Interview By Meghan Killimade
Thanks for talking with us guys! How did None Of Us Saints come together and who are the members and instrumentation?
Charlie: Hi Wailing City. We are Charlie on bouzouki and vocals, Bill on percussion and harmonium, and Ricky on bass. We’ve all been in bands (mostly heavy ones) for decades but now firmly in our dad years (seven kids between us) we’ve opted for something quieter. We’ve been doing NOUS since… 2023?
Bill: I’d like to add… in 2023, Charlie and Ricky were getting along fine as a duo when I went out to see them at 33 one night. I’ve known Charlie for 40 years and have seen some wild swings. This one was different, it was a style that was most aligned with how he lived. I also decided Ricky would be my friend, and I offered this unsolicited advice to them after their set. “I’m not saying that you’re missing me, but I do think you’re missing drums.” The following weekend Charlie made the 40 minute drive to my house and handed over some gear, a bodhran and kick drum, then followed that with the harmonium a year later with a similar drop. Maybe there’s a touch of new guy complex, but after two years I still feel lucky to be included in this project, would play every show for free to share a stage with these guys. And if I was to be kicked out of the band, our mothers would never speak again. So.
Bill: I’d like to add… in 2023, Charlie and Ricky were getting along fine as a duo when I went out to see them at 33 one night. I’ve known Charlie for 40 years and have seen some wild swings. This one was different, it was a style that was most aligned with how he lived. I also decided Ricky would be my friend, and I offered this unsolicited advice to them after their set. “I’m not saying that you’re missing me, but I do think you’re missing drums.” The following weekend Charlie made the 40 minute drive to my house and handed over some gear, a bodhran and kick drum, then followed that with the harmonium a year later with a similar drop. Maybe there’s a touch of new guy complex, but after two years I still feel lucky to be included in this project, would play every show for free to share a stage with these guys. And if I was to be kicked out of the band, our mothers would never speak again. So.
Talk about the kind of music you guys are performing – what was the inspiration behind wanting to play acoustic Irish pub music and do you play just covers and standards or are there some originals in there as well?
Charlie: The majority of our setlist is old Irish ballads. I’ve been deep into the Irish stuff for twenty years, the favorites being The Pogues, The Dubliners, Planxty, Pecker Dunne, etc. I think part of the reason I like it so much is its participatory nature. I was a hardcore kid in the nineties so I’m a sucker for singalongs. We do have a few originals that we throw in. One is about 33 Golden Street, another is about seeing some nazi boneheads get their comeuppance at the El n Gee in 1995, and one is about local music legend Bill Bates. We’ve been so busy learning songs for Saint Patrick’s season that there hasn’t been time to write more.
Ricky: It was actually a funny story for me. I messaged Charlie online one night to see if he had any projects going on. I was hoping to start a hardcore band with him haha. He told me he wasn't really interested in starting up another heavy project but mentioned this Irish folk/Americana thing he had going on and it was really intriguing so I said why not? In a million years I never would have pictured myself in this kind of band but I am so thankful it worked out the way it did. I've met a ton of great people in this scene and this music has actually challenged me to write way outside of my comfort zone and it's ultimately made me a more complete musician.
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| East Rock Porchfest; Photo by Jeffery Adorno |
What are some of your favorite songs to play and/or get the best crowd reaction? How about most challenging?
Charlie: Actually, the originals are the most fun to play and seem to get the most attention… maybe because everyone is standing in 33 while we’re singing about 33. As far as most challenging, every song is challenging for Bill who is playing percussion with his feet and harmonium with his hands, which he only started learning a year ago. I will say though, we’re nervous about playing Rocky Road To Dublin for the first time next month because it’s a slip-jig with no breathing room.
Ricky: The originals are the most fun I agree. When you play an original you don't have any added pressure to stay true to the original like you would with a cover. It's your song. It sounds the way you wrote it.
You guys have all been playing music in the area for quite some time –tell us about some of those other bands and how did those experiences help influence who you are as musicians today?
You guys have all been playing music in the area for quite some time –tell us about some of those other bands and how did those experiences help influence who you are as musicians today?
Charlie: Yeah, we all played in and out of the hardcore and metal scenes for a long time. I was in Holding On To Nothing, Low Moments, and When The Deadbolt Breaks. Ricky was in New Idol, and Bill is in a punk band called The Unpopular Mechanics. I’d say the biggest influence by playing in a local scene is just meeting a ton of cool people in the area and getting into their bands, from metal to acoustic. The ambition has never been more than local for us, so getting to know the people in the scene has been the best part.
Ricky: Like Charlie said, most of my old projects were metal, punk, hardcore. I had a great time with those bands but I also learned many lessons about what not to do. I think with NOUS we've all reached a point in our lives where we really are just out to have a lot of fun with all of these other like minded bands that make up this great local scene we have.
Bill: Charlie and I share a bunch of demos together, and it was always a DIY operation to distribute them, we’re talking printed flyer days. When you’re chatting strangers up in Stroudsburg PA, and hyping your bands throughout high school, you pick up some communication skills and gradually learn to respect the folks you meet doing the same thing. There’s always hope in the eyes of someone handing you their demo. Most of my projects have been rock based, me sitting behind a drum set hitting things as hard as I could. But I’m also a known sucker for a good hook and poignant storytelling, so I was happy to join NOUS because it offered me both, and an opportunity to disappear in the back a bit more and work on learning notes.
