HARVEST MINISTERS

A Feeling Mission

Formed around the unique song writing talents of William Merriman the Harvest Minister's music is a blend of classic pop, flowing melodies, and tortured lyrics. The sound of the Harvest Ministers reflects Will's influences, Hank Williams, Ray Davies, Buddy Holly as much as it does traditional Irish culture in its use of instruments like violin and accordion.

The band started life in Dublin playing the local circuit as an acoustic trio with William Merriman on guitar and vocals, Maeve Roche on vocals and Padraig McCaul on saxophone. After quickly establishing a loyal following locally the band began playing outside Dublin and extended their line-up to include Pat Dillon on drums and Brian Foley on bass. After making a guest appearance at one Dublin gig Aingeala DeBurca was asked to join the band.

In 1991 the Harvest Ministers released their debut single "You do my world the world of good" on their own label, Crayon Records. Shortly afterwards the band was approached by Sarah Records, a small English label. Sarah Records released "You do my world..." in 1992 and after two further singles, "Six O'clock is Rosary" and "If it kills me and it will" the band released their debut album Little Dark Mansion to universal praise.

Despite the lack of foreign touring the band began to receive mail from all parts of the world, from Japan to Sweden, Hong Kong to Brazil as the album gradually made more and more friends for the band. In 1994 it was released in America on Widely Distributed Records and continued to attract positive reviews and make new friends.

By the end of 1994 work began on the follow up to Little Dark Mansion. With Phil Thornalley taking care of production duties the Harvest Ministers recorded their second album, A Feeling Mission, for . The band have played a few special shows in America and hope to be back to the states soon. Meanwhile the Harvest Ministers continue to gig in Ireland, France and Switzerland.

All of the band are from Dublin, Ireland

  • William Merriman - Guitars, Vocals, Songwriter The prime mover of the Harvest Ministers as well as the band's songwriter and spokes person, Will had been carrying the name of the band around in his head for some time before actually forming the band. Dedicated to song writing, the Harvest Ministers is Will's first band.

  • Maeve Roche - Vocals Was asked to join the band by Will after he heard her singing under a table at a party! The Harvest Ministers is the only band Maeve has sung for.

  • Padraig McCaul - Guitar, Piano, Saxophone, Accordion Met up with Will after placing an ad in the local music paper, "non virtuoso sax player looking for a non virtuoso band." Had played in a number of local bands before joining the Ministers.

  • Aingeala DeBurca - Violin Began playing with the Harvest Ministers after being asked to make a guest appearance with them in the Project Arts Center in Dublin. Before joining the Ministers, Aingeala had played with In Tua Nua, an Irish band who released two albums and toured extensively.

  • Mark Byrne - Bass Joined the band in 1994 after original bassist Brian Foley decided to quit the music business. Mark had played in a number of local Dublin bands before joining the Ministers.

  • Pat Dillon - Drums Pat was a regular attendant at the band's earlier acoustic gigs and was asked to join when it was decided to bring in a rhythm section.

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