Check out our music history section for lots more articles on the bands, venues and records of the late 1970 and early 1980s Dublin music scene.
The Resistor EP front. Credit – Sam (CHTM!)
The Resistor EP back Credit – Sam (CHTM!)
After a number of years of searching, I finally got my hands today on a rare Dublin New Wave 7″ from The Resistors. All thanks to the wonderful photographer Wally Cassidy who is helping to sell his friend’s record collection.
Titled ‘EP for Jeanie’ and released in 1980, it was the the one and only output from the band’s own label ‘Break Records’. The contact person for the record company listed on the single is Marcus de Cogan who was Ents officer of UCD Student’s Union in 1976/77.
The Resistors, who were active from 1978 until 1983, were described by music journalist Neil McCormack at the time as playing “reggae tinged new wave pop”. The band comprised of:
- Peter McEvoy – Vocals
- Paul O’Reilly – Guitar
- Pat Hamilton – Guitar
- Tim McStay – Keyboards
- Valentine – Bass
- Brian ‘Bun’ Curran – Drums
Three of the band had previously performed together in The Noise Boys (1978-79).
All three songs on ‘EP for Jeanie’ were composed by keyboardist Tim McStay.
The Resistors live. Credit – Bert Versey (via http://u2theearlydayz.com/)
The record was produced by Brendan ‘Brenny’ Bonass who had played guitar with a host of Dublin beat/blues/rock bands in the 1960s and 1970s including The Inmates, The Uptown Band, The Stellas, The Chosen Few, Rockhouse and Stepaside.
It was engineered by Ken Kiernan, who had co-founded Keystone Studios in 1977 and played guitar and keyboards with Pulling Faces, and Brian Masterson, who had co-founded Windmill Lane studios in 1978, and played played bass with jazzy-rock groups Jazz Therapy and later Supply, Demand and Curve .
The record featured saxophonist Dave McHale, formerly of Stagalee, The Boomtown Rats amongst others, who sadly passed away in 2009.
The front cover photograph was taken by Colm Henry.
Side A
‘Jeanie’ is an up-beat track with strong two-tone and mod revival influences.
Side B
‘Takeaway Love’ is a decent power-pop tune.
More of the same with ‘End Of The Line’
The band’s second single ‘That’s It‘ (1983) is probably even more rare with not a single copy ever sold on Discogs since 2000. It’s a collector’s item as Phil Lynott produced the b-side. Luckily, I was recently passed down a copy and will get around to digitising it as soon as possible.