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BALCONYTV DUBLIN 8/05/2009
PRESENTED BY PAULINE FREEMAN
Rocky De Valera and the Gravediggers started life behind a stall at the Gaiety Green (known as The Dandelion Market or The Dando) in Dublin, 1977, where young Dubliners Ferdia Mac Anna and Dave Sweeney took part-time jobs selling punk badges. They decided to form a band. It was Dublins summer of punk and it seemed that everyone was either in a band or busy forming one. Some of the big names on the Dublin scene included Fit Kilkenny and the Remoulds, The Vipers, Free Booze, The Radiators From Space, The Sinners, The Fabulous Fabrics, Damien Leper & the Open Sores, and Irelands (or at least Dublins) first all-girl punk combo, The Boyscoutz, all seeking valiantly to follow in the footsteps of local heroes, The Boomtown Rats led by Bob Geldof. The idea behind Rocky De Valera and the Gravediggers was to play high-energy short sharp rock and roll and rhythm and blues roots songs infused with the energy and attitude of punk. Among the songs in the bands first ever set-list were the Pirates classics Shakin All Over and Peter Gunn and Dr Feelgoods Shes a Wind-up as well as Vince Taylors immortal Brand New Cadillac, later covered by the Clash on London Calling. These songs still feature in the set today along with original songs. Beyonce, Diceman and Sinne Fianna Fail Blues. The band played gigs in The infamous Magnet bar of Pearse Street and McGonigles of South Anne Street, a place where people swore the carpet had a life of its own, particularly after drink got spilt. The original band lasted from 1977 to December 1979. They recorded several demos as well as an EP for Good Vibrations, which was never released. A track from the Good Vibes EP, The Lady Loves to Rock and Roll appeared on Just for Kicks, the legendary sampler of Irish New Wave bands that included U2, The Atrix, Zebra and DC Nien. Rocky De Valera and The Lizard went on to tour Ireland with The Rhythm Kings (1980-83) while Jack Dublin was a founder member of 80s rockers In Tua ...