Interview with the Wailing O'Sheas

What: The Wailing O'Sheas
Where: Portneuf Valley Brewing - map
When: Saturday, March 21, 2009
How Much: Free

I spoke with Jordan Olson of the Wailing O'Sheas about their upcoming performance in Pocatello, Idaho about what the band has been doing, what their plans are and the local live music scene in general.

Jordan Olsen ~ Guitar/Vox
John Chatelain ~ Bass/Vox
Ryan Smith ~ Drums/Vox
Andy Reiner ~ Fiddle

The Wailing O’Sheas is a tribute to Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and other legendary Irish punk-rock outfits, so theirr whole catalog comes from those bands. "Flogging Molly’s music is so closely connected to the struggle of the working class, some of their lyrics are so deep and sad. And they tie it all together with amazing melodies, emotion and rukus punk-rock. One of the funnest songs we play is That Woman’s Got Me Drinking by Shane MacGowan of The Pogues."

The first show they ever played together was at 1st National Bar in Pocatello on St. Patricks Day 2007. Three of the four members of The Wailing O’Sheas play in the alt-rock band The Gorgeous Hussies, and while playing a show at 1st National Bar in the winter of 2007 the promoter at the bar asked if the band new any Irish punk-rock bands to play St. Patricks Day. The guys didn’t know any but figured they could put one together for their St. Patty’s celebration. In less than 6-weeks The Gorgeous Hussies learned a 3-hour set of Irish punk-rock and played their first show at 1st National Bar as The Wailing O’Sheas. So Pocatello has a close connection to the formation of our band.

SLG: Tell us where you're from and currently based in what town?

J.O.: All members other than Andy are from Salt Lake City, Utah. Andy Reiner is from Boston, Massachusetts and is currently in Salt Lake City as a ski bum for this winter season. Andy is a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music in violin performance. He also played fiddle on the most recent Dropkick Murphys album.

The Wailing O’Sheas have been very well received throughout Utah and Idaho. "We currently have roughly 20 shows booked throughout the west and will be coming back to 1st National Bar on April 17th."


The Wailing O’Sheas will take the stage at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello at 8:30 on Saturday, March 21st. Fans of Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly will recognize all the songs and will love to sing along. If you’ve never heard these bands you’ll love the ruckus show and unbelievable fiddle playing of Andy Reiner.

SLG: Any comments about the local live music scene, the music industry in general? What do you think is the best way to get your music out there?

J.O.: Although at times the Internet seems to have given a pedestal to mediocrity, it’s an amazing time to be an independent artist. In the early 2000’s it wasn’t very common for independent bands to even get a few thousand hits to their website. Today many bands are getting hundreds of thousands of people to their websites and sharing their music with people all over the world. It’s a great time to be playing music.

The best way to stay in contact with The Wailing O’Sheas is at www.myspace.com/thewailingosheas.

To book The Gorgeous Hussies & The Wailing O'Sheas
eMail: thegorgeoushussies@gmail.com
ePress Kit: www.sonicbids.com/thegorgeoushussies

Jordon also plays with a second Utah-based band called the Gorgeous Hussies. They are hard at work trying to release both a new live DVD and a new full length album. "In June 2009 we’ll be performing music full time throughout the west and plan to be in Pocatello at least once every 3 months. We’ve implemented some new looping pedals into our live show that makes our 3 piece group sound like 6 or 7 guys on stage. It’s a really cool live show that everyone needs to see and hear."