JCL.net

create distinctive rock from their Irish roots

In 1999, four Somerville musicians began playing together during traditional Irish music sessions at the popular Union Square’s Tir na nOg pub. They combined traditional Irish music with folk rock into a style they call: tribal Irish roots rock. The Johnny Come Latelies are playing  their distinctive brand of music and are spreading a unique sound throughout the Boston area and beyond.

Robert Elliott, lead singer and guitarist, was born in Limerick, Ireland; Damon Leibert, fiddle, was born in Connecticut and raised in Nova Scotia; Neal Cadogan, bodhran, percussion and drums, is from Quincy; and Drew Smith, fretless base and vocals, is from Shrewsbury.

They attribute their wide range of backgrounds to the inflluence on their musical roots and this also contributes to their distinctive irish rock sound.

After initially meeting and playing together at the Tir na nOg , which is co-owned by singer and guitarist Elliot, the musicians play gigs at other pubs, The Skellig in Waltham and The Half Door in Hartford, Conn., the band has gone on to play at various outdoor music festivals, such as the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival, the Irish Connections Festival in Canton, and the Cunamara Irish Festival in Bristol, N.H, Leibert said.

As for their future plans, the Johnny Come Latelies will continue playing their music in pubs, clubs, and festivals, and will keep working on their full length albums.

Somerville US home of Irish roots rock band JCL