Daft As Punk
A GOOD idea and a lot of neck has thrusted a man from the Kerries into the world of the rich and famous.
Armed with two helmets, Tralee’s Eugene McGrath and his friend James O’Malley have stepped into the spotlight vacated by reclusive electronic music giants Daft Punk and reaped the benefits of the French act’s super-stardom.
They were recently interviewed by dance music media behemoth ‘Ministry Of Sound’ (see the frequently funny video below) such is their star rising in the UK.
Continued below…
‘Daft As Punk’ are a Daft Punk tribute act, formed in Dublin by Eugene and James, out of the desperation of unemployment when the pair both lost their jobs five years ago.
Eugene was the one that came up with the idea of a Daft Punk tribute act simply because Daft Punk hardly perform live any more.
Since putting on those first few nights in the now defunct Pod nightclub in Dublin – ‘Daft as Punk’ have played all over Ireland and at festivals in Europe and the UK.
Daft as Punk doing their thing live.
Eugene McGrath, is now juggling life playing gigs and studying Veterinary Medicine in UCD, he spoke to us about his tribute act successes.
“It’s a bit of craic like. It’s paying the bills while I’m studying in Dublin, I won’t be quitting my veterinary studies over it or anything,” said Eugene.
Eugene was optimistic about the prospects of bringing the show to Tralee.
“We’re definitely going to do a homecoming show in Tralee at some stage, I’d love to do one up in Horans!” said Eugene
“I thought it would only last a year or two. We had played almost everywhere in Ireland, then we started getting gigs in the UK. We’ll keep it going as long as we can, the goal would be to get gigs in Ibiza or some place sunny, we’ll do it as long as its working,” said Eugene.
The duo have caught the eye of the music press in the UK. Dance music bible, Ministry of Sound, have even gone as far as meeting up with Eugene and James backstage at one of their recent shows for an interview.
In the interview (below), Eugene’s, patter and enthusiasm stands out, but perhaps too much for some, judging by the subtitles that were deemed necessary.
Check out the video below….
