DERRY, ENNISKILLEN

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OVERVIEW The Divine Comedy has gone through several iterations over the course of the past 15 years. However, the one constant has always been Neil Hannon. Neil formed the band in the late 80's after moving to Enniskillen from Derry. During this period, the band played an R.E.M.-influenced style of guitar indie rock. The band were signed to Setanta records an released one album 'Fanfare For The Comic Muse' in 1990. Hannon was soon to disband the group. He was signed to Setanta as a solo artist in 1993 and decided to retain the band name. In September of the same year, 'Liberation' was released. This was soon followed by 'Promenade' in February of 1994. While he was recording the album, he met Joby Talbot who subsequently joined Hannon. Over the course of the next 18 months, The Divine Comedy's numbers swelled further with the addition of Bryan Mills on Bass, Ivor Talbot on Guitars, Stuart Bates on Organ and Miguel Barradas on Drums. With this new line up in place, The Divine Comedy emabrked on the most successful period of it's carer, commercially speaking. The band released a series of singles ('Something For The Weekend', 'Becoming More Like Alfie' and 'The Frog Princess'), all of which charted well. The three singles were taken from Casanova (1996) which in itself was reached number XX in the UK album charts. The Divine Comedy also provided the theme tune, 'Songs Of Love' for the award winning sitcom Father Ted. In 1998, Rob Farrer joined the band on a full time basis as a percussionist. In the same year, 'Fin De Siecle' was released which spawned hit singles in the shape of Generation Sex, The Certainty Of Chance and National Express. This album was followed in 1999 by a Best Of collection titled 'A Secret History'. This release was to be The Divine Comedy's last for Setanta Records. The band signed for Parlophone records. 1993 - Release of 'Liberation' album [16 August] 1994 - Release of 'Promenade' album [28 March] 1996 - Release of 'Casanova' album [29 April] 1997 - Release of 'A Short Album About Love' album [10 February] 1998 - Release of 'Fin De Siecle' album [31 August] 1999 - Release of 'A Secret History ... The Best Of The Divine Comedy' album [30 August] 2001 - Neil decides to split the current band although plans to continue to record under the same name. [October] 2004 - Release of 'Come Home Billy Bird' single - Release of 'The Bavarian' E.P. [15 November] 2006 - Release of 'Diva Lady' single [12 June] - Release of 'Victory For The Comic Muse' album [19 June] - Release of 'To Die A Virgin' single [14 August] - Release of 'A Lady Of A Certain Age' single [06 November] 2007 - 'Victory For The Comic Muse' is nominated for the Choice Music Award [10 January] - The Divine Comedy are nominated for the Best Irish Band and Best Irish Album at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards [01 February] 2010 - Release of 'At The Indie Disco' single [21 May] - Release of 'Bang Goes The Knighthood' album [28 May]