Freethinker, Bury me a Mod sod, Roadster driver, Radio DJ wannabe

British composer and musician Cathal Smyth, best known as Chas Smash the co-frontman and multi-instrumentalist in Madness, will begin his solo career in 2014 with the release of his beautiful, moving debut album 'A Comfortable Man'. These heartfelt songs deal with relationship issues, falling in love and the pain of separation being the main themes.

Cathal revealed some of this solo material for first time at Festival Number 6 in Portmeirion in September 2013, accompanied by strings and harp arranged by Joe Duddell.

The Strypes are 4-piece rhythm and blues band hailing from Cavan, Ireland, formed in 2011 by Ross Farrelly (lead vocals/harmonica), Josh McClorey (lead guitar/vocals), Pete O'Hanlon (bass guitar/harmonica) and Evan Walsh (drums).

The group has spent the past 18 months launching their explosive R&B assault on the clubs and festivals of Ireland, the UK and Europe, viciously hammering out a no-nonsense blues repertoire drawing from the songbooks of Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Slim Harpo and more with the passion and venom of British blues groups such as Dr. Feelgood, The Yardbirds, The Rolling Stones and The Animals. 

Having already been met with critical acclaim from greats such as Jeff Beck and Paul Weller and been tipped by NME as the No. 1 new band to watch, it seems things can only get better for The Strypes.

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