The Silencers on DeBaser: Celtic rock, new wave, and rainy guitars

The Profile

The Silencers are a Scottish band formed in Glasgow in 1986 by Jimme O’Neill and Cha Burns (both formerly of Fingerprintz). They are known for blending Celtic rock and new wave, debuting with A Letter From St. Paul (1987) and scoring attention with Painted Moon. Later highlights include Dance to the Holy Man (1991), with continued activity into the 2000s.

Founded in Glasgow in 1986 by Jimme O’Neill (vocals, guitar) and Cha Burns (guitar), ex-Fingerprintz. Debut album A Letter From St. Paul (1987) featured the single Painted Moon. Subsequent albums include A Blues for Buddha (1988), Dance to the Holy Man (1991), Seconds of Pleasure (1993), So Be It (1995), and Come (2004). Cha Burns died in 2007. The band has been particularly appreciated in France and is noted for a Celtic rock/new wave blend.

Scottish group led by Jimme O’Neill and the late Cha Burns, The Silencers stitch Celtic rock, new wave and flashes of blues into elegant, rain-kissed songs. Reviews praise the debut’s delicate wave, the peak of Dance to the Holy Man, and the tuneful accessibility of Seconds of Pleasure and So Be It. The final album, Come, is viewed critically. References to U2, Simple Minds, The Smiths and R.E.M. frame their sound and era.

Notable Quotes

❝ In 1987, The Silencers debuted with a lean and sensitive new wave record.

❝ A really nice album, rich in moments of high inspiration, worthy of being placed among the unmissable ones, in the list of those who appreciate the new wave as well as those who are lovers of sounds, atmospheres, and suggestions (or more simply records) coming from that part of the world.

❝ this “So Be It” from 1995, undoubtedly the Celtic (pop)rock album of the 90s that U2 did not know how to (and most probably did not want to, it must be said) make.