COUSIN BILL HISTORY
Cousin Bill was formed in Wexford, Ireland in the late 90’s by Ian Maloney and Tommy Mahoney. The sole intention of the band was to produce original easy-listening acoustic/electric songs. Ian and Tommy recruited the services of Risteard O’Dwyer (Bass) and Richie Roche (Drums) to play some gigs in their hometown to showcase the songs. Without a name the boys played their first gig in Wexford Arts Centre.
Crowd reaction surprised and almost shocked the band. It was rough and ready and in the following weeks they recorded their first demo tape which was financed by the local bar that Ian and Tommy drank in. The cassette was released under the guise ‘Mocha’ (Ian’s nickname) and contained 4 songs. It sold out in days.
The band’s then promoter Des Mahon entered the boy’s (unbeknownst to them) into a national band competition Bacardi Hot-Press Unplugged. Richie had now left the band and new drummer Bryan Barnes jumped onboard to help out on a part-time basis. They needed a name and it was called ‘Cousin Bill’ after the title of one of Ian’s songs. They hated the name but after winning the Hot-Press Unplugged competition…it was too late to change it. The band not only became best band but also won best song ‘The House That Hate Built’ written by Tommy. This was the signature tune of ‘Cousin Bill’ and was released as their first cd single. Again, it sold out.
The band toured Ireland constantly and released their second cd ‘Vanity’. Usual story..it sold out. Things in Ireland were becoming stagnant and Cousin Bill were offered a tour of Scandinavia. They took on a 10 week tour not realising that they had to play cover versions along with original material. After touring Scandinavia the band changed the name. This was the end of ‘Cousin Bill’ and the end of the band.
An up-and-coming new band consisting of Eoin O’Connor and Dominic O’Shaughnessy were going on the same Scandinavian tour as Cousin Bill. Dom became ill and Ian was his replacement. After months of touring the Cousin Bill name was back with a new line-up. Numerous bassist’s , drummers were now whittled down to Eoin on guitar, Dom on bass and Eoin ‘Bob’ Doran on drums and Ian. Constant touring took it’s toll and Ian recruited new Swedish members, Anders Hansson, Thobbe Eliasson and Paul Schöning. This line-up was also successful and recorded ‘Turn On The Spotlight’ which was now the new crowd favourite. Due to individual commitments Cousin Bill was ready for another line-up. Ian drafted in Robbi Rommedahl along with Dominic O’Shaughnessy. Ian, Paul, Robbi and Dominic did some successful touring during the year of 07 - 08.
In the summer of 08 Cousin Bill was ready for another line-up and Ian drafted in Stefan Estulf and Kai Korhonen to become the newest Bill’s. Dominic came back in the summer of 09 and replaced Kai Korhonen for another year of touring.
The current line-up consists of Ian Maloney (vocals/guitar) Robbi Rommedahl (guitars) Stefan Estulf (drums) Gray Hawthorne (bass/guitar/vocals).
More to come……
FORMER MEMBERS OF COUSIN BILL
GUITARS
Tommy Mahoney
Eoin O’Connor
Anders Hansson
BASS
Risteard O’Dwyer
Derek Newport
Kris Tierney
Tobbe Elisasson
DRUMS
Richie Roche
Bryan Barnes
Mick Mooney
Eoin ‘Bob’ Doran
