A self-confessed childhood with its moments of mischief led to brothers Adam and Martin Culleton often being dubbed ‘curs.’
Rather than take umbrage at the tag, they used it to name their rock band, Cur Dogs.
“Many dogs that are called curs are usually deemed aggressive and hostile, likely to pounce at any second,” said Adam.
Reared “on the bog” outside Mountmellick, the brothers are in their early 20s and grew up playing guitar and listening to blues songs like Stevie Ray Vaughan and B.B. King.
The band was founded during Covid but Adam, the lead singer who works in a hotel, and Martin who is studying engineering in Galway University, have been playing together all their lives.
Adam is the lead singer as well as rhythm guitarist while Martin is on lead guitar and backing vocals.
Oran Conneelly from Galway who is a production technician, is the drummer while bass and keyboard player, Donnacha O’Dwyer, works as an electronic engineer.
“The music of Cur Dogs is deeply influenced by two forces: blues and grunge. We also draw influence from Irish folk and Americana to create a truly original sound with sweet yet gritty guitar tones and soulful solos,” Adam outlined.
Elaborating, he doesn’t mince his words. “We are very much opposed to the over produced nonsense that you hear on the radio today where the songs have been written by 15 Swedish guys.
“We want to bring a bit of rawness back to Irish music. ‘90s music to us is the epitome of what music should sound like.”
Cur Dogs have played around the country, from busking on the streets of Kilkenny and Galway – the Roisin Dubh, Aras na nGael, Ol55, Crowe’s Bar and The Loft – to the BelloBar in Dublin and Electric Picnic.
“For the last three years we have played all around Laois and Galway primarily, doing a lot of cover gigs in pubs such as Kavanagh’s pub and the Sally Gardens, Portlaoise and Turley’s pub, Mountmellick.
“Now we are trying to shift more towards original music. Playing at Electric Picnic in 2023 was our favourite gig.
“We had no drummer and bass player at the time so it was just me and Martin and two guitars. We would love to get the chance to play again this year. We are playing at Forest Fest in Emo on July 20,” said Adam.
“We recorded our debut songs in June and hope to release them in September. Stay tuned for the release gigs which will likely be in Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Galway. Check out our Instagram or TikTok at curdogsmusic to get an idea of our sound,” he said.
“We just love getting up and feeling the musical connection we have with each other when we are playing. The feeling is unmatched. It’s addictive.
“We are going to keep writing and playing as much as possible. Hopefully a few people like our sound and want to come see us play. Any support means the world to us.”
