The Ugly Jamesons
Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
Press
“Combing roots, country, Irish folk and Celtic rock, St. Pete quintet The Ugly Jamesons -- singer Patty Mills, violinist Christer Saarikko, guitarist Lisa Hargiss, drummer Ken Walker and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Rick Mastry offer up a quirky take on traditional rock from the old country. A song like Gasoline, for example, sounds like Loreena McKennitt fronting the B-52s at a blues bar on St. Patty's Day.”
Jay Cridlin - Tampa Bay Times - Jay Cridlin - Tampa Bay Times
Discography
3PH - Thru The Drinking Glass - Dec 2012
Photos
Bio
In 2007, the Jamesons began working to prove the theory of the harmony contained in drinking 3 pints. As we are sure you know, this "3 Pint Harmony" theory states that after consuming 3 perfect pints, you will achieve perfect harmony with the universe. The challenge of course was to find 3 perfect pints. The Jamesons thought they did, and each and every one of them consumed 3 "perfect" pints. Unfortunately they were almost perfect. Each one was just slightly off. The unforeseen result of consuming these imperfect pints was horrifying. Each of the Jamesons bodies, faces and minds were twisted into an ugly state. They became known throughout the land as “The Ugly Jamesons”. They banded together, literally, and in their twisted mental states infused traditional Celtic music with some of the hardest rocking around and brought this insane music to the masses.
Over time the physical effects of these imperfect pints wore off and they all reverted back to their original looks. Most of them anyway (have you seen the drummer?). But it was too late. The name stuck. With their minds still twisted from the “3 Pint Harmony” effects, they continue to bring their brand of hard rocking Celtic music to, well, pretty much anyone who will listen. Of course we could just be referring to the ugly side of drinking too much Jamesons!
Expanding the definition of "Celtic" the band uses the unconventional pairing of flame throwing, bow hair splitting, rosin clouding fiddle with the wail and crunch of electric guitar and bass. They are fortunate to have multi instrumentalists in the band and use this to their advantage to create some brilliant arrangements of traditional tunes.
The band is influenced by and often covers such Celtic Rock style bands as Flogging Molly, Jubilee Riots (formerly Enter The Haggis), Dropkick Murphy's, Seven Nations, Young Dubliners and The Pogues to name a few.
The Ugly Jamesons are most known for their live shows, their energy is off the hook and their audience is soon fully immersed in the chemistry and sway of the band; their music dares you to stand still. The band is uproarious, tuneful, stimulating and above all entertaining. Their live shows are filled with an infectious energy; even die-hard fans of purely traditional Celtic music have embraced the band’s genre-bending sound.
The Ugly Jamesons have toured in the Southeast and have been chosen to perform with the Celtic Rock powerhouse "Albannach", "Rathkeltair", "Enter The Haggis", “My 3 Kilts” and the nationally renowned mainstream groups "Less Than Jake" and “Not Tonight Josephine”.
From the 'amped' up traditional favorites of Ireland and Scotland to 'Celtified' rock tunes to The Ugly Jamesons’ own originals, this band's energy is highly infectious, and their enthusiasm and passion for their music will leave an indelible mark, especially on your liver! The band does a lot of toasts! Kilts are always welcomed at their performances.
Band Members
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