The Golden Horde Hall of Fame

Band Members over the years . . .

The early days of the band (1981-83) were marked by chaotic gigs and a fluid line-up; by 1983 a stable five piece lineup emerged which made several recordings during the Hotwire Years (1983- 1985); there was some further line up changes before the second, definitive line up of the band evolved in the Mother Years (1986-1994). Each period is discussed further below.

The Early Days (1981-83)

The legendary Hirschfield Centre gig unleashed the Golden Horde on an unsuspecting public (see here for review at the time). For their 1st gig the Golden Horde managed to cram no less than 13 people on to the stage. The occupants of the GPO in 1916 or the Free Trade Hall Manchester gig of 1976 would not hold a light compared to those who were (or claim to have been) playing at the gig. Threading the boards that night were

Simon Carmody - Vocals

Bernie Furlong - Vocals

Des O'Byrne - Guitar

Steve Ryan - Guitar (went on to The Stars of Heaven, The Revenants)

Donal Murray - Bass

Niamh McGovern - Organ

Simon Walker - Drums

Stephen Quilligan - Clarinet

Paul Bonner - Sax

Begonia Perez - Backing Vocals

Caroline Harvey Kelly - Backing Vocals

Adrienne Foley - Backing Vocals

Simone Stephenson - Backing Vocals

Between then and the first definitive line up of the Hotwire Years there were many comings and goings. Simon, Donal and Des remained constant along with Bernie Furlong, but helping out at some stage or other were...

Justin Healy - Drums - went on to Forget Me Nots, Lir, Bungalow & Interference

Tim McGrath - Drums

Carl Stephenson - Drums

Charlotte Summers, Jackie Burke - Backing Vocals, Go Go girls - the Fabulous Charlottes

The Hotwire Years (1983-85)

By 1983 the first definitive line up had been established, and it was with this line up that the Horde recorded their 1st two mini LP's and singles. They band dabbled with the pyschobilly scene of the time and were contemporaries of the Stingrays, the Barracudas, the Prisoners, Demented are Go, etc. The recordings are dominated by the walking bass lines of Murray and the His/Hers, Q&A vocals of Carmody and Furlong who often sung alternate lines/verses and rather chaotic song endings with just about everyone getting involved!!!!!!

Lineup:

Simon Carmody - Vocals

Bernie Furlong - Vocals - present from the beginning, left at the end of the Hotwire years

Donal Murray - Bass - left at the end of the Hotwire years to be replaced by John Connors.

Peter O'Kennedy - Drums

Des O'Byrne - Guitar - formerly of the French Letters (the Letters). Also played a gig or two with his bother Sid's band Napalm Sunday

The main song writing axis for this period was Carmody/O'Byrne

The Mother Years (1986-94)

Following the departure of Murray and Furlong, John Connors was recruited on bass, and Sammy Steiger joined on guitar. Gone was the walking bass lines, to be replaced with a lot more driven rock sound a la Ramones, with the second guitar really filling out the sound. The Q&A vocals were gone, though in the studio some backing singers helped out - Marie McKee, Tom Dunne (ex Something Happens and present radio DJ). This line up was responsible for all the Hordes remaining recorded output - the self titled album and 4 singles from it - all released between 1989 and 1992 on Mother Records.

Lineup:

Simon Carmody - Vocals - follwing the Horde's demise had a brief solo career with 2 single releases on Solid Records, see his solo discography

John Connors - Bass - Went on to New York, where his current musical project is the Messyheads

Peter O'Kennedy - Drums - also drummed for Johnny Thunders, Cathal Coughlan, Gavin Friday and Aidan Walsh. He was also a core member of Nine Wassies From Bainne. Involved in the arts.

Des O'Byrne - Guitar

Sammy Steiger - Guitar - after the Horde's demise went onto play with the Sultans of Ping (and still does)

The main song writing axis for this period remained as Carmody/O'Byrne, with Steiger and Connors doing a few B sides.

