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Bio:
Predator were a twin guitar heavy metal band.
The original lineup with Niall McGreevy & Tommy Whelan on guitars
is the one that recorded the famous 1988 demo tape. This demo
was solid in the Sound Cellar on Nassau Street in Dublin and in all about 1200 copies were sold.
The band signed to a UK/Dutch management company through Kaz Balinsky.
Denis Desmond of Solid Records bought out the bands management contract and signed Predator
to Solid Records. This was always with a view to moving them on to EMI or another major label.
The band recorded a new demo in 1988 which Solid released as a 12inch EP. This was rush released
due to heavy demand from the music industry, in particular from EMI Records, who wished to hear
more material from the band before any further contract talk. Solid pressed 800-1200 copies
approx. The EP was very well received, and there was some hype and buzz around the band
at the time, with plenty of media focus. In all the band recorded four separate demos for
record company interest. In retrospect it's a pity more of this material wasn't released.
Tommy Whelan was let go due to other commitments which left Niall McGreevy was the sole guitar
player for a period of about 18 months spanning 1988-90. This included the tours with Anthrax and
Queensryche (see below). Jerry Galvin was eventually recruited as second guitarist after Niall saw
him with a cover band call Angel. Sean McBride was fired by management and John O'Brian recruited in his
place.
Predator toured with Anthrax on their "State of Euphoria" tour in July 1989 including
dates at Omagh, Bangor (Bangor Castle Leisure Centre),
and Dublin (Top Hat Dun Laoghaire). This tour is remembered for Anthrax walking off stage because of
the spitting (rife in Ireland back then -- sure we'd seen it on TV!). Predator also supported
Queensryche on the Irish leg of their "Operation : Livecrime" tour, playing the SFX in
Dublin and the Ulster Hall (not the Kings Hall?) in Belfast.
Predator were destined for big things but contract problems and other politics prevented this
from happening. Niall McGreevy left and Lars Fraser became the singer before the band finally split in 1991.
Niall McGreevy pursued a music teaching career, but is now an IT consultant and Irelands
demonstrator for Marshall Amplification.
There are two live videos on youtube: search for Predator and McGonagles and you'll find them.
'Predator' was a popular name with the metal hordes: the singles I'd previously
listed here ("See You Here" on Quik Records, 1982 and "Dont Stop" on CMT Records, 1985)
were both by different UK bands. I know of only one release by the Irish band.
We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.