Wrath of McGrath

Traditional, Original, and Popular Music
For All Occasions

The History of
Wrath of McGrath

In Los Angeles, California in 1984, husband and wife Evan and Terri McGrath began playing Irish music in public, eventually performing as the Irish Eyes Band, which has featured the fabulous musical talents of vocalist Bill Raftery, accordionist Dorothy Whelan, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Paul Stewart, bassists and cousins Gordon and Duncan (McGrath) Craycroft, guitarist Jack Jobes, bassist Dave Soyars, and guitarist John Kevany in its many incarnations.

The Wrath of McGrath Band--truly a McGrath family venture--formed in 1998 and usually features Evan, (vocals, guitar, harmonica, and guitar synthesizer), Terri (vocals, flute, piccolo, keyboards, tin whistle, and tambourine), their son Brendan (vocals, lead electric and acoustic guitars and mandolin), daughter *Kelly (vocals and bass), and their longtime friend Jim Johnson (drums and bodhran).
*Another great friend and Jethro Tull founding member, Glenn Cornick, currently plays bass.

Over the past twenty years the McGraths' bands have performed at numerous pubs, restaurants, clubs, concerts, and festivals. Most notable is their incredible record of consecutive appearances at the annual Los Angeles Irish Fairs, now surpassing 23 times! Evan and Terri McGrath also have each been honored as "Irish Persons of the Year" by the Los Angeles City Council for their involvement in Irish community affairs.

The McGraths have appeared and their live and recorded music have been used on radio, television, and in the theater. Most notable credits: they performed and scored music for “A Flag To Fly” and other stage productions at The Celtic Arts Center, currently perform at many Kerry Records shows, DVDs, and albums, were invited to demonstrate Irish music and dance on the “LA In The Morning” program on KCAL-TV with Stephanie Edwards, made a guest appearance on a St. Patrick's Day episode on “General Hospital” on ABC-TV, were interviewed by Huell Howser about Irish American history and were invited to perform on his “The Bench” program on PBS/KCET-TV, have given interviews and performances on various local and national Irish Radio programs, and even competed on “The Extreme Gong Show” broadcast stage in Hollywood, CA on live nationwide Cable-TV (where they won top prize!)

The McGraths' bands have not only been known for their original compositions, but also for their selections and unique arrangements of traditional and popular Celtic music: they were the first local Irish band to perform such songs as “Ordinary Man” and “Back Home In Derry” (Christy Moore), “Sally MacLenane” and “A Pair of Brown Eyes” (Pogues), “Fisherman's Blues” (Waterboys), “I'm Gonna Be-500 Miles” (Proclaimers), “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For”, “Angel of Harlem”, and “Beautiful Day” (U2). At the same time, they have always acknowledged their most important local influences: Colm Gallagher, the Mulligans, Des Regan, Ken O'Malley, Dennis Doyle, Men of Worth, and the Young Dubliners.

Their latest recording features original and traditional Irish folk, Celtic Rock, and mainstream Rock and Roll music. It is a retrospective collection of their best-loved songs in both studio and live performance settings recorded over the past twenty years. The double CD album contains 34 songs, is over two hours of music, and is entitled: Wrath of McGrath “Then and Now (1984-2004)”.

Wrath of McGrath continues to perform mostly in Southern California at all types of events and can be reached at: www.wrathofmcgrath.net or P.O. Box 268, Sunland, CA 91040 or (818) 636-8747.


		Traditional, Original, and Popular Music For All Occasions

		*The History of* Wrath of McGrath In Los Angeles, California in 1984, husband and wife Evan and Terri McGrath began playing Irish music in public, eventually performing as the Irish Eyes Band, which has featured the fabulous musical talents of vocalist Bill Raftery, accordionist Dorothy Whelan, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Paul Stewart, bassists and cousins Gordon and Duncan (McGrath) Craycroft, guitarist Jack Jobes, bassist Dave Soyars, and guitarist John Kevany in its many incarnations. The *Wrath of McGrath Band--truly a McGrath* family venture--formed in 1998 and usually features Evan, (vocals, guitar, harmonica, and guitar synthesizer), Terri (vocals, flute, piccolo, keyboards, tin whistle, and tambourine), their son Brendan (vocals, lead electric and acoustic guitars and mandolin), daughter *Kelly (vocals and bass), and their longtime friend Jim Johnson (drums and bodhran). Another great friend and Jethro Tull* founding member, Glenn Cornick, currently plays bass. Over the past twenty years the McGraths' bands have performed at numerous pubs, restaurants, clubs, concerts, and festivals. Most notable is their incredible record of consecutive appearances at the annual Los Angeles Irish Fairs, now surpassing 23 times! Evan and Terri McGrath also have each been honored as "Irish Persons of the Year" by the Los Angeles City Council for their involvement in Irish community affairs. The McGraths have appeared and their live and recorded music have been used on radio, television, and in the theater. Most notable credits: they performed and scored music for “A Flag To Fly” and other stage productions at The Celtic Arts Center, currently perform at many Kerry Records shows, DVDs, and albums, were invited to demonstrate Irish music and dance on the “LA In The Morning” program on KCAL-TV with Stephanie Edwards, made a guest appearance on a St. Patrick's Day episode on “General Hospital” on ABC-TV, were interviewed by Huell Howser about Irish American history and were invited to perform on his “The Bench” program on PBS/KCET-TV, have given interviews and performances on various local and national Irish Radio programs, and even competed on “The Extreme Gong Show” broadcast stage in Hollywood, CA on live nationwide Cable-TV (where they won top prize!) The McGraths' bands have not only been known for their original compositions, but also for their selections and unique arrangements of traditional and popular Celtic music: they were the first local Irish band to perform such songs as “Ordinary Man” and “Back Home In Derry” (Christy Moore), “Sally MacLenane” and “A Pair of Brown Eyes” (Pogues), “Fisherman's Blues” (Waterboys), “I'm Gonna Be-500 Miles” (Proclaimers), “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For”, “Angel of Harlem”, and “Beautiful Day” (U2). At the same time, they have always acknowledged their most important local influences: Colm Gallagher, the Mulligans, Des Regan, Ken O'Malley, Dennis Doyle, Men of Worth, and the Young Dubliners. Their latest recording features original and traditional Irish folk, Celtic Rock, and mainstream Rock and Roll music. It is a retrospective collection of their best-loved songs in both studio and live performance settings recorded over the past twenty years. The double CD album contains 34 songs, is over two hours of music, and is entitled: *Wrath of McGrath “Then and Now (1984-2004)”.* Wrath of McGrath continues to perform mostly in Southern California at all types of events and can be reached at: *www.wrathofmcgrath.net* or P.O. Box 268, Sunland, CA 91040 or (818) 636-8747.


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