Saw Doctors May 15, 2010
House of Blues, Boston, MA

Do you miss Ireland? Do you long for those rolling green hills or shockingly high cliffs? Do you miss the taste of a freshly poured Guinness or a warm tea on those drizzly mornings? What about the N17 highway that winds through Galway? A sold-out crowd at the House of Blues in Boston seemed to as they screamed “And I wish I was on the N17/Stone walls and the grass is green”. It was the first time I had ever seen an audience shout about a highway so passionately.

A band since 1986, the Saw Doctors have been drumming up enthusiasm for Ireland’s lesser known treasures by writing some good old rock ‘n roll songs. In 1996 they drew attention to a small rocky island off the coast of Mayo, already famous as being home to Grace O’Malley (Pirate Queen). The band paints a romantic picture of Clare Island that seemed to be bringing couples even closer together all across the crowded venue.

In a moment it seemed we all longed for the “Green and Red of Mayo” or perhaps reminisced of those miserable windy cold weeks when we all thought “Will It Ever Stop Raining”? The Saw Doctors took us on a rollercoaster of emotion where we were fondly remembering first loves and the tragic importance of missing an open football goal. For a wildly drunk crowd, this was quite the experience.

While people walking down the streets of Boston may have been asking, “who are the Saw Doctors?” the crowd had memorized nearly every song in the band’s two dozen years of music. With witty lyrics, mixed in with some classic rock ‘n roll sound and a touch of Irish traditional tempo, the Saw Doctors still haven’t made the mark in their US like they have in Ireland but a sold-out show at the House of Blues is no small feet, proving that their fan base is loyal and enthusiastic to see these boys from Galway. If you’re looking for a night packed with a wide range of feelings, the Saw Doctors may be able to help you out.

Article By: Teresa Reilly