HONOURING PHIL LYNOTT’S 75TH BIRTHDAY. STREAM/DOWNLOAD HERE HERE
The hard rocking British quartet Grand Slam unveil their celebration of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, with a striking cover of ‘Whiskey In The Jar’, on August 20th – which would have been Phil’s 75th birthday. The single is available to stream/download now and accompanied by an in-studio performance video.
Their shared history is emphatic; Lynott and guitarist Laurence Archer were co-founders of the first phase of Grand Slam back in 1984, with the band having reformed after nearly 32 years in late 2016 with Archer and frontman Mike Dyer leading the way before being joined by Rocky Newton on bass and Benjy Reid on drums.
Today, frontman Dyer reflects on Lynott’s legacy and character. “When fame dwindles, as it does, it leaves a massive void that this so called ‘normal life’ simply can’t fill or at least fill straight away. You have to let reality come back to you. It’s a fine balance of madness and real-life” Dyer begins. “Phil seemed to embrace success. However, what is success? Family, and positive true friends are king, they are our only constant in this crazy journey. They keep us grounded. I believe if Phil had escaped that period of his life, he would be truly thriving now. Phil was deeply immersed in his cultural roots, with the poets, the folkies, the artists and the entire bohemian Dublin scene. He could have been any incarnation he chose to be but I feel his creativity would have developed from being just a frontman.” “He was a gifted man, a keen reader and writer, and I believe that’s the true path he would’ve chosen to go.” Dyer concludes, “I could imagine him walking into the Roundwood Inn in the Wicklow hills for a swift one, before he returned to his estate and writing. His pen was his sword. Phil would’ve been a true asset against knife crime in the UK, also he was never scared to say what he thought. He was a great communicator and cared. People who care in the rock ‘n’ roll industry are rarer than unicorns.”
Recorded at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, the track was mixed by Laurence Archer, engineered by Peter Rietkerk, and the cover art features a stained-glass style painting courtesy of Paul Hallewell. Succeeding heavy metal giants Metallica and using the innate knowledge that Archer had from his creative connection with Lynott as a springboard, Grand Slam have produced one of the most compelling and heartfelt covers of this Thin Lizzy classic heard yet.
Watch/Listen to ‘Whiskey In The Jar here – Video Directed, Produced and Edited by Paul M Green.
Stream/download ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ now at here this location.
Grand Slam’s story is one of persistence and craft. Having just announced a series of dates in the fall and with more shows being planned as you read, it is clear that Grand Slam are firing forward into their future at full speed… Don’t miss out!
Upcoming 2024 Shows:
- Friday 23 August – DUBLIN [IE], The Phil Lynott Convention
- Saturday 5 October – FISMES [FR], British Steel Saturday Night 2024
- Thursday 24 October – BARCELONA [ES], WOLF Barcelona
- Friday 25 October – MADRID [ES], Shôko Madrid
- Saturday 26 October – VITORIA-GASTEIZ [ES], Urban Rock Concept
- Sunday 27 October – SANTANDER [ES], Escenario Santander
- Monday 28 October – A CORUÑA [ES], Garufa Club
- Wednesday 30 October – LISBON [PT], LAV - Lisboa ao Vivo
- Thursday 31 October – SEVILLE [ES], Sala Fanatic
- For tickets visit: grandslamrocks.com
- *More dates to be announced
The band recently released their latest, critically-acclaimed album Wheel Of Fortune. The album is available in a variety of formats and orders can be placed at this location
Watch/Listen to the official singles and videos released from the Wheel Of Fortune album, ‘There Goes My Heart’, ‘Spitfire’ *, ‘Come Together (In Harlem)’ at this location [videos by Paul M Green / *video by Fred Johanson].
“… already the opener ‘There Goes My Heart’ is catchy and cool. The next song has for sure the potential of a hymn…All ten tracks have a lot of soul and you feel that Grand Slam all worked with their heart. No difference if it is an old or new band – for sure a strong one” – Classic Rock
"'Wheel Of Fortune” is a strong rock album with a good fair amount of music history” – Metal Hammer
“Grand Slam are back, refreshed and reinvented [and] could well provide the soundtrack to a fine summer” 9/10 – Powerplay
“An absolute tour de force with Archer scorching riffs that could set cannon balls flying!” – Rock Candy
“With the new album Wheel Of Fortune, Laurence is setting a monument for the late band colleague and mentor, Phil Lynott” - Rock Hard [DE]
“Flawless album, consistent from first note to the end.” – Rock Hard [IT]
“….very strong and especially the title song at the end: a ballad starting with acoustic guitar and then into electric which raises the tension and dynamics.” – Good Times
“What a superb album that nods nicely to the Phil Lynott heritage but clearly establishes a Grand Slam sound for the 21st century.” – Rockposer
Wheel Of Fortune Tracklisting
| 1. There Goes My Heart |
| 2. Starcrossed Lovers |
| 3. Come Together (In Harlem) |
| 4. Trail Of Tears |
| 5. Feeling Is Strong (Jo's Song) |
| 6. Spitfire |
| 7. I Wanna Know! |
| 8. Pirate Song |
| 9. Afterlife |
| 10. Wheel Of Fortune |
Grand Slam:
- Laurence Archer - guitar
- Mike Dyer - vocals
- Rocky Newton - bass
- Benjy Reid - drums
- Wheel Of Fortune is Produced by Laurence Archer
- Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk
- Mixed by Laurence Archer
- Mastered by Matt Wortham & Andy Pearce
- Recorded at Chapel Studios; additional recording at Manamana Studios
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