Raw Deal
Raw Deal from; Dublin Active; 1978 – 1982
Style; Rock
1st Line up (1978)
Vocals; Gerry Creighton
Guitar; Gerry Quigley
Guitar; Gerry Hendricks
Bass; Syl Doyle
Drums; Nollaig McDermott
Hot Press Liam Mackey Dublin five piece Raw Deal are a relatively new band who’ve been coming in for a good deal of attention in recent weeks. Comprising Gerry Quigley (guitar), Syl Doyle (bass), Gerry Creighton (vocals), Nollaig McDermott (drums) and Gerry Hendricks (guitar), Raw Deal made their debut ironically enough at the Moran’s farewell gig.
Prior to forming the band, Gerry Quigley who is brother of Pat Quigley who played with Orphanage and Skid Row as well as Band Centre owner Fran Quigley and Syl Doyle had played the pub circuit for a couple of years, while Nollaig McDermott drummed for a time with a band called New Wave.
Compositional credits are shared within the group but it was the Creighton/Hendricks collaboration which came up with “The Panther”, Raw Deal’s current band anthem. According to the band members, they’re more interested in being original than making money – a trait epitomised by their desire to split for Japan (!) once they’re established a solid foundation in this country.
Raw Deal handle their own management but at present on the lookout for an agent.
Hot Press Julian Vignoles Raw Deal are a hard working Dublin band trading in the currently small field of Irish heavy bands. A five piece of twin lead guitars, bass, drums and vocals, they’ve been playing extensively, though not fully professionally, round the country over the last year.
“There isn’t another band as heavy as us around, so we’re out on a limb really”, says Gerry Quigley. “At the moment we’re into building up a solid following in country areas and up to now, we’ve been getting a great response”.
The band have been playing in Tralee, Killarney, Dundalk and Drogheda, as well as making frequent appearances in Moran’s, Dublin. “Recently we did a five hour stint at the Slane Castle Ball after being asked at the last minute!”
Despite their claim to be the most popular band at Moran’s, Raw Deal don’t like giging too regularly in any one venue. “We’ve avoided residencies because it tends to make you a bit stale in one area”.
The band recently set their sights even further afield when they recorded a demo tape at Keystone Studios. They’re arranging to have their four track sample of original material herd by two major companies in Britain. From this they hope to see a single released in the near future. “we know there’s plenty of demand for high energy sounds”, they confidently assert.
22/09/1978 Dingo’s Rock Palace, Dublin Hot Press At Dingo’s Rock Palace, Raw Deal’s recent gig was hampered by sound problems – though the band turned in a good set anyway…………
04/11/1978 McGonagle’s, Dublin
16/12/1978 Munster Arms, Carrick On Suir
Poster supplied by Gerry Quigley
30/06/1979 Clondalkin Community Centre with D.C. Nien, The Rage, Jaroc, The Vultures, U2, Free Booze and DJ Pat James
07/07/1979 McGonagle’s, Dublin. Raw Deal play two show, one in the afternoon & one late night
21/07/1979 McGonagle’s, Dublin. Raw Deal play two show, one in the afternoon & one late night
The second line of Raw Deal, photo’s supplied by Val Doyle
2nd Line Up 1979
Vocals; Val Doyle
Lead Guitar; Gerry Quigley
Lead Guitar; Terry Lyons
Bass; Terry McManus
Drums; Dave McCelland
Picture from Val Doyle
I joined the band in 79. the band was around prior to that but had broken up for some time. It was, at the time, considered a heavy metal band in Dublin. lots of head bangers!! lol.. I remember my “audition” for the band… up until that time I had sung mainly cover stuff and some cabaret stuff.. and had regular gigs at hotels in Dublin – so..this was something new for me. I actually had my audition in McGonagles. Gerry Quigley was one of the lead guitar players in the band. he had been in the old band also.. and was the main thread. I think in Dublin at the time.. for a heavy metal band… having a female vocalist was a big move. but it worked. So.. the line up was Gerry Quigley – lead guitar, Terry Lyons – Lead Guitar, Terry McManus – bass guitar, Dave McClelland on Drums.. and me on Vocals. At the time in Dublin my “stage” name (HA!) was Val Doyle. Fran Quigley (Gerry’s brother) also ran the Band Centre – which in Dublin at the time was THE place to rent out gear for gigs. His other brother opened a lighting shop off Capel street. so we kinda had an advantage.
We did original songs… some of the stuff from the old band and then some of the songs that we wrote together. .. the newer stuff was a little less “heavy” and more rock. having two lead guitar players was awesome… they played harmonic lead riffs. We gigged all over the country. We had some changes in line up.. mainly Stewart McMillian replaced Dave on Drums. Val Doyle