DUBLIN

2004 - 2015

OVERVIEW Groom came into existence in 2004. Michael Stevens had, of course, been a member of indie band Settler from from 2001 - 2003. In 2004, Michael formed Get A Room. Along with Fiachra McCarthy, they played the Songs From A Parlour series at the Parlour Bar in The Stag's Head. Soon after Get A Room became Groom. The band's personnel eveolved over the years. Fiachra, for example, had left by the end of 2004. The most recognisable line up featured Michael Stevens [Guitar, Banjo & Vocals], Wil McDermott [Bass Guitar & Keyboards], Jeroen Saegeman [Guitar] and Ruan Van Vliet [Drums]. Wil had been Michael's band mate in Settler. Ruan had drummed with The Maladies and Belgian Jeroen had played with LMD64. As purveyors of garage pop, the band launched its career in earnest with the release of its debut EP, 'The Wave & Groom' in February 2005. Later that year, the band released a split Christmas single with Stoat. While the latter covered the Chrismas classic, 'God Red Ye Merry Gentlemen', Groom contributed their take on the Wham classic, 'Last Christmas'. The following October saw the band unveil its debut long player, 'All This Happened More Or Less'. Released on Fairview House Records, the album brought the band to a wider audience and led to them garnering a slot playing support to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco at Vicar Street. Fast forward to March 2009 and the band released its second album 'At The Natural History Museum'. The record was producted by Barry Phipps of Chicago band, The Coctails. In 2010, the band were involved with the creation of Popical Island Records. In August that year, the band released its third album 'Marriage' on that imprint. The critical feedback on the album was very positive. 'Mysteries Of Life' was lifted from the album for the 'Popical Island' compilation and 'The Golden Age' received a single release of its own. 2011 saw the band perform at the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival with a memorable performance at The Button Factory. The band returned to the same venue for a repeat appearance at the festival in 2012. In 2013, the band released an EP of new material. In July of that year, the 4-track 'Brothers And Sisters' EP was launched which featured 'Fishing', 'Wet Thursday' and 'Love, Death And Bandaged Heads' as well as the title track. None of tracks would appear on what was the band's final album. 'Bread And Jam' was released in August 2014. The record met with widespread accaim with The Ticket [Irish Times] describing it as “a gloriously accomplished collection of prime indie-pop with a distinctly Irish bent”. However, by eaarly 2015, the Groom project had come to an end. In March, the band released a final single, 'Another Day'. On the 20th March, Groom played a farewell show at Whelans with support on the night coming from Rural Savage. The Irish music scene is the poorer for their departure. In 2012, Michael had started performing with Skelocrats along with a number of other Popical Islanders. At the time of writing, the band had released two albums and were readying a third long player for release in 2019. Wil, Ruan and Jeroen continued to perform with Walpurgis Family. 2004 - Groom was formed after Settler had disbanded the previous year. - Release of 'Stich' album - Fiachra leaves the band [Late 2004] 2005 - Release of 'The Wave & Groom' E.P. [February] - Wil McDermott joins on Bass. Wil had previously played with Michael in Settler. Liam Dunne also joined on Synths and Brian O'Higgins on Drums - Release of 'A Very Merry Christmas' split single with Stoat [December] 2006 - Release of 'All This Happened More Or Less' album [October] 2009 - Release of 'At The Natural History Museum' album [23 March] 2010 - Release of 'Marriage' album [21 August] - Release of 'This Golden Age' single [10 November] 2011 - Groom perform as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin [06 - 08 October] 2012 - Groom perform as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin [October] 2013 - Release of 'Brothers And Sisters' EP [27 July] - Groom perform as part of the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin [03 - 05 October] 2014 - Release of 'Bread And Jam' album [09 August] 2015 - Release of 'Another Day' single [18 March] - Groom announce that the band is to split [20 March]