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BIO | VIDEO | QUOTES | RESUME | GALLERY | ARTICLE | LEGACY
BIO | VIDEO | QUOTES | RESUME | GALLERY | ARTICLE | LEGACY
BIO
Hailing from "County Denver", Gobs O'Phun is a traditional Irish and Scottish, acoustic folk band that originated in the family living room. Brothers-in-law Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth form the duet. They accompany themselves with guitar, bodhran and harmonica.
They are not an instrumental or dance band. They sing songs that tell stories. And because of the universal themes in the songs – whether it’s love, relationships, honor, pride, overcoming adversity, freedom or humorous in nature – their music appeals to all cultural backgrounds. The term "gob" is slang in the Celtic isles for your mouth, befitting a band that is more of a vocal group than instrumentalists. And when they frame their music with historical notes as well as spontaneous, humorous banter, you never know what fun will come out of their gobs!
The "Gobs" are family-friendly (or can pretend to be), tailoring their show to suit the audience. They started their public career performing in pubs, but extended that base to play festivals across the region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska, as well as the cities of Chicago and St. Louis); public events such as the alcohol-free First Night Colorado New Years Eve and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; private parties and corporate events; schools (elementary-college); senior centers, nursing homes, churches and even a convent.
As you can see, they have a wide demographic appeal.
Although many associate their music with March, the Gobs play year-round — they're not just for St. Patrick's Day!
They are not an instrumental or dance band. They sing songs that tell stories. And because of the universal themes in the songs – whether it’s love, relationships, honor, pride, overcoming adversity, freedom or humorous in nature – their music appeals to all cultural backgrounds. The term "gob" is slang in the Celtic isles for your mouth, befitting a band that is more of a vocal group than instrumentalists. And when they frame their music with historical notes as well as spontaneous, humorous banter, you never know what fun will come out of their gobs!
The "Gobs" are family-friendly (or can pretend to be), tailoring their show to suit the audience. They started their public career performing in pubs, but extended that base to play festivals across the region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska, as well as the cities of Chicago and St. Louis); public events such as the alcohol-free First Night Colorado New Years Eve and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City; private parties and corporate events; schools (elementary-college); senior centers, nursing homes, churches and even a convent.
As you can see, they have a wide demographic appeal.
Although many associate their music with March, the Gobs play year-round — they're not just for St. Patrick's Day!
Gobs O'Phun Virtual Zoom Concert mini-sampler, St. Patrick's Day, March 2021
Zoom Concert Reviews:
Talent Agent: ...awesome; we are thrilled and delighted that everything went well for all three of your clients and their attendees. Thank you for trusting 5 Star and Gobs with this important virtual event on this St. Pat’s Day! Martin and Denis you rock, and I ditto the compliments below. I also thank you for going the extra mile to make this a successful event. So happy!
Event Planner: THANK YOU so much!! You were wonderful to work with and incredibly entertaining. It was a perfect event to celebrate the St Paddy’s holiday. You guys were absolutely great and I second (the comment below) that your ability to integrate the client's brand into the performance was above and beyond. Your attention to detail did not go unnoticed.
Client Feedback: The guys from Gobs O’Phun were hilarious and highly entertaining. We are so thankful that they were mindful of our audience and incorporated our logos and those amazing IT jokes. It is the little details like this that make these events stand out and we are very appreciative.
Talent Agent: ...awesome; we are thrilled and delighted that everything went well for all three of your clients and their attendees. Thank you for trusting 5 Star and Gobs with this important virtual event on this St. Pat’s Day! Martin and Denis you rock, and I ditto the compliments below. I also thank you for going the extra mile to make this a successful event. So happy!
Event Planner: THANK YOU so much!! You were wonderful to work with and incredibly entertaining. It was a perfect event to celebrate the St Paddy’s holiday. You guys were absolutely great and I second (the comment below) that your ability to integrate the client's brand into the performance was above and beyond. Your attention to detail did not go unnoticed.
Client Feedback: The guys from Gobs O’Phun were hilarious and highly entertaining. We are so thankful that they were mindful of our audience and incorporated our logos and those amazing IT jokes. It is the little details like this that make these events stand out and we are very appreciative.
VIDEO PRESS KIT
GOBS O'PHUN ARRANGEMENT OF
"FLOWER OF SCOTLAND" AND "SCOTS WHA HAE"
REFERENCE LETTERS
“Gobs O’Phun started as temporary entertainment for Finnegan’s...their two week trial period turned into sixteen months.
Gobs O’Phun has proven to be an asset...” Ken Strelzyk – Adam’s Mark Hotel Denver
“You got rave reviews...your entertainment was everything we expected: warm, witty, charming and authentic.”
Linda Carroll, Pat Forsyth – McData Corporation
“They are a very nice, considerate, fun-loving, talented trio...we highly and whole-heartedly recommend them for anyone
who wants good, clean and fun entertainment.” Richard & Lynne MacMaster – The Kilt and Candle
“They are accomplished at getting the audience involved while entertaining them...I recommend Gobs O’Phun without reservation.”
