{{Short description|American rock band}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = group_or_band | origin = Los Angeles, CA, U.S | genre = {{Flatlist| *Celtic rock *folk rock}} | years_active = 1988–present | label = Scotti Bros., Cargo Music, Higher Octave Music, 429 Records | website = {{URL|youngdubliners.com}} | current_members = Keith Roberts<br>Chas Waltz<br>Dave Ingraham<br>Justin Pecot<br>Ethan Jones }} The '''Young Dubliners''' (sometimes shortened to the Young Dubs or just The Dubs) is an Irish-American rock band formed in Santa Monica, California, in 1988. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Keith Roberts has remained the only constant member of the band. The other current members include violinist Chas Waltz, drummer David Ingraham, guitarist Justin Pecot, and bassist Ethan Jones.
They describe their music as "original rock compositions and Irish folk songs with a rock twist" and their stated influences include Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, The Waterboys, Big Country, and U2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young Dubliners |url=https://www.uptownartistgroup.com/youngdubliners |website=Uptown Artist Group |ref=Influences |language=en}}</ref> AllMusic states, "[t]heir sound defies categorization" and describes them as "Ireland's answer to Los Lobos, with a similar combination of traditional folk music, raucous electric rock, and forward-thinking experimentation".<ref>{{cite web |title=Rocky Road - The Young Dubliners {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rocky-road-mw0000109036 |website=AllMusic |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=April 17, 2022 |ref=AllMusic1994 |language=en}}</ref>
The band was signed to Scotti Brothers Records in early 1994 and released the EP ''Rocky Road'' to the Adult Album Alternative radio format, where it reached 37 the week of May 6, 1994.<ref name="AAA">{{cite web |title=HARD REPORT: music and radio industry music tipsheet and newsletter |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hard_Report.htm |website=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> It was followed by the full-length album ''Breathe'' on June 13, 1995.<ref name="1st Times">{{cite web |last1=Boehm|first1=Mike |title=Rock Ambitions : Young Dubliners, Who Will Play O.C., Add Attitude to Irish Folk |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-14-ca-12985-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=April 1, 2022 |date=14 June 1995}}</ref> Shortly after, the band starting touring nationally. The lineup at that time included co-founders Keith Roberts and Paul O’Toole sharing vocals and guitar duties, fellow Irishman Brendan Holmes on bass, violinist Chas Waltz, Jeff Dellisanti on saxophone, Randy Woolford on lead guitar, and Jon Mattox on drums.<ref name="1st Times" />
In 1997, the group signed with Cargo Music, which marked the beginning of a tumultuous period of major tours, label and personnel changes, and multiple record releases. Violinist Chas Waltz left and was replaced by Mark Epting. In August 1997 the band recorded a live album, Alive, Alive ‘O, with producers Steve Albini and Josquin Des Pres (American musician). for their new label, but co-founder Paul O’Toole left the band just before the album’s release February 10, 1998.<ref name="AllMusic Bio">{{cite web |title=The Young Dubliners Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-young-dubliners-mn0000583928/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=April 3, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
In June 2000 they released ''Red'' with OmTown/Higher Octave records.<ref name="HigherOctaveCat">{{cite web |title=Welcome to Higher Octave Music |url=http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=1558 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |date=2 November 2000| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001102175041/http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=1558 | archive-date=2000-11-02 }}</ref> The lyrics for the title track were written by Elton John’s writing partner Bernie Taupin, who gifted it to the band; they subsequently played it at his birthday party at House of Blues.<ref name="PauseandPlay">{{cite web |title=Young Dubliners gladly play second fiddle {{!}} Pause & Play CD and Music Site |url=https://www.pauseandplay.com/young-dubliners-gladly-play-second-fiddle/ |website=Pause & Play |access-date=April 1, 2022 |date=6 August 2000}}</ref> The album was produced by Thom Panunzio.<ref name="PauseandPlay" /> Just after the album’s release guitarist Randy Woolford retired and was replaced by Bob Boulding and drummer Jon Mattox was replaced by David Ingraham, formerly with Tribe of Gypsies.<ref name="NorthernExpress">{{cite web |title=The Young Dubliners: Half Way to St. Patrick's Day |url=https://www.northernexpress.com/news/music/article-672-the-young-dubliners-half-way-to-st-patricklsquos-day/ |website=www.northernexpress.com |access-date=April 1, 2022}}</ref> That same year they recorded the theme song for the ABC sitcom ''Madigan Men''.<ref name="VegasSun2000">{{cite web |title=Young Dubliners sticking to musical roots - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/nov/16/young-dubliners-sticking-to-musical-roots/ |website=lasvegassun.com |access-date=April 2, 2022 |language=en |date=16 November 2001}}</ref>
In 2001, violinist Chas Waltz returned to the band and they joined Jethro Tull on a two-month, 30-city international tour.<ref name="PauseandPlay" /> In 2002, they played the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT.<ref name="Deseret2005">{{cite web |title=Dubliners feel at home in Salt Lake |url=https://www.deseret.com/2005/3/11/19881302/dubliners-feel-at-home-in-salt-lake |website=Deseret News |access-date=April 3, 2022 |language=en |date=11 March 2005}}</ref><ref name="Deseret2002">{{cite web |title=Young Dubs 'Absolutely' tops |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/8/27/19673989/young-dubs-absolutely-tops |website=Deseret News |access-date=April 2, 2022 |language=en |date=27 August 2002}}</ref> That June they released a new album, ''Absolutely''.<ref name="HOArchive">{{cite web |title=Welcome to Higher Octave Music |url=http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=2102 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |date=5 June 2002| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020605050517/http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=2102 | archive-date=2002-06-05 }}</ref> Killian’s beer used a track from the album in a commercial and offered the band a sponsorship deal that included a Killian’s branded tour bus.<ref name="TheDay">{{cite web |title=Irish American rock band Young Dubliners play the Kate on Friday |url=https://www.theday.com/article/20170921/ENT10/170929863 |website=The Day |access-date=April 2, 2022 |date=September 21, 2017 |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921024415/https://www.theday.com/article/20170921/ENT10/170929863 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shortly after, the band rejoined Jethro Tull for a US tour.<ref name="Irish Echo">{{cite web |title=Celtic rockers take blues club by storm |url=https://group.irishecho.com/2011/02/celtic-rockers-take-blues-club-by-storm-2/ |website=Irish Echo |access-date=April 1, 2022 |date=16 February 2011}}</ref>
