BETTER DAYS profile picture

BETTER DAYS

About Me


"We learned more from a three minute record than we ever learned in school."
Born and bred in the Parkchester section of the Bronx, Roddy Harrington has been singing and strumming his way through bars, clubs and pubs since the tender age of 16. He began honing his six string skills, mastering the harmonica and following his musical destiny long before most kids got their first pimple. Influenced by the likes of James Taylor, Cat Stevens and the Eagles, Roddy could always be found at the local gin mill with his trusty Martin D-28 in hand and a microphone in front of him. During the 70's he performed numerous solo gigs throughout Yonkers and the Bronx. In the 80's he toured locally in the acoustic rock duo "Driftwood" and subsequently continued playing in Irish showbands throughout the metropolitan area.
Jim McElligott was raised in Forest Hills, Queens and picked up his first guitar the day after the Beatles played the Ed Sullivan Show. Childhood friend, comedian (and wanna-be drummer) Ray Romano has called him "the greatest guitarist to ever play in my basement". During the late 70's and early 80's, Jim's band "The Propellors" were mainstays of the Manhattan club circuit (CBGB's, Max's Kansas City, Electric Circus, Trude Heller's, Snafu, Tier 3). Their studio recordings were produced by Tommy Ramone, founding member of the Ramones. They appeared on TV's Uncle Floyd Show and received airplay on NY's top 2 rock stations - WLIR's Street Beat Competition and WNEW's Prisoners of Rock & Roll. Jim's original song "Blue Valentine" was chosen as the soundtrack for VH-1's "100 Greatest Rock Videos of All Time" commercial which aired in 2004. He has recorded and performed with members of the Ramones, Television and the Marshall Crenshaw band.
On a warm summer night in 1995, Roddy brought his trusty Martin D-28 to Jim's home around the corner in Pearl River and returned home 3 hours, 30 songs and a new singing partner later.
"Fortunately, things have gone well for us since that first jam session in 1995. We love performing and meeting new friends and fans of our music. We hope to continue playing until we end up in rocking chairs, in a cocktail lounge, on a cruise ship, with our guitars still in hand and many musical memories to cherish.
Thank you all for your continued support and friendship throughout the years....there's much more to do and many more good times and Better Days ahead!
-Roddy and Jim

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 20/03/2007
Band Website: myspace.com/betterdaysmusicsite
Band Members: Roddy Harrington
Vocals
Acoustic Guitars
Harmonica

Jimmy McElligott
Vocals
Electric & Baritone Guitars
E Bow

Contact: 845-304-9241
Email:[email protected]

Influences: Everly Brothers, Lennon & McCartney, Johnny Cash, The Searchers, Badfinger, Pete Ham, Roy Orbison, Peter & Gordon, Ricky Nelson, Leslie West, Chad & Jeremy, Paul Simon, Eric Burdon, The Byrds, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, The Ramones, Brian Wilson, John Fogerty & Creedence, Young Rascals, Dave Clark Five, The Move/Roy Wood/Jeff Lynne/The Idle Race, Early (Brian Jones) Stones, Uncle Floyd, Duane Eddy, The Who, Dion, Ziggy & the Spiders, Neil Young, Burt Bacharach, The Zombies, Slade, Boyce & Hart, Bob Dylan, Spirit, Vanilla Fudge, Tommy James, Bruce, The Ventures, Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, Sam Cooke, Mick Ronson, Chris Spedding, Mitch Ryder, Steve Hunter, Procol Harum, Tom Jones, Shindig, Link Wray, T-Rex, The Supremes, Johnny Rivers, Lulu, Ray Charles, Crosby/Stills & Nash, Wilson Pickett, Buddy Holly, Johnny Winter And, Hullabaloo, Steve Marriott, Humble Pie, Donovan, Richie Valens, Alice Cooper, Roger Miller, James Burton, Grand Funk, Jeff Beck, Del Shannon, The Rutles, Mitch Miller, Lawrence Welk and other assorted icons of 60's-70's Pop/Rock/Folk music
Sounds Like: A DUO LIKE NO OTHER...........

Roddy's acoustic, folk and soft rock background is the heart of the duo's sound while Jim's electric rock, power pop and punk experience is its soul. The blending of their two very different and distinct musical worlds has forged a unique style and sound unlike any other duo and is what sets them apart from the usual and the ordinary.

Their sonic recipe begins with dual lead vocal harmonies and intuitively dovetailed guitarwork. Enhancing that base with tasty bits of harmonica and E-bow, the final mix is then fortified with electronic percussion and the deep twang of electric baritone guitar. The end result is Better Days' own inimitable duo-sonic "Wall of Sound"- a satisfying musical feast.

In 2002, Better Days were the featured performers at the Rockland Irish American Cultural Center reception for Gerry Adams, President of Ireland's Sinn Fein. During his keynote speech on the troubles in Northern Ireland, Mr. Adams specifically thanked Roddy and Jim for their performance, then stated "I pray for Better Days ahead in the peace process for our homeland as well." The boys then broke into a rousing version of "God Save Ireland" as the crowd sang along.

They have also appeared live in concert with The Wolfe Tones during their 2006 U.S. tour. To the delight of the The Wolfe Tones, Better Days closed the night by taking the stage and rocking the house with pumped up versions of the band's legendary Irish rebel songs including their trademark anthem "Celtic Symphony".

ENDORSEMENTS:
jerryjonesguitars.com
jettergear.com
Record Label: Wedontneednostinkinlabel

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