Mama’s Boys -

Mama’s Boys were an Irish hard-rock/metal band that released the 1980–82 albums Official Bootleg and Plug It In on Pussy Records, followed by the 1983 Spartan breakthrough Turn It Up. They made three further albums through 1987 on Jive, followed by subsequent titles on Music For Nations and Intercord.

Members: John McManus (lead vocals, bass, low whistle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes), Pat McManus (lead guitar, acoustic guitar, fiddle, backing vocals), Tommy McManus (drums, [bodhran] drum, 1978-85), Jimmy DeGrasso (drums, 1985-86), Rick Chase (lead vocals, 1986-87), Keith Murrell (lead vocals, 1987-89), Michael “Mike” Wilson (lead vocals, 1989-93), Alan Williams (keyboards, 1989-93)

Background

Mama’s Boys formed in 1978 near Derrylin, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, when guitarist–violinist Pat McManus teamed with his younger brothers, singer–bassist John McManus and drummer Tommy McManus, under the name Pulse.

The brothers grew up on a farm at Aughakillymaude, near Derrylin. Their parents, multi-instrumentalist John McManus (fiddle, saxophone, guitar) and singer Valerie McManus, met in the Starlight Showband. The couple later toured Ireland with their six children as the McManus Family Group. Pat learnt violin and acoustic guitar as a child; at fourteen, he won an All-Ireland fiddle championship. John played tin whistle, bodhrán, and uilleann pipes and won successive Ulster tin-whistle championships. He made his television debut at eight alongside flautist Matt Molloy. Tommy received his first drum kit at ten as a Christmas present.

Pat saw the Irish folk-rock band Horslips in Drumshanbo, County Leitrim, and decided to combine traditional Irish music with rock. The brothers attended Horslips concerts across Ireland and befriended the band members. Pulse initially played covers mixed with early Pat originals. The guitarist bought Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Budgie albums to hear songs that audiences requested at early gigs.

Horslips singer–bassist Barry Devlin visited the family farm to hear Pulse rehearse and offered the trio a support slot on the 1979 Irish tour. The brothers adopted the Mama’s Boys name in 1979 from a remark about their youth by Radio Luxembourg DJ Tony Prince. The trio saved income from gigs for a record on Pussy Records, their own label under Horslips manager Joe Wynne. Wynne arranged studio time for their self-financed 1980 debut, Official Album.

Discography:

Official Bootleg (1980)
Plug It In (1982)
Turn It Up (1983)
Mama’s Boys (1984)
Power and Passion (1985)
Growing Up the Hard Way (1987)
Relativity (1992)

Sources

Pat McManus — band biography. Family ensemble, 1978 Pulse formation, and 1979 name change. (Irish Rock Legends)
The History of Celtus. Parent and sibling instruments, childhood contests, John’s television appearance, Tommy’s first drum kit, and Tony Prince’s name suggestion. (Folking)
A life in rock ’n’ roll — Pat McManus interview, October 19, 2021. Drumshanbo concert, the move from traditional music to rock, and Devlin’s rehearsal visit. (The Irish World)
An Interview with Pat McManus, November 5, 2021. Childhood violin and acoustic guitar, Pulse’s cover repertoire, and the first original songs. (VWMusic)
Pat and John McManus — interview, January 21, 2024. Aughakillymaude farm, Starlight Showband connection, audience requests, Horslips support tour, and Wynne’s studio arrangements. (Louder)
Pat McManus — Alex McGreevy interview, republished by Yperano Records. Gig income as the source of recording funds and the decision to finance vinyl records. (Yperano Records)
Pussy Records — label discography. Band ownership and Joe Wynne’s management of the label. (Irish Rock Discography)
Mama’s Boys — original album listings. The 1980 Official Album title and the subsequent Official Bootleg title, checked against the original sleeve. (NWOBHM)