The Mahones are perhaps the best party/dancing/drinking band you’ll ever hear: pure Irish punk since 1990! Formed at the end of the bar at a legendary Irish Pub in Kingston (Ontario, Canada), The Mahones sound like The Clash, The Pogues, The Who, Husker Du, The Dubliners and The Replacements put together. Their show “is a high energy, in-your-face rock and roll party” and, Finny McConnell confirms, “the more you drink, the better we sound”. Tonight The Mahones will play in Bolzano at Pippo.stage, on Friday in Innsbruck at PMK. Here the interview with Finny, lead singer and guitarist of the Canadian punk band. Let’s punk!

​Where does the name “Mahones” derive from? From the assonance with “Ramones” or from the Irish idiomatic expression ‘pogue mahone’ (kiss my ass)?

It comes from both. We liked the name because it sounded like one of our favorite bands of all time, The Ramones, and we also used the name because of that famous Irish expression!

What does Canada have to do with Irish tradition? Where does this passion come from?

There are a lot of Irish in Canada. Many came over in the 1800s during the famine and they are still coming over to this day. There is a big Irish culture in Canada and especially in Montreal where I live. My parents owned two Irish pubs in Kingston, Ontario (Finnegan’s and Muldoon’s) when I was a child, so I was raised around the music and culture. I am very passionate about it and I see it as my job to keep the Irish tradition going for the generations to come.

Your music is labelled as “Irish Punk”, what does It mean? How do you describe your music to people?

Irish Punk means just what it says. We play Irish music in a punk rock style. It is a fusion of traditional Irish instruments and electric guitars and drums. Fast and furious. We are probably the fastest and most Irish punk band on the planet!

What does “punk” express in your personal vision? 2013 what is the message of punk?

My message of punk is you can do anything you want and you don’t have to do what you are told. You can do it yourself (DIY). You can start you own record label and your own band, and produce your own records. Punk rock works outside the mainstream music business. We don’t want anything to do with the corrupt mainstream music industry pushing horrible music down everyones throats and tell us that this is what everyone is listening to and wants to hear. It is bullshit and everyone knows it.  The real music is in the underground. You will find all the best music there!

For people who don’t know the band, describe what your show is like?

The Mahones show is a high energy, in-your-face rock and roll party. Even if you don’t like Irish punk music, you will after you see us live. We make sure to give 200% every night and we make sure everyone leaves with a big smile on their face. And the more you drink, the better we sound (words from the great late Barry Williams).

Music is your life, music is your passion and your job, isn’t it? Do you feel satisfied?

Yes it is. I have been in The Mahones now for 24 years (on March 17th) and played in bands before I started The Mahones.  Music is all I ever planned to do with my life. There was never a plan B and I love my job. I don’t even think of this as a job. This is my passion and I am very lucky to have fans all over the world buying our records and coming to our shows. I am living my dream and I am very grateful, so thank you to all of our fans around the world for letting me do this!

How do you imagine your life in 20 years?

That should be about five years short of The Mahones farewell tour!  I am hoping to make the band last for 50 years just like the Rolling Stones. Why not? I think we would all look great with big long great beards like The Dubliners (expect for the beautiful Katie Kaboom of course)!

www.poisonforsouls.com