Joyce Wood – Clancy’s Irish Pub
“They are the only band we request for special events and holidays...have a unique and warm approach...they always attract a large following of loyal fans to our casino...I have yet to find another band that compares...”
Karen Denison – Fitzgerald’s Casino, Black Hawk
“...a huge hit with our guests...they brought a great deal of animation to our festival.” Molly Speer – Keystone Neighbourhood Co.
“Their reception was outstanding. Folk concert performances were equally enjoyed. We hope that they will accept
a future invitation to perform again.” James Durward – Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival, Estes Park
"I first became acquainted with Gobs O'Phun at a Celtic festival in Kiowa, CO. Their style of music is lighthearted and thoroughly entertaining and is suitable for any and all audiences. My granddaughter who was 9 at the time just had to have copies of their CD’s. I next ran into the group at a festival in Wyoming where they not only played during the day but were one of the principal performing groups at the dinner that evening. I was so impressed that I booked them to perform at the dinner to be given for the national officers and members of Clan Mackay USA at our Annual General Meeting held in Estes Park. They were such a hit there that after the dinner all of the attendees sat around listening and encouraging them well into the night." Jim MacKie, Regional Vice President, Rocky Mountain Region, Clan Mackay Society, USA.
“...presented visitors to the Scottish Olympic Cultural Hall with 12 hours of quality entertainment (in one day!)...a pleasure to work with... Gobs O’Phun are to be commended for their outstanding contribution to the 2002 Olympic event... we look forward to having them return for our summer festival...” Aileen Ferguson, Dan Stewart, Caol Ritchie – Utah Scottish Association
“Gobs O’ Phun played to a near sell-out crowd. The atmosphere was “purely pub” complete with an exuberant crowd. I would recommend “Gobs of fun” to any promoter or venue looking for a great pub band to bring a little Irish cheer.” Grant Landsbach – Swallow Hill Music Association
“These gentlemen helped make our inaugural festival the success that it was. Having them play was “the best thing you could have done for entertainment,” this according to many of our attendees. They are funny, but also talented folk artists.” Ernest Ritchie – Wyoming Celtic Festival, Gillette
"Greetings from Cheyenne Wyoming!! I wanted to let you all know once again how much we totally enjoyed your performance at our celtic music festival!! ... you truly kept us in stitches all night, and we laughed all the way home listening to your CDs. KUDOS to the GOBS!!!! thanks for a wonderful time!!! Ray Ward, V.P. of Clan Donnachaidh Society of the Rocky Mountains
"Summit County Library would like to thank Gobs O'Phun… we had such a good time at the kickoff for our Fall Adult Reading Program! These two happy, talented guys leave everyone smiling! There were so many compliments – we felt we really gave something to the community. Someone said this morning – “I think of that balloon and start laughing. I can’t forget it!” Thank you for your professional, creative show. We also were grateful that the arrangements to have you come were so easy and that you came early (no stress!). Our patrons have already ask that we have you back, and we hope to see you again soon! Libraries and venues that you will be visiting are very lucky indeed!" Summit County Library Staff, Frisco, CO
“Clancy’s was packed...standing room only... It had the feel of a family reunion...People were clapping while eating or were they eating while clapping? It was an admirable feat while stomping their feet. Oh, did I mention that it was crowded? They’ve really got a handle on the improv/comedy, bringing current and not so current events and audience comments and reactions into the show. It really was great! Who wants to see a live show that is exactly the same as the one that came before and the one to come after. …did I mention that it was crowded?” Joy Kapperman – RIFF Music Magazine
“Gentlemen, It was a real pleasure to be with you Wednesday evening. Your love of the music, the traditions and the histories are all evident in every note you play, and the wonderful, warm and witty way you bring that love to your listeners. A group doesn't have a quarter-century run without having many listeners who return that love. I just hope we can gather in another 25 years (and many times in the interim) and do it again. And again.” Karl Kumli – KGNU Seolta Gael Radio Show
RESUME