They followed that by joining Canadian band Great Big Sea and American Celtic rock band Seven Nations to form the Uprooted tour and also toured as the opening act for John Hiatt.<ref name="Deseret2002" /> In 2004, while preparing a third album with Higher Octave, lead singer Roberts developed vocal cord nodules which required surgery.<ref name="Deseret2005" /> After a brief delay they resumed recording and touring and the album, ''Real World'', was released February 15, 2005.<ref name="HOArchive2005">{{cite web |title=Welcome to Higher Octave Music |url=http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=2684 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |date=5 March 2005| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305132206/http://www.higheroctave.com/catalog/catalog.asp?wci=ShowTitleDetail&PKTitleID=2684 | archive-date=2005-03-05 }}</ref> Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson played flute on an instrumental track, "Banshee" and Eric Rigler appeared throughout the album on uilleann pipes. The Washington Post described the album as, "the commercial gold at the end of the rainbow for this criminally underappreciated rock band."<ref name="WaPo2005">{{cite news |last1=Deeds |first1=Michael |title=Young Dubliners, Up for a Good Fight |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/2005/02/20/young-dubliners-up-for-a-good-fight/8718eaf6-1e6b-4488-890e-9bf6be50df50/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=April 3, 2022 |date=20 February 2005}}</ref>
In 2006, they signed with 429 Records and recorded an album consisting solely of covers of Irish songs. ''With All Due Respect - The Irish Session''s was released February 13, 2007 and reached 14 on the ''Billboard'' World Music chart.<ref name="429Records">{{cite web |title=429 Records - MusicBrainz |url=https://musicbrainz.org/label/815aad3a-3653-4f85-afd0-d0e1536f4f40 |website=musicbrainz.org |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Billboard World">{{cite magazine |title=Young Dubliners |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/young-dubliners/chart-history/wlp/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> The single Rocky Road to Dublin peaked at 2 and remained on the chart for 115 weeks, while Foggy Dew reached 18 and remained on the chart for four weeks.<ref name="Billboard World" /> In 2007, the Young Dubliners toured Denmark, performed a handful of shows in Norway, and played at the G! Festival in the Faroe Islands.<ref name="VailDaily">{{cite web |last1=Alvarez |first1=Ted |title=Irish rock for RFM |url=https://www.vaildaily.com/news/irish-rock-for-rfm/ |website=www.vaildaily.com |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> On March 15, 2008, the group appeared live on the CBS Early Show.<ref name="CBSEarlyShow">{{cite web |title=Second Cup Cafe: Young Dubliners |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/second-cup-cafe-young-dubliners/ |website=www.cbsnews.com |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> On February 3, 2009, they released ''Saints and Sinners'' on 429 Records.<ref name="429SS">{{cite web |title=429 Records - MusicBrainz |url=https://musicbrainz.org/label/815aad3a-3653-4f85-afd0-d0e1536f4f40 |website=musicbrainz.org |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> The album featured guest performances by Cindy Wasserman and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.<ref name="Cyprus IE">{{cite web |title=Young Dubliners at Cyprus Avenue |url=https://www.cyprusavenue.ie/archive/young-dubliners-6044412 |website=www.cyprusavenue.ie |access-date=April 1, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> On March 17, 2009, the band appeared on ABC-TV's Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and performed two tracks, "Rosie" and the album's title track, "Saint And Sinners".<ref name="JKL">{{cite web |title=Jimmy Kimmel Live! - "Dancing with the Stars" castoff Belinda Carlisle, Chandra Wilson, Streeter Seidell & Amir Blumenfeld, Young Dubliners - TheTVDB.com |url=https://thetvdb.com/series/jimmy-kimmel-live/episodes/4596124 |website=thetvdb.com |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured the group a second time on March 17, 2011, when they played "Howya Girls".<ref name="JKL2">{{cite web |title=Jimmy Kimmel Live! - Matthew McConaughey, Jena Malone, Young Dubliners - TheTVDB.com |url=https://thetvdb.com/series/jimmy-kimmel-live/episodes/3854141 |website=thetvdb.com |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref>
On July 13, 2013, the band released their ninth album, titled ''9'', which was funded by independent crowdfunding.<ref name="HomerNews">{{cite web |title=Young Dubliners: Pioneers of Celtic rock |url=https://www.homernews.com/life/young-dubliners-pioneers-of-celtic-rock/ |website=Homer News |access-date=April 17, 2022 |date=13 February 2014}}</ref>
==Discography== * ''Rocky Road'' (1994) * ''Breathe'' (1995) * ''Alive Alive'O'' (1998, live) * ''Red'' (2000) * ''Absolutely'' (2002) * ''Real World'' (2005) * ''With All Due Respect - The Irish Sessions'' (2007) * ''Saints and Sinners'' (2009) * ''9'' (2013) * ''Home Movies'' (2003, DVD)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://youngdubliners.com/ Official website] *{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p140445}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1988 establishments in California Category:American Celtic music groups Category:Musical groups established in 1988 Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles