Hold Fast Brings Pirate Rock To Celtic Fling

One of the highlights of the Celtic Fling and Highland Games Festival at the Mount Hope Estate in Pennsylvania was getting to see Hold Fast energize the crowd that braved the threat of rain on this June weekend. Consisting of Cole Brown (vocals / acoustic guitar), Dave Thompson (tenor banjo / 5-string banjo / mandolin / acoustic guitar and piano on recordings), Buzz Klinger (bass / harmonica), Jon Heller (accordion / bagpipes) and Zach Anderson (electric guitar), Hold Fast shredded through many sets throughout the weekend, even when the monitors had to be covered from the elements. Jon Heller was working double duty at the festival, as he is also a member of the Kilmaine Saints. Having suffered a family loss recently, the Kilmaine Saints had a nice moment where they toasted his dad.

Their latest CD, "Last Of The Rebels", showcases their Celtic-infused Pirate Rock with a punk rock attitude perfectly. The songs, especially "Magh Meall & Tir Na Nòg," "To Davy Jones" and "Three Can Keep A Secret," possess as much energy on the recording as the live show at this festival. "Black Irish Sons," which is off the album of the same name was a showstopper for those in attendance.

The audience was filled with kilts, pirates, vikings and those in medieval outfits in anticipation of the upcoming Renaissance Faire. This Celtic event always presents some exciting punk rock. There are a few bands with the Hold Fast name but make sure you check out these Pennsylvanian Celtic punk rockers. Celticfolkpunk.blogspot.com said that "Hold Fast is the next big thing on the East Coast Celtic punk lineage." Check them out at holdfastband.com .