The Indians Showband
They ve been gigging for 30 years (They were
The
Casino Showband in the 60's)
They are Big Chief Flaming Star, Crazy Horse,
Sitting Bull, Little Thunder,
Wild Hawk and Dull Knife (not their real names).
They are THE INDIANS and they hope to still
be on the warpath in the next millennium.
Few bands on the Irish entertainment
circuit have the intense loyal following of the fabulous Indians. Now 30
years on the road, this colourful Irish showband in full costume fronted
by
Kevin Kearney, present one of the most energetic
& exciting live shows to be seen anywhere.
They perform a cross section of material,
with original numbers such as 'Wigwam Wiggle', Irish songs including 'Galway
Bay', Buddy Holly hits and popular ballads
BIG CHIEF (Flaming Star), Noel Brady from
the Indians
has had many hits during his singing career,
including “Running Bear”, “Squaws along the
Yukon”, “Wig Wam Wiggle”,
plus many more. Big Chief has retired
Just over three decades ago a young country and Irish band
were looking for a gimmick
to capture the imagination of the huge Irish public who were filling
the dance halls
listening to their favourite showbands, and country and Irish bands.
They had the talent but something extra was needed to draw the attention
of the Irish music media.
Someone suggested that Ireland had enough cowboys in the music business
but that it was desperately short of Indians, and so The Indians
were born.
And from day one the visual aspect of authentic Red Indian outfits
complete
with full war paint guaranteed a sight on stage that could not be
ignored.
Add to this visual spectacle the excellent musical and vocal talents
of the lads
in the band and you have one of the most eye-catching and exciting
acts
on the country and Irish music scene.
As with all bands the line up has changed over the years although
Eamon, Tommy and Brian are the mainstay.
The threesome ensure that personnel changes cause a minimum of interruption
to the very busy schedule of one of Ireland’s top touring bands.
The latest line up of The Indians includes: Stephen Proctor,
who assumes the stage name Big Chief White Cloud; band leader
Eamon Keane is Sitting Bull on keyboards, accordion and lead vocals;
bass guitarist and lead vocalist Brian Woodfull is also known as
Crazy Horse,
perhaps due to the nightly exposure of a bare rump during his act;
the lead guitarist is Tommy Hopkins, also known as Dull Knife;
and new member Kevin McKeown is on percussion and lead vocals,
now happily signing himself Long Arrow.
Indians leader Eamonn Keane is father of TV3 presenter Lorraine
Keane.
TV personality (apparently). Lorraine isn't even a villan,
its everything she stands for - AA Roadwatch, TV3,
Rind-e-Bout, minor Irish celebrity i.e.
the ugly side of turn of the millenium Ireland.
