Horslips Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1970

Originally the band formed after they were talked into being a fake band for a Harps Lager commercial in 1970. They enjoyed doing this so much that they decided to turn the pretend band into a real band and added guitar player Declan Sinnott as well as Gene Mulvaney.

Originally they called themselves Horslypse. They decided to make everything legit and professional on Saint Patrick's Day in 1972. Having dumped Mulvaney, they released their first single on their own label.

Answer: An Irish button accordion

The octagonal, dye-cut gatefold sleeve is a photo of an Irish button accordion. It was reissued a few years back in Japan as an exact replica "mini lp cd". that looks amazing and has all the elements of the first vinyl pressing intact. If dye cut covers are your thing this album is just about the ultimate dye cut cover (offhand I cannot think of a more intricate one - the vinyl version must have cost a small fortune to manufacture).

The cover also included the lyrics printed on octagonal pages as the booklet included in the gatefold. Seriously people: you have got to cop a visual on this album at least once in your life.

The album was originally issued by the band on their own 'Oats' label in 1972.

Answer: An Bratach Bán

Like I said: quoting lyrics as a general means to pad out a quiz is not my usual go-to, but in the case of Horslips I am somewhat forced to do so. Fortunately in the case of the track 'An Bratach Bán', if you have ever heard their debut album this track stands out and although my memory is totally show due to some strokes last year, I can actually still remember the name of this track as it's one of the catchiest tracks on the album.

The song itself appears to be a rocked up traditional Irish jig and is as much fun as a maggoty bogmonster. Trust me: if you've ever heard it the title might well stick in your head as well.

Answer: 'The Book Of Invasions' and 'Aliens'

Yeppers: they got a substantial amount of airplay in Los Angeles on KROQ (seriously. KROQ was not always a "Rock of the Eighties" thing. I heard Marshall Tucker Band on KROQ for the first time as well way back when!), KWST and I think even KMET back in 1976 and 1977.

They also headlined at the West Hollywood club 'The Starwood' (one of the highest capacity clubs in LA prior to the "Country Club' in Reseda and 'The Palace' in Hollywood).

Answer: The late nineties (1990s)

Once they were viewed as the fathers of Irish Rock (You thought that title was Thin Lizzy's didn't you? Be honest) there was a big interest in the band again and they then reformed for some reunion shows. They have had a number of reunion shows since then.

The band has had a number of reunions since they broke up including a mini acoustic show in March 2004 (their first public appearance in 24 years for a Horslips memorabilia exhibit in Derry), and a December 2005 show in front of an invited audience for a TV special.

In 2009 they reunited for two 'open public' shows at the Arena in Dublin and the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, in June 2012 they appeared as the headline act at the Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon and in 2014 in Limerick County.

Answer: 1980

In 1980 they gave up and split. Some of this might be due to their problems with their manager or they just plain might have felt they had gone as far as they could.

Answer: The Táin

'The Táin' might very well be the very first Irish Rock concept album. It centered around 'Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley)', which is perhaps one of the most infamous legends of early Irish literature. It deals with the war between Ulster and Connacht - a war over a prize bull! YOU try and write a concept album about that! The original 1973 vinyl pressing included a very limited edition poster.

Answer: The band won a court case and received all of their copyrights returned to them along with a substancial financial settlement.

For whatever reasons there almost always seems to be somebody out there willing to screw a band out of as much as they possibly can (one of the many reasons I always say: "If you have a band then do EVERYTHING yourself and reap ALL of the rewards. Do not trust an outsider to do right by you."). Horslips were no exception to this rule.

Answer: Tall Tales

The book, 'Tall Tales: The Official Biography' was published on February 3, 2014 and was written by Mark Cunningham. Unfortunately other than what I have written here I cannot mention anything further about the book (I did not even know there was a book about this band until researching questions for the quiz earlier today!) as I have not purchased a copy yet and I can find no further info about it.

The two reviews I can find on Amazon give it 5 out of 5 stars, so it's probably well worth owning.

Answer: The last recordings of the band (prior to their reformation) were made at shows in Belfast.

The band were loved throughout their country and rightfully so. Before their initial split they recorded some concerts at the Whitla Hall in Belfast April and May 1980. Soon afterwards they played their final show on October 12, 1980 at the Ulster Hall.

It was not announced ahead of time or at the show that this would be their last show. They just came onstage for their encore and covered The Rolling Stones' "The Last Time" and that was it until their reunion(s).