The Complete Killdares Experience
By Pete Maher, Midwest Irish Focus
Published: August 1, 2011

When I first met The Killdares – at the 2010 Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo, Iowa – they had quite literally just finished the initial production of this multimedia package at a show in Dallas and they were understandably excited about it. And here we are, just about a year later, and it is very clear to me now why they were so excited.

That is because “The Killdares – Up Against The Lights” is the real deal. Not only is it a full-length concert video, exceptionally recorded, edited and produced – it is also a double CD of just about every favorite Killdares song or tune with a few previously unreleased stunners tossed in there as well. In both efforts, the talents of all band members are exceptionally well showcased.

From the lead singing and driving drumbeats of band founder Tim Smith and the highland piping of Matt Willis to the lyrical fiddle manipulations of Roberta Rast and the string-bending guitar solos of Brek Lancaster (all backed up on this occasion by some solid bass lines from guest band member Gavin Kelso), the two-disc collection from “Up Against The Lights” could stand out easily in anyone’s collection as a double album worth having all by itself. Including the intro, there are 21 tracks featuring songs written by the band, a cover or two and a number of incredible instrumentals.

The song list begins, naturally enough, with the band’s “Farewell to Decorum” anthem combined with “Spanner in the Works” and takes the listener through a lengthy set list including favorites such as “Everybody Loves a New Beginning,” an original arrangement of the traditional “Cutting Bracken,” a “Secrets of the Day/Gravel Walk” combination, fiddler Roberta Rast’s “Perfect Accident,” and even a cover of The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Each track captures perfectly the energy and showmanship The Killdares have honed through their almost 15 years of steadily touring around the country, yet never failing to return to their home base in Dallas, Texas.

But even, as the CD satisfies on such deep aural and emotional levels, the DVD portion of this multimedia extravaganza succeeds in taking that excitement one step further. First off, this is not some one-off performance but a solid two-hour, soup-to-nuts concert experience. With each song meticulously visually choreographed by solid camera placement, non-intrusive camera movement and effective, sometimes exceptional, editing, the production moves swiftly along, always offering the viewer some new visual treat along the way.

The overrall production also showcases each of the main members of the band, allowing each a fair amount of time in the spotlight yet not taking away from the feeling this is a band with no particular superstar aboard – just a fusion of exceptionally talented individuals coming together to entertain with a solid offering of music and enthusiasm.

One thing that did catch my attention on the DVD “extras” however, was a little visual experimentation that tugged at the imagination of an old filmmaker like myself. It was a re-edit of a track from the production – the classic “Whiskey in the Jar” – using footage shot completely by audience members (although I thought I spotted a shot or two from the “professional” footage here and there). Each shot gave credit to the photogrpaher who was taking the footage, whether it was with an iphone, “point and shoot” video camera or a higher-end DSLR. The end result, as much as I would delight to declare a complete cock-up as a former filmmaker, is actually quite a delightful compilation of footage you can only imagine a Killdares fan would replay again and again on their own home computer after having lovingly captured it at a show. In that sense, it is perhaps one of the best ways I have ever seen of truly capturing the “fan” experience on film.

Also included in the “extras” is an wonderful interview with the principal members of the band and not only gives the newcomer an introduction to the band but may offer an insight here and there for even the most well-versed follower of The Killdares as well as giving everyone some insight into the overall chemistry of a successful band.

The Killdares will be returning to the Iowa Irish Fest in Waterloo this year – with copies of “Up Against The Lights” available in their merch tent – and again I expect tp be right up front enjoying the show. But if you can’t get to Iowa in early August, there’s also the Kansas City Irish Fest over Labor Day weekend where The Killdares – one of the first bands to ever play at that particular festival – will be making their triumphant return. Either way, if you leave empty-handed you’ve only yourself to blame.