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The Blades



From: Ringsend, Dublin

Active: 1977-86

Style: Powerpop

Lineup: (1977-81)
  • Paul Cleary - bass & vocals
  • Lawrence Cleary - guitar
  • Pat Larkin - drums


opposite: Tour magazine, circa 1980
with the original lineup on the cover.
l-to-r: Lar Cleary, Pat Larkin, Paul Cleary
Lineup: (1982-86)
  • Paul Cleary - guitar & vocals
  • Brian Foley - bass & vocals
  • Jake Reilly - drums

    with The Blue Brass: (1983-)
  • Frank Duff - trumpet
  • Paul Grimes - trombone


opposite: The Blades in 1982
l-to-r: Brian Foley, Paul Cleary, Jake Reilly


Bio:

Undoubtedly the best band to come out of Dublin after the Radiators From Space. The original trio featured brothers Paul and Lar Cleary on bass and guitar respectively, and drummer Pat Larkin. They played mod/powerpop songs, all written by Paul Cleary and all infused with power chords and poppy hooks. They released three brilliant singles but the planned LP for Energy Records never came to pass and, disillusioned, Lar and Pat left the band.

As a result, many songs in the original trio's set were never released ("Stood Up Again", "Still Holding Hand", "Lets Go Down To The Dance", "So", "Change Your Mind"). There is much interest in this material now, with interested parties ready to do a CD, but Paul Cleary is reputeldy not keen.


Devoid Media cover showing a quartet lineup in 1982
l-to-r: Brian, Paul, Jake & Lar


A new lineup formed in 1982 with Brian Foley (ex Vipers) on bass and Jake Reilly on drums. This band pursued a more soul-charged sound often augmented by a horn section, The Blue Brass. Signed to Elektra circa 1983, the band began recording their debut LP (with Sandy Pearlman producing), but again ran into label troubles when Elektra chose not to release it. "The Last Man In Europe" finally came out on Reekus Records in 1985 but the band split not long after. Reekus issued a second LP in 1985 called "Raytown Revisited", a singles compilation. This is essential listening. The band did a farewell tour in 1986 which included a gig in Mountjoy prison.

     


Paul Cleary continued with backing band The Partisans and later led an eight-piece pub rock band called The Cajun Kings. He also released solo material. Pat Larkin was later in The Peridots. Brian Foley was later in The Mountain Climbers

Check the Videos page for links to Blades videos and the Reekus Records site for news of (hopefully) an archive release.








In concert at Sir Henry's in 1985 ticket stub courtesy Frank Hickey


Discography

• March 1980: the band signs to Energy Records in the UK for two singles and an LP.


• Hot For You / The Reunion
7" - Energy/Polygram Records - NRG-3 [2001 959] - IRL - July 1980 - PS paper labels
7" - Energy Records - NRG-3 - UK - 1980 - PS plastic labels
7" - label? - France 1980 - PS
Produced by Sean Tyla.


 
December 1980 gig & early 1981 tour posters


• Ghost of a Chance / Real Emotion
7" - Energy/Polygram Records - NRG-5 - IRL - 1981 - PS paper labels
7" - Energy Records - NRG-5 - UK - 1981 - PS plastic labels


• Energy Records decide not to proceed with the planned LP. Disillusioned, Pat and later Lar leave the band, replaced by Brian Foley & Jake Reilly. Lar appears on "The Bride Wore White".



• The Bride Wore White / Animation
7" - Reekus Records - RKS005 - IRL - March 1982 - PS +insert


• Revelations of Heartbreak / Rules of Love
7" - Reekus Records - RKS007 - IRL - October 1982 - PS


• Downmarket / You Never Ask
7" - Reekus Records - RKS010 - IRL - 1983 - PS

Notes:
The only Blades single to chart in Ireland, entering the charts on 16 October 1983 for a short 2 week run, peaking at #28.




• The band signs to Elektra Records


• Last Man In Europe / Sadlands
7" - Reekus Records - RKS013 - IRL - 1984 - PS
possible release date - January 1985


• various artists - RTE Radio 2 Presents In Concert
LP - RTE Records - RTE 92 - IRL - 1985
See Compilations section for full track listing.

Notes:
Also includes a Paul Cleary solo track ("Show Some Concern")



• The Last Man In Europe
LP - Reekus Records - RKLP1 - IRL - 1985 - matt B&W cover +inner; distributed by WEA Ireland
LP - Reekus Records - RKLP1 - UK - 1985 - slick colour front cover adds "featuring Paul Cleary"; different back cover
LP - Disc AZ/Reekus Records - 509 - France - 1987 - shiny textured sleeve +inner; slightly different to UK cover w/ red logo +2 bonus tracks
CD - Reekus Records - RK CD1 - 2000
Also released on cassette.

Notes:
Recorded at Windwill Lane Studios Dublin in 1984 for Elektra but released on Reekus Records in February 1985.
Produced by John Porter & Richard Mainwaring

Guests:
Pete Beachill: trombone
Paul Carrack: piano, synthesizer
Mel Collins: sax
Martin Drover: trumpet
John Porter: electric sitar
Mick Weaver (AKA Wynder K. Frog): Hammond organ
The Sapphires: backing vocals



• Raytown Revisited 1980-85
LP - Reekus Records - RKLP3 - IRL - 1985
CD - Reekus Records - RK CD2 - 2000 - with 3 bonus tracks (including two essential 1979 demos)
Entered the Irish LP charts at #7.


• various artists - The Cutting Edge
LP - Razor/Reekus - RAZ S16 - UK - 1985
See Compilations section for full track listing.


• Those Were The Days / Paul Cleary - Stand By Me Now
7" - Reekus Records - RKS015 - IRL - 1985 - PS
7" - Reekus Records - RKSY015 - IRL - 1985 - picture disc


The Blades featuring Paul Cleary - Downmarket / Truth Don't Hurt
7" - Reekus Records - RKS017 - IRL - 1986 - PS


• various artists - powerpearls #2
LP - no label - PEARL 2 - 1998


• Those Were The Days
2xCD - Reekus Records - RK BOXCD1 - 2000 - box/slipcase
Two CD set in slipcase consisting of RKCD1 + RKCD2


Live Tapes

• Baggot Inn 1983
K7 - bootleg


• Live At The Television Club 23 November 1984
K7 - bootleg
Taken from RTE FM broadcast.


• Live At The Television Club 26 April 1985
K7 - bootleg


Dates

Sunday 27 May 1979 - Dandelion Market, supported by Strange Movements
Saturday 16 June 1979 - Dandelion Market, supported by Revolver
Sunday 16 September 1979 - Dandelion Market
2 June 1983 - Dundalk, Cellars
10 June 1983 - Drogheda, White Horse
17 June 1983 - Cork, Sir Henrys
25 June 1983 - Galway, Castle Inn



Help!

We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.




See Also: The Cajun Kings, Paul Cleary, paul Cleary & The Partisans, The Mountain Climbers, The Peridots, Vipers



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