The vals

The Vals are a Rock and Roll/Rhythm and Blues band from Belfast, Ireland.

Formed in 2005, the band spent a short time as an acoustic trio, consisting of Paul Doherty, Owen Duffy and Pierre Boudin. They played a number of low-key gigs at folk clubs and parties around Belfast, and also recorded a 30 minute acoustic session for NVTV programme Kick Out The Jams. Taking their cue from heroes the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Small Faces, this phase of the groups development was marked by songs of acoustic rhythm and blues.

In late 2005 the band was joined by drummer Marty Malone, and entered upon a "Who" Phase; most rock and roll and maximum R'n'B. A number of more high profile gigs followed, both in Belfast and further afield, notably including Liverpool's Cavern Club - home of the Beatles. Despite a busy schedule, the band still found time to produce a self-released album For the Soulful.

Recorded in one day at Amberville Studios in Cullybackey (also used by Malachi Cush!), mixed and engineered by friend of the band Declan Gaffney, For The Soulful represented the band at a youthful stage of its development. Sure, the recording was patchy; the timekeeping was often awry; some songs were played at almost twice their original (and rightful) speed; but the resultant album captures all the manic fury of a band at its speed-driven, rhythm and bluesy height.

More high profile gigs followed through 2006, including a slot at Feile an Phobail's finale, sharing the bill with 80s scousers Echo and the Bunnymen.

Unfortunately, in September 2006, Pierre left the band to pursue his teaching career. Doherty, Duffy and Malone continued on as a three piece, playing a number of gigs reminiscent of the Velvet Underground circa 1968. In late October the band were reunited as a four piece for the first ever Valfest, a celebration of the best live music in Belfast, in St Galls GAA clubhouse off the Falls Road. Pierre, however, was back on a flying visit only, and the remaining trio struggled through the rest of the year, despite the fact that tracks from For the Soulful were receiving airplay on radio, both local and worldwide.

2007 was a year of hiatus for the band. Paul and Owen were separately working on their own recordings, while Marty succumbed to his real love by establishing an eight piece Northern Soul band Marty and the Malones.

In early 2008, however, the Vals returned with a new line-up. The power trio of Doherty, Duffy and Malone was joined by Ronnie Cartwright on guitar and John Rossi on keys, and the group embarked on its more mellow phase, with new tracks such as Yesterday Today harkening back to songs such as Wanna Tell You

Almost immediately upon the establishment of the new line up, the band were asked to travel to Chateau Doex in Switzerland to play at the Party Time , where they showcased the new tunes alongside some of the old ones.

In June 2008 the band recorded a live session for BBC Radio One, including the songs Yesterday Today, Light Shines Down and With You.
Around this time the band also continued to play live, notably with Ocean Colour Scene at Belfast's Spring and Airbreak. Unfortunately, however, Ronnie was to leave the band soon after, leaving John to play some guitar as well as keys.

The second ever Valfest took place in August 2008, in the O'Donnells GAA clubhouse on the Whiterock Road. On the Bill were Eric Bell, Henry McCullough, The Vals plus a number of local bands. The festival billed as a celebration of peace and love, Paul even received a message of good will from Yoko Ono.

In late September 2008 the Vals were chosen to perform on UTV's Live at the Limelight, to be broadcast in early 2009.

The Vals joined Amnesty International's Small Places Tour in December 2008.

The same month the Vals were to sign a recording contract with Electrique Mud, a subsidiary of Unique Records, and are currently working on an albumfor worldwide release in 2009, following release of the single Yesterday Today.

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