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The EP is coming! in the meantime

My top twenty OPpenheimer moments, things or places.
I did this for a BBC website just after the Christmas gig last year.


1. October 2004:

Having Shaun come round to my spare room and recording some loops on guitar. Spending some time alone creating many noises and blips. Heading round to Shaun's house and playing him what I'd done. So nervous that he'd hate it.
I remember him playing it on his DVD player in his living room. He didn't hate it! He did up some vocals and a couple of days later, we had our first song "Allen Died, April Five"

2. January 2005:

Going to Los Angeles, thinking about moving there to pursue a life of engineering/producing. While there meeting people who told me I should go home and take Oppenheimer a lot more seriously. Staying with Young Einstein from Ugly Duckling in Longbeach and having him give me the boost to come home more excited and more positive than ever.

3. July 2005.

After working at "Glam-a-rama" at The Empire Music Hall and walking home in the rain. Getting back at 3am in the worst mood, checking my emails and hearing from Bar/None Records. In one sentence, everything changed! Eight days later we had a record deal and were now frantically working towards completing an album!

4. November 2005.

Playing with Architecture In Helsinki in The Speakeasy Belfast. Returning from our first UK "tour" which was a mere week long trip. Feeling a little tired and weary (if only we could have seen the next few years then!) we were blown away by how many people came to see us and how many whooped and cheered. It was a defining moment in things feeling completely different as a band.

5. Christmas 2005.

Having Tim Wheeler guest on the album. Fumbling around with Pro Tools while he patiently waited, I don't think I've ever been so nervous in a session. He triple tracked out the vocals he'd been working on. All of a sudden I had a reality check "There's Tim Wheeler and he's singing on music we made, this is really happening!"

6. St. Patrick's Day 2006

Quitting my job as an engineer in a post production studio and going full time into music was daunting enough, add to it the US work visa process, Shaun needing to take a day off from his job teaching and flying from Dublin to Chicago to Austin.
Landing more tired than ever, stumbling to our hosts Pam & David's car and feeling the air and atmosphere of Texas for the first time. Did we climb into bed to rest for the most important gig so far? NO! We hit the town and blagged our way in to see dEUS.
Stayed out until 6am, got up at 10am and played the Bar/None Showcase before flying home the next day!

7. 06/06/06

Debut album released on Bar/None records. Months of hard work, so many emails, phonecalls and work put in, not just by Shaun & I, but by Mark and Glenn at Bar/None, by Perry Serpa on press, by Beth Van Sistine on Artwork. All of a sudden we had an album and people all over the world were talking about it.

8. August/Sept/Oct/Nov 2006.

Our first US tour.
Playing with Hot Chip at Southstreet Seaport. My birthday show at Union Hall Brooklyn. WOXY session. Meeting Freezepop. Playing Mojo 13, Wilmington DE. Meeting Jeff Van Fossen at The Dark Horse Tavern in State College, PA. Playing with The Like Young - one of my favourite bands, two weeks before they split. Touring with Mosquitos. Driving from St. Louis to Seattle.
The Desert. The Mountains. Crazy nights out in Austin. Watching Ted Leo & The Pharmacists. Inspirational nights that formed songs like Stephen McCauley For President, Fireworks Are Illegal, Six Blocks That Way. Playing CMJ. Being away from Belfast for almost two months straight for the first time. Realising when you tour that it feels like three days are packed into one.

9. February 2007. Playing with Fujiya & Miyagi

Crawdaddy Dublin. We play the IMRO showcase at 7pm and then open for Fujiya & Miyagi.
The shows are great and rowdy. We meet friends like The Dudley Corporation, Fight Like Apes, Tilly & Wall but even more surreal that any of that, there's a man in the crowd who takes a picture on his phone and sends it stateside.
It's received by Jamie Kitman, manager of They Might Be Giants, OK Go and others. Nothing happens with this for months, but looking back, having the greatest, most relaxed and natural evening could only lead to great things!

10. August 2007.

Playing the Bowery Ballroom with They Might Be Giants. We all knew that they were watching us, that their wives were watching us, that their manager was watching us. But again, we had one of the most fun shows ever. Of course no matter where you play in the USA, there's always one person from Belfast in the crowd shouting "state o' ya" This does everything to settle the nerves.

Two days later we take the train to Nyack to meet with this manager. I've never felt more like two school kids, unsure of where we were going, who we were meeting and if we were in trouble or something.

We go out for lunch in a Russian/American diner. Waffles and syrup while we get to know a table full of people.
An incredible sentence that will stick with me was "Well, sit down, the first thing we can do is offer you three months on tour with They Might Be Giants"

11. Recording the summer of 2007

Take The Whole Midrange And Boost It was probably my favourite time in Oppenheimer. Just Shaun & I, along with the help of a few friends. Three months recording ideas and pushing the boundaries of what we could make. No gig, meeting, television show was ever more exciting than four walls and a whole load of songs.


