PICTURES: New Limerick band Lyterian rock Dolan's

A LIMERICK band who describe their style as a “hotchpotch of music we love” debuted tracks from their new EP in Dolan’s

Lyterian was founded by guitarist, drummer, singer and bassist Sam O’Shaughnessy who lives at Dock Road in the city.

Cliff Valentine, from Ballynanty, followed him into the band, after approaching Sam on Instagram.

Tipperary lad Nick Grove was recruited - following a night out in city bar Pharmacia, and Saor Reale from Garryowen was the last to join the fold.

The four-piece were on stage at Dolan’s on Friday, May 3, to perform songs from their new collection, which was recorded at the world-famous Windmill Lane studios in Dublin, where U2 recorded. They premiered five new songs.

Sam formed the band in 2021, a time when the world was still governed by restrictions associated with Covid-19.

It was this which inspired its name, Lyterian.

“I was looking in an old dictionary to find words, and other options. Lyterian stood out to me. It means the exact end of a disease. At the time, Covid-19 was in full swing and for me music was my outlet. So it felt fitting - and the word itself is nice to look at,” he explained.

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Describing the band’s music, the singer said: “It’s a hotchpotch of all the stuff we love, and what we grew up upon. It’s very 1980s pop-inspired.”

Drummer Nick added: “I'm inspired by a lot of blues and rock from the 1970s. Cliff can’t stop playing For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica which sets the tone. And then we have Sam, who is a Cure addict!

In Saor, we have a mid-west emo shoegaze-type vibe, from the late 1990s, and early 2000s.” Sam describes the new EP as “our best work to date”.

The band has yet to confirm a release date for the EP, but three singles will be come out before it’s brought out in full. For more information, call 061-314483.

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