Gerry Quigley – Guitarist/Songwriter

Gerry Quigley (who laughingly refers to himself as the “half-mad Irishman”) is a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he was taught by Eric Bell, of Thin Lizzy fame. Having achieved success in his homeland and the UK with his band, Raw Deal, Gerry moved to Australia over twenty years ago, bringing with him a huge depth of experience and talent that was not to go unnoticed in his new home town of Perth.

An energetic performer and dedicated teacher, Gerry has established himself as a leading voice in WA Blues with his band, The Shinkickers (founded with keyboardist, Terry Pugh), who are a perfect foil for his playing and writing while remaining a powerful and influential entity unto themselves.  While Gerry prefers to play instrumental music, the band repertoire is coloured beautifully with classic cover songs from some of the giants in the world of guitar including the likes of Jimi Hendrix & Rory Gallagher.

Gerry’s music is a unique blend of hard rocking Blues, rollicking Folk and Celtic mysticism that transports the listener to places as diverse as the streets of Dublin and the mythical land of Tir na nOg.

To interpret his musical visions, Gerry plays Mandola, Mandolin, Slide and Bouzouki as well as his trusty Stratocaster and Les Paul Gold Top.  A Shinkickers gig is where the little Irishman becomes a musical giant, taking his audience with him as he leaps from juke joint to mystic realm to rock club, all with a cheeky grin and a guitar trick or two… or three – to be sure, to be sure, to be sure.

When talking about his guitar playing, Gerry says he goes on a journey, and when people connect with  his music, they go with him. His playing is sometimes madness but he said, “I don’t feel like I am possessed by a demon, but by a beautiful Angel. It almost feels like I am levitating.”

“That is the real driving force behind my music.”

Update: December 2012
Gerry’s bands over those years included The Blarney Stones, Raggle-Taggle Gypsies, The Shinkickers, and of course his current project Gerry Quigley & The Nomadic Druids.  At the end of 2012 Gerry will return home to live in Ireland where he will launch The Nomadic Druids.

The Nomadic Druids has allowed Gerry to realise his potential as an instrumental composer, inspired by many great musicians throughout his life.  Gerry describes the sound as being like nothing he has ever done before, a true mystical magical sound.

From everyone involved with Guitar Gods West Coast – Thank you, Gerry, for 30 years of mateship and music.
Befitting of your continued journey, we would like to leave you with this parting gaelic blessing:

Go n-éirí an bóthar leat
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d’aghaidh
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú.

(English)

May you have a sucessful journey.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Follow the continued journey of Gerry Quigley at www.gerryquigleymusic.com