Gerard Smith’s day job is being the leader of Detroit Celtic rockers, Bill Grogan’s Goat. In his off time, he is a prog rock guitar monster. What we have here on Lullabies In An Ancient Tongue, Gerard’s latest solo effort is unashamed, 1970s style prog rock. So, apologies if my prog rock references are off as I’ve not really scratched below the source of the genre and would struggle to tell the difference between ELP and King Crimson. The guitars remind me of early Sabbath or even Soundgarden while the vibe at times is a folkie Led Zeppelin. Gerard, hasn’t forgotten his Celtic roots and weaves Celtic instrumentation into tracks like Standing Stones and The Storm. Lovers of Horslips will really enjoy Lullabies.
Hi Gerard, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. Can we start with your musical history? Where are you from, who are your inspirations, how did you get involved in Celtic-rock?
Hey, John, I was born in Detroit, however, my parents moved us to a Christmas Tree farm in the township of Emmett, Michigan, about fifty miles North of Detroit, when I was three years old. I grew up out in the country.
The Tossers – Johnny McGuire’s Wake McDermotts 2 Hours – Dirty Davey Gerard Smith – The Maid Of Cabra West 1916 – For Whiskey Irish Whispa – Hot Asphalt Greenland Whalefishers – Darkness Hugh Morrison – Old Scotland Jack Daw – Pigtail Man The Mahones – Girl With Galway Eyes Horslips – The High Reel The Mickey Finns – The Ballad Of Duffy’s Cut James McGrath – Race To The Bottom Dangerous Folk – Shipping up to Brisbane Brick Top Blaggers – Witness to My Own Wake
