Gaelic Storm to play at Hemmens

Since its inception nearly 10 years ago, Gaelic Storm continues to broaden the musical horizons of the Celtic music genre by creating compelling originals and fresh arrangements steeped in Irish traditional melody and acoustic instrumentation combined with their unique blend of world rhythms.

The band's latest album "Bring Yer Wellies" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard World Chart, No. 16 on the Internet Sales Chart and No. 31 on the Independent Album Chart.

Channeling the rowdy communal feel of an Irish pub on raucous sing-alongs, driving pipe sets and spirited fiddle tunes, the band's sixth studio album was recorded in a one-month fury in April 2006 at The Zone recording studio in Austin, Texas.

The new album came on the heels of the band's first concert DVD, "Live In Chicago," released in 2006. The Hi-Def DVD was taped on Sept. 14, 2005, before a packed audience at the House of Blues Chicago.

On St. Patrick's Day, 1996, co-founders Patrick Murphy of Cork City, Ireland (vocals, piano, accordion, spoons, harmonica) and New Yorker Steve Wehmeyer (bodhran, vocals, didgeridoo) joined forces with Steve Twigger of Coventry, England (vocals, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki), at O'Brien's pub in Santa Monica, Calif.

In 1997, Gaelic Storm was catapulted out of their formative pub haunts by an appearance in the blockbuster film "Titanic." Cast as the "party band" in the steerage scene, they landed the part while still drinking pints and playing weekly at O'Brien's.

Gaelic Storm also includes Ryan Lacey on drums and world percussion, Pete Purvis on uilleann pipes, tin whistle, daeger pipes and highland pipes, and the newest member of the band Jessie Burns on fiddle.

Tickets are on sale now at the Hemmens Box Office, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120. To order by phone, call (847) 931-5900 or order online at www.hemmens.org.