October 16, 2006
San Francisco, CA -

Culann's Hounds Release The Blackthorn Tavern for veterans support

100% of proceeds from Year of the Dog B-side go to the National Veterans Foundation.

Culann's Hounds, San Francisco's hard rocking, acoustic Irish band, announced the release of a new track, The Blackthorn Tavern, with proceeds going to the National Veterans Foundation (www.nvf.org). The Royalties Group, a non-profit that promotes musician philanthropy, is the inspiration for releasing the b-side track. It was a headlining performance at Slim's in San Francisco that kicked off the philanthropic relationship with the NVF; the August 12th event with local rockers Wilson Gil and the Willful Sinners raised over $1,300 for veterans support.

"We think the services the NVF provide are incredibly important and we feel honored to be able to give something, most especially our heartfelt thanks, to American war veterans," says Steve Gardner, fiddler for The Hounds.

The four basic ingredients of this self-described "punk-Irish-hoe down" are Gardner, Renee de la Prade (button accordion), Mike Kelleher (guitar), and Scott Marshall (bodhrán). And all realms, Irish and other, are better for their experience. "When we were recording 'Year of the Dog,' we wanted to kick back a little respect for letting us cut our teeth as musicians there so we named that track after the bar," notes Gardner. "Unfortunately, that track The Blackthorn Tavern (exclusively unveiled via the Royalties Group) got cut from the final version of the album. I was dismayed, though I knew it was the right decision. The track is every bit as good as anything on the album. In fact, Conall O'Raghallaigh's pipe solo on the tune is one of my favorite moments of anything we have recorded."

Through it all, there is an underlying, controlled energy-a hallmark of the group's live performances. Gardner ties it back to the inspiration for the group's name. Cuchullainn was an epic warrior in Irish legend. "We embody a certain brash, perhaps over enthusiastic quality that might be attributed to Cuchullainn," he says. "I like the connection because deep inside me, I still love the hero tales and the faerie stories. I believe they are hidden wellsprings of cultural wisdom. We try to reframe these ideas in ancient tribal urban folk."

This new endeavor continues Culann's Hounds contributions to charitable causes. Culann's Hounds first cd, Culann's Hounds has raised over $2,700 for SIDS support and research groups.

The Blackthorn Tavern is available for download at CDFreedom.com. Culann's Hounds cds are available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com. The group's website is at www.sfhounds.com.