MAYO, DUBLIN

1996 -

OVERVIEW Having been together for just six months, The Racketeers released their critically acclaimed debut album "By Hook Or By Crook" in spring1997. Within a few months, the band had brought their fiery brand of roots infused rock 'n' roll all over Ireland, including a few memorable shows at the Budweiser Rhythm 'n' Roots Festival in Galway. The album was also well received overseas as it notched up radio plays in Holland and Hungary. Summer of that year the band took to the road for a seven-week thirty-five date tour of Sweden, Finland and Holland. Indeed this set the tone for the following year as European tours (Holland, Denmark, etc.) intermingled with Irish dates. April '99 saw the release of a new album, "Long Time Gone," and a festive release, the "Counterfeit Christmas" EP which resulted in a couple of TV appearances. Early in 2004 they released their long awaited third album, "Exit Hellsville," which was recorded by veteran Paul Thomas, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and early U2. . The album has been receiving radio play in Belgium, Holland, Canada, Spain and Ireland. "Exit Hellsville" more than adequately showcases 12 new songs from the dexterous pen of founding member Eamonn Dowd. With Brian O'Toole (bass) and Chris Teusner (drums) the band presents a more countrified sound than on previous outings. Best described as Americana or Alternative Country/Rock 'n' Roll the new album has helped The Racketeers make many new friends. Hot Press gave the album a rave review…………. "A damn fine example of gravel-voiced country rock.....these songs are full of unaffected, unrefined humanity, a kind of world-weary, warts 'n' all honesty that's getting rarer in music....there is something raw and real about The Racketeers that's easy to love." Favourable reviews from the U.K., Germany, Italy , Holland etc. have helped establish The Racketeers as a genuine underground phenomenon, often playing 100 gigs a year ! While influences like Johnny Cash and Steve Earle come to mind, a lyrical darkness permeates the bands’ roots infused rock ‘n’ roll with Dowd’s haggard vocal delivering his uniquely twisted tales. 1996 - Band Formed 1997 - Release of 'By Hook Or By Crook' album 1999 - Release of 'Long Time Gone' album [April] - Neil McCartney, who had played with The Big Geraniums, joins the band - Release of the 'Counterfeit Christmas' E.P. 2004 - Release of 'Exit Hellsville' 2006 - Release of 'Silver & Dust' album [September] 2008 - Release of 'The Women 'Round Here' single as a digital download