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Bio:
The Urge are best known as one of the first bands of ace guitarist Bernard Tormey AKA Bernie Torme,
though he did not play on their lone single.
The original band was a quartet until rhythm guitarist John Leahy left and they reduced to a trio:
with Jodi O'Keefe on bass and lead vocals, Larry Jordan on drums and Andy Dillon on lead guitar.
They were managed by
Jodi's brother Shay O'Keefe.
The Urge's sole single was recorded by this trio in December 1970 approx. It was
recorded at Trend Studios in Dublin with Jackie Hayden producing.
It is hard progressive rock of the highest calibre.
Both tracks are equally strong and are credited to Keif/Dillon/Jordan.
This single is extremely difficult to find in either it's (sleeveless) Irish or German picture sleeve edition.
As far as we know, there is no UK pressing. Unfortunately there are no other recordings.
In early 1971, the band were invited to perform the single on Like Now, RTE's hugely popular pop music
show, broadcast live on Saturday nights. When they refused to mime to the record and RTE refused to
allow them to play live, they walked off the show, causing a sensation at the time and making the front
page of the Evening Press.
Larry Jordan was replaced by Blue O'Brien (ex Crossroads)
who then left (returning to a revived Crossroads?) and was
replaced by an unnamed drummer who lasted a few months. Then Andy Dillon left in early 1972, emigrating to Australia.
New recruits Bernard Tormey (guitar) and Don Harris (drums) joined from
Wormwood.
The band expanded to a five piece adding Noel Cullen
(ex Honey Sweet)
on bass (Jodi moving to second guitar)
and sax/flute player Carl Geraghty (ex Victors), brother of Tony Geraghty
(of Adolf J.Rag,
The Miami).
This lineup was occasionally augmented to include a full horn section on big Saturday night gigs.
This version of The Urge was basically a blues rock outfit who did originals and
covers of Deep Purple, Ten Years After,
and Cream but also Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and Stax style stuff when
playing with the horn section.
Carl Geraghty left in 1972 approx and was later in Bananas.
He wasn't replaced and the band continued as a quartet.
Don Harris left in 1972 or early 1973, turning up in Peggy's Leg.
His replacement was the returned Blue O'Brien from Crossroads but
then Bernie Torme left in 1973 and the band seemed to fizzle out. Some members were
involved in a short-lived outfit called Jack about
whom I have no more details.
Help!: We need your help to complete this entry. If you can tell us more about this band then please do! We welcome any corrections, missing details, connections to other bands, where are they now, etc. We also need photos, scans, copies of releases or live or demo recordings, and any other memorabilia gathering dust in the attic. If you can help, then please get in touch.