After over 25 years of playing together the Pyros have finally decided to get in the studio and record.  And to add to the studio tracks they will be taking to the stage at McGrory’s in Culdaff on Friday night to record a live CD.

The band have been playing to packed venues in Donegal and the North West for years, earning a reputation as one of the most fun live bands to see, but have never released anything on CD.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision not to record” said bassist John Cutliffe. “We did one demo down in the studios of Raidió na Gaeltachta in Gweedore back at the very start of our time together but we never released anything . That demo did fall into the hands of many people down through the years. I have met people all over the place who were given a copy of the tape at one time or another”

Even though the Pyros never officially split up, the various band members went on to do separate musical careers. Paul Rodden moved to France where he still plays with his band Mister Midnight. He has also appeared in a futuristic western film called Blueberry. Ciaran Tourish has had a very successful career with Altan and as a solo artist. Kevin Doherty is also a well known solo artist, a very well respected songwriter and member of Four Men and a Dog. John Cutliffe lives in America where he has worked with many well known artists in Atlanta and Nashville. Michael Gallanagh and Laurence Doherty have continued to be driving forces in the music scene in Donegal and all over Ireland.  

Then four years ago Michael helped spearhead the Ar Ais Aris music festival in Buncrana and brought the Pyros back from many years of not playing together. The two concerts each year became the highlight of the festival. So this year while Ar Ais Aris was on hiatus Michael and Ciaran got the band to agree to two concerts to help the Music Therapy Programme at Scoil Iosagain.

“It was a complete joy to do” said Cutliffe after the two nights at The Inishowen Gateway Hotel. “ We got to sit in on a therapy class with teacher Louise Kelly and it opened all our eyes to the importance of the cause. And then we got to play to all our friends again for another two nights at the Gateway. After all these years it was still a lot of fun.”

But the band decided that while there were here they should make the most of the time and finally get into the studio. So this week the 6 members will finally go into the studio to record some tracks and then on Friday April 3^rd they will record a concert at McGrory’s in Culdaff.

So Pyros fans, if you want to be part of Inishowen Musical History then get along to Macs Backroom Bar on Friday night for some lively tunes and bid the Pyros farewell for another year.