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Artist
Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer
12+ albums
rockcabaretdark cabaretpoplounge
about
Gavin Friday was born in Dublin on October 8, 1959. He survived a Christian Brothers education to become a singer, composer and painter. Ireland's most avant-garde chanteur founded the legendary Virgin Prunes in 1977. The band's uncompromising body of work ensured a dedicated fan base in Ireland, the U.K. and mainland Europe in particular. In 1986 Gavin briefly abandoned music to paint, which culminated in the 1988 exhibition entitled 'I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble' at Dublin's Hendriks Gallery. The previous year, itchy to perform again, he had returned to the stage, acting as master of ceremonies in his own weekly cabaret, 'Blue Jaysus'. Friday's own unique interpretations of classic burlesque songs featured alongside comedy and drag acts, as well as appearances by special guests from Dublin's always fertile music scene. Since 1987 he has composed and performed with pianist Maurice Roycroft (The Man Seezer). Fresh from The Blue Jaysus, they played their first gig together in October 1987 at an AIDS benefit in Dublin. A demo tape of original material attracted attention of Island Records and they signed to the label in 1988. 'Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves' (1989), their compelling moody debut produced by Hal Willner, explored the world of Brel (whose song 'Next' is covered on the album), Piaf, Brecht and Weill with a healthy punk ethos. Recorded in New York, Friday claimed it articulates everything he wasn't able to say in the Virgin Prunes. Themes of love,
