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An Interview with Finny McConnell by More Punk Than You Zine from Romania
(MPTY) - Greetings from Romania. How are you doing Finny? (Finny) - I'm doing fine. Just getting ready to release our new CD "The Irish Punk Collection" on March 11, 2008 and then set out to tour the world again this year. (MPTY) - Tell me how things are going with the new album. I heard you're working on something for 2008. (Finny) - We are in writing mode still for our new "untitled" studio CD. I am recording songs in my home 4-track recording studio (old school baby) and then we are off to the real recording studio this spring. It's going to be very lively and our best one yet. (MPTY) - I saw the video for 'Little bit of love'. Are you prepairing any other videos? Anything new off the new album? (Finny) - We did a video for "The Market Song" off our CD Take No Prisoners which has yet to be released, and we are doing a new video for "The Amsterdam Song" on our new release with Scruffy Wallace (Dropkick Murphy's) who will be making a guest appearance in that one. Then we will have 11 videos in total. Time for a DVD collection I guess. (MPTY) - You've had many lineup changes since 1990 and even an accident in 1999. Is this your best line-up yet? (Finny) - Of course it is.............I only play with the best and this line-up is fantastic. Bloody amazing musicians and people. Aryln, Dom the Bomb, Aryon, Michael......Not to be missed !!!! (Finny) - I think it's great that Irish Punk has finally become big. Yes there is a big wave coming out of Boston. The funny thing about that is, when we were playing there in the early 90's, no one was interested. It was like they were sick of Irish music. Now they all love it again. Go figure? Good things come to those who wait I guess for those who pave the way!!!! (Finny) - My favourite has always been the first one "Draggin' The Days" because it is the one that started all this madness for us ;) It's also fantastic. Oh yeah, and I always love the new one ;) (MPTY) - You're starting a tour right? Anything planned for eastern Europe? (Finny) - We will be in Europe a few times this year. We are still working out the details of the best times to tour there. We are headlining the Guinness Festival in Switzerland in August 08. I love Europe. It's the best. I was born there. It's in my blood. (MPTY) - Speaking of eastern Europe. Do you happen to know of any band from around here? How about Romania? Heard anything about bands from here? (Finny) - Hmmmmmmmmmm. No I can't say I do. Any good tips for me? (MPTY) - You've been to many festivals with Mahones and you've shared the stage with many bands. Tell me a funny story worth telling from a concert/tour or something :) (Finny) - One time when we were opening for Shane MacGowan and The Popes, the band had arrived but Shane missed his plane. The promoter was yelling at me from the side of the stage to keep playing until Shane got there and he would double our pay. We played for 3 hours before he finally showed ;) Fantastic !!!! (Finny) - Well, I have not lived in Kingston for 12 years so I'm a little out of the loop. When I started rockin' there it was crazy. We had The Tragically Hip (the biggest band for the city), Sarah Harmer, The Hellbillys, Bedouin Soundclash, The Headstones, Moist, 13 Engines, The Shermans, The Inbreds........ and so on. It was a great scene there in the 90's. Right now there are some great acts coming up like Chris Kostner and Pelt who are supposed the be insane !!!! (MPTY) - Tell me the last three bands you've listened to. (MPTY) - Thanks for your time. You hae the last word for our readers. Maybe we'll see you in Romania sometime. We have a few irish-punk fans too. Not many but i promisse there will be more until next time. :) Cheers! (Finny) - Well thank you for the interview. Tell all your readers to check us out at www.myspace.com/themahones , www.themahones.net and www.facebook.com - The Mahones - International. We would love to come and rock out in Romania for you one day. That would be so cool. Cheers and all the best to all of you. Finny !!!!
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