Infant Souls

Infant Souls From; Waterford Active; 1982 – 1984
Style; New Wave
Vocals; Colin O’Neill
Bass; Stephen Elliot
Bass; Trevor Skelton
Drums; Ger Langford
Drums; Derek Finn

Infant Souls

Jan 1983 the band recorded a 2 track demo tape in Cooleycall studios, Wexford. The two tracks would later be recorded for their “Scoff” single. Infant Souls took part in the “Showcase”, a concert organised by The Bridge House Hotel in Waterford. The idea behind the concert was to feature up and coming young talent in all forms of music. According to the local press, Hot Press attended the gig. Also on the bill were VCO (New Wave), Dream Deceiver (Heavy Metal), Liam Merriman (Folk) & Simon (Showband).

Line Up

In early 1983, they had a line up change and added a guitarist John Paul O’Regan. Drummer Ger Langford & bassist Trevor Skelton left. This left Infant Souls in the standard formation of vocals, guitar, bass & drums.

By May ’83 they had headlined at the “Showboat” & “Bridge House” in Waterford as well playing support slots in Dublin for the likes of Auto Da Fe, Neuro, Max. Gay Woods was so impressed with them she offered further support slots with Auto Da Fe an offered to produce their recording session at Lombard Studio in Dublin. Dave Fanning also described them as a “Most promising act”. They also won the “Most promising act” award in the 1983 Munster Express readers poll.

In September they were on the bill for the “Lets Get Serious 2” punk concert at Dublin’s TV Club. English band Conflict headlined. During a October gig in Dublin the band had a guitar stolen and narrowly escaped injuring when fighting broke out between rival gangs.

Recordings

Infant Souls signed to the Scoff Record label & released one 7″ Single in 1984. The “A” side was written by Derek Finn and produce by Trevor Knight & Gay Woods of Auto Da Fe. Your World Or Mine/Recorded Life DT031. Their live set consisted of 100% original material. Their songs are regularly described as “Quirky” in the press.

Gay Woods of Auto Da Fe

One of the most exciting new groups of late ’82 are Infant Souls. They have adopted the highly unusual line up of two bass guitars, two drummer and a vocalist. Consequently their music is highly original.

Gay Woods of Auto Da Fe, is so impressed after hearing Infant Souls she offers them a support slot with his band. She also offers to produce their recordings.
By May ’83 their line up has changed to the standard format of a rock band. Vocals; Colin O’Neill, Guitar; John Paul Regan, Bass; Stephen Elliott, Drums; Derek Finn. They band are now playing gigs in Dublin with Neuro, Max & Auto Da Fe. They will also tour with the later at the end of the month. Infant Souls turned down a chance to tour in Spain, to concentrate on writing new material and recording a demo tape at Dublin’s Lombard Studio, with Gay Woods producing. The tracks recorded were “Recorded Life” & “Your World Or Mine”. Their music also comes to the attention of Dave Fanning, who labels them a “most promising band”. They also win the Munster Express readers poll for most promising new rock band in ’83.

Rock Opera

August ’83
Infant Souls take another highly unusual step in their career by agreeing to take part in a “Rock Opera”. “Leaving Brigadoon” has a cast of 20, 14 – 18 year olds. It’s a love story that takes place after the dropping of the BIG BOMB. The show is in two 45 minute sections with Carrick band Port Of Entry supplying the music for the first half. Infant Souls play the second half. The show will be performed 4 times, once each in Tramore, Carrick, Clonmel & Dungarvan.
30/09/1983 Drunken Jury organise a punk concert at the TV Club Dublin called “Lets Get Serious”. On the bill are Infant Souls, Conflict, Na Palm Sunday, Catholic Guilt, Paranoid Visions.

In October one of their gigs in Dublin was cancelled while their support band was on stage. Fighting broke out between rival gangs, this spread onto the stage. Equipment was damaged and a guitar stollen.

Dec ’83 the band start to play Dublin gigs again with a 3 week Friday night support slot with Eugene. The band also sign to the Glen Murtagh agency, guaranteeing the gigs in ’84.
April ’84 The band sign to Scoff Records, this would finally lead to the release of a single.
In May ’84 Infant Souls release their single “Your World or Mine”. To help promote the single they play a gig at the Bridge Hotel with supoort from Force 10.

In May or June the band deicide to leave for Holland to try and make it in Europe.