The Drowning Fish; Portlaoise Active; 1988 – 1989 Style; Rock
Vocals; Paul Marron
Vocals & Guitar; Paul Brophy Guitar; Ollie Plunkette
Bass; Des Rigney
Drums; Dick Duff Percussion & Accordion; Pat Critchley
Seldom Sober Tour
When the band first started out, they did not take themselves seriously and were in it just for the fun. Their stage shows were well known for their wild antics and their good musicianship. Five of the band were native to Portlaoise, and singer Paul Marron was from Tullamore. Paul’s full time job was a school teacher in Portlaoise.
The band released a T-shirt to commemorate their seldom Sober tour. On the tour one of the dates was at Dublin’s Baggot Inn, were a crowd of about 400 turned up. The band were cut off in mid stream during their encore when all the power was turned off. Busses were laid on from Portlaoise for the concert at the Baggot.
Mere Mortals
Due to the rise of other bands with the word fish in the band name (An Emotional Fish & Little Fish) the band changed their name to Mere Mortals.
Dick Duff was formerly in another Portlaoise band Lunatic Antics