Night Rider

Night Rider From; Galway Active; 1979 - 1980
Style Heavy Rock
Line up;
Vocals & Guitar; Marc Folan
Lead Guitar; Frank Dolan
Bass; Shay King 
Drums; Maxie McNamee 

Like many other new bands at this time Night Rider found it impossible to get gigs at the local colleges in the West of Ireland. They did manage to get a few lunchtime concerts at the RTC in Galway.

International talent contest

In 1979 Night Rider entered in the International music competition, held at the RDS in Dublin. They finished fourth behind Stryder, Average Contents & High n Dry. In 1980 they improved to 2nd place behind Dublin band Autobop. Dave Fanning Heavy Metal is fine by me, Night Rider do it well. The playing is tight, the presentation is perfect and the compositions are strong. Overall quite excellent 70 out of 100.

Slane Recording Studio

In March 1980, Night Rider recorded a 3 track demo tape in Slane Studios. The three tacks were “Fly United” written by Folan (music) & Dolan (lyrics). It was about their roadie Dave from Gort. “Wasted Time” a singalong written Dolan. “Train to nowhere”. Their set comprised of 90% original material with only 4 cover versions “The Cowboy Song”, “Cocaine”, “Sky High” and “Roadhouse Blues”. For Ballroom gigs “Stairway To Heaven” & “I Shot The Sheriff. were added.

Marc Folan & Maxie McNamee had previously been in a band called White Ivy. Which also contained Richie Grealish on bass, later in the Teen Commandments.