Prophecy
Prophecy was a band from Drogheda, active from 1979 to 1982, known for their heavy metal style. The lineup included Frank Byrne on lead guitar and vocals, Alan Ludlow on rhythm guitar, David Conlon also on lead guitar, Jimmy Kierans on bass, and Michael Brannigan on drums. Alfie Dowd was the drummer in 1982.
Prophecy played their first gig on 12/01/1980 at Joey Marhers, Drogheda as support to Bagatelle. According to the Drogheda Independent they went down very well with the audience.
By March 81 line up was David Conlon Lead Guitar, Eddie McKenna Bass, Alan Ludlow Rhythm Guitar, Frank Byrne Vocals, Michael. Branigan Drums.
Photo supplied by Eddie McKenna. Left – right Alan Ludlow, Frank Byrne, Eddie McKenna, Benny Farrell, David Conlon. The drummer was Thomas Loughran, missing from this picture.
Prophecy played the support slot at all the main local venues such as the Milestone, Joey Mahers, Sports Centre, Farrelly’s Road House to the bigger bands touring the country.
In April they record a demo tape at Slane Recording Studio, one of the songs written by Frank & David called “Love You Once Again” was hoped to be released as a single, this was supposed to be very good. Still active in ’82, the line up had changed again, Frank Byrne Lead singer, new drummer Alfie Dowd, Dave Conlon lead guitar, Jimmy Kierans bass, they were now playing a softer American rock/jazz.
Long Retreat From Russia
08/03/1981 Sports Centre, Drogheda Stardust Charity Concert with Enzymes, Electra Glide, Ulterior Motives, Midnight Blue, Prophecy, Against The Grain, Maggot and the Ashtray. The action got underway at 6pm with Manta, a new age reggae outfit, whose lead singer Noel Mathews, set the energy pace on stage for the bands which followed.
New Wave followed with Warr who seemed to be at war with themselves and Ulterior Motives, who were full of composure with one very talented guitarist, Barry Lochran.
The came Drogheda’s version of Adam and the Ants, the Frustrated Barristers, with their female attachment, the No Good Dancers. The Barristers brought some style, colour and life into the concert.
Their make up was brilliant and lead singer Maggot certainly had the crowd behind him. The No Good Dancers, a sort of stoneage Legs and Co, got plenty of appreciation for their vital statistics.
Two punk groups were next. Against the Grain and Baldy Scaldies, both playing their own material and they were similar in style.
Then it was the five piece Midnight Blues Band making their Drogheda debut. This talented outfit only together a month, brought a change of music into the concert with their rock jazz, which went down well with all but the punks. The band has an excellent bass player in Maurice Smith.
New Wave band, The Enzymes, with lead singer Goosey then made their contribution. They received wild applause from the audience who bounced around to a few of their numbers. Enzymes like the majority of the bands that appeared, played all their own material and have improved immensely.
The night was rounded off by two of Drogheda’s top heavy metal bands, Aztec Demon and Prophecy. The Demon the youngest group that appeared were very impressive on stage, putting plenty of feeling into the songs.
Saxon and AC/DC, was their type of music and they could play it. Prophecy were themselves and although lead singer, Frank Byrne did freak out, they need to be more lively on stage.
13/03/1981 Joey Mahers, Drogheda Stardust Charity Concert with Teen Commandments, Prophecy, Proust Rejects