Valerra valiantly go on as Gorilla Radio
Gorilla Radio continue to be one of the most popular bands in the West of Ireland.
It’s often said ‘the greatest trick the devil ever pulled is to convince the world he didn’t exist’, and while the validity of that statement is up for debate what certainly isn’t, in this reporter’s humble opinion, is that one of the greatest travesties in modern times is that Valerra, also known as Gorilla Radio, failed to transcend to greatness with their original music.
The band boasts the musical stylings of Noel Kenny, born in Gorey, Co Wexford but Balllina-based, whose introduction to the town came many, many moons ago with the Budrising Battle of the Bands and a band he formed with Nick Codd in the Rock School of Ballyfermot College in Dublin with his initial band ‘Dragonzeye’ backed by Ray Kennedy on bass. It was no surprise to see the band crowned champions and premiered and applauded for their vibrancy and stage presence despite being somewhat in infancy as stage performers. The stand-out track was and was the beginning of what has become a profound interest in the penmanship and performances of Kenny for this reporter.
Another band that captivated this reporter and many in the locality of Ballina throughout the 1990s and 2000s was Rayne, and it’s of little surprise that although former frontman Mark ‘Ducks’ Cawley no longer performs, drummer Seanie Walshe and bassist Paul Newell continue to perform to the highest standards, featured on successful albums by another Mayo band Steel Tormentor and were forming members of WhiteWater and Valerra.
The trio are completed by Roscommon’s Joey Kennedy on guitars and vocals, and as Gorilla Radio also feature a keyboard player.
Following the completion of his studies, Noel went on to form Tarantino and played to packed houses in Mary Murphy’s and Emmett’s among other venues. The next incarnation of Kenny’s undoubtedly successful musical musings was Valerra’s previous alias – Four Below Zero.
Four songs and lyrics were scribed by Kenny and Newell in one night and those four songs along with were played in their inaugural gig in Westport. The band’s name would go through a transition and become Valerra. When quizzed about the initial offering, the band felt "four of the five songs will feature on the release of the album". It was no surprise to see such a premonition come to fruition and indeed the four songs did feature on the finished article.
The debut track released from the album featured on the most popular videos on YouTube upon its release and amassed some 30,000 views within its first few days on the streaming platform. That song alone is more worthy of a Christmas Number One than the manufactured bubble-gum pop or cover song that will most likely hold the coveted spot come December 25th. Melancholic is another timeless rock classic that has almost gone unnoticed. Much like , the song pulls at the heartstrings and invokes the emotions that only great music can.
was originally played by Dragonzeye and also makes its way onto the self-titled album. is the hard-hitting track from the album while it also features a cover of New Order’s . And the sad reality is that this album lacks the listeners on streaming platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
The band continues to perform cover-songs as Gorilla Radio and will be performing in Bar Square next Sunday, December 29th. Although you won’t hear original tracks you will hear some of the most talented musicians this country has to offer and will hear covers that equal, if not surpass, the original. Everything from Sophie-Ellis Bextor to Ed Sheeran to Hall and Oates will ensure there is something for everyone and the dance floor will be filled for the night, and while success as an original band eludes the foursome they continue to perform valiantly and vibrantly as Gorilla Radio.
