Trouble Pilgrims were formed after Philip Chevron’s illness forced him to retire from performing with The Radiators from Space. They were named after the band’s third album Trouble Pilgrim with a line-up of Pete Holidai, Steve Rapid, Johnny Bonnie, Tony St Ledger and Bren Lynott. Trouble Pilgrims then released a now much sought-after debut 7” single which featured a version of Animal Gang Blues and stage favourite Bo Diddley’s Who Do You Love. They subsequently released a number of singles for their two albums.
The band then began to build an enviable reputation for exciting, hi-energy shows at such venues as Whelans, The Grand Social, The Workman’s Club, Vicar Street, The Academy, The Olympia Theatre and at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Kilkenny Roots Festival and Forest Fest – of which 1000GigGuy wrote “Worth the admission fee all on its own.” They headlined a number of prestigious shows or supported such notable artists as The Undertones, The Boomtown Rats, Daddy Long Legs, The Blades and Tom Robinson.
Trouble Pilgrims began to focus on featuring new written all original material in their set and release two full length acclaimed albums on CD, Vinyl and download. Dark Shadows and Rust was followed this year by Blood, Glass and Gasoline. Both were critically very well received:
- This is a stunning debut (Dark Shadows and Rust) from a band in complete control of their craft- Vive La Rock
- It’s not just one of the greatest albums of Irish rock, it’s a milestone – Hope Collective
- Peppering these tracks with killer riffs and nifty melodies – The Irish Times
- Trouble Pilgrims have their own unique brand of energy fuelled rock ‘n’ roll – Entertainment.ie
- (8/10) Punk Heroes – Hot Press
- This album (Blood Glass and Gasoline) foregrounds roots, passion and life worn experience – Vive La Rock
Trouble Pilgrims continue to bring their mix of influences including primal rock ’n’ roll, punk, space age sounds and killer riffs into the future and they look forward to playing the Alternative Sunday Social in the Grand Social and this year’s Forest Fest at Emo 2024, as well selected venues in the coming months.
About the Alternative Sunday Social Club
The Alternative Sunday Social Club was created so that music fans can enjoy some top tunes on the last afternoon of the weekend. Since we launched at the beginning of 2015 we’ve hosted gigs by The 4 of Us, Rocky DeValera (front man of legendry Dublin bands The Gravediggers and The Rhythm Kings), The Business, Brush Shield’s Skid Row, Trouble Pilgrims (formerly The Radiators from Space), Vulpynes, The Lookalikes, Jazzabelles, Duncan Maitland, The Thrash Blues, Eileen Gogan and the Instructions, The Winters, TV Smith (The Adverts), Strand, Mike Brookfield, Protex, Niall Toner and The Outcasts. We’ve had music from right across the spectrum with rock, guitar pop, punk, Americana, blues and ska and we’ve grown our crowd by word of mouth with all ages dropping by on Sunday afternoons. For the band they get the kick of their early live shows, and the audience gets to enjoy the music and the musician up-close and personal. It’s cheap, cheerful and above all fun for everybody who comes along. This isn’t thousands of people in a converted warehouse; this is dozens of people enjoying music the way it was meant to be seen and heard.
www.facebook.com/Alternative-Social-Clubs
Trouble Pilgrims with support from Bitzy
Sunday, July 14th Doors 4.00pm Tickets €15
Advance tickets available from Universe: https://tinyurl.com/3uepnf2s
The Grand Social, 35 Liffey Street Lower, Dublin 1
