Frontman of new Cork-based alternative rock band hails from Tipperary

Bowden are a brand new Irish five-piece alternative rock band from Cork, fronted by Clonmel man Padraig Dempsey, who have recently released their debut single ‘Peel’ on the indie label Milk City Records.

Even though “the project” was born only last year after a serendipitous cigarette outside a Villagers concert, their sound feels as though it has been crafted over many years.

Their sound has been described as “a refreshing take on modern rock that finds inspiration in the likes of Radiohead, LCD Soundsystem and Frank Ocean”.

After quite some planning, their debut single ‘Peel’ was produced under the stewardship of legendary producer Christian Best (Mick Flannery, O Emperor, Susan O’Neill) at Monique Studios in Cork.

Of the song, Bowden say “Peel is a song which is very much a reflection of the fear we have of becoming locked into an ever -increasing, computer- oriented society, while at the same time feeling like we are cutting ourselves adrift from our only lifeboat, which is our fragile planet.

“It is a lament to the future human experience and a reflection on what we have lost along the way”.

Padraig Dempsey, the son of Marian and John Dempsey from Glenegad, hails from a family with strong musical roots and is a former pupil of St Mary’s CBS and the CBS High School.

He says that it is a great time to be releasing music.

“There is such an amount of original music coming out of Clonmel and the surrounding areas lately that it feels like there is very much a real scene on the go.

“There are almost too many to list, the likes of Indoshock, Bare Bones, Kill ‘Em Charlie, Eve Whelan, EJ Mae, Vale, Nivll, Crow Black Chicken, Cadhla plus probably a dozen more.

“Tipperary is actually a county with a very deep musical background, obviousy with the likes of Gemma Hayes, The Clancy Brothers, Frank Patterson and Royseven but also people like Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, Boy George, Shane McGowan, Siobhan Fahey of Bananarama and Shakespears Sister and even David Bowie have their roots in the county.

“A really positive recent development in the live music scene in Clonmel has been the birth of the When Next We Meet Festival, which aims to bring the best of contempory Irish music to the town.

“If the people of the region really get behind it, it has the potential to develop into one of the great festivals of Ireland”.

Unlike most other artistes nowadays, Bowden have done it the old school, and more difficult way, by already developing a reputation as an unmissable live act, forcing them to start releasing music online so fans could have somewhere to listen.

‘Peel’ is the first of a string of singles due for this year, in addition to an exciting line-up of gigs. 2023 is taking great shape for the Cork-based lads, with their adventure starting with the release of the single.

Their line-up includes Padraig Dempsey on vocals and guitar, multi-instrumentalist Ger Hehir, lead guitarist Ken Barry, drummer Stephen Burke and bassist Kevin Quigley.

The band’s music has been described as intense, layered and explosive with a focus on themes of alienation and the human condition.

They met through college and around the local music scene.

They owe their existence as a completed line-up due to a chance meeting outside a Villagers gig in Cork, where the search for a cigarette ended up in the fortuitous discovery of a drummer.

Theirs is mixture of origin stories from classical, choir and trad to punk and rock, which has led to a unique Bowden sound.

Keep an eye out for BOWDENband on Instagram and Twitter for further updates and for dates of upcoming gigs.