Mexican pets
Encyclopedia
Mexican Pets were formed by Pat Clafferty and Jill Hahn in Dublin, Ireland
in 1990 inspired by American bands such as Hüsker Dü
and Dinosaur Jr
. The two soon drafted the late Derrick Dalton in on bass whose distinct and accomplished style was an invaluable contribution to the bands sound. The band never featured a permanent drummer and a string of players graced the stool. Having made several demo recordings and playing extensive gigs around the country, they had their first break up. Each of its members pursued other musical interests until the spring of 1994 when they reformed. In that same year they found a permanent drummer in Fionan O Leary. Jill Hahn then moved to Manchester, replaced by Brian Gough on other guitar and organ. They recorded their first album Nobody's Working Title on Independent Records that summer and continued to play across the country.
It was then that Andy Cairns
from northern rockers Therapy?
released four singles on his label Blunt. Two of these singles featured the songs off the bands first record and 6 brand new songs were quickly penned for the final two. This was also released on CD format under the title "The Voice of Trucker Youth". Every one of the four singles was each awarded 'single of the week' by Hot Press
.
In 1995, Derrick Dalton left and was replaced by John Duff. The band began to play their first gigs in London, frequenting the infamous venues in Camden town and it was not long before they came to the attention of the legendary Seymour Stein
who came to see them play with The Poster Children and Steelpole Bathtub in London. 1996 saw The Pets tour in Germany
and the Netherlands
and several return visits to London
. In August of that year they recorded their final album Humbucker which featured a tougher guitar driven sound. The record was again funded by Cairns who had become an invaluable patron of the band.
Having promoted the record with a series of gigs and a brief tour of England
the band called it a day in May 1997.
In 2006, following discussions between Clafferty, O Leary and Gough, the band was kick started once more. The late Derrick Dalton, who was playing in the band Crumb, was asked if he would pick up his Bass once more. Thankfully he agreed.
The band wish to publicly thank Dave O'Grady for his tireless and challenging work in managing the band. We also wish to say thank you to Dan Oggly and Andy Cairns. Finally, it looks as if the band will never regroup again as a mark of respect to Derrick.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1990 inspired by American bands such as Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
and Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
. The two soon drafted the late Derrick Dalton in on bass whose distinct and accomplished style was an invaluable contribution to the bands sound. The band never featured a permanent drummer and a string of players graced the stool. Having made several demo recordings and playing extensive gigs around the country, they had their first break up. Each of its members pursued other musical interests until the spring of 1994 when they reformed. In that same year they found a permanent drummer in Fionan O Leary. Jill Hahn then moved to Manchester, replaced by Brian Gough on other guitar and organ. They recorded their first album Nobody's Working Title on Independent Records that summer and continued to play across the country.
It was then that Andy Cairns
Andy Cairns
Andrew James Cairns , is a founding member, singer, guitarist and songwriter for Therapy?, a hard rock band from Northern Ireland.- Therapy? :...
from northern rockers Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
released four singles on his label Blunt. Two of these singles featured the songs off the bands first record and 6 brand new songs were quickly penned for the final two. This was also released on CD format under the title "The Voice of Trucker Youth". Every one of the four singles was each awarded 'single of the week' by Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
.
In 1995, Derrick Dalton left and was replaced by John Duff. The band began to play their first gigs in London, frequenting the infamous venues in Camden town and it was not long before they came to the attention of the legendary Seymour Stein
Seymour Stein
Seymour Stein is an entrepreneur in the music industry who has been a part of the business since getting his first job as a clerk for Billboard magazine in 1958. Stein is a vice president of Warner Bros...
who came to see them play with The Poster Children and Steelpole Bathtub in London. 1996 saw The Pets tour in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
and several return visits to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In August of that year they recorded their final album Humbucker which featured a tougher guitar driven sound. The record was again funded by Cairns who had become an invaluable patron of the band.
Having promoted the record with a series of gigs and a brief tour of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
the band called it a day in May 1997.
In 2006, following discussions between Clafferty, O Leary and Gough, the band was kick started once more. The late Derrick Dalton, who was playing in the band Crumb, was asked if he would pick up his Bass once more. Thankfully he agreed.
The band wish to publicly thank Dave O'Grady for his tireless and challenging work in managing the band. We also wish to say thank you to Dan Oggly and Andy Cairns. Finally, it looks as if the band will never regroup again as a mark of respect to Derrick.
Albums
- Nobody's Working Title (1994)
- The Voice Of Trucker Youth (1996)
- Humbucker (1997)
Singles
- Subside (1995)
- How To Have More Fun (1995)
- Diana The Moon (1995)
- Where's My Pony / Mackerel Sky High (1995)
- Supermarket (1997)