Eire óg

[Connolly]

I dont imagine I would agree with their politics, but the music if pretty good.

Eire Og

"Sam song" (Surface to Air Missile Song)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fTswtqxMtE0&mode=related&search=

"Londons Derry"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ifz6k2pvKdc

"Go on home british soilders"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Or8Sfy3JlM&mode=related&search=

"Disband the RUC"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0YmILgwOBiE&mode=related&search=

"Sunday Bloody Sunday"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FyJCcXOVAC8&mode=related&search=

Lots more on Youtube if you search...

[praxis1966]

Well, Eire Og really isn't a they, it's just Gary Og who performs with various guest musicians at times under that name. There hasn't been an Eire Og for years now. I've just been getting into him lately (I have 'The SAM Song' and 'Ten Brave Men' on my MySpace).

My question is, why wouldn't you be into his politics? I would think that any hardline leftist such as yourself would be anti-colonialist and as such support his message (that being Irish Republicanism). Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

[Connolly]

My question is, why wouldn't you be into his politics? I would think that any hardline leftist such as yourself would be anti-colonialist and as such support his message (that being Irish Republicanism). Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Well, I am an Irish republican socialist. Not all republicans are socialist, many take a very religious perspective of the conflict, others take a strictly nationalist approach (take a look at StormF or Irish-Nationalism for that).

From his music (and the songs I have heard), I dont hear much talk of socialism. There's alot of nationalism, and songs with divinely inspired titles.

The only republican organisation I hear him supporting are Sinn fein and the provo's. Now I know you have a SF avatar, and so I am stepping on thin ice here :P , but I dont think Sinn Fein are socialist.

Their recent sellout up the north, and their dropping of their policies down here in the south simply to gain favourship with the conservative parties - aint that radical - and it certainly aint socialist.

So I imagine he would be a supporter of Sinn Fein - which I am not. I oppose the establishment - they dont.

The songs have been probably written in the 80s early 90s?? - so maybe his politics have changed. Or maybe he dosnt sing anymore seeing his songs dont have much relevence. Either way - I judge his politics based on the songs available to me.

[Redmau5]

I grew up with rebel songs, listening to the likes of the Wolfe Tones, Eire Og, Charlie and the boys etc. Although I don't support most forms of republicanism (with republican socialism being the exception, as the two go hand in hand), I always love a good sing song with the old rebel tunes. Everytime Celtic play Rangers, or on Easter Sunday, the Felons bar (which is a republican club) always play the rebel songs. It's great when you're pissed :D .

[praxis1966]

Actually, Republican Sinn Fein is socialist (see their position on health care, for instance), and I fail to see how they've sold out the North. They've been pushing for the issuance of a Green Paper more agressively than any of the other parties save maybe the IRSP, and been at the fore of most other issues where the North is concerned (housing, jobs, policing, etc). As far as their politics in the South, well, I'm what you'd call a Wild Goose, and it's pretty difficult to get reliable information on this side of the pond so on that I really couldn't comment.

Besides, Og supported the Provos, and their stated goals were about the same as the INLA as far as I knew. So, again, I don't really know what your problem with him is.

Like you've said, though, his politics since the disarmament could've changed. He doesn't perform live all that often, as far as I know, and I can't say that I've ever read an interview with him.