Popular pub band returns to local music scene after 25

GET those stone-washed jeans on, dust off those Docs, and don your favourite red and black striped shirt as ‘Double Trouble’ are returning to the local music scene after 25 long years… and you are invited to the rampant party of rock, rhythm, and radioactive nostalgia!

Comprising local musicians Micky T and Piwi McGartland, the two-piece pub favourites are launching their rich revival in the new Broderick’s Bar in Omagh next Friday (October 29), and the historic night, on the cusp of Halloween, promises to spellbind old and new fans alike.

Once one of the biggest and busiest bands on the block, the duo broke up in 1996, with each moving on to pursue alternative projects. And while musical paths frequently crossed in the intervening years, the pair never again performed as a duo… until the Covid-19 lockdown, which forced them – albeit willingly – back into each other’s musical orbit.

Therefore, the reincarnation of Double Trouble proves truly historic. And with the band’s new destiny waiting tantalisingly on Tyrone’s horizons, Piwi said that they can’t wait to let the good times roll!

“I always knew that one day we would get back together again,” he reflected. “We’re definitely ready to hit the road. We broke up in 1996, and 25 years later we reunited during lockdown – or should I say ‘rockdown’! – and we feel ready to go back out there again. We just want to get out there, rock and create brand new memories.”

FINEST PUB SCENE ROCKERS

Growing up in Culmore Park, Omagh, Piwi and Micky have been close friends from childhood. They had played together from the age of 17, when they formed their first band, Casper, and later were staple members of pop outfit, Noelle and Graffiti.

But it was in 1990 that Double Trouble burst onto the local music scene – and with a bang.

“We were looking around the pub scene at the time, and it was thriving,” Piwi recalled. “We were going to see different acts in the likes of McElroy’s and the Hogshead, and thought to ourselves: ‘We need to be doing this. This is the time to get into the pub scene’.”

So, the pair strung a set of songs together with country numbers from the likes of Hal Ketchum and Vince Gill, coupled with rock classics from Tom Petty and John Cougar Mellencamp and reggae tunes also mixed into the eclectic blend.

“Back then technology was very primitive: We were just using a drum machine, two guitars and two vocals, and everything was quite bare and raw,” he added. “We always classed ourselves as an ‘album band’.

“We never played the norm – the sort of songs a lot of people requested – we always wanted to do something different.”

With Double Trouble now their main source of income, and boasting a reputation of being one of the finest bands on the pub scene, the pair played venues throughout the North as well as crossing the border to fulfil wedding bookings.

“We were working Thursday to Sunday every week, and played the length and breadth of Ireland,” Piwi said. “Back in the early 90s the pub scene was the place to be. On one of our busiest years, we were out 330 days, and there was huge demand for us. Our following was massive.”

But with a supermassive following comes great expectations and even greater pressure. Eventually, the duo’s energy burned out – and like stars, they faded away after disbanding in ’96.

“We were just exhausted and needed a break,” recollected Piwi. “I headed off to Australia.”

‘NOW WE’RE BACK’

In the intervening years since Double Trouble, Micky and Piwi have appeared in a slew of other musical line-ups. As well as performing in pub bands, the Jukebox Junkies and Midnight Cowboys, in the mid-2000s Micky also headlined the mighty Boneshaker with Tommy Muldoon, Stevie Chesters, Raymie Devlin, Liam McGinty and Piwi.

Meanwhile, Piwi joined Larry Lowe in Urgent and also teamed up with his brother Dino and Emma Millar in Stagefright. He also played bass on Dino’s album, Hometown Blues. And for the past few years, Piwi has also been involved with the impossibly-titled Brothas from Otha Mothas, with Larry Lowe, James Mulligan and Dean McCombe.

Micky and Piwi did reunite around 2008, alongside Jerome McGlynn (guitar) and the late Tony Phillips (drums) who played an R’n’B set from the likes of Tom Petty, John Hiatt and Little Feat.

By the end of 2019, Micky and Piwi had been playing with Justin McGurk and the Boogie Men’s wedding band – Micky had been there for six years and Piwi had notched up four, and had just handed in his notice.

But when Covid struck and entertainment sunk to its knees, Piwi suggested reforming Double Trouble and Micky jumped at the chance.

“Now we’re back – and we’re ready to let the good times roll!” Piwi concluded.

l Double Trouble will make their rich revival in Broderick’s Bar, Omagh next Friday (October 29). Don’t miss it!