Spotlight Artists: Padraig Allen + McLean Avenue Band

Our next spotlight artists are The McLean Avenue Band, lead by Padraig Allen. Padraig is an accomplished veteran of the tri-state area's Irish music scene, and answers our questions below:
Band Lineup:
Padraig Allen - guitar/vocals
Buddy Connolly - keyboards/accordion/Whistles
Tony Ryan - drums/vocals
Joe Biancrosso - guitar/madolin/vocals
Jessica Semins - fiddle/harmonica/vocals
Vonnie Quinn - Fiddle/vocals
Pio Ryan - Banjo
How did your band's name come about?
McLean Avenue in Yonkers, NY. We have all lived there for a portion of our existence, whether it was for a year or 100 nights of fun. We felt it was a part of the band, so lets keep it as a part and call the band McLean Avenue.

How long have you been performing?
We decided to change the name to 'McLean Avenue' from "The Whole Shabang" in 2007.

Past lives (i.e., previous bands, your early years, etc.):
I have played with many different bands including, Mick Flavin, Jimmy Buckley, Sharon Turley, Derek Warfield from the Wolfe Tones, Dublin City Ramblers, Foster and Allen, The Prodigals and The Whole Shabang.

Musical influences:
James Taylor, Clancy Brothers, Rankin Family, John Fogerty.

Favorite venues to play:
Carnegie Hall, Cruise of Irish Stars, along with many of our Westchester NY, Jersey, Connecticut clubs too... Many thanks to you all.

Blatant self-promotion: What would you like to plug?
We have a new CD coming out in two weeks, "Easy & Free". It is McLean Avenue Band's first album and we are having a CD release party on Fri. March 25 in Vintage Lounge, White Plains, NY.
And then in May, The Glenrowan Tavern in Yonkers is celebrating the launch with there first Festival, featuring many guest artists including the Whole Shabang original line up from 1993. It is on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day 2011.

Linkage:
band website: McLeanAvenueBand.com
Padraig's website: PadraigAllen.com
facebook: mcleanavenueband

Where can we buy your music?
cdbaby.com or e-mail info@papaevents.com

Tell us a story or anecdote about performing live
In the middle of some of our shows, we have been known to play tunes away from the stage, on pillars or tables or wherever the tune brings us. One night in the middle of a show, I ran back stage and was making my way down to the audience, when I went thru an exit door and got locked out. The band had to come looking for me!! And the audience were jeering for a bit but I got a standing ovation after for efforts!!

Any advice to someone just starting out?
Build a song list you like to sing and people like to listen to and keep working at it!!

Can you recommend any other act(s) we should feature on MurphGuide?
Alan Gogerty, Steve Reilly, Dave Barckow

Upcoming Shows:
You can catch Padraig Allen solo or with McLean Avenue Band on several dates this month:
Thu. March 3: O'Neills, Norwalk, CT, 9.30pm
Sun. March 6: Molly Spillane's, Mamaroneck, NY 4pm
Sun. March 6: Fagan's Ale House, Yonkers, NY 8pm
Wed. March 9: Pig And Whistle, Times Square, NYC, 9 pm
Thu. March 10: American Irish Fund St. Patrick's Day, Tribeca Rooftop, NYC, 7-10pm
Fri. March 11 Mark Twain School, Yonkers NY, 7 pm.
Fri. March 11 Christy's Bar, New Haven, CT 10.30 pm (full McLean Ave Band)
Sat. March 12 Huntington Country Club, Huntington, NY. 8 pm
Sun. March 13 Eastchester St. Patricks Day Party, NY, 5pm
Fri. March 25 in Vintage Lounge, White Plains CD release party


Photos by Micheal Lenoard