Big Self

Big Self
Big Self
Origin	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genres	Punk rock, Post-punk
Years active	1979–1986
Labels	Reekus
Members	Bernard Tohill; Jim Nicholl; Patrick Sheeran; Michael Morris;
Website	www.reekus.com

Big Self are a Northern Irish rock

Ghostshirts" was featured as the theme song to Dave Fanning's RTÉ TV show Visual Eyes,^[1]

that aimed to present an entertaining and informative behind the scenes look at the world of popular culture.

History

Big Self were formed in

melodic rock movement that emerged in the aftermath of the punk explosion. They formed in 1980 as a three piece, the early line up of Bernard Tohill, Patrick Sheeran and Michael Morris was soon expanded with the addition of Jim Nicholl.^[4] Big Self's early sound was influenced by their love of reggae, which led to them to the Reekus Records camp through a string of guest spots on Reekus promoted reggae tours. The band's career quickly picked up momentum with several music magazines including Melody Maker and Sounds, picking their tracks as singles of the week.^[4] Sounds named the band's second single "Don't Turn Around" single of the year in 1982.^[1] The band developed a devoted following through their live shows and toured alongside acts such as The Beat and U2.^[4]

In 1983, they moved to London hoping to improve their prospects of success, returning to Ireland in the winter of 1983/4 to record their debut album,

Pogues.^[5]

Stateless

The group's line-up expanded to a six piece with addition of Gordy Blair on saxophone and percussionist Owen Howell. The group acquired a publishing deal with Chappel Music and, in 1983, began recording their debut album Stateless in Windmill Lane Studios.^[4] The album's release was delayed for eighteen months due to the collapse of the distribution company IDS.^[1] Unfortunately, by the time the album was finally released Big Self's member had begun to drift apart with members emigrating to Australia and other members leaving to join other bands.^[4]

Current

A renewed interest in the band has been sparked with the remastered and re issued release of their debut album on CD.

Irish Times and Hot Press.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e O'Hare, Colm. "Stateless- Big Self". Album review.
^ Carrol, Jim. "Self Aid, 22 years on". Self Aid Feature. Retrieved 19 May 2008.
^ Peel, John. "Keeping it Peel". Big Self Set List. BBC. Retrieved 1 October 2005.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Records, Reekus. "Big Self". Reekus. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
^ "Big Self". Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
^ Clayton, Tony. "Too Late To Stop Now. Killing Brother from their album Stateless, features in the American TV series 'Gotham', while'Ghostshirts' features on the soundtrack of the soon to be released Irish film 'Dannyboy'. Now". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 December 2011.

[Stateless-_Big_Self_Review-1] O'Hare, Colm. "Stateless- Big Self". Album review.

[Self_Aid_Feature-2] Carrol, Jim. "Self Aid, 22 years on". Self Aid Feature. Retrieved 19 May 2008.

[John_Peel-3] Peel, John. "Keeping it Peel". Big Self Set List. BBC. Retrieved 1 October 2005.

[Reekus_feature-4] Records, Reekus. "Big Self". Reekus. Archived from the original on 4 October 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2012.

[5] "Big Self". Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2021.

[Too_Late_to_Stop_Now-6] Clayton, Tony. "Too Late To Stop Now. Killing Brother from their album Stateless, features in the American TV series 'Gotham', while'Ghostshirts' features on the soundtrack of the soon to be released Irish film 'Dannyboy'. Now". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 December 2011.

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