Being in a band with your brothers could be a recipe for disaster, but not for The Fureys.
The Irish folk band, who play at New Wimbledon Theatre tomorrow night, were always destined to follow their musical parents into the music industry.
George, Paul, Davey, Eddie and Finbar come together to begin the band almost 40 years ago after they had had experience elsewhere, and oldest brother Eddie admitted their upbringing in Ballyfermoy, Dublin, was always going to result in a music career.
“There wasn’t much choice really,” he said.
“But luckily we love the music, we love the songs and we love the stories.”
Brothers in arms: Eddie and George
Finbar left the band in 1996 and Paul died in June 2002, but George, Eddie and Davey still perform three or four times a week and released their most recent album, The Times They are a Changing, last year.
They have established long-term friendships and fans around Ireland, the UK, Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand and have performed for the late Pope John Paul, the former Irish President Mary McAleese, the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the current Irish president Michael D. Higgins.
The gig in Wimbledon is in the middle of a UK tour that sees them perform in Manchester on St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday.
“We have a good time on stage, we enjoy ourselves,” said Eddie.
“We encourage people to sing with us if they know the song and we love playing in UK.”
Pictures courtesy of Brian Morrison, with thanks
