THE GREAT WESTERN SQUARES
Judas Steer
blunt / independent
released : Ireland (via Grapevine) and the U.K. (via Shellshock) August '97
Almost Sober
blunt / independent
released ; Ireland (via Grapevine) April 98
U.K. (via Shellshock) June 98
The Great Western squares were thrown together for an impromptu performance at Eamonn Cruddens by now legendary "Johnny cash appreciation society" which took place through the summer of '96 at the Hut in Phibsboro. The aim of the evening was for a ramshackle bunch of individuals most of whom had connections with various noise bands around Dublin to indulge their country inclinations without having to go totally public on the matter. To this end Gary Fitzpatrick- at the time a full time noise nik in Pincher Martin - got together with Oona White to play some of their favourite songs in a country style. Their debut consisted of country versions of "Dog eat Dog" by Adam and the Ants and "The Lord" by the Bee Gees.
During the summer Gary spent his time(and dole!!) hunting through bargain bins in the likes of Freebird and Chapters( searching for lost country classics. In Oct.'96 they were offered a residency in the White horse on Burgh Quay to indulge their growing taste in the likes of Jimmy webb, Hank William's, Gram Parsons, Merle Haggard, George Jones, John Prine, Loretta Lynn and a host of other traditional American folk and country singers.