In an exciting start to 2024 in the world of Celtic Punk, The Walker Roaders have unveiled their latest single, ‘There Must Be Less To Life Than This.’ Of course The Walker Roaders, formed from a fusion of talent from members with amazing backgrounds including James Fearnley, previously with The Pogues and known for his skills on the accordion and various instruments, Marc Orrell, former guitarist of Dropkick Murphys, and Ted Hutt, a Grammy-winning producer and a founding member of Flogging Molly, have once again stepped into the spotlight.
Their collaboration, which began several years ago, has been a point of interest for many of of us in the Celtic Punk scene, especially following their initial record release. On the new track, the band comments:
There Must Be Less To Life Than This” started out as a tune James came across on the mandolin – a melody with a Scottish thing about it – which reminded him of the occasion on 11th September 1985 that the Pogues got dressed up in full Royal Stewart tartan outfits at Moss Bros. on Renfield St., Glasgow, the afternoon of a gig at Barrowlands. (You can find the episode in Chapter 16 of “Here Comes Everybody“)
When it came to writing the lyrics, the tune threw James back to 1974 when he used to live in a squat in Bayswater with a couple of brothers and two of their mates who were from Paisley, Renfrewshire (noted for being not just the home of Paisley Grammar School, where David Tennant was educated, or the birthplace of Gerry Rafferty, but the town where Ronald Reagan‘s maternal great-great-grandparents were supposedly married).
In a while “There Must Be Less To Life Than This” turned into a song sort of dedicated to the Scottish guys James lived with: the Stewart Brothers and their mates, Roy Donald and John Shaw, but particularly in honour of the older brother, Jack, who kept urging James to play music for a living – and from whom James picked up the expression “pick a windae, yir leavin‘.” It turns up in the lyrics.
Jack Stewart was indefatigable, unstoppable and fearless. If Shane MacGowan had known of him at the time, Jack could easily have been the model for the character in “The Sickbed of Cúchulainn“.
Fans of The Walker Roaders have much to look forward to with the band’s latest release. Their new single, ‘There Must Be Less To Life Than This,’ is now available for streaming. For those wanting to listen, the track can be found on various digital platforms, easily accessible through following link.
And also in a move that aligns perfectly with the festive spirit of Saint Patrick’s Day, the group os set to perform live, offering a chance for fans to experience the new track and more in person. The show is scheduled to take place at The Guild Theater in Menlo Park, California. Those interested in attending this event, can secure their tickets now.