The Deans

Special guests: THE CALVINISTS

Since their formation The Deans have strived to leave the little island they call home and endeavour not to settle until they have the world at their feet. Currently, the group are recording their latest matieral in France and there first European tour this year will take in venues all over France and Spain and will end on the first of June where the band are headlining the Lanzarote Summer Festival.

The Deans consist of Gavin Dean, Gary Keon and Ronan Lally. All from the west of Ireland and in their early twenties, the band have spent most of their teenage years on the road. Upon leaving school in their mid-teens, the group played what seemed like every dive, bar and club from the west of Ireland to the mean streets of London and Leeds.

Now, The Deans are a force to be reckoned with. Gavin Dean, the vocalist, guitarist and songwriter is the driving force behind the young band. His songs are filled with romantic notions, stories of travel and a lust for life that the band all share, stemming from an intense and early exoneration from the teenage years that they didn’t have. It is Gavin Dean who is at the helm of this vessel steering The Deans on their musical journey, but a captain is lost without his first mate. This role is played to perfection by Gary Keon who has been pivotal in the story of the band. With his heavy handed and exciting drumming and soaring vocal ability, his contribution to the group is immense. Ronan Lally, bassist, vocalist and the latest edition to the group, has performed and toured with bands throughout Ireland since his mid teens. His rocksteady bass style and unique vocal are a fabulous addition to the three piece.

Since 2009 The Deans have toured extensively throughout Europe, playing venues and festivals in France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Holland. After being sighted at the Guitare-En-Scene festival in France by the organisers of the Montreux Jazz Festival, the group were invited to perform at the 43rd anniversary of the world renowned music festival. Their music was used for the advertising campaign for both festivals that same year. It was fantastic exposure for the group and lifted their profile, especially in Europe.

More recently The Deans showcased in New York. Here is what an NY publisher had to say: 'The Deans played the Studio at Webster Hall on 12/2 and NYC received an early Christmas Gift - a horn section added for this one magical show. It was a near religious experience for many in attendance. The Deans are the best gift New York's gotten in a long time. They're in a class all their own, a complete musical package!'

'Roots Rock' is the answer the band always gives when asked to define the musical style of The Deans. 'Our influences vary greatly. We listen to a lot of Folk, Country, Soul and Blues. On the way to a gig we could listen to anything from Bob Dylan to Paolo Nutini, from Bob Marley to Bruce Springsteen. We don’t really listen to much heavy rock music. That heavy sound we have is just something that happens. We can’t help it.' –Gavin

The Deans sound is immense. Melodic vocal harmonies combined with a hard hitting rhythm section and occasional horn section, their live performances are second to none. Wonderfully crafted songs with psychedelic musical mastery, leading to memorable live shows that always leave the crowd wanting more.

The trio independently released their first single 'Worried all the time' in November of 2010. The song reached into the Top 30 of the official Irish charts, making the small town boys the highest ranking independent entry for the month of November.

There is a lot more to come from this engaging young group. So let us all drink in the 'liquid sex' and bask in the mesmeric sound of The Deans.

Story by | 15:23 | Wednesday 27th June 2012 | Music Highlights

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