What are some bands/musicians that have influenced you or that you listen to for inspiration/motivation?
Charlie: Dubliners, Pogues, The Battering Ram, The Young Tradition, My Druthers, Marc Bernier, Bards of Gungywamp.
Ricky: Toadies, Helmet, Faith no More, Ween, Dreadnoughts, My Druthers, Bards of Gungywamp
Bill: I have to credit Charlie for everything I know about Irish music and the New London scene. I spent my formative years hauling gear around New Haven and made only a handful of appearances at the El N Gee. Back when I only had two kids, in the mid 2000’s, Charlie and I went into the city to see the Pogues and I remember thinking ‘I could enjoy playing this’, and look, it only took me 20 years.
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| None Of Us Saints playing The Dutch Tavern, New London |
What are some of your favorite venues/events to play -- and are there any venues you are hoping to play in the future?
Charlie: 33 Golden, of course. We’ve played there the most. Scottish Dave’s is great, The Dutch Tavern has the perfect atmosphere for our vibe I think. Strange Brew is fun too. For Make Music Day last year, we played The Maritime Society museum on Bank Street, then crossed the street and played Old Testament Electric Tattooing. We’ve also played a craft fair in Norwich and in the middle of the empty Norwichtown Green. I increasingly like setting up in weird non-traditional locations.
Ricky: My favorite venue to play is the next one. But I always feel the most at home at a divey punk/punk rock bar.
You have some shows coming up for the St. Patrick’s Day season – including March 8 at Epicure Brewing after the Norwich parade and March 28 at 33 Golden in New London! Tell us more about the shows you’ve got coming up and what are you most looking forward to during this run of shows?
Charlie: We’re also playing Tommy O’Sullivan’s in Branford on Sunday 3/15 and Scottish Dave’s on Saint Patrick’s Day. We’re pretty nervous about the Epicure and O’Sullivan’s shows because up until recently we’ve only had a forty-minute set and now we’re being asked to play two-to-three hours so we’ve been cramming. We’re looking forward to being able to get through the sets without glaring trainwrecks.
Ricky: Charlie forgot to mention the new sea shanty element of the sets! If you like singing acapella pirate songs then definitely come to one of these shows. Eye patches and shoulder parrots are optional.
Any local bands or businesses that you want to shout out or think folks should check out?
Charlie: There is a very cool shanty punk scene brewing right now, spearheaded by Stuart from My Druthers. Between his band and Bards of Gungywamp, you can catch that type of music pretty often, plus he brings in a lot of more traditional sea music acts when he hosts Shanty Night at The Oasis or Café Nine in New Haven. It’s a lot of fun when the whole room knows the choruses. Also, shout out to all the venues still hosting local bands, we know it’s not easy.
Bill: All the guys in the New London punk / Irish / shanty scene have been great. I didn’t know any of them 2 years ago, and now I consider a few of them friends. The venues have been easy to work with too, haven’t met one mean sound guy or bartender, 33 Golden especially. Also, I’d like to give my buddy James Ford and everyone else with the New London Whalers some props, you guys put the work in.
What is one thing you want folks to know about None Of Us Saints?
Charlie: That we may not be as fun and energetic as My Druthers or as youthful and talented as Bards Of Gungywamp, but… uh… I’m drawing a blank. Anyway, we’re open to playing unconventional locations so keep us in mind.
Bill: The one thing that’s undeniably true about interacting with any us, whether we’re on stage or buying strings at Guitar Center, is that we’re accessible, our personalities won’t permit otherwise. And I think that comes across in the way we present our material, not perfect but genuine.
What’s up next for you guys? More shows? Touring? Goals?
Charlie: We don’t have anything booked past March except for rumors of playing the Songs Of The Sea fest in September. We have zero interest in touring, we like our recliners too much. Ricky and Bill have been trying to get us to record for like two years and I’m starting to crumble so maybe there will be a demo.
Bill: It is true that 2/3rds of NOUS have been pushing to get material recorded, it certainly would be easier to book new places with a press kit. We’ve done pretty well with word of mouth shows, but that process is much slower. It is also true that 3/3rds of the band is satisfied with just playing the songs whenever and really don’t mind slow walking all of it. We’re our own worst enemies.
Anything I’ve missed or that you’d like to add in?
Charlie: Well, thanks to Meghan for the interview and being such a scene supporter (Bedroom Rehab Corporation was great too, and underrated!). If you’ve read this far, you’re probably aware of the shanty/trad punk scene happening but if not, check it out. It’s lowkey and good vibes and the music grows on you. You don’t even have to dress like a Peaky Blinder or a Dropkicks roadie, just show up!
FOLLOW
CATCH THE SHOW
Sun 3/8 @ Epicure Brewing - Norwich, CT
Sun 3/8 @ Epicure Brewing - Norwich, CT
(Norwich St. Patrick's Parade Afterparty)
2-4pm / 21+
Sun 3/15 @ Tommy Sullivan's - Branford, CT
4:30-7:30pm / 21+
4:30-7:30pm / 21+
Tue 3/17 @ Scottish Dave's - Clinton, CT
6-7pm / 21+
Sat 3/28 @ 33 Golden - New London, CT
8pm / 21+
w/ Jeff Thunders & The Nervous Wrecks
Tim Heist & The 456
Tim Heist & The 456
The Unwells
