Everybody's Welcome To The Hooley!

There is also a 3-track CD version of the single: MER 1002CDS. Due to it's Anti-Racism message & dedication to the memories of two high profile black victims of Racist murders, Stephen Lawrence & Anthony Walker, & it's support for Love Music Hate Racism, the, Joe Strummer-inspired, single was not only endorsed by the Lawrence & Walker families, but by other artists, such as Hard-Fi, Lethal Bizzle, Billy Bragg & The Magic Numbers, & also by the Strummerville organisation. It was, subsequently, covered in a story on the BBC 1 TV News, & even got mentioned in an early day motion in the House of Commmons (in the British Parliament). It charted in both the Top 100 & Indie singles charts in the UK. A shorter, re-recorded version of 'Hooley' was/is included on the band's later (2009) 'Come out Fighting!' album, as the band felt they hadn't quite done the song justice in the rush to get it recorded & out, & on a relatively small budget. It's still a landmark single, & statement, in the Celtic Punk genre, if not a wider spectrum even - although the band feel it was just something they had to do, as both a reaction against negative elements creeping into the scene, & also, therefore, as simply a reflection of what the band are, & where they're from. 'Hooley' features the Traditional Irish tune 'The Merry Blacksmith', normally a 4/4 reel, but played here in 6/8.