PUBS WE’VE PLAYED: Aran Isles Pub • The Argyle • Bash • Blake Street Baseball Club • The Boneyard, Billings • Brannigan’s, Castle Rock • Brendan’s Market Street Pub • Cala Inn, Dillon • Celtic Crossing, Castle Pines • Celtic House, Parker • Celtic Isles, Aurora • Celtic Tavern/Delaney’s • Cheshire Cat • Clancy’s • Conor O’Neill’s, Boulder • Darcy’s • D-Note, Arvada • Druids Arms, Louisville • Duffy’s Cherry Cricket • The Exchange Tavern, Westminster • Fado • The Fainting Goat • Finnegan’s • Grouse on the Green, Cordillera • Irish Brewpub & Grille, Pueblo • Irish Rover • Irish Snug • Jack Quinn’s, Colorado Springs • Katie Mullen's • Kerrigan’s, Boulder • The Kilt and Candle, Littleton • Landsdowne Arms, Highlands Ranch • McClelland’s Pub, Cañon City • McDonough’s • Nallen's • Nissi’s, Louisville • Old Chicago • Patrick Carroll’s • Pogue Mahone’s • Scruffy Murphy’s • Shamrock Brewing Co., Pueblo • Sheabeen’s Irish Pub • Shenanigan’s, Olathe • Streets of London Pub • Strings Restaurant • Sweet Fannie Adams, Bailey • Trinity Pub, Evergreen • Trinity Irish Pub, Breckenridge • The Wayfarer, Colorado Springs • The Wild Game, Evergreen • Wynkoop Brewing Company • Yak and Yeti • Lizard’s Liquid Lounge, Chicago • The Green Mill, Chicago • Pot O' Gold Pub, Centennial • Lansdowne Arms • Campus Lounge • • FESTIVALS WE’VE PLAYED: Aspenfest, Georgetown • Boulder Chautauqua • Cañon City Celtic Festival • Cherry Creek Arts Festival • Cheyenne Celtic Festival • Colorado Irish Festival • Colorado Scottish Festival • Mile High Hooley • Yellowstone Highland Games • Edgewater Celtic Festival • Elizabeth Celtic Festival • First Night Colorado • Gold Rush Days, Buena Vista • Kiowa Celtic Festival • Leadville Boom Days • Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highlands Festival • Old Town Ft. Collins • Opus Festival • Pikes Peak Celtic Festival, Colorado Springs • Rhythm on the River, Longmont • River Run Celtic Festival, Keystone • Rocky Mountain Celtic Festival • Safehouse Run • Scottsbluff Celtic Gathering • Shrine of St. Therese Parish Festival • Silver Plume Celtic Festival • Sterling Celtic Festival • Utah Scottish Festival • Wonderland Celtic Festival, Black Forest • Wyoming Celtic Festival, Gillette • • OTHER VENUES WE’VE PLAYED: 2002 SLOC Winter Olympics • Air Force Academy • Columbine Country Club • Denver Country Club • Denver Botanic Gardens • Colorado Governor’s Mansion • Fitzgerald’s Casino, Black Hawk • Fortune Valley Casino, Central City • First Night Colorado, Denver • First Night Fort Collins • The Black Rose, Black Forest • The Cañon Rose, Cañon City • Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, Lookout Mountain • Gold Hill • HUMC • Kennedy Center, Ft. Collins • L2 Concert Hall • Miner’s Alley, Golden • Mountain Acoustic Music Association, Woodland Park • Renaissance Fair, Larkspur • Swallow Hill Music Association: Open Stages, Concerts, Folkathon’s, Shady Grove, Tuft Theater, Daniels Hall • Wellshire Inn • Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, Loveland • Storm Mountain Ranch, Steamboat Springs • • OTHER GROUPS/PLACES WE’VE PLAYED: 2002 FDNY #276 Appreciation Party, Celtic Tavern • Great American Beer Festival • American Irish Fund Benefit • Denver Athletic Club • Democratic National Convention “Irish After Party” at Delaney’s Pub • El Jebel Shriners • Knights of Columbus • Rotary Club, Denver/Cheyenne • Elks Lodges • Knights of Saint Andrew • McData Corporation • The Marianists (Pueblo and Colorado Springs) • Our Lady of Fatima • Sisters of the Sacred Heart • St. John's Episcopal Church • Mary Crest Convent • First Night Colorado • Bemis Library, Littleton • George Reynolds Branch Library, Boulder • Longmont Library • Summit County Library, Frisco • AIMS Community College, Greeley/Ft. Lupton • Bromwell Elementary School • Centennial Elementary School • Colorado Academy • Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Thermopolois • O'Toole's Garden Center • Republic Plaza, downtown Denver • Genesee • Indian Hills • Anderson Park Pavilion, Wheat Ridge • Windsor Gardens • • MUSICIANS WHO JOINED US FOR SHOWS OR CDS: Rich Moore • Chris Daniels • Ted Cole • Janet Spafford • Peggy Fasing • Harry Tuft • Brian Hunter • Paul Davies • John Toebbe • Scott Beach • Mary Flower • Richard Reed • Tracy LaGuardia • Jeff Watson • Rodney Sauer • John Morrissey • Matt Lambuth • Paul McDaniel • • MUSICIANS WE’VE SHARED STAGES WITH AT CONCERTS: Angus Mohr • Ceol Ceili • Jay Graham • The Indulgers • Iona • Lalla Roohk • Last Night’s Fun • The Muses • Rare Auld Times • Rocky Mountain Jewgrass • Skean Dubh • The Wayfarers • • MUSICIANS WE’VE SHARED STAGES WITH AT FESTIVALS: Alec Beaton • Seamus Kennedy • Oceans Apart • Men of Worth • Aoife Clancy • Prickly Pair • Brobdingnagian Bards • Wolfe Tones, Darrick Warfield • Tommy Makem • Makem and Spain • Great Big Sea • Seven Nations • Colcannon • The Indulgers • Circle of Friends, John Morrissey • Michael Collins Pipe Band, Jay Leasure • Juice of the Barley, Tony McAleavey • Da Tin Men, Michael Cleary • Nick Kelly • Loretta Thompson • Canned Haggis • Star Edwards • Kindred Spirits • Peace, Love, Jigs and Reels • Rare Auld Times • Wild Mountain Celts • Harry Tuft • Uptown Relics • Across the Pond • Avourneen • Macgilliossa Band • Tannahill Weavers • The Byrne Brothers • Sligo Rags • Brother (Angus and Aka) • Traveler (Scott Jeffers) • Tullamore • The Brigadoons • Chambless and Muse • Ian Gould • Byrne and Kelly • • ON THE RADIO WITH: Karl Kumli, KGNU • Dom and Jane, The Mix 100 • Rick Crandall, KEZW 1430 • John Gleason, KEZW • Pat McCullough & Shay Dunne, KGNU • Christopher Piatt, Paper Machete, Chicago PBS, WBEZ • • ON TV: 9News/Channel 20 (in studio and live remotes) • Ch. 7 (live remotes) • • IN BOOKS: “Drone On! A High History of Celtic Music” • “Irish Denver” by Dennis Gallagher, Thomas Noel, James Walsh • • MISCELLANEOUS: Robert Burns Dinners • House Concerts • Public Park Performances • Book Signings • Weddings • Wakes, Funerals, Memorials • Retirement Parties • Birthday Parties (ages 8 to 100) • Showers • Nursing Homes • Independent Living Facilities • Assisted Care Centers • Hospitals • Convents • Fun Runs • Hotels • Office Building Lobbies • Coffee Shops • Art Galleries • Parking Lots • Shopping Malls • Department Stores • Escalators • Deli Cases • Garden Centers • and many other various and sundry locations long since forgotten, and/or who cares?
ARTICLE
Bringing you the Warmth of the Irish Living Room for 30 Years.
The Irish/Scottish folk band, Gobs O’Phun, is celebrating 30 years this March. They have been unofficial ambassadors for all things Celtic, creating community wherever they play. Everyone is “Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day, as it’s an intense one-day love affair for all to enjoy. Multiply that passion for the Emerald Isle by 30 years, bolster it with a deep respect beyond a single day of carousing, and you have the essence of Gobs O’Phun, “County Denver’s” quintessential pub band. They’re ready to help paint the town ‘green’ for the annual revelry known as St. Patrick’s Day, and beyond.
The Gobs are celebrating their 30th milestone with an all-ages concert at one of their favorite venues, Daniels Hall at Swallow Hill Music Association on Saturday, March 16, 8pm.
Brother-in-laws Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth form the duet. They accompany their vocals with guitar, bodhran, harmonica, banjo and their own inspired version of the bagpipe, called “Bagmonica” (a balloon and an harmonica). Formed in the living room of the Sullivan clan, the “Gobs” are a band that speaks to all the merriment, but can historically, musically and harmoniously bring to it’s audience a well-rounded presentation. That’s at the heart of Gobs O’Phun, a romanticized version of Ireland in a gregarious family living room.
The music was first presented a cappella by a pair of older Sullivan brothers, Jim and Denis. They were introduced to traditional Irish folk songs by Father O’Shaughnessy, a parish priest. Martin brought his Scottish influence and guitar skills to family gatherings at the Sullivan home when he first started courting his future brother-in-gob’s sister over fifty years ago. A younger brother, Tim, and Martin picked up where the older two left off, with Denis joining them after moving back to Denver. Tim retired after 18 years and has since moved out of state, but he still keeps tabs on the band, and will occasionally join them when the opportunity arises.
Kind of makes their history read like a Bing Crosby musical (without the great singing). Well, that’s another facet of the Gobs, their self-deprecating humor. But they’ve often said they were more entertainers than they are musicians, and that’s a quality that has endeared them with audiences and allowed them to endure. Combined with their special gift of making listeners feel like part of the family, a Gobs show is quite similar to living room gatherings where the audience always feels welcomed and are encouraged to participate. Every St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of all the lovely people they’ve met over the years, and sadly, a reminder of those now gone. It’s a testament to the lives enriched through sharing music.
The Gobs music is liberally spaced with spontaneous humor, jokes and audience interplay (i.e., “Phun”). The term “gob” is an age-old Celtic reference to your mouth where the singing and harmonies are generated. And coupled with the Phun, it gives you the derivation of the band name. A quick visit to their website will show you the hundreds of shows in concert halls, pubs, festivals, house concerts, private living rooms and media appearances where this formula has been applied these past three decades. Celebrating 30 years as a group is unusual, indeed. But with the tie’s that bind – through both family and music, and bringing the audience into the fold – the Gob’s hope to keep playing for as long as possible.
They are not an instrumental or dance band. They sing songs that tell stories. And because of the universal themes in the songs – whether it’s love, relationships, honor, pride, fighting oppression, overcoming adversity, freedom, or humorous in nature – their music appeals to all cultural backgrounds. And when they frame their music with historical notes, as well as humorous banter, you never know what fun will come out of their gobs!
