Ireland's Saw Doctors find a Shore thing in Jersey

By ED CONDRAN • CORRESPONDENT • May 7, 2010

The Saw Doctors are running out of places to play in Jersey. The Irish pop-rock band, scheduled to makes its Monmouth University Pollak Theatre debut Tuesday, has performed everywhere in the area, save one venue.

"I think the only place left in which we haven't appeared is Jenkinson's (in Point Pleasant Beach)," vocalist-guitarist Leo Moran said while calling from his home in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. "At least that's so after playing the Pollak. Over the years we've done the rest of the (Jersey Shore) circuit."

The Stone Pony, the Surf Club and the Saint are just some of the clubs that have hosted the popular Saw Doctors over the last 20 years. "We have great memories of them all," Moran said. "We're very comfortable in New Jersey."

That's especially the case for Moran, whose cousins live in Freehold. During the early '80s, he spent some summers in the Garden State. His favorite Jersey memories revolve around Bruce Springsteen concerts.

"I remember seeing Bruce at the Brendan Byrne Arena in 1981 during "The River' tour," Moran recalled. "I remember that was the first time I ever saw him do "Trapped' and "Jersey Girl.' I was blown away. I knew what I wanted to do after seeing him. I wanted to start a band."

Mission accomplished. Moran formed the Saw Doctors in 1986.

"It's been a fabulous run," Moran said. "I can't tell you how much I love doing this. I can't imagine another way of life."

The Saw Doctors craft anthemic, hook-laden, straightforward Irish rock tunes. They've been hugely popular in their homeland since the dawn of the '90s. The group isn't exactly as well-known in the United States, but it does have its following, particularly at the Jersey Shore.

"We have a good bunch of enthusiastic fans," Moran said. "They come out again and again to our shows. We give them all that we can."

The Saw Doctors, whose members include vocalist Davy Carton, keyboardist Kevin Duffy, bassist-saxophonist Anthony Thistlethwaite and drummer Eimhin Craddock, will preview songs from their forthcoming album, due for release later this year.

"It's all done except the title and the track listing," Moran said. "We'll mix in a good bunch of the new songs along with the songs you already know. It's a bit of a departure for us since the new songs rock more than perhaps anything we've done before. I expect the songs to go over well in New Jersey. That's our kind of place to play because New Jersey is a lot like Tuam. Both places have been the butt of jokes but both places are actually great places to be. I have plenty of experience in New Jersey. At times when we play there, I feel like we're the local band. It's all about good times there and we're looking to have more good times in New Jersey."