NEW SINGLE: THE ROLAND LIFE – Oh, Dolours (2024)

Finally, an answer to that age-old question: what would happen if Weezer wrote more songs about the women of the IRA?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Weezer wrote songs about the IRA? The new single from Boston, MA band The Roland High Life answers that question! Our main focus here at London Celtic Punks is ‘Celtic-Punk but we also find ourselves drawn to music of the Irish diaspora. Like those Folk who hate Hip-Hop but love the House Of Pain so time to cast our net over to the familiar haunt of Boston for todays review. Band vocalist Thom has featured here before through his solo Celtic-Punk project – Forfocséic and has since gone on to form earnest Indie Power Pop Punk Americana nerd Folk Emo-Rock band The Roland High Life but his fascination with the politics of Ireland continues and their new single is a big loud Celtic-flavoured Rock’n’Roller about the tragedy of Dolours Price, the former Irish Republican Army volunteer who infamously bombed the Old Bailey in 1973. It’s both a lament, and an anthem for women’s liberation, and features guest vocals from Indoor Friends, another local Boston punk band, for the third verse, to emphasise the role of women’s voices.

The Roland Life left to right: Walker Dieckmann – Keyboards / Vocals * Nick Krefting – Lead Guitar * Jake WM – Bass * Chris Correia – Drums * Thom Dunn — Guitar / Vocals *

The Roland High Life is a power-pop/indie rock band from Boston, MA who plays coffee shop songs cranked up to 11. The band originally formed back in 2006, and recently reformed after a decade-long hiatus. They’ve swiftly established a new reputation with their memorable songwriting and earnest, energetic performances, whether playing packed dive bars or outdoor festival stages. Their most recent album, “Songs About Comic Books & Mid-30s Lament” was, well, pretty much what it says on the tin.

Amanda Bysheim & Krista Marie Setera of Indoor Friends — Backing Vocals

Recorded at Record Co, Boston MA. Produced engineered mixed by Thom Dunn at B-Side Brewery

Oh, Dolours
You were born at the mouth of a war
For your nation, your sex, and your soul
You fought them all the way

When you were younger
You would flirt with the RUCs at the bar
Sneaking snitches and guns in your car
With a wink and a smile

You took arms in the fight
With your sister in spite
All the scars on your family line
All that it cost was
Your body, your blood, and your mind
Oh, Dolours

Oh, Dolours
When you flew to the heart of the crown
Lady Justice came tumbling down
And they found you at Heathrow

That Iron Lady
Wanted someone to shoulder the blame
For playing those patriot games
On legitimate threats

So they fed you to death
Locked you up in your head
But you still wouldn’t swallow your pride
All that it cost was
Your body, your blood, and your mind
Oh, Dolours

Oh, Dolours
Ní saoirse go saoirse na mBan
St. Stephen thought you were the one
But you were a bomb

All the vodka and pills
Couldn’t help you to kill
All the loneliness left in your eyes
By a cause that had taken
Your body, your blood, and your mind

Was it worth it
Mis-adventuring down to your grave
Will the children remember your name
Or drown it in shame
Oh, Dolours