The Saw Doctors

Mixing their Irish roots with good-time pub rock, The Saw Doctors emerged in the late 1980s full of raucous, heart-on-sleeve spirit to become one of Ireland's most celebrated bands of the era. Coming to attention as a support act for The Waterboys and Hothouse Flowers, the group's second single I Useta Lover topped the Irish charts for nine weeks and became their biggest singalong anthem. Led by ex-punks Leo Moran and Davy Carton, albums If This Is Rock And Roll I Want My Old Job Back (1991) and All The Way From Tuam (1992) helped build an avid following in the their home country, but it was Same Oul' Town (1996) that crossed over and reached Number 6 in the UK charts. Other high points came with Number 1 Irish singles Hay Wrap, About You Now and Downtown as well as Never Mind The Strangers, which was used in a huge advertising campaign for Harp Lager all across the US. Still touring and recording regularly, the group remain firm favourites in Ireland despite the loss of keyboard and accordion player Tony Lambert, who retired in 1993 after winning the National Lottery.