By Monk
Best known as the drummer with Belfast punk legends/veterans (whichever term they prefer to use) The Defects, this latest solo album, his fifth, is a completely different prospect from what one might expect given its creators’ background and pedigree, but at the same time what one should expect from a solo offering, in that it treads different waters from those in which he normally swims…
The historic connection between the modern countries of Northern Ireland and Scotland is millennia long, from the mythological conflicts between the giants Finn MacCool and Benandonner to the later shared kingdom of Dalriada, and one which has remained unconquerable despite the notoriously treacherous stretch of water that separates the two almost interwoven territories. And it is this connection which is emphasized on this latest collection from Kingsmore, as it draws on his love of a neighbouring nation which dates back to his own childhood.
As mentioned above, ‘Cairn Holy’ explores slightly different musical territory than one might expect from this punk veteran, being very much acoustic based and drawing very much on a singularly focussed approach to the song as a story in a style very much in common with the solo work of his fellow countryman Ricky Warwick (whose own childhood move to Scotland has very much influenced his collaborative approach to his own songwriting).
The subjects are diverse, and show how Kingsmore has not only developed a kinship with Scotland but also explored some of both the brightest and darkest aspects of its history, such as on ‘Achnacarry’, which tells the story of a group of young men from that town recruited as Commandos, sent (ironically in this context) to Northern Ireland and ultimately to their deaths in France. Alongside are recollections of train journeys on the ‘West Highland Line’ and the Belfast/Cairnryan ferry (fuck, I spent some horrific overnighters on that one) and tributes to icons such as Alex Harvey and Billy Connolly – and the almost inevitable subject of football rivalry!
‘Cairn Holy’ is very obviously a deeply personal album, one which tells stories close to its creator’s heart and soul. They are tales recited with equally obvious passion and love, and for this alone they deserve to be heard. As I said, a very different stylistic approach from this lifelong punk rocker, but one which shows we all have a mellower side, and have different stories to tell in different ways.
- ‘Cairn Holy’ is out now.