Biography
Dublin natives Keith Roberts (vocals, guitar) and Paul O'Toole (vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica) established the Young Dubliners in the early 1990s after crossing paths at a Los Angeles pub. Roberts had been refining original Irish ballads and concluded that forming a band made sense. O'Toole agreed to participate, and Brendan Holmes (bass) soon joined as well. The group unveiled its robust rock approach with the Rocky Road EP in 1994; the following year brought their debut studio album Breathe, which introduced Charles Waltz (violin) to the lineup. Their concerts delivered an improvisational energy reminiscent of Phish and the Dave Matthews Band, allowing the band to thrive. The live recording Alive Alive O appeared in 1998, after which Waltz departed to pursue other projects. Founding member Paul O'Toole likewise exited, yet by 2000 the Young Dubliners had grown into a septet and issued the widely praised Red on their independent OmTown imprint. Actor Gabriel Byrne enlisted the band to compose the theme for his short-lived series Madigan Man. Road activity intensified when the Young Dubliners devoted most of 2001 to European dates alongside Jethro Tull. They also appeared at the 2002 Olympic ceremonies in Salt Lake City, Utah. Later that year the ensemble trimmed back to a quintet comprising Roberts, Holmes, the returning Waltz (violin), and new additions Bob Boulding (guitar) and Dave Ingraham (drums). Absolutely surfaced in June, followed by a joint U.S. tour with Seven Nations and Great Big Sea. Real World arrived in 2005 and included a guest turn by Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson.
Albums
