Dust Rhinos

Dust Rhinos
Origin	Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Genres	Celtic Punk, Folk Punk, Alternative
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Independent
Website	http://www.dustrhinos.com
Members
Blair McEvoy Darren Wittmann Dan Cannon Dale Brown Andy Bart

Dust Rhinos are a five-piece Irish-Canadian Celtic punk band formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A long running favorite of the alternative scene on the Canadian prairie, they have performed consistently since 1992. Dust Rhinos variety of Celtic assault rock music is unique. Utilizing traditional favorite folksongs of Ireland & Scotland, the group overhauls the tunes into their own style.

Notable as being among the first Canadian bands to place a number one ranking on MP3.com with the track Perfect World, a year later the track "Jedi Drinking Test" went to number one. Dust Rhino have placed several other songs from the "Got Guinness" CD in the top ten on the MP3.com folk and Celtic charts. ^[1]

History

Founding band member Blair McEvoy was exposed to Celtic music as a child; The Irish Rovers and The Clancy Brothers were among the traditional folk music he heard and learned. As a teenager, McEvoy played in bands of many different genres. He began to play the Celtic songs of his youth for his own enjoyment. Eventually the Dust Rhinos were born.

The Dust Rhinos started as a three piece busking group performing at a local open air market in Winnipeg. A business woman, owner of the Toad in the Hole, an Irish pub, heard them and asked the band to play in her establishment. The group played the local Winnipeg Pub at least once a month for the next 13 years. What started with three members is now a five–piece band. Dust Rhinos are well known for their live performances and have a large fan-base and pub following.^[2]

Playing Style

The Dust Rhinos have a powerful, multi-faceted, layered sound. Using traditional airs, reels, and jigs as well as original songs and "Celtified" covers they create a Celtic sonic-assault. The punk flavored Celtic rock band has been described as performing relentlessly controlled chaos.^[3] The band website boasts that they are “big men with a monster sound”. Everyone in the band contributes to the writing and arranging of their material.

Influences

The band lists influences as The Pogues , Oysterband, Spirit of the West, The Clash, Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, and U2.

Members

• Blair McEvoy: Vocals, Guitar, Bohdran
• Dale Brown: Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals
• Dan Cannon: Bass, Vocals
• Andy Bart: Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals
• Darren Wittmann: Drums

Discography

• Prehistoric - The Songs of Helter Celtic & On a Rampage - 2010
• The Day After the Night Before - 2009
• Second Set (EP) - 2007
• Up Your Kilt - 2004
• Sociable Live - 2002
• Got Guinness – 2000
• On a Rampage – 1997
• Helter Celtic — 1992

References

1. ^ "Dust Rhinos -Irish Rovers on Speed". Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/dust_rhinos/. Retrieved 10-09-2010. 
2. ^ "Dust Rhinos - profile". INDIEpIpE. http://www.indiepipe.com/dustrhinos?page=1. Retrieved 10-08-2010. 
3. ^ "Dust Rhinos - UKreview". Leicester Bangs. http://www.leicesterbangs.co.uk/dust-rhinos.html. Retrieved 10-08-2010. 

“Dust Rhinos” Winnipeg Free Press. 26 December 2009.