DUBLIN

1997 - 2003

OVERVIEW Joan Of Arse was a band formed by Ross Hackett aka The Bearded Lady/Jeanne D'Arse in 1997. A home recorded cassette "The Big Band Sound Of The Big Band Sound" was followed in 1998 by a 10" record "Le Remusement Triste et Lent de la Queve d'un Vieux Chien" (The Slow Sad Wag Of An Old Dog's Tail), with Lee Casey (drums) and Andrew Lyster (recordings, overdubs) on his own Julius Geezer Records imprint. 1999's Lost At Sea, again recorded by Andrew Lyster, received favourable reviews in Ireland and the UK. Following the "Unwanted Gift" 7" in 2001, JOA recorded "Distant Hearts, A Little Closer" in Chicago with Steve Albini. This was released in Europe and the US to decent sales and positive reviews. A further LP with other songs from the same sessions and one from an RTE session entitled "Mating Under The Gallows" was slated for release but cancelled after the band broke up in 2003, leaving a further partially recorded LP unfinished. In 2007, Ross Hackett completed a solo record with Steve Fanagan under the name The French Letter A. Contents [hide] 1 Members 2 Discography 3 Downloads 4 Links Members Ross Hackett : Guitar & Vocals (also: Groundswell, Large Mound, The French Letter A, Shred, Not Our World) Lee Casey : Drums, Bass 1998 - 2000 (also: Jubilee Allstars, Dinah Brand) Joss Moorkens : Drums 2000 - 2003 (also: The Dudley Corporation, The Lamps) Greg Barrett aka Gumbo : Bass, Drums 2001 - 2003 (also: Daemien Frost, Giraffe Running) Shane McGrath : Guitar 2001 - 2003 (also: Dog Day, Not Our World, Shred, The Sick & Indigent Song Club) Pat McGauley : Bass, Keyboards 2002 - 2003 (also: The Dudley Corporation, Venus Envy) Eamon Hannon : Violin 2003 (also: Dacianos) Niall McCormack : Keyboards Discography Released Title Format Label Cat# 1997 The Big Band Sound Of The Big Band Sound Tape 1998 Le Remusement Triste et Lent de la Queve d'un Vieux Chien 10" Julius Geezer Records 1999 Lost At Sea LP Julius Geezer Records 1999 Lost At Sea CD Scientific Laboratories SLAB1 2000 Split 7" w/The Dudley Corporation 7" Jonathan Whiskey Records 2001 Unwanted Gift 7" Julius Geezer Records 2001 Distant Hearts, A Little Closer CD Scientific Laboratories SLAB4 2001 Distant Hearts, A Little Closer LP Julius Geezer Records 2002 Split 7" w/Estel 7" Road Relish RR7-011 Joan Of Arse tracks also appeared on the following compilations: 'For Your Machine' CD - Mangomusic 2000 'Dead Languages' CD - Subtly West 2002 'The Rockets Are Heavy' CDR - TRAH 2002 'For Fun Only!' CD - Loretta Records 2002 Downloads Joan Of Arse drifted into existence around 1996 and have ranged in size from one to six people. Their first release, 'Le Remuement Triste Et Lent De La Queve d'un Vieux Chien' (a 10” single on Julius Geezer Records), received much critical acclaim and garnered them airplay from John Peel. 'Lost at Sea', their first full-length, received a heap of excellent reviews and, along with “Unwanted Gift” (a 7”, again on Julius Geezer) won them further radio fans with John Kennedy (XFM) playing bits and bobs on his X-Posure show. April 2001 saw them fly to Chicago to record their second LP 'Distant Hearts, A Little Closer' with Steve Albini in his Electrical Audio Studios. It came out in Europe that September, in the US on Flameshovel records one year later. A third LP comprised of songs recorded in Chicago and from a session for RTE radio is due out in Spring of 2003 entitled 'Mating Under The Gallows'. Work on album number four with Alan O'Boyle from Irish electronica duo Decal is due to be completed around May for Autumn release. "One of Dublin’s most important bands” Hot Press 1996 - Band formed 1998 - Release of 'Le Remuement Triste Et Lent De La Queve d'un Vieux Chien' single [July] 1999 - Release of 'Lost At Sea' album [17 July] 2001 - Release of 'Distant Hearts, A Little Closer' [17 September]