DUBLIN

1999 - 2008

OVERVIEW The Connect Four Orchestra was an instrumental band based in Dublin. The band was originally formed in 1999 from the remnants of two other groups - Loretta and Palomine. The former featured Neil O'Connor [Keyboards, Synthesizer, Guitar & Drums] and Joe Clarke [Guitar, Drums & Bass Guitar]. The latter band included Glenn Keating [Bass Guitar, Guitar & Drums] and Joe's brother, Andrew [Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards & Synthesizer]. Neil also played with Palomine for a very brief period. These four musicians combined with Ian Pearse [Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer & Guitar] to form the Connect Four Orchestra. In early 2000, the band started gigging and writing a body of material. Later that year, the band contributed the track 'Analogarythyms' to ninth in the series of split 7" single releases from the Road Relish label. The flip side of the single saw Jimmy Behan perform 'Side Partin'. The band also released its debut individual single , 'Chinese Action Hero / Beta v9.7' in November of that year. In March of the following year, the band headed into studio with Alan O'Boyle [Decal] to record its debut album. The result was 'Chisel To The Hip' which was released on Greyslate Records. Starting in 2003, the band went through a period of change. The band members started to work on their own individual projects - Somadrone [Neill], Rockcoach [Andrew], Glennjammin Bones [Glenn]. Neil was also recruited as the firsth member of Dublin-based post rock band The Redneck Manifesto. In addition to this, Ian decided to move to Sweden. This resulted in a period of inactivity for the group. However, the following year Gavin O'Brien joined the band on Guitar & Electronics In spite of playing a handful of gigs, this lineup also remained relatively inactive. In 2006, all of the orignal members of the group along with Gavin started relearsing togetherr with a view to performing live once more. However, little materialised from these sessions. By 2008, the Connect Four Orchestra project had all but fizzled out. 1999 - Band formed 2001 - Release of 'Chinese Action Hero / Beta V9.7' single [November] 2002 - Release of 'Chisel To The Hip' album [15 November] 2003 - Ian decides to move to Sweden 2004 - Gavin O'Brien joins the band on guitar and electronics 2008 - Band split