English translation:

The Brandos: Rooted In The Homeland

With his retrospective voice Dave Kincaid sings about the “Hard Times”: “they kill you or they make you strong” – and quotes John Steinbecks’s “Grapes of Wrath.” Being from the working class much like the laborers described in the book, The Brandos come from New York. For years they played in local and provincial clubs, yet have remained patient and never lost their fighting spirit. “Gettysburg” is the name of a song from their first record “Honor Among Thieves,” and with it they gained a crucial victory as did the Confederates at that battle in the US Civil War. Now, they are looking at their new album “The Light of Day,” in which tradition is a prevalent and integral part for The Brandos.

The singer and guitar player, Kincaid, who is of Irish origin, is deeply rooted in his American homeland. He tears into the strings like Bruce Springsteen (“Hard Times”), and Kincaid’s banjo and mandolin sound like an optimistic departure; and in the title song pays tribute to Michael Stipe’s emotional singing. Of course, the songs of The Brandos are nostalgic. But anyone who uncovers their roots with such devotion and honesty is deserving of attention. The Brandos give back ideals to the foundation that was once destroyed by The Pogues.

– Rolling Stone (Germany) June, 1995

Guitar Magazine (Germany), Feb. 2007

Rolling Stone (Germany), Jan. 2007

Oor Magazine (Netherlands) June 1996

Rolling Stone (Germany), June 1995

Music Express (Germany), Nov. 1988

Playboy (US) May 1988

Mademoiselle (US) Feb. 1988

Rolling Stone (US) Nov. 1987

Time Magazine (US) Oct. 1987