The Gobs started their public career performing in pubs. A one-night stand for St. Patrick’s Day in 1994 at Finnegan’s Pub, in the then Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Denver, turned into an eighteen month gig as the house band, playing Friday-Sunday every weekend. At one time, they were greeted by an enthusiastic patron saying, “Welcome to our country!”. Not bad for lads that grew up in Pueblo, Colorado. From there they became the house band at The Kilt and Candle in Littleton for an equal amount of time, ending up as entertainment at the original Clancy’s Pub in Wheat Ridge for three years. They were also the only band Fitzgerald’s Casino in Black Hawk hired to perform for special occasions during that time period.
Although many associate their music with March, the Gobs play year-round – they're not just for St. Patrick's Day. They expanded by playing at festivals across the region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska, as well as in the cities of Chicago and St. Louis) and public events such as the alcohol-free First Night Colorado New Years Eve in downtown Denver and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, sponsored by the SLOC. They have played on various and sundry stages, and improvised stages, from private parties and corporate events to schools (elementary-college), senior centers, nursing homes, churches and even a convent. As you can see, they have a wide demographic appeal.
The amusement doesn’t stop on the stage, as their cd titles and cover art continue to convey their humor and bring their unique comedic and musical approach to all the great traditional songs, while countering with a cd of their own original songs for a total of eight cds in their “Legacy” collection: “These Gobs Are Revolting” (historic rebel tunes), “Liverdance” (Irish drinking songs), “Major Phun’s Loyal Hearts Pub Band” (26 most requested pub favorites), “Highland Derry Airs” and “Barstools and Bad Habits” each with both Scottish and Irish folk songs, “Out of Our Minds” has their “o’riginal” songs, and their legacy collection of cds rounds out with “Phun-duh-mentals: Irish Folk’nFun” and “The Not So Quiet Men” (songs from the classic movie). The Gobs have special guest musicians on some of their collection, such as, Chris Daniels (from the Kings), Rich Moore (guitarist with Mollie O’Brien) and Peggy Fasing, a symphony-level violinist.
Particularly special this year is the release of three new cds, their first new music in fifteen years: “Who’s Yer Paddy?” (Irish Folk’n’Fun), “A Scotsman & An Irishman Walk Into a Bar…” (Scottish and Irish Folk’n’Fun) and “Shanties in a Bunch” (traditional Celtic sea songs”). Three new cds to commemorate the past three decades. These are all traditional songs that were popular with fans but not previously recorded, and it should be noted that all vocals and instruments on these were performed entirely by the Gobs. The Gob’s cds are available through their website (heygobs.weebly.com).
The Irish/Scottish folk band, Gobs O’Phun, is celebrating 30 years this March. They have been unofficial ambassadors for all things Celtic, creating community wherever they play. Everyone is “Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day, as it’s an intense one-day love affair for all to enjoy. Multiply that passion for the Emerald Isle by 30 years, bolster it with a deep respect beyond a single day of carousing, and you have the essence of Gobs O’Phun, “County Denver’s” quintessential pub band. They’re ready to help paint the town ‘green’ for the annual revelry known as St. Patrick’s Day, and beyond.
The Gobs are celebrating their 30th milestone with an all-ages concert at one of their favorite venues, Daniels Hall at Swallow Hill Music Association on Saturday, March 16, 8pm.
Brother-in-laws Denis Sullivan and Martin Lambuth form the duet. They accompany their vocals with guitar, bodhran, harmonica, banjo and their own inspired version of the bagpipe, called “Bagmonica” (a balloon and an harmonica). Formed in the living room of the Sullivan clan, the “Gobs” are a band that speaks to all the merriment, but can historically, musically and harmoniously bring to it’s audience a well-rounded presentation. That’s at the heart of Gobs O’Phun, a romanticized version of Ireland in a gregarious family living room.
The music was first presented a cappella by a pair of older Sullivan brothers, Jim and Denis. They were introduced to traditional Irish folk songs by Father O’Shaughnessy, a parish priest. Martin brought his Scottish influence and guitar skills to family gatherings at the Sullivan home when he first started courting his future brother-in-gob’s sister over fifty years ago. A younger brother, Tim, and Martin picked up where the older two left off, with Denis joining them after moving back to Denver. Tim retired after 18 years and has since moved out of state, but he still keeps tabs on the band, and will occasionally join them when the opportunity arises.
Kind of makes their history read like a Bing Crosby musical (without the great singing). Well, that’s another facet of the Gobs, their self-deprecating humor. But they’ve often said they were more entertainers than they are musicians, and that’s a quality that has endeared them with audiences and allowed them to endure. Combined with their special gift of making listeners feel like part of the family, a Gobs show is quite similar to living room gatherings where the audience always feels welcomed and are encouraged to participate. Every St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of all the lovely people they’ve met over the years, and sadly, a reminder of those now gone. It’s a testament to the lives enriched through sharing music.
The Gobs music is liberally spaced with spontaneous humor, jokes and audience interplay (i.e., “Phun”). The term “gob” is an age-old Celtic reference to your mouth where the singing and harmonies are generated. And coupled with the Phun, it gives you the derivation of the band name. A quick visit to their website will show you the hundreds of shows in concert halls, pubs, festivals, house concerts, private living rooms and media appearances where this formula has been applied these past three decades. Celebrating 30 years as a group is unusual, indeed. But with the tie’s that bind – through both family and music, and bringing the audience into the fold – the Gob’s hope to keep playing for as long as possible.