A Who's Who of The Golden Horde Family


	Bernie Furlong Backing singer with the Horde from the beginning till her departure in 1987 to pursue alternate interests.		Tim McGrath The 2nd drummer with the Horde - replaced Peter O'Kennedy.
	Paul Thomas Record Producer & Engineer ( U2, Clannad). With whom Horde recorded an album which was never released(!) .		Ian Wilson RTE radio producer (The Dave Fanning Show!) & driving force behind the creation & growth of 2FM radio in Ireland. Ian managed the Horde from 1989-1993.
	Eamonn Carr He of 'Horslips' and 'Zen Alligators' - Co-producer and early supportive force behind the Golden Horde.		Charlotte Summers & Jackie Burke 2 of the famous "Fabulous Charlotte's" (1985-86) - Go-Go Dancers & backing Vocalists to the Horde, who preferred to perform in a cage when they could!
	Steve Ryan Played guitar at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982! Later of "The Stars of Heaven" & ""The Revenents"		Bill Graham ....author, rock journalist, inspired & inspiring mind. More here
	Mark Kennedy The Horde's longest serving soundman. Mark was also soundman for Van Morrison.		Pat McCarthy Co-producer and engineer on Golden Horde, Last Bandits, REM and Gavin Friday-Simon Carmody solo recordings...
	Caroline Harvey-Kelly One of the vocalists at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982 & founding member!		Tim Martin Co-producer and engineer on Golden Horde recordings...
	Ian Bryan Co-producer and engineer on many Golden Horde recordings.		Donal Murray bass player '82-85.
	Paul MacQuillan Guitar player (Hope Sandoval), guitar technician & guitar obsessed! The longest serving (suffering) guitar technician with the horde & a close friend! - HARDCORE!		Paul Aungier Occasional Soundman & self-masochist with the Horde! Also the "non-tripping" soundman for The Cramps......!
	Strongman Mad bastard & Bass player for the great "Virgin Prunes", strongman drove the Horde in the Big White Tank! - HARDCORE!		Joe O'Sullivan "The Road Warrior" - Tormented Guitar Technician & tourbus entertainer! - found outside Cork somehow(?) After soldiering through several years with the Horde what else to do but join the US Navy! Click here for Joe's Backline Webpage!
	Terry O'Neill Publicist, master of mayhem for the Golden Horde, the Pogues, Thin Lizzy, Sinead O'Connor...		Phil MacDonald Electronics expert, master bus driver & a REAL soldier! - Has the ability to drive in his sleep! - HARDCORE!
	Adrian Cunningham Occasional Soundman & all-round great guy! Now based in Nashville, USA, Adrian has worked with everyone from The Chieftains to Maria McKee & on.....		Justin Healy Of 'The Glee Club' and 'Bungalow' - played drums with the Golden Horde for several shows before the arrival of second Horde drummer (proper) Tim McGrath.
	Daragh Toner Lighting Technician & Designer for the Golden Horde & An Emotional Fish.		Kieran MacGoldrick Guitar Technician with the Horde as well as a great musician in his own right!
	Eoin Foyle For a short time Tour Manager for the Horde. A good friend, now owner of several clubs, bars & restaurants in the UK & Ireland.		Carl Stephenson Close friend of the Horde's who was the original drummer for a short time! A budding young film maker & artist , Karl was tragically killed by a drunken driver at the all too young age of 23.
	Simon Walker The first drummer at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!		Begonia Perez Backing Vocalist at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!
	Steve Quilligen Clarinet Player at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!		Adrienne Foley Backing Vocalist at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!
	Simone Stephenson One of the backing vocalists at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!		Niamh McGovern Keyboard Player at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!
	Paul Bonner Saxophone Player at the very fist gig in the Hirschfield Centre in Dublin in 1982!		Robert Anton Wilson RIP. Collaborator on first LP. More here

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