LIMERICK

2002 -

OVERVIEW Twins Brian and Conor O'Brien along with Brian Meaney have been playing together since 2002 and in October '04 discovered guitarist Bryan Griffin who was the final missing piece in the Roper puzzle. With the current line-up, Roper have produced a unique sound, described by Hotpress as "a whirlwind of sonic delights", winning fans in even the most unlikely audiences with their distinctive style of high energy potent melodic metal. Roper spent 2005 gigging extensively with several gigs in their hometown of Limerick City, as well as repeat visits to Cork, Galway, Kerry, Dublin and Co.Down in Northern Ireland. The highlight of the year however was opening the first ever Irish show to the one and only Mudvayne at the Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin in June, where other US heavy weights American Headcharge also played on the first date of Mudvayne's international tour. Prior to that, Roper had developed a taste for competition and started 2005 by winning the first ever Miller Strat Band of the Year competition held at Limerick's Trinity Rooms venue. As part of the prize, the band produced a three-track EP entitled 'Left to Stampede' containing the title track along with 'Soul Fibre' and 'My Release'. The recording seemed to catch the attention of the good people at Whelans of Wexford Street, Dublin, as they invited Roper to take part in their Brave New Stage band competition in April 2005. Only 20 bands were invited to participate in the heats out of 600+ entries from all over Ireland and Roper made it through to the semis and then down to the last five bands on final night. Also the band were finalists at this year's Live at the Rose competion in Tralee and got an amazing reaction from the local crowd there. It just goes to show that Ireland, traditionally a country of singer/songwriters, is hungry for something heavier - and Roper, "Limerick's high kings of hardcore metal" is just the band to deliver!! 2002 - Band Formed by Brian O'Brien, Conor O'Brien and Brian Meaney 2004 - Bryan Griffin joins on guitar [October] 2005 - Roper win the Miller Strat Band Of The Year competition. - Release of 'Left To Stampede' single 2007 - Release of 'Gallows Hill' album [January