They are not an instrumental or dance band. They sing songs that tell stories. And because of the universal themes in the songs – whether it’s love, relationships, honor, pride, fighting oppression, overcoming adversity, freedom, or humorous in nature – their music appeals to all cultural backgrounds. And when they frame their music with historical notes, as well as humorous banter, you never know what fun will come out of their gobs!
The Gobs started their public career performing in pubs. A one-night stand for St. Patrick’s Day in 1994 at Finnegan’s Pub, in the then Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Denver, turned into an eighteen month gig as the house band, playing Friday-Sunday every weekend. At one time, they were greeted by an enthusiastic patron saying, “Welcome to our country!”. Not bad for lads that grew up in Pueblo, Colorado. From there they became the house band at The Kilt and Candle in Littleton for an equal amount of time, ending up as entertainment at the original Clancy’s Pub in Wheat Ridge for three years. They were also the only band Fitzgerald’s Casino in Black Hawk hired to perform for special occasions during that time period.
Although many associate their music with March, the Gobs play year-round – they're not just for St. Patrick's Day. They expanded by playing at festivals across the region (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska, as well as in the cities of Chicago and St. Louis) and public events such as the alcohol-free First Night Colorado New Years Eve in downtown Denver and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, sponsored by the SLOC. They have played on various and sundry stages, and improvised stages, from private parties and corporate events to schools (elementary-college), senior centers, nursing homes, churches and even a convent. As you can see, they have a wide demographic appeal.
The amusement doesn’t stop on the stage, as their cd titles and cover art continue to convey their humor and bring their unique comedic and musical approach to all the great traditional songs, while countering with a cd of their own original songs for a total of eight cds in their “Legacy” collection: “These Gobs Are Revolting” (historic rebel tunes), “Liverdance” (Irish drinking songs), “Major Phun’s Loyal Hearts Pub Band” (26 most requested pub favorites), “Highland Derry Airs” and “Barstools and Bad Habits” each with both Scottish and Irish folk songs, “Out of Our Minds” has their “o’riginal” songs, and their legacy collection of cds rounds out with “Phun-duh-mentals: Irish Folk’nFun” and “The Not So Quiet Men” (songs from the classic movie). The Gobs have special guest musicians on some of their collection, such as, Chris Daniels (from the Kings), Rich Moore (guitarist with Mollie O’Brien) and Peggy Fasing, a symphony-level violinist.
Particularly special this year is the release of three new cds, their first new music in fifteen years: “Who’s Yer Paddy?” (Irish Folk’n’Fun), “A Scotsman & An Irishman Walk Into a Bar…” (Scottish and Irish Folk’n’Fun) and “Shanties in a Bunch” (traditional Celtic sea songs”). Three new cds to commemorate the past three decades. These are all traditional songs that were popular with fans but not previously recorded, and it should be noted that all vocals and instruments on these were performed entirely by the Gobs. The Gob’s cds are available through their website (heygobs.weebly.com).
LEGACY
A Brief History of Gobs O'Phun
None of this would have been possible without our fans, our phalanx of faithful followers.
(phans? phalanx oph phaithphul phollowers?)
There are too many special people we have met to mention, but you know who you are!
Thank you for all your support through the years!!!
"Sullivan!"
The very first incarnation of this group’s singing started in the early seventies in Pueblo, Colorado. As an informal pastime of a large Irish family (ten kids), Denis Sullivan and his older brother James Patrick learned songs of the Clancy Brothers from their parish priest, Father O'Shaugnessy. They were immediately enamored with the infectious music and started performing a capella under the name "Sullivan!" They moved beyond the family living room, performing in Denver, Boulder, Black Hawk, Connecticut and New York in the eighties. But as it will, life pulled different strings for them; Jim moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, while Denis took a job as a DJ at a radio station in Missouri.
"St. Anne Singers"
Martin Lambuth married their sister, Mary Beth, in 1978 and occasionally accompanied Jim and Denis on guitar at family gatherings. After they moved to the east coast, he was at a family St. Patrick’s party where he and a younger Sullivan brother, Tim, were asked if they knew any of the songs Denis and Jim sang. Between the two of them they pulled together a couple of songs. This impromptu performance led to an invitation by a family friend to perform at an olio for a melodrama at Shrine of St. Anne’s Parish in Arvada, in 1992. They adopted the name “St. Anne Singers” for the run of the two-weekend show. Tim designed their stage placard to allow the letter “g” to fall off their sign during the performance, revealing a new name – “St. Anne Sinners”. Bitten by the stage bug, Tim and Martin began singing at Irish sessions, open stages and invading the stage of other musicians during breaks in their performance (sometimes with permission). “Sullivan!” inspired them, and guided by "St. Anne", they founded “Gobs O'Phun” in 1994.
