Black 47 (band)

Black 47

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1989 in New York City, United States
Founder	Larry Kirwan, Chris Byrne
Defunct	2014
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Area served	International
Key people	Larry Kirwan, Chris Byrne, Geoffrey Blythe, Joseph "Bearclaw" Burcaw, Thomas Hamlin, Joseph Mulvanerty, Fred Parcells
Products	Music albums, live performances

Black 47 was a Celtic rock ensemble originating from New York City, established in 1989 by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne. The band's name references the most devastating year of the Great Irish Famine. Known for their links to Irish republican ideals and progressive political views, they paved the way for groups like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. The band ceased activities in 2014.

Origins

At 19, Kirwan relocated from Wexford to New York City and played with various bands before joining forces with Byrne, who was then serving as a Brooklyn police officer, in 1989. Although initially met with skepticism due to the combination of Kirwan’s electric guitar and Byrne’s traditional Irish instruments, the group gained momentum after adding Geoff Blythe (formerly of Dexy's Midnight Runners), Fred Parcells, and Thomas Hamlin a year later. They began performing regularly at Paddy Reilly's bar on Manhattan’s East Side, playing between three and five nights each week. Black 47 quickly earned recognition for their politically charged lyrics and energetic performances, drawing a diverse fan base. Kirwan described the band as "formed to be political," with socialist themes appealing to some listeners, while songs reflecting everyday American experiences resonated with more conservative groups such as "cops, firemen and construction workers."

Rise to Prominence

Their initial significant success arrived with their debut cassette Home of the Brave, released during a 1990 St. Patrick's Day event at Reilly's. Frank Murray, known for managing The Pogues, signed them to his newly founded label. That December, they supported The Pogues at London's Brixton Academy. Following the collapse of Murray’s label, Black 47 independently issued a self-titled album in 1991, which caught the attention of EMI. Collaborating with Ric Ocasek from The Cars, they re-recorded parts for their 1992 album Fire of Freedom, earning comparisons to artists like Kevin Rowland and Bruce Springsteen. Their single "Funky Céilí (Bridie's Song)" received substantial MTV rotation, marking their commercial breakthrough and illustrating how Irish music could merge with rock elements. The track "Black 47" addressed the Irish famine and sparked debate among traditionalist fans. Later albums included Home of the Brave in 1994, produced by Jerry Harrison, followed by Green Suede Shoes in 1996 after switching from EMI to Mercury Records.

During the late 1990s, Black 47 performed approximately 150 shows annually, balancing tours with frequent gigs at Reilly's. However, they encountered challenges such as personal tragedies and limited acceptance in the UK market due to their political views on Northern Ireland. A notable incident occurred during a 1996 St. Patrick's Day concert when an off-duty police officer’s shooting resulted in injuries to two women near the band's tour management and members. In 1997, sound engineer Johnny Byrne—honored through "Johnny Byrne's Jig"—passed away after a fall shortly after collaborating with Kirwan on children's music. Additional misfortunes included Thomas Hamlin’s apartment being destroyed by fire, Kevin Jenkins retiring following a tour-related car accident, and John Murphy dying after a motorcycle crash left him in a coma. These experiences influenced the song "Those Saints" on their 2000 album Trouble in the Land. That same year saw the release of their compilation Ten Bloody Years, commemorating their decade together and marking Johnny Byrne’s amicable exit to pursue his solo project, Seanchai and the Unity Squad.

Post Byrne

Following Byrne’s exit, Black 47 entered an unofficial pause in recording but maintained a steady schedule of live shows, shaped by the impact of 9/11 and shifts in the band’s lineup. Their 2004 release, New York Town, captured the essence of New York City before and after the tragic events, paying tribute to victims like FDNY chaplain Mychal Judge in the track "Mychal". The group regularly performed at Connolly's Pub in Manhattan, with Kirwan describing these concerts as powerful emotional outlets for fans coping with loss. Critics praised New York Town for its vivid portrayals of everyday life in New York, drawing parallels to Joyce’s Dubliners. Contributions from guest artists David Johansen and Christine Ohlman enriched the album, compensating for Kirwan’s vocal limitations.

In 2005, Black 47 released Elvis Murphys Green Suede Shoes, which complemented Kirwan’s memoir, Green Suede Shoes - An Irish-American Odyssey. The following year, they commemorated their sixteen-year journey with the greatest hits compilation Bittersweet Sixteen. Despite some lyrical inconsistencies, Elvis Murphy was lauded for its emotional resonance. Meanwhile, Bittersweet Sixteen offered both new listeners a comprehensive introduction and longtime followers a collection featuring rare tracks such as the original "Funky Céilí".

