles” was in fact a very realistic thing. I spent a long time with the Jordan family, I listened to their stories of their life experience, we would sing songs into the wee hours of the night, all of which left an indellible mark on me which will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I also owe a lot in terms of inspiration to musical figures. Guys like Terry O’Neill and Declan McGlaughlin have at different times taught me life lessons, helped me musically and been good mates for a number of years.
To be honest the list is far too extensive to list them all, but they are numerous.
Eire Og as you have no doubt been told many times are great favourites with many are there any unreleased tracks that could still be released on cd?
Every band that gets to the stage of recording music usually ends of with spare tracks lying around on tape. However, there is usually a reason that they weren’t released in the first place. So to answer yuor questions, yes but no!
How much do Celtic play a part in your life? And what are your thoughts on the current regime in charge? In particular the chairmen John Reid?
I grew up a celtic fan, spent many years a season book holder, travelled the world supporting them so I guess you can say they played quite a big part in my life. This however has changed somewhat in recent years. I have watched with dismay over the last few years the commercialisation of the club, the ever increasing prices in an ever decreasing economy, the questionable sponsorships(Carling and Nike, both of which are companys that won’t sit too well with anyone who looks into their histories in relation to exploitation of workers), and most recently the appointment of the war criminal John Reid.
I realised a while back that I could no longer support a club that involves such people and organisations. This is easier said than done though. I will remain a fan of the club, but I haven’t been to a game now for a few years and I never will go back unless things change quite considarably.
What is your favourite venue to play and why?
The Barrowlands, without a doubt. It’s history, it’s size, it’s atmosphere. I’ve never played anywhere that i enjoy as much as the old girl herself.
And finally Gary a question from The Huddleboard…..
Have you ever been chased in the street when you get mistaken for Kenny Miller?
Not yet. I keep telling everyone though, I’m older than him so he looks like me and not the other way about. Given the nature of the supports, I think it more likely Kenny Miller will be chased down the street for looking like Gary Og
