Biography
Sharply contrasting male and female vocals define the sound of Kells indie-rock quintet Ham Sandwich, where Podge McNamee’s deep bass lines counterbalance lead vocalist Niamh Farrell’s brighter tones. The group’s offbeat name mirrors its unconventional pop leanings, which draw from the heavy alternative textures of Pixies and the Smashing Pumpkins, the dense shoegaze textures of My Bloody Valentine and Whipping Boy, and the brighter melodic approach of the Flaming Lips.
Ham Sandwich first coalesced on Good Friday 2003 when Podge McNamee, Johnny Moore, and Niamh Farrell decided to start a band. Moore and McNamee had known each other since secondary school in the historic town of Kells, County Meath—the former monastic site famed for the Book of Kells and later a commuter suburb of Dublin. Dublin-born Farrell, who had lived most of her teenage years in Glasgow, Scotland, met Moore through work after returning to Ireland in her early twenties. The three conceived the project at a “crucifixion party” and soon began serious rehearsals. McNamee moved between guitar and vocals, Moore took up bass, and Farrell became lead singer. Guitarist Brian Darcy, known simply as “Darcy,” and drummer Ollie Murphy were quickly added, rounding out the permanent lineup with the strongest available players from Kells.
To sidestep the cliché of another indie act prefixed with “the,” the five chose the most neutral name they could find—Ham Sandwich. Far from fading into the background, the title drew repeated criticism from segments of the Irish press and from U2’s Bono, who urged a change; nevertheless, it accurately signals the band’s idiosyncratic pop outlook. After a full year of private rehearsals and songwriting, Ham Sandwich played their debut show in Kells. This deliberate pace also led them to establish their own Route 109 Records imprint—named after the bus link between Kells and Dublin—and to issue five singles before unveiling their first album in 2008.
Route 109 Records launched the band’s debut single “Sad Songs” in August 2005 and followed with “St. Christopher” in January 2006. Although neither track entered the charts, demand was strong enough for the group to sell out Dublin’s Whelan’s venue for the second single’s launch night. “Words” appeared as the third single in September 2006; the band performed at the underground festival Hard Working Class Heroes the next month; and they issued their fourth single, “Click...Click...Boom!,” during Valentine’s week 2007.
The rest of that year was devoted to recording the debut album Carry the Meek with producer Karl Odlum, founding member of Kíla, while the band supported My Morning Jacket, Electric Six, and, unexpectedly, Whitesnake. Fifth single “Keepsaker” arrived in January 2008, after which Ham Sandwich received the Hope for 2008 trophy at the Meteor Irish Music Awards—an accolade previously given to Royseven and Republic of Loose. Carry the Meek was released in February, entered the Irish albums chart at number 23, and stayed in the Top 40 for four weeks before appearing in the United Kingdom in May.
Ham Sandwich first coalesced on Good Friday 2003 when Podge McNamee, Johnny Moore, and Niamh Farrell decided to start a band. Moore and McNamee had known each other since secondary school in the historic town of Kells, County Meath—the former monastic site famed for the Book of Kells and later a commuter suburb of Dublin. Dublin-born Farrell, who had lived most of her teenage years in Glasgow, Scotland, met Moore through work after returning to Ireland in her early twenties. The three conceived the project at a “crucifixion party” and soon began serious rehearsals. McNamee moved between guitar and vocals, Moore took up bass, and Farrell became lead singer. Guitarist Brian Darcy, known simply as “Darcy,” and drummer Ollie Murphy were quickly added, rounding out the permanent lineup with the strongest available players from Kells.
To sidestep the cliché of another indie act prefixed with “the,” the five chose the most neutral name they could find—Ham Sandwich. Far from fading into the background, the title drew repeated criticism from segments of the Irish press and from U2’s Bono, who urged a change; nevertheless, it accurately signals the band’s idiosyncratic pop outlook. After a full year of private rehearsals and songwriting, Ham Sandwich played their debut show in Kells. This deliberate pace also led them to establish their own Route 109 Records imprint—named after the bus link between Kells and Dublin—and to issue five singles before unveiling their first album in 2008.
Route 109 Records launched the band’s debut single “Sad Songs” in August 2005 and followed with “St. Christopher” in January 2006. Although neither track entered the charts, demand was strong enough for the group to sell out Dublin’s Whelan’s venue for the second single’s launch night. “Words” appeared as the third single in September 2006; the band performed at the underground festival Hard Working Class Heroes the next month; and they issued their fourth single, “Click...Click...Boom!,” during Valentine’s week 2007.
The rest of that year was devoted to recording the debut album Carry the Meek with producer Karl Odlum, founding member of Kíla, while the band supported My Morning Jacket, Electric Six, and, unexpectedly, Whitesnake. Fifth single “Keepsaker” arrived in January 2008, after which Ham Sandwich received the Hope for 2008 trophy at the Meteor Irish Music Awards—an accolade previously given to Royseven and Republic of Loose. Carry the Meek was released in February, entered the Irish albums chart at number 23, and stayed in the Top 40 for four weeks before appearing in the United Kingdom in May.
Singles
