Dead Heroes Club
Formed in 2004 in Derry, Northern Ireland by Liam Campbell, Gerry McGerigal and Michael Gallagher, Dead Heroes Club would soon earn the title of 'Ireland's only Progressive Rock band'. Originally a Prog covers band they were influenced by Genesis, Floyd, Tull, Camel, Yes and King Crimson.
The direction very quickly changed when they decided to work on some of the songs that Liam and Gerry had been quietly putting together in Liam's studio The Soup Kitchen.
The band were joined by bass player and keyboard player Charlie Coyle and they began working on what would become their self-titled debut album. Vocals and lyrics were firmly Liam's domain.
The album was recorded at The Soup Kitchen and Frankie Robinson's studio. It was produced by the band and Frankie and was released to much critical acclaim in the autumn of 2004.
A few live shows followed the album release but Charlie Coyle unfortunately decided he didn't want to remain with the band and they parted company amiably in 2006.
Liam and Gerry had continued to stockpile new material and it was decided to begin work on a second album, while also searching for a new bassist and keys player. The vacant bass player slot was eventually filled by Wilson Graham and a new keyboard man arrived in the form of Chris Norby. This new line-up would remain solid for the next fifteen years.
With the additional creative input and ideas coming from all band members, work continued apace on album number two. Eventually titled ‘A Time Of Shadow’, it was completed and released in 2009.
‘A Time Of Shadow’ was a significant leap forward in all respects for the band with stronger songs, more ambitious arrangements and much improved production. The album was received very well and reviews were favourable across the board, while sales were encouraging in Europe and the U.S.
A couple of prestigious gigs came their way in 2010 including a very well received show at The House Of Progression in The Peel, Kingston Upon Thames and the band performed at the world renowned Summer's End Festival at Lydney Town Hall, Gloucestershire. DHC put on a fantastic show and garnered some glowing reviews. Their profile was most certainly given a healthy boost as a result of this performance and it did album sales no harm either.
The band began working on new material in 2011 which led to the recording of what would be DHC album number three, ‘Everything Is Connected’ which was released in 2013 and was generally agreed, by fans and critics alike, to be their most assured set of songs to date and another substantial leap forward from the previous album. Reviews were universally positive and the profile of 'Ireland's only Progressive Rock band' received another healthy boost.
A few theatre shows followed in 2014, including a very overdue album launch in The Playhouse Derry, but they would prove to be the band's last live performances having decided instead to concentrate solely on recording.
In May 2016, before work had begun in earnest on the new songs, Liam was diagnosed with a particularly virulent and rare form of cancer and immediately began treatment.
Liam's treatment involved trips to England for ground-breaking procedures aimed at beating his cancer in the early stages. When he was feeling well enough, work resumed on the songs for the next album. Recording sessions were slotted in whenever there was time between Liam's own work as a lecturer, playwright and author, while at the same time Liam was continuing his cancer treatment. It was clear that completing DHC album number four was going to be a challenge to say the least.
In 2017 keyboards man Chris Norby packed up his music sheets and began a new life in the USA, taking up a senior position in the music department of Arizona State University. Happily he was able to continue his work on the fledgling songs by sending his keyboard parts to Liam electronically.
With Liam's treatment seemingly having positive results the band continued with the recording sessions as and when time allowed. Progress was understandably slow, with Liam's health taking priority, but final recordings took place in early to mid-2021.
Unbeknownst to the rest of the band, Liam's treatment, which had looked to be working well, was no longer having the desired effect on his cancer. Liam continued working every minute he was able to complete his vocals and to do his usual fabulous job of mixing the tracks before mastering.
Liam kept it between himself and his family right to the end just how ill he was.
Dr. Liam Campbell passed away on December 20th 2021.
The following year Gerry, Michael, Chris and Wilson began discussing the possibility of completing the album and releasing it as a tribute to Liam. Liam had mustered every ounce of his energy to get his final vocals recorded and as many final mixes completed, but despite his sterling efforts, there was still a lot to do before the tracks would be of a good enough quality to send for mastering.
Vocally there were four of the eleven tracks that Liam hadn't laid down his final versions of the vocal track and two were just guide track vocals. The band were ready to consign these tracks to the cutting room floor, before keys man Chris bravely offered to retrieve the files from Liam's computer and attempt to rescue the vocals as well as try to save the mixes.
Throughout 2022 and 2023 Chris worked tirelessly on the tracks in his own studio in Arizona periodically sending tracks to the rest of the band for their approval.
It is not an overstatement to say that after months of working on the tracks, some of which seemed beyond saving, Chris finally presented the band with 11 tracks which were miraculously transformed. Liam's vocals particularly would now do him justice.
DHC 4 was now ready to be mastered. This was to be the band's swan song after 20 years and, more importantly, a fitting tribute to a friend, bandmate and absolute Hero.
The album title 'Hero' was eventually settled on with Liam featuring prominently in the artwork, as well as being the musical heart of every track.
October 2024 is the planned release for the final Dead Heroes Club album Hero and, after production costs have been recouped, proceeds from all sales will be going to various cancer charities as well as to The Lily Foundation.
