The Driven
Encyclopedia
The Driven were an Irish
rock band, possibly best known for their 1996 single 'Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive'. Between 1995 & 1998, the band consisted of Brendan Markham (vocals, guitar), Darrin Mullins (lead guitar), Ned Kennedy (drums) and Paul Power (bass). Post 1998, Ned Kennedy was replaced by Christian Best. Three of the members later went on to form a group called Citizen.
The Drive played their first gig supporting Newcastlewest's 'Cloud 9' at the 1987 Rathkeale Soccer Club's annual dinner. The gig was a success and the band's next public performance was in a talent show in Foynes. The Drive won the competition and with it a cheque for £100.
The band were then approached by Ollie Hartnett (a local milkman) who expressed an interest in managing the band, this offer was accepted by the members and Ollie set about booking the band's future shows. One of these included entering the band in the 1988, Heineken search for a star competition which was held during the Rose of Tralee festival. The Drive won and with it were presented with £1000.
After a while Ollie and the band parted company but the band went on to come third in the Hot Press band of 1989 competition held at O'Henry's in Cork City. The Drive secured a summer residency in Kiely's bar, Ballybunion.
The band recorded their first demo at Limerick's Xeric studios under the keen eye of Pearse Gilmore, who later went on to help The Cranberries secure their first recording contract. Over the next few years the band changed lineup and recorded demo tracks at Xeric studios but attracted little other than local interest.
The band re-formed as 'Rubbergutt' in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick in 1995 with Brendan Markham (vocals, guitar), Ned Kennedy (drums), Darren Mullins (guitar, vocals) and Paul Power (bass, vocals). The group found themselves inspired by the Nirvana MTV acoustic session and set about recording the now legendary 'Rubbergutt - A Day in the Life' demo at a small studio at Knapps Quay, Cork.
The band received very positive reaction to the Rubbergutt recordings including a Hot Press demo review that awarded the recording the accolade of one of the year's best demo's. However the band split in late 1995 at which point Brendan & Darren travelled to London with the recording in their pockets.
In London, Brendan & Darren were very quickly offered a recording contract with Polydor after a friend, Tim Artingstall introduced them to Pete & Nikki of DeMac Ltd, who played the demo to Lucian Grange. The Rubbergutt demo become known as 'The Cork Session' and was widely regarded as being a recording that showed the band had great potential and that Brendan was a songwriter with unique talent. The band reformed in London as 'The Driven' with Paul Power being replaced by Noel Brennan but within months Paul returned to the fold and Noel left.
The band spent 1996-97 touring all over the U.K. and Europe supporting Skunk Anansie, Stereophonics, The Levellers and Kula Shaker amongst others whilst promoting their eponymously titled debut album. The album was recorded at Westside Studios, Holland Park, London and was produced by John Kelly.
The album was released in France and other European countries but never made the record stores in either Ireland or the U.K.
In 1998 the band's recording contract was terminated by Polydor and the band split. Brendan, Paul & Darren remained in Ireland and re-formed over the next few years in various guises. At this point, Ned Kennedy re-located to London and is now a forensic scientist.
In 2010, Darren and Paul formed 'Pavlov's Dog's and released their debut album in 2011.
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...
rock band, possibly best known for their 1996 single 'Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive'. Between 1995 & 1998, the band consisted of Brendan Markham (vocals, guitar), Darrin Mullins (lead guitar), Ned Kennedy (drums) and Paul Power (bass). Post 1998, Ned Kennedy was replaced by Christian Best. Three of the members later went on to form a group called Citizen.
History
Prior to forming The Driven in 1987 (known as The Drive at the time), Brendan had been the driving force behind the town of Rathkeale's first modern rock group, 'A Clockwork Orange'. This group had Brendan on vocal's, Pat Madigan on drum's, Niall Mooney on guitar and Peter O' Connor on bass. After 'A Clockwork Orange' split (circa 1985), Brendan left Ireland for Greece and on his return in 1987, approached Pat Madigan, Ned Kennedy and Noel Brennan with the idea of forming a new rock group. They all accepted and 'The Drive' was born.The Drive played their first gig supporting Newcastlewest's 'Cloud 9' at the 1987 Rathkeale Soccer Club's annual dinner. The gig was a success and the band's next public performance was in a talent show in Foynes. The Drive won the competition and with it a cheque for £100.
The band were then approached by Ollie Hartnett (a local milkman) who expressed an interest in managing the band, this offer was accepted by the members and Ollie set about booking the band's future shows. One of these included entering the band in the 1988, Heineken search for a star competition which was held during the Rose of Tralee festival. The Drive won and with it were presented with £1000.
After a while Ollie and the band parted company but the band went on to come third in the Hot Press band of 1989 competition held at O'Henry's in Cork City. The Drive secured a summer residency in Kiely's bar, Ballybunion.
The band recorded their first demo at Limerick's Xeric studios under the keen eye of Pearse Gilmore, who later went on to help The Cranberries secure their first recording contract. Over the next few years the band changed lineup and recorded demo tracks at Xeric studios but attracted little other than local interest.
The band re-formed as 'Rubbergutt' in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick in 1995 with Brendan Markham (vocals, guitar), Ned Kennedy (drums), Darren Mullins (guitar, vocals) and Paul Power (bass, vocals). The group found themselves inspired by the Nirvana MTV acoustic session and set about recording the now legendary 'Rubbergutt - A Day in the Life' demo at a small studio at Knapps Quay, Cork.
The band received very positive reaction to the Rubbergutt recordings including a Hot Press demo review that awarded the recording the accolade of one of the year's best demo's. However the band split in late 1995 at which point Brendan & Darren travelled to London with the recording in their pockets.
In London, Brendan & Darren were very quickly offered a recording contract with Polydor after a friend, Tim Artingstall introduced them to Pete & Nikki of DeMac Ltd, who played the demo to Lucian Grange. The Rubbergutt demo become known as 'The Cork Session' and was widely regarded as being a recording that showed the band had great potential and that Brendan was a songwriter with unique talent. The band reformed in London as 'The Driven' with Paul Power being replaced by Noel Brennan but within months Paul returned to the fold and Noel left.
The band spent 1996-97 touring all over the U.K. and Europe supporting Skunk Anansie, Stereophonics, The Levellers and Kula Shaker amongst others whilst promoting their eponymously titled debut album. The album was recorded at Westside Studios, Holland Park, London and was produced by John Kelly.
The album was released in France and other European countries but never made the record stores in either Ireland or the U.K.
In 1998 the band's recording contract was terminated by Polydor and the band split. Brendan, Paul & Darren remained in Ireland and re-formed over the next few years in various guises. At this point, Ned Kennedy re-located to London and is now a forensic scientist.
In 2010, Darren and Paul formed 'Pavlov's Dog's and released their debut album in 2011.
Discography
- The Driven (Album) Polydor 539271-2
- Secret Police (CD single) Polydor 571351-2
- Secret Police (7" vinyl) Polydor 571350-7
- Seubles And Mushes (CD single) Polydor 577683-2
- Seubles And Mushes (10" vinyl) Polydor 577683-0
- Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive (CD single) Polydor 5752252
- Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive (7" vinyl) Polydor 5752247
Chart positions
- "Jesus Loves You More if You Can Drive" (UK #194)
- "Monkey in a Cage" (UK #162)
- "Secret Police" (UK #179)