"Gobs O'Phun"
Becoming a popular entity, Tim and Martin auditioned for a one-night stand for St. Patrick's Day at Finnegan's Pub in the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Denver. Their audition led to not only an offer for St. Patrick's Day, but to become the house band. Denis had moved back to Denver shortly thereafter and joined Martin and Tim. They performed at Finnegan's two to three times every weekend for nearly a year and a half. After that venue dissolved, Gobs O'Phun became the house band at The Kilt and Candle in Littleton, Colorado, for a lengthy stint until it became a sports bar. In 1999, the Gobs found a new home in front of the deli case at Clancy's Irish Pub in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, performing twice a month for three years. They liked to say, "Come join us as we fill our gobs with song, you fill your gobs with food and drink, and we'll have a smile on every gob in the house!" The Gobs have been on the scene for awhile, and longevity in show business is a feat that should be recognized. That can be evidenced by this bittersweet anecdote… while playing downtown for St. Pat’s one year, a pretty young girl with a friend passed in front of the stage and enthusiastically exclaimed, “It’s Gobs O’Phun!”. The band was flush and flattered, until her followup comment, “they were my mom’s favorite band when I was a kid!”. The thrill of victory and the agony of the feat.
"The Fourth Gob"
Jim Sullivan was officially known as “the fourth Gob”, joining the band whenever family events allowed him and the band to cross paths. The Gobs feel fortunate to have his contributions memorialized on their recording of originals, “Out of Our Minds”, as Jim passed away unexpectedly in 2009.
Tim Sullivan
It's important to recognize Tim Sullivan for his service as a Gob for 18 years. Gobs O’Phun started as a duet with Martin and Tim, became a trio with Denis, a sometimes quartet with Jim, and a duet again after Tim retired from the band in 2012. Tim was instrumental in the band’s development and an equal contributor to vocal harmonies on all eight of their "Legacy" cds. Tim also did solo gigs in coffeehouses and was an essential part of forming another local Irish band during the Gob's downtime called, "Mulligan Stew". Tim was known for his charm, wit and delighting audiences with his animated hand and facial gestures as he simultaneously sang and signed the lyrics – it was visual storytelling in mime. Denis called it, “The Marcel Marceau School of Irish Singing”.
"The Gobmother"
The Gobs biggest supporter was Denis and Tim’s mother, and Martin's mother-in-law, Mrs. Jeannette Sullivan. She was in her early seventies when the band first started. She was a favorite of patrons old and new, and if she didn’t show up at a gig, they genuinely inquired about her absence. She attended every show she could and would sternly shush any noisemakers during the a capella singing of “Danny Boy”. Besides her honorary title of “The Gobmother”, the Gobs affectionately referred to her as the "world's oldest roadie", as she always insisted on helping carry equipment. Once, she was carrying a guitar case and gig bags from our parking spot across the street from our impending gig. It was St. Patrick's Day in downtown Denver and the parade was in full force with throngs of revelers lining the street – the street where the pub was located, of course. Attempting to navigate the crowd and cross the street through the St. Patrick's Day parade, a policeman waved us off, and directed us back to our parked car. We thought he was telling us we couldn't park in that spot. But then he stopped the parade and parted the crowd to allow us to drive through the parade route to Finnegan's Pub on the other side. We're pretty sure he would not have done that for the Gobs alone. It's good to have an "Ace" up your sleeve, or rather, one carrying your gear. Even during the hectic pace of a St. Patrick's season, her energy outlasted that of the band. She retired as roadie in her early nineties. Sadly, after 22 years of faithful patronage and support, she entered the after life in 2016, joining her beloved husband and two sons.
Thatched Cottage Industries
This is our clever, private "record label". With the help of spouses, family and friends, Gobs O'Phun hand produced each of their Legacy cds independently, one at a time. Everything from the artwork created by Martin, to burning and imprinting discs, printing and trimming inserts, hand assembling and shrink-wrapping each one. This seems like an appropriate place to give a shout out to our favorite sound engineer on our last several cds, Brian Hunter.
As Peter Jones noted in an article about Gobs O'Phun in the publication, Life on Capitol Hill...
"Their history reads like a Bing Crosby musical".
See the slideshow below for the Gobs O'Phun Legacy collection of photographs.
None of this would have been possible without our fans, our phalanx of faithful followers.
(phans? phalanx oph phaithphul phollowers?)
There are too many special people we have met to mention, but you know who you are!
Thank you for all your support through the years!!!
"Sullivan!"
The very first incarnation of this group’s singing started in the early seventies in Pueblo, Colorado. As an informal pastime of a large Irish family (ten kids), Denis Sullivan and his older brother James Patrick learned songs of the Clancy Brothers from their parish priest, Father O'Shaugnessy. They were immediately enamored with the infectious music and started performing a capella under the name "Sullivan!" They moved beyond the family living room, performing in Denver, Boulder, Black Hawk, Connecticut and New York in the eighties. But as it will, life pulled different strings for them; Jim moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, while Denis took a job as a DJ at a radio station in Missouri.
