Official
biography from MySpace.com
"Mexican Pets were formed by Pat
Clafferty and Jill Hahn in 1990 inspired by American bands such as Husker Du
and Dinosaur Jnr. The two soon drafted Derrick Dalton in on bass whos
distinct and accomplished style was an invaluable contribution to the bands
sound. The band never featured a permanent drummer and a string of players
graced the stool. Having made several demo recordings and playing extensive
gigs around the country, they had their first break up. Each of its members
pursued other musical interests until the spring of 1994 when they reformed.
In that same year they found a permanent drummer in Fin O'Leary. Jill Hahn
then left in the spring to return to her native San Francisco, replaced by
Brian Gough on other guitar and organ. They recorded their first album
"Nobody's Working Title" on Independent Records that summer and continued to
play across the country.
It was then that Andy Cairns from
