Those Nervous Animals

Those Nervous Animals are an Irish rock band from Sligo, Ireland. Formed in 1981, the original membership consisted of lead vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist Barry Brennan, guitarist Padraig Meehan, bassist Eddie Lee and percussionist Cathal Hayden.

Those Nervous Animals
Background information
OriginSligo, Ireland
GenresPop
Years active1981–1989
1993 – present
LabelsDead Fly Records, Tara Records, Danceline
MembersChristy Behan
Cathal Hayden
Eddie Lee
Barry Brennan
Padraig Meehan
Seamie McGowan
Susan Rowland

The band released six singles, including their only EP Hyperspace which was released in 1985. The band currently come together to do sporadic gigs.

History

Formation and early years

Barry Brennan and Padraig Meehan met in Sligo art college and they were then joined by Eddie Lee on bass. The band were named following a word-play game in a Sligo restaurant.[1] The band's original songs are a mixture of funky, radio-friendly pop tunes, and a selection of quirky material with an ironic or humorous twist. Their material may have been influenced by Talking Heads. The band was originally managed and produced by Riverdance composer, Bill Whelan. At the peak of their success, Those Nervous Animals were a major draw in Ireland, filling the Baggot Inn, Dublin, regularly on a Thursday night and performing on the bill at Self Aid in 1986. They also played The Stadium, the SFX and venues all around the country. Those Nervous Animals never played or released records outside Ireland.

The band released six singles, including Just What the Sucker Wanted, The Business Enterprise (My Friend John), How Does the Shopper Feel? and Damien.[2] The early singles were on their own Dead Fly label (Dead Fly being a Sligo slang for someone who is sharp). Some of these are included on their one EP, entitled Hyperspace released on Tara Records.

Band reunion

The three core TNA members Pádraig Meehan, Eddie Lee and Barry Brennan [3] steered the band through a number of personnel changes over the years. This trio also contributed the songs that characterised the Animals style. Among the performers associated with the band is Clonmel keyboard player John Tobin, who played the jazz solo on How does the Shopper Feel? and the French percussionist (now deceased) Pascale Benadjoud. Susan Rowland regularly provided vocals; at various times Flo McSweeney, Maura O’Connell and Helen Walshe performed vocal backing with TNA. The band had strong associations with the Sligo pub, Hennigans of Wine Street, where they played and socialised in the 1980s.

Having toured in Ireland for a number of years the group disbanded in 1988,[3] but since 1994 they have performed together regularly on a part-time basis. Those Nervous Animals returned with a tour and a CD Single, Rocket Ship in 1994, on Danceline Records.[3] In 2002 Tom Dunne of Today FM put the song The Business Enterprise (My Friend John) on his Top 30 Irish Hits Volume 2 collection. Today FM listeners voted the song number 16 among the best Irish singles of all time. In 2003 Those Nervous Animals contributed a new track - Polar Bear - to the Simpatico album, in honour of the late Finn Corrigan, musician and sound engineer. The song Hyperspace was featured on the album Quare Groove Vol.1 released in 2018 by All City Records.

Personnel

Original Members (1981–83)
  • Vocals, guitar, keyboards– Barry Brennan
  • Guitar – Padraig Meehan
  • Bass – Eddie Lee
  • Drums – Christy Behan
  • Percussion – Cathal Hayden

Discography

Extended plays
Year EP details
1985 Hyperspace [2]
  • Released: 18 November 1985
  • Label: Tara Records
  • Formats: LP

Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
UK IRE NLD NZ US Alt.
1983 "Just What the Sucker Wanted" — — — — —
1984 "The Business Enterprise (My Friend John)" - 9 — — —
1986 "How Does the Shopper Feel?" — — — — —
"Damien" — — — — —
1994 "Rocket Ship" — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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References
  1. "How Those Nervous Animals got their ridiculous name". Sligo Champion. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  2. "Irish Punk and New Wave Discography". irishrock.org. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  3. "Those Nervous Animals are ready to roar again". Sligo Weekender. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
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