The Inbreds and a Blurb on Mike O'Neill

Mike O'Neill is a Canadian musician based out of Halifax Nova Scotia. I was about 15 when I discovered his fabulous talent. As a young girl starting out playing bass guitar, I fell in love with his former band The Inbreds which featured Mike O'Neill on bass and Dave Ullrich on drums. There were some other instruments used in the making of their music but the main two remained bass and drums.

I was shocked when I first found out it was only a two-man band. Mike O'Neill plays the bass superbly and makes use of multiple effect pedals to create different sounds for the bass. I went out in search of the album Hilario, their first album which was released in 1993. I found a copy at the music store in the mall and I loved all of it instantly after listening to it. I was studying bass at the time and so I would try to play like Mike played. It was rather futile although I managed to learn a couple of songs through sheer determination. I loved the album art that was on the CD cover. I still own the same one today. It was one of my older CDs that didn't get stolen from me most likely and thankfully, due to the fact that most people have not heard of the Inbreds.



Oh noes! Kitty is scared!



They had a rather big hit off of their second album Kombinator, here in Canada. It got radio play and Much Music play as far as I know. I was not a fan of radio and so therefore didn't listen to it for many years. The song is called "Any Sense of Time". I quite enjoyed this album as well. I pretty much like to try and figure out what effects he's using and I will fully admit, his song writing skills are great and the tunes are catchy.



The band broke up in '98 after releasing the 4rd album titled Winning Hearts, but not before I got a chance to see them play live at Fenn Lounge in Carleton University. I went with my boyfriend at the time but I don't remember him being there with me as I was too entranced with the bass playing skills. It was great to finally see the magic!

Dave Ullrich has apparently formed another band called the Eggers. I haven't heard of them but I am going to have a listen-hear at some point. He also owns a digital label which houses a tonne of independent Canadian artists called Zunior Records.

Mike O'Neill has been up to making more music and songwriting since the days of the Inbreds. His solo career consists of two albums. On the first album which is titled What Happens Now? he has a the backing of some rather well-known Canadian names like Ron Sexsmith and Matt Murphy of Superfriendz. The second is titled The Owl and Mike plays and sings everything on the album. This album is only available on Zunior Records. You can check out his solo work on the CBC Radio3 site here. I personally really like "Camera Shy" off this link.

That's my first entry..I hope you enjoy.

:D