The Saw Doctors keep it simple and straightforward
11:29 PM, Mar. 2, 2011

They seem to have as much energy on stage as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

But the draw of The Saw Doctors, according to the band's lead singer, lies in their ability to connect with the average person in a manner that is much different than Springsteen's approach.

The Boss sings about hard-working, everyday people whose triumphs lie in their ability to slog through the daily grind. The Saw Doctors connect with their fans by keeping everything — from the songs to how each member plays those songs — simple and straightforward, said Davey Carton, lead singer and guitarist for the Irish band.

"I think most people that walk into a room and see The Saw Doctors think, 'Yes, I can do that' and 'Yes, I'm going to sing along with that,' " Carton said. "That's how I would describe The Saw Doctors."

You can assess your own ability to do what The Saw Doctors do, or simply sing along with their tunes when they perform at The Chance nightclub in Poughkeepsie Tuesday. In addition to Carton on vocals and guitar, the band features Leo Moran on guitar and vocals; Anthony Thistlethwaite on bass and saxophone; Kevin Duffy on keyboards and vocals; and Éimhín Cradock on drums and vocals.

The concert led by Carton's booming voice — think Joe Strummer of The Clash — and an ensemble that fuses the feel of traditional Irish music with an edge from the harder side of rock 'n' roll, will offer Hudson Valley residents the chance to celebrate all things Irish more than a week before St. Patricks' Day.

Visit YouTube to check out the band's song, "Bless Me Father," a raucous romp that pokes fun at Ireland's Roman Catholic heritage and celebrates rock 'n' roll's saucy side.

"There is a buzz about this band right now," said Frank Pallett, co-owner of The Chance, which has in past years hosted The Police, David Bowie and Bob Dylan. "And in doing a little research, I learned that they have been selling tickets. I figured it was March, St. Patty's day and all that. We'll give it a shot. It is selling."

Carton is 51, but has only been playing the guitar and singing for about 20 years.

Prior to becoming a professional musician, he wrote songs and would always be the guy singing at social functions. If Carton was out with friends and someone suggested he sing a song, he'd sing a tune he wrote.

"I would sing and probably try to play the guitar and play the piano, but not very well," he said. "I always had tunes in my head — that was kind of it. Leo came along and he kind of liked the songs I was writing and that kind of made The Saw Doctors."

Carton grew up in Tuam, Ireland, and now lives in Claregalway. Both are on Ireland's west cost.

He had been working as a weaver at a small company, making wicker, rugs, clothing and eventually moving up to making denim. Carton called it "completely impersonal."

He also played in a band called Blaze X.

That's when he met Moran, who was a big fan and encouraged Carton to keep writing new songs.

"Leo is the man," Carton said. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here."

But once he met Moran and The Saw Doctors began to take shape, Carton had to face the realization that he was married to a kindergarten teacher and had a family.

Carton's wife, Patricia, he said, "wasn't too happy at first. But then she went, 'Just do it. I don't want you coming back in 20 years and ...' "

Carton added, about his wife, "I've never seen a girl who is prettier in my life, by the way."

Carton has been to Poughkeepsie only once, for his son's wedding in June 2009. His son had filled in on tour for The Saw Doctors bass player in 2003 and met his future wife and her family after a gig in Brooklyn.

The couple now live in Orange County.

Carton said he is looking forward to returning to Poughkeepsie, because he didn't have a chance to check out the city while attending the wedding at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.

"My suit was on me," he said. "I didn't want to fall."

Following The Saw Doctors show in Poughkeepsie, the band will continue on tour and play Philadelphia on March 17, St. Patrick's Day.

Carton said he has enjoyed performing in the United States since The Saw Doctors first started touring here in 1991. He particularly enjoys meetings fans from America with Irish backgrounds.

"They get a bit excited when they meet you," he said. "My accent is kind of, it's like 'Oh God, you're really Irish.' I'm seriously proud to be Irish. And I think most people that have Irish roots are very proud of them. I think they are. I would hope that they are."