By Daffs (TwoDaff)
Manchester based Gallahers Green are a four-piece UK rock band with a wide range of influences which include the Rolling Stones, Oasis, Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses and many more in between. They are set to release their latest single ‘Memphis’ on 7th October 2022. This track has added resonance and meaning, with the subject matter being close to their hearts. I caught up with band to find out more. Please read on as I am sure it will strike a chord with you.
Firstly, can I thank you for speaking to Awayday Radio and ask you to introduce the band and their roles?
Jon Olphert – Lead Singer and Rhythm Guitar.
Tom Stretton – Lead Guitar.
Ian Gallagher – Bass.
Tom Leather – Drums.
When did you get together and how did that come about?
Jon and Ian met whilst serving in the Royal Air Force in Iraq in 2008. The pair discovered a shared love of music and song writing and although playing in different bands, they stayed in touch and would often seek each other’s opinion on potential new original song ideas.
In 2017, whilst at a Guns N’ Roses concert in Dublin, the pair realised that they were both without bands for the first time and decided to form Gallaher’s Green. The band name came from an old brand of cigarettes called Gallaher’s De Luxe Green made by the Gallaher Tobacco Co in Northern Ireland. As a child Jon would hear local people refer to them as Gallaher’s Green and the name resonated with him.
Even when serving in different parts of the world the pair would send original song ideas to each other and continued to build their catalogue of songs. Once they had written and crafted the nucleus of the songs that would become their debut album ‘Lucky 13’ they began the hunt for new band members. In 2019, the band’s advertisement for a lead guitarist was answered by Tom Stretton from West Yorkshire. From the first ever rehearsal in January 2020, the band worked tirelessly on crafting the 13 tracks which were recorded over five days, the old school way at Blueprint Studios, Salford in July 2020.
What singles/albums have you previously released?
‘Our debut album ‘Lucky 13’ encompassed the broad spectrum of influences which inspired them and was released on 12th February 2021. Independently released and without any PR support the album has grown organically and continues to attract a worldwide audience with listeners in countries including US, UK, Japan, Italy and throughout South America. To date it has received over 112k listens on Spotify alone. We released the singles ‘Cut Right into Me’, ‘Feel So Real’, ‘Ballad of the One Eyed Bastard’ and ‘Not my Day to Die’. From our second album (not yet released) we have put out the singles ‘Catch the Sun’ and ‘The Way We Used To Be’
You have a new single Memphis coming out on October 7th and its special, can you tell me about the thinking behind it?
The song was inspired when a close friend and former colleague of our singer shared his experiences of being very seriously injured after stepping on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) whilst serving as a military working dog handler with his dog Memphis (See single Artwork) in Afghanistan in 2011. The lyrics of the song detail the former colleague recalling the moment he stepped on the IED, his treatment on the battlefield, to the helicopter rescue where his uniform was ripped off by medics and receiving two injections of morphine. He ultimately had to have his lower leg amputated and in turn was forced to leave the military.
So, this is a charity single. Where do the proceeds go? Can you tell me a bit about the charity?
To honour the message of the song we’ll be donating all the profits made by the band and the song from its release date of 7th October until 11th November, to RAF Benevolent Fund. So, all proceeds from iTunes and Amazon purchases of the song will be donated. As will all profits from band t shirt sales and CD sales of our debut album Lucky 13.
Where can the single be purchased?
All streaming outlets from Friday 7th October.
Also proceeds from album sales/merchandise are included, where can this be purchased.
From our website https://www.gallahersgreen.com/
You are also putting on a charity gig for the same cause, can you give me some details about it and what other artists are performing?
We’ll be putting on the gig at Taylor’s Shure 5 Studios alongside The Superlatives who have kindly agreed to join us on this and another band/artist yet to be announced. We’ll be posting further details in due course.
Is there a just giving page also?
Yes, this will go live on the day of release too.
Where else can people donate?
Nowhere else at present, however we might add a donation button to our Spotify page.
I was privileged to have a pre-release listen to the track…
Firstly, what I will say is that this song is hard hitting, knowing what the subject matter is it hits so hard. From the beginning the rumble of helicopters, the barrage of drums and the radio transmissions set the immediate scene and give an instant air of tension, you know this is going to mean something. Opening with an almost wailing guitar riff adds further tension leaving expectantly waiting for the opening line…” August 4 2011, the day my world turned upside down” and thats when it hits you…that opening line and its delivery made the hairs dance on the back of my neck, knowing the subject of the song.
“Hard hitting”
I won’t delve into the lyrics too much as I want you to hear it for yourselves, but its heartfelt, emotive and yet (pardon the pun) it’s a battle cry, a story of bravery, loyalty and patriotism, putting everything on the line only to be cast aside. However, they pack an enormous punch and I am sure will hit a nerve with many. From these lyrics you are instantly transported to that moment in time, they are so descriptive.
“Bravery, loyalty and patriotism”
Driven on by loud, energetic raucous guitars, pummelling drums and bass the song just builds and builds until we get a blistering solo that ends with more helicopters that leaves you immersed in the song. The track is packed with passion, emotion and high energy. Taking aside the subject matter, it is a magnificent track in its own right yet the story behind it makes it even more special.
“Leaves you immersed in the song”
Finally, I would like to say that this is a fantastic cause and what Gallahers Green are doing is a fantastic gesture, by giving something back to our forgotten heroes, whether a veteran suffers physical or mental damage or, may I add, leaves the forces fit and healthy there is very little assistance. It should not be down to the many marvellous charities out there to support who, in my eyes, are heroes whether on the battlefield or not, they have served to protect not only this country but many other countries in the process, they should never be forgotten.
I urge everyone to buy this single, album, merchandise or even better get out to the Gig with the Superlatives, lets help these men and women who give so much for us.
Find out much more here
https://linktr.ee/gallahers_green