12. Sept/Oct/Nov/Dec 2007

Around 100 shows in the USA. We play in around thirty five states. all across. There are van breakdowns, equipment breakdown and especially human breakdowns.
We meet so many incredible people. We play to more people than we ever thought possible. Radio sessions, TV interviews, a trip to the Moog Factory. Only two colds and one flu. Late nights, early mornings, chasing a tour bus from east to west and back again.

13. February 2008

Irish Tour. Expansion into four piece. Learning about loads of new music from Hornby. Feeling the interaction of real live human musicians on stage and being so excited at the possibilities of where that could go.

14. March 2008 TMBG Round 2!

Almost being involved in a huge car crash on the way to the first venue as part of a month long Giants tour made for a shaky start.
I collected State Fridge magnets on this tour, think I collected 31. Our first shows in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida as well as more sensational nights in Texas.

On to SXSW. Playing gigs, watching Genghis Tron. Driving straight from the Time Out New York gig in Austin, TX to the St. Patrick's day gig with Neon Neon in The Viper Room on Sunset Strip, Hollywood, CA.

Playing the WORST gig ever, having a nasty time, a complete blow out with our sound guy and generally lashing out, we hear some days later that the show has led to a publishing deal, that will give us enough money to get back to the other side of the country and to continue being the band!

15. Everything!

Everything that's happened in Oppenheimer ever. From the 6 hour flights where I wanted to scream from fear of flying, getting to watch Reggie & The Full Effect in NYC, fighting with the festival director of Craicfest NYC, because he is a "playa" and he "owns this town." The letter from the girl who took hope from our music after she lost her baby, the people on local music websites who moan and whine about you, the people who take time to tell you what they think. Playing music!

15. STATE COLLEGE, PA

State College, PA is a city built on Penn State University. It's our second most played place outside of Belfast.
There are a small group of heroes who run an all ages gig venue called Chronic Town. The best nights of Oppenheimer have been spent there, we've brought friends like La Faro there to see what it can be like. We have the best gigs, fireworks, unique cocktails, fist fights, we've also played with incredible bands. Every time there is like seeing old friends, good friends, the ones you can't wait to talk to. Even now, I can't wait to get back there!

16. Union Hall, Brooklyn

Union Hall saw some incredible nights, my 24th birthday, playing with A Camp. It's run by a guy called Skippy, who used to run March Records, one of the greatest labels ever. He now puts on incredible music all the time. He's a true hero of music and one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. He also has a new venue called The Bell House. Both are the opposite of the live music dive bars of Manhattan, where you'll never get paid or be treated with respect. Skippy provides a haven for road weary bands. You'll leave inspired, uplifted and very very drunk. It's been an honour to experience it!

18. Los Angeles

No other city has taught me the two sides of music.
Upside: Appearing on National Chat shows, being limo driven, hit with a make up gun, receiving vodka from the host, having an elvis impersonator warm the crowd up for you, hanging out in the green room with Coolio and Tim Reid (from Sister Sister!)
Reality Check: Being left holding all your gear on a sloping car park for three hours, as you aren't allowed to load into the venue, you have to wait your turn and then carry the gear up a flight of stairs, play, don't get paid and get out without even asking for a glass of water.

This was one day in the life of Oppenheimer!

I've made a couple of really good friends in LA who I always hope to know. They take us out on 5am trips to the beach, to see punk rock shows and to all the best places in the sprawl AND they hang out in those parking lots with us.


19. Gerry Bannon

Gerry Bannon was the first and firmest believer in Oppenheimer. He let us record our album at his studio and pay him for it two years later.
He gave us back the money we paid him. He bankrolled months of hard times because he believed that we'd come good. He bent over backwards to make all our dreams a reality, it was never selfish, never anything except honest and exceptional good human spirit. Not only that, but he (mostly) put up with the air horns, the fireworks, the shouting, the loud music, the cruel pranks. He gave back ten times more. HE was the one breaking all the laws, having the run ins with the cops, he was also the one driving 'til 7am to get us to the ferry on time. You heard the stories from Shaun's mouth, but the actions were coming from Gerry.

20. Belfast City Streets.

Belfast has treated us like no other city. Right from the start, when no one knew us. When I was a kid who moved from a small village to do sound, the same incredible enthusiasm from people has followed us right through the band. People from radio, magazines, promoters, artists, t-shirt makers, video directors, NIMIC, Arts Council, Colleges to music fans.
This city is incredible and making music here is one of the best things anyone could hope for. Those who knock it aren't experiencing what it really has to offer. It reflects everything Oppenheimer has ever tried to be; positive, encouraging, enthusiastic, happy and content.

bye bye!

I've started a new livejournal over at rockyoreilly.livejournal.com

Won't be posting here anymore.

Please come and join me, I'll be keeping updates on the new band, recording other bands,
my reacquired love of Irish League Football and everything else that I get up to in Belfast.

Dec 12th 2009. 