Prior to the 2003 Iraq invasion, Black 47 was vocally anti-war, weaving political commentary into their performances. The announcement of the conflict elicited mixed responses from audiences; some fans departed due to the band’s progressive lyrics. In 2008, they released Iraq, an album of anti-war songs inspired by Kirwan’s exchanges with fans serving on the front lines—many young supporters had enlisted driven by economic necessity. Kirwan viewed this album as a reaction to the war’s diminishing media attention, drawing comparisons to the protracted violence experienced in Northern Ireland.

The 2010 album Bankers and Gangsters marked a shift back toward broader subject matter with less emphasis on political themes than its predecessor. While some reviewers considered it a cautious effort lacking innovation, it was generally commended for Kirwan’s compelling storytelling and the band’s vigorous energy. Kirwan credits his playwriting background for his narrative approach in songs like "Bobby Sands MP", likening his delivery to method acting. This album is often regarded as one of their finest works, noted for incisive social critique and a blend of musical styles.

Politics

A 1993 article in Time magazine spotlighted Black 47's music for its distinctive "proletariat passion."

Irish Republicanism

Throughout their career, Black 47 maintained a strong connection to Irish republicanism, reflected in their name—a reference to the darkest year of the Great Famine—and their politically charged repertoire. Songs such as “Vinegar Hill” and “Home of the Brave” honored figures like James Connolly and Bobby Sands, while their fusion of rock, reggae, and traditional Irish sounds explored themes including identity, class struggle, diaspora, and historical memory. Frontman Larry Kirwan, hailing from Wexford, attributed his political perspective to his Irish republican upbringing. Embedding politics into their music remained central to Black 47’s vision despite limiting their mainstream appeal.

Kirwan was forthright in condemning British colonial policies in Ireland, calling them an "attempt at racial cleansing," and criticized Britain’s neglect in reforming economic structures that exacerbated famine and emigration. The band’s overt political message restricted their exposure in the UK and attracted criticism from more neutral listeners. Their tracks “James Connolly”, “Bobby Sands MP”, and “Vinegar Hill” clearly conveyed their allegiances, leading some observers to dub them "the musical wing of the IRA".

Iraq War

Concerning the Iraq album, Kirwan emphasized that the conflict was chiefly endured by working-class individuals. He expressed strong disapproval of political leaders, notably then-president Bush, for failing to seize the post-9/11 moment to foster constructive global transformation. Kirwan proposed that a figure similar to Winston Churchill might have leveraged this opportunity to lessen America's reliance on imported oil and redefine diplomatic relations worldwide. Additionally, he reproached Bush for exploiting the 9/11 victims to legitimize the war, calling it the most profound tragedy of that event.

Concert recording

Kirwan advocates for capturing Black 47's live performances through video, audio recordings, and photography, highlighting the distinctiveness of their concerts. The band's official website encouraged American military personnel stationed in the Middle East to distribute unofficial copies of their albums.

Criticism

Black 47 has encountered criticism largely because many members possess only weak affiliations with Ireland. Ed Power from The Guardian noted their association with Irish cultural figures is quite limited.

The group has also been accused of serving as the 'musical arm of the IRA,' a paramilitary organization classified as terrorist in the United Kingdom and outlawed in the Republic of Ireland, responsible for numerous fatalities during The Troubles.

Discography

Year	Title	Notes
1989	Home of the Brave/Live in London
1991	Black 47
1992	Black 47	EP
1993	Fire of Freedom
1994	Home of the Brave
1996	Green Suede Shoes
1999	Live in New York City
2000	Ten Bloody Years of Black 47
2000	Trouble in the Land	Named best Irish American album of the decade (2010 poll)
2001	On Fire	Live recording
2004	New York Town
2005	Elvis Murphy's Green Suede Shoes
2006	Bittersweet Sixteen	Compilation of hits and rare tracks
2008	Iraq
2010	Bankers and Gangsters
2011	A Funky Ceili
2013	Larry Kirwan's Celtic Invasion	Various artists compilation co-produced by Larry Kirwan
2014	Last Call	Released March 4, 2014
2014	Rise Up: The Political Songs	Compilation

Band members

• Geoffrey Blythe: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet
• Joseph "Bearclaw" Burcaw: bass guitar, vocals
• Thomas Hamlin: drums, percussion
• Larry Kirwan: lead vocals, guitar
• Joseph Mulvanerty: uilleann pipes, flute, bodhrán
• Fred Parcells: trombone, tin whistle

Former members

• Chris Byrne: uilleann pipes, tin whistle, bodhrán, vocals (1989–2000)
• David Conrad: bass (1991–1993)
• Erik Boyd: bass (1993–1994)
• Kevin Jenkins: bass (1994–1995)
• Andrew Goodsight: bass (1995–2006)