Sound start for Signed By Jeff

The band is made up of Megan McNally on vocals, Criostoir McConville on bass, Jordan Marshall on rhythm guitar, Peter Dawson on vocals, Joe Balmer on lead guitar and Matt O'Hare on drums.

The band boast an eclectic mix of influences and enjoy nothing more than performing live and feeding off the energy of the crowd.

They first got to know each other at Armagh Tech where they were doing a National Diploma in Music.

"We decided to start a band," said singer Megan. "We played together for the first time in Fa' Joe's and it went really well."

Criostoir explained how the name came about: "We were in Fa' Joe's one night and we asked Jeff Morrow (the bar owner) to sign a cardboard Carling promotion for us," he said.

Jeff obliged and several pints later, inspired by the beer-stand signed by Jeff it was decided 'Signed By Jeff' would be a great name for the band.

Criostoir added: "People now say to him, "You're the man 'Signed By Jeff' was named after", rather than "You're the man from Fa' Joe's"."

The bass player added: "We've been pretty flat out, doing gigs every weekend."

Megan said: "Our first proper gig was in the Ceili House about this time last year. On July 30 we recorded a three track demo. We'd only been together a month."

The band are all between the ages of 18 and 20. They say their tutor at Armagh Tech, Ryan Molloy was a big influence in getting the band up and running.

"I've been in a few bands since I was 15, but this is the first one that's really taken off," said Criostoir.

"We're all open minded to what everyone else listens to," said Megan. "We're all about the live shows.

"It doesn't matter if we're playing to three people or 300 people we always really enjoy it."

Signed By Jeff play Fa' Joe's Rock Night on Thursday, July 22, with MDA and Just Because. Criostoir is involved in putting on the Thursday rock nights at Fa' Joe's and any bands wanting to perform in the popular venue should contact him via the band's myspace.

On Saturday, August 14, the band will play an open air gig at Silverwood playing fields and a UK tour is planned for later in the year before setting to work on their debut album.

Find out more a bout Signed By Jeff at www.myspace.com/signedbyjeff