On December 19th at 11pm, Rocky and Shaun plan to take to the stage together as Oppenheimer for the last time. 

There will be a farewell EP, a digital release at the start of 2010. A snapshot of where we had arrived at this point, as we have recently been working on new material. 

Further ideas that have been worked on will accompany Rocky on his journey to a new band, which in some ways has already started, as the songs and plot lines are already underway, as anyone who has witnessed Oppenheimer recently can no doubt testify. 

The reasons for this announcement are multiple yet highly intertwined. Ultimately, to be in any band you allow the band to consume you, becoming every particle of your existence, every aspect of your being, every thought that wakes you up early and every task that keeps you up late at night. 

The reward for such dedication and commitment, not to mention the hardship that goes hand in hand with making music for a living is the unrivalled joy and honour that fills your mind, body and soul by getting to do all the things that you can.  

The moment this joy falters, rocks or is jolted out of existence, the struggle is of no consequence or purpose. 

After five years together, recording and releasing two albums, playing hundreds of shows and touring with some of the greatest bands in the world, the level of commitment, passion and drive that one of us can give to the band has changed. 

It's an understandable occurrence and one that we're both delighted to address at this time. 

Shaun has realized that in order to fulfill his hopes and dreams he needs to take a new and different path in his life. 

Rocky's ideas, dreams and notions for writing, recording and touring are more alive and vibrant than ever.

Due to these changing circumstances, we have decided to part ways.

We have no idea if we will ever work together again, recording movie soundtracks, making ambient albums or even making indie pop songs. Who knows what tomorrow holds? 

For now, Oppenheimer have no plans to write, record or play together again after December 19th 2009. 

Our thanks and respect for every single person in the world who has done anything to help us is overwhelming, it always has been, it always will be. 

Rocky O'Reilly & Shaun Robinson

Dec 12th 2009. 

On December 19th at 11pm, Rocky and Shaun plan to take to the stage together as Oppenheimer for the last time. 

There will be a farewell EP, a digital release at the start of 2010. A snapshot of where we had arrived at this point, as we have recently been working on new material. 

Further ideas that have been worked on will accompany Rocky on his journey to a new band, which in some ways has already started, as the songs and plot lines are already underway, as anyone who has witnessed Oppenheimer recently can no doubt testify. 

The reasons for this announcement are multiple yet highly intertwined. Ultimately, to be in any band you allow the band to consume you, becoming every particle of your existence, every aspect of your being, every thought that wakes you up early and every task that keeps you up late at night. 

The reward for such dedication and commitment, not to mention the hardship that goes hand in hand with making music for a living is the unrivalled joy and honour that fills your mind, body and soul by getting to do all the things that you can.  

The moment this joy falters, rocks or is jolted out of existence, the struggle is of no consequence or purpose. 

After five years together, recording and releasing two albums, playing hundreds of shows and touring with some of the greatest bands in the world, the level of commitment, passion and drive that one of us can give to the band has changed. 

It's an understandable occurrence and one that we're both delighted to address at this time. 

Shaun has realized that in order to fulfill his hopes and dreams he needs to take a new and different path in his life. 

Rocky's ideas, dreams and notions for writing, recording and touring are more alive and vibrant than ever.

Due to these changing circumstances, we have decided to part ways.

We have no idea if we will ever work together again, recording movie soundtracks, making ambient albums or even making indie pop songs. Who knows what tomorrow holds? 

For now, Oppenheimer have no plans to write, record or play together again after December 19th 2009. 

Our thanks and respect for every single person in the world who has done anything to help us is overwhelming, it always has been, it always will be. 

Rocky O'Reilly & Shaun Robinson

Killarney = best town in Ireland?

We had a long drive down to Killarney,
listening to To Rococo Rot, Tristeza, Kira Kira, Jimmy Eat World and more on the way,
rainy weather, trouble finding the venue, we were expecting the worst!

We were so wrong! The venue was really huge, much like a lot of the venues we played with They Might Be Giants.
The crowd were also similar, really interactive and friendly. This made it by far my favourite gig this year!

We had a long drive back and got home at 7am. I've already been on a winning football team this morning,
I was one half of the "dream team" that had a 2-0 Victory, it should have been more, but the post was unkind.

This week we're doing some recording and three more gigs in Dundalk, Kilkenny and Waterford!

Can't wait!

Dublin!

We played the Academy last night for Phantom First Friday.

Things we liked:

Being on time!
Eddie Rockets.
Writing a new song before soundcheck.
Playing new songs.
Seeing General Fiasco, who really were great! they also sounded amazing.
Watching Darren, GF tour manager, struggle to get his printer working. No ink mate.
Barry Peak!
Hunky Dory crisps.
Loading out through an R'n'B club.
Briefly driving the wrong way down a one way road near the M50.

We're off to Killarney today, it'll be the furthest point in Ireland that three out of five of us have ever been from Belfast. That's me, Chris (sound) and Hornby, who plays guitar for some shows with us, like last night.