"St. Anne Singers"
Martin Lambuth married their sister, Mary Beth, in 1978 and occasionally accompanied Jim and Denis on guitar at family gatherings. After they moved to the east coast, he was at a family St. Patrick’s party where he and a younger Sullivan brother, Tim, were asked if they knew any of the songs Denis and Jim sang. Between the two of them they pulled together a couple of songs. This impromptu performance led to an invitation by a family friend to perform at an olio for a melodrama at Shrine of St. Anne’s Parish in Arvada, in 1992. They adopted the name “St. Anne Singers” for the run of the two-weekend show. Tim designed their stage placard to allow the letter “g” to fall off their sign during the performance, revealing a new name – “St. Anne Sinners”. Bitten by the stage bug, Tim and Martin began singing at Irish sessions, open stages and invading the stage of other musicians during breaks in their performance (sometimes with permission). “Sullivan!” inspired them, and guided by "St. Anne", they founded “Gobs O'Phun” in 1994.
"Gobs O'Phun"
Becoming a popular entity, Tim and Martin auditioned for a one-night stand for St. Patrick's Day at Finnegan's Pub in the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Denver. Their audition led to not only an offer for St. Patrick's Day, but to become the house band. Denis had moved back to Denver shortly thereafter and joined Martin and Tim. They performed at Finnegan's two to three times every weekend for nearly a year and a half. After that venue dissolved, Gobs O'Phun became the house band at The Kilt and Candle in Littleton, Colorado, for a lengthy stint until it became a sports bar. In 1999, the Gobs found a new home in front of the deli case at Clancy's Irish Pub in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, performing twice a month for three years. They liked to say, "Come join us as we fill our gobs with song, you fill your gobs with food and drink, and we'll have a smile on every gob in the house!" The Gobs have been on the scene for awhile, and longevity in show business is a feat that should be recognized. That can be evidenced by this bittersweet anecdote… while playing downtown for St. Pat’s one year, a pretty young girl with a friend passed in front of the stage and enthusiastically exclaimed, “It’s Gobs O’Phun!”. The band was flush and flattered, until her followup comment, “they were my mom’s favorite band when I was a kid!”. The thrill of victory and the agony of the feat.
"The Fourth Gob"
Jim Sullivan was officially known as “the fourth Gob”, joining the band whenever family events allowed him and the band to cross paths. The Gobs feel fortunate to have his contributions memorialized on their recording of originals, “Out of Our Minds”, as Jim passed away unexpectedly in 2009.
Tim Sullivan
It's important to recognize Tim Sullivan for his service as a Gob for 18 years. Gobs O’Phun started as a duet with Martin and Tim, became a trio with Denis, a sometimes quartet with Jim, and a duet again after Tim retired from the band in 2012. Tim was instrumental in the band’s development and an equal contributor to vocal harmonies on all eight of their "Legacy" cds. Tim also did solo gigs in coffeehouses and was an essential part of forming another local Irish band during the Gob's downtime called, "Mulligan Stew". Tim was known for his charm, wit and delighting audiences with his animated hand and facial gestures as he simultaneously sang and signed the lyrics – it was visual storytelling in mime. Denis called it, “The Marcel Marceau School of Irish Singing”.
"The Gobmother"
The Gobs biggest supporter was Denis and Tim’s mother, and Martin's mother-in-law, Mrs. Jeannette Sullivan. She was in her early seventies when the band first started. She was a favorite of patrons old and new, and if she didn’t show up at a gig, they genuinely inquired about her absence. She attended every show she could and would sternly shush any noisemakers during the a capella singing of “Danny Boy”. Besides her honorary title of “The Gobmother”, the Gobs affectionately referred to her as the "world's oldest roadie", as she always insisted on helping carry equipment. Once, she was carrying a guitar case and gig bags from our parking spot across the street from our impending gig. It was St. Patrick's Day in downtown Denver and the parade was in full force with throngs of revelers lining the street – the street where the pub was located, of course. Attempting to navigate the crowd and cross the street through the St. Patrick's Day parade, a policeman waved us off, and directed us back to our parked car. We thought he was telling us we couldn't park in that spot. But then he stopped the parade and parted the crowd to allow us to drive through the parade route to Finnegan's Pub on the other side. We're pretty sure he would not have done that for the Gobs alone. It's good to have an "Ace" up your sleeve, or rather, one carrying your gear. Even during the hectic pace of a St. Patrick's season, her energy outlasted that of the band. She retired as roadie in her early nineties. Sadly, after 22 years of faithful patronage and support, she entered the after life in 2016, joining her beloved husband and two sons.
Thatched Cottage Industries
This is our clever, private "record label". With the help of spouses, family and friends, Gobs O'Phun hand produced each of their Legacy cds independently, one at a time. Everything from the artwork created by Martin, to burning and imprinting discs, printing and trimming inserts, hand assembling and shrink-wrapping each one. This seems like an appropriate place to give a shout out to our favorite sound engineer on our last several cds, Brian Hunter.
As Peter Jones noted in an article about Gobs O'Phun in the publication, Life on Capitol Hill...
"Their history reads like a Bing Crosby musical".
See the slideshow below for the Gobs O'Phun Legacy collection of photographs.
