Published: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010 5:00pm

Serious entertainment from The Strypes

The Strypes at the Gonzo Theatre last week.

About three years ago a group of young lads attending Farnham NS got together and formed a band called The Strypes. They performed three songs at the school concert that year and then secondary school beckoned. But that was not the end of the story.

They've continued to rehearse and last Sunday the played a free concert in Gonzo Theatre at the Imperial bar in Cavan town. In front of a packed house, The Strypes rocked the joint. In the true sense of the word, this was a real show and The Strypes enlisted the help of some other young performers, which added even more value to the gig.

The proceedings began with Cathal Tierney playing an acoustic set, singing four songs and oozing confidence, it must be said. It was then the turn of Dylan McGlorey and Becky Walsh, both on keyboards, and who had chosen a number of short piano pieces which had some wonderful little improvisations thrown in for good measure.

Next up was a young man from Killeshandra, Ross Farrelly, who did four numbers - and boy can this young man sing. Even at 12 years of age Ross can certainly hit the notes with volume and clarity. The show just kept getting better and better. By now the audience was ready for a good helping of The Strypes and got exactly that.

Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Peter O'Hanlon wasted no time in getting proceedings off to a flying start. The show opened with a bit of rock jammin' which set the tone and led the lads nicely into their own version of Whiskey in the Jar with an intro from the Black Eyed Peas I Got A Feelin. From there it was kick-ass all the way.

Peter was joined on the vocals for a few numbers by bass guitarist Jack Hayden. Josh McGlorey was immaculate on lead guitar, playing with the composure of a seasoned professional. In the rhythm power house was drummer Evan Walsh, totally immersed in his work and loving every minute of it.

These four young men simply play great music and make it look so easy. Not only that but in the middle of their set they invited young Ross Farrelly back on stage to do Heartbeats from Jose Gonzales, which was inspirational.

Displaying their talents even further, Jack played keyboard, Peter moved to bass guitar, Evan kept the timing on a set of bongos while Josh slid, plucked and strummed an acoustic guitar. At this point the audience was lapping it all up. Then the lads finished off their set with an original song titled Drunken Heroes and topped the whole show off with an encore of Guns 'n' Roses Sweet Child of Mine.

At the end of it all the audience were on their feet yelling for more. This show was a credit to all those involved, all of the performers as well as the Interfering Dad and there is more to come from The Strypes... which is even better news.