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Bat Kinane is one of the guitarists for the band, Glyder, a hard rock band from Ballyknockan, County Wicklow, in southern Ireland. The four piece band is heavily influenced by legendary Irish rock band Thin Lizzy as well as other classic guitar-driven rock bands of the 1970’s. The band was formed in 2004 after a one-off gig at “The Vibe for Philo” in Dublin, and have recently released their third album, Yesterday Today and Tomorrow.

Smothered in sublime guitar harmonies and delivered with grit and precision…… for people who never tire of hopelessly romantic Rock & Roll songs laden with dueling guitars and wistful street poetry”
– KKKK KERRANG

During some recent downtime from his responsibilities with Glyder, Bat has recorded an 11 track solo album of rock, blues and folk called “A Lifetime to Kill.” Guesting on the album is legendary Irish soul man, Rob Strong, ex “Mama’s Boys” Pat McManus, and former bass guitarist for Johnny Cash, David Roe. You can listen to several of the tracks from the as yet unpublished album on Bat’s myspace page. Of particular interest to fans of Rory Gallagher is a track called, “Stagestruck 74,” a song honoring the late, great Irish legend. The song tells the story of a Irish lad of 17 going off to see his hero, Rory Gallagher in concert. From it’s Rory inspired opening riff to heartfelt middle solo, Bat does an admirable job capturing the mood, the excitement, and most importantly, the sound of going to see a Rory Gallagher concert in the early 70’s.

For the track “Stage Struck 74” I have a friend of mine whose name is Jerry McEvoy, not the Gerry McAvoy but Jerry McEvoy. They share the same name, spelling is different but they do have a similar bass style as they both play with a pick. I started off with the riff and it reminded me of Rory and Horslips. The initial working title of the song was “roryslips” before I had any lyrics wrote. I can never remember exactly how the words come but they just always seem to flow when the music is right. I wrote it from the perspective of a young lad going to see Rory Gallagher in 1974 in Ireland. I was only one years old so I’m just imagining how it would have been. Rock music back then was relatively new and to see someone like Rory must have been phenomenal. So basically its the story of a young man maybe 17 years old who has left school early and is now a working man. He saves his cash to go see Rory and the music distracts him and gives him a break from his back breaking day job. He is fueled up on whiskey, beer, nicotine and excitement. He leaves the gig drenched in sweat dreaming of the next time Rory will come back and play. The song changed a little since I first demoed, I reworked the lyrics and melodies. I kept the solo off the demo and imported it into the track because it was done in one take the way Rory would have done it. There are a few notes that aren’t perfect but I wasn’t striving for perfection just trying to create a mood and feel.

The world is certainly a different place since 1974, things were much simpler and that goes for the music business and everyday life. There are so many distractions now but back then a live band and to go buy an LP was something exciting and special. Its incredibly hard now as a musician but I think its always been hard. Rory was a unique talent and that’s why he went to the top and on his own terms which was very special. I feel with this solo album I’ve made it for the love of music and not money and that’s the way Rory was too. The solo album will be called “A Lifetime to Kill” I’m looking for a label and distributor for the album so I have no release date yet. I don’t see the point in hanging on to the music for too long I want it to be heard.– Bat Kinane

I’ve taken the liberty of including the song, “Stagestruck 74” in a montage of Rory Gallagher video clips from various concerts and uploaded it to youtube. Hey, a song about going to see Rory in concert just HAS to have some footage of Rory in there! Just click on the embedded youtube video above to listen to Bat Kinane’s homage to Rory Gallagher. While you’re listening to Bat’s song, have a look at Rory in action. Can you identify all 8 concert appearances I’ve included in the video montage? Give it a try!

It’s eight o’clock a crowd is gathering outside the hall
A thousand feet shuffle, movin’ slowly ,when they get the call
Familiar faces I haven’t seen in almost a year, smiling
Makin’ chat , smoke cigarettes, and drinking beer
Then the lights go down shadows begin to play, my eyes
Zeroed in cheering for my hero

The curtains go back Rory takes to the stage
A tingle down my spine…..electrifying

I’m a million miles away when I hear him play
A tingle down my spine…..electrifying

Two hours fly by I just cant describe what I’m feeling right now
I’m so elated my eyes dilated, spinning on a wheel
Rory leaves the stage after two encores, my shirt is drenched,
Dripping wet as I face out into the cold, oh no
Monday comes fast ill be down in the dirt again, oh when,
When will I see him play again, l’lI have to

Wait another year till Rory comes back my way
A tingle down my spine…. electrifying

• Bat Kinane’s Myspace Page
• Bat Kinane’s Blog
• Official Glyder website

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