Back in the day are Index, from left: Sean Markey, Paul Jackman, Rory O Donnell, Micky Mallon, Frank Og Hughes, and Kevin McManus seated
THEY REACHED THE Irish music charts with their single, ‘Dreaming Alone’, and for one night only, Fermanagh-based band, ‘Index’ are coming out of retirement to play upstairs at Willie Ramblers in Enniskillen.
Featuring members from Lisnaskea and Maguiresbridge – and Derry – the band formed in the early 1990s, and appeared on local radio – and TV in their time.
“It would have been 89/90 when we first formed. We were all still at school, or college,” explained Sean Markey, the band’s bassist.
“We would have started playing in the pubs, and at that time we were playing a lot of covers. Just like the bands that are around today, we went to the venues that would take us.”
Joining Sean is Paul Jackman on drums and vocals, Rory O’ Donnell on vocals, Kevin McManus on keyboard and vocals, Michael Mallon on lead guitar and vocals, and Frank Og Hughes on guitar and vocals. Other members included Anthony Waters as an early drummer and Eustace Tierney, who played bass towards the end.
“It was only when we got a couple of years behind us, and we went a bit further afield,” continued Sean.
At their height, the band released ‘Dreaming Alone’, written by Paul and Kevin, which Sean described as their ‘signature tune’.
“It was in the Irish Charts, and there was a Saturday morning RTE TV show called ‘The Beatbox’. We were on that a couple of times, and on local radio.”
The band also performed in front of a crowd of thousands at the Ballyfin National Scout Jamboree in 1993, and after things petered out, Sean acknowledged, past reunions haven’t quite worked out.
“We tried it several times before, but we just couldn’t get the timing right because of work and families and that.
“When Gareth (Jones, of ‘Captain Casey’, and organiser of the night) mentioned that he was doing a gig on this night, just by luck the timing was right.”
He continued: “If they came to see us back then, we’re going to play a similar set. We thought about throwing in some new stuff. But the people that are coming to see us, we thought, might be expecting what they’re used to – so we’ve kept to the old setlist.
And does it feel any different this time around?
“It was like riding a bike, it all came back to us.”
Alongside Index, performances will come from Indigo Fury, Captain Casey, Black Sonnet, If Not When?, and Felina Burns.
A percentage of the money raised on the night will be given to Marie Curie. Doors open at 8pm.
