Paddy’s collective works

PADDY O’HARE . . . proud to be playing a role in the exciting music scene in and around Oldham Picture: Christian Dyson Photography

MUSIC EXTRA: TO say guitarist and singer Paddy O’Hare is a popular character on the Oldham and Saddleworth music scene would be an understatement.

Paddy, at only 38, is a local legend. He’s almost done it all in more than two decades since first deciding to pick up a guitar — a decision prompted by getting fed up playing in brass bands (because you can’t sing and play at the same time).

From jam sessions at Oldham Sixth Form College in 1996, Paddy has gone on to front some terrific local outfits.. His first rock adventure was as part of blues outfit Blue Thatcher. From 2003-2008 the band made a name for itself here and in Dublin.

A spell with original punky pop band Rawcuss followed, before Paddy dipped into the tribute scene with the superbly named Fink Ployd, at the same time he was making a name for himself as a producer and co-host on Rock Radio (now Real XS).

A solitary gig at Uppermill Civic Hall followed for Paddy and the Crusade, but then came the “here and now” for Paddy as he joned broadcasting legend Mike Sweeney to conjure up the Collective at the same time as returning to the airwaves on Fab Radio International. He also currently fronts rock trio The Replicants.

Paddy said: “I’d known Mike from working together at Rock Radio and we got on very well, but then I was made redundant. He phoned me out of the blue and said he had a great idea for an acoustic ‘thing’.

“He’d tried it out with one or two other people, including Dave Sharp from The Alarm at one point, but he still had a few unfinished songs. We recorded some of them, grabbed whoever wanted to play with us and that turned into the first EP. Out of that we accidentally got a band.

“We’re a four-piece now — me and Mike, Dave Williams on bass and Phil Grainger on drums, and that’s been a pretty solid line-up for a while.

“The audiences are great when we play. We’re hoping to get back in the studio again this year and capture the band’s sound with new songs.”

With a baby girl on the way in March, it’s a wonder Paddy gets time to play with the Replicants - Paddy, drummer Jack Sadler and bassist Nic Southwood - as well.

“They just kind of happened,” he explained. “I found Jack and Nick, sent them a set list with the keys and the MP3s, and we just turned up at a gig and played it cold. It was probably 85 per cent bang-on straight away, so we said we should do more of it. “

Music, and guitars, are in Paddy’s blood. He’s also proud to be playing an important role in what is an exciting scene in and around Oldham at present.

“It’s great to be a part of it all,” said Paddy. “For some odd reason Saddleworth and Oldham has always been a hotbed of good bands, and that cycle seems to be coming back around again now.”

Check out The Replicants, and Mike Sweeney and Paddy O’Hare, on Facebook for latest news on The Collective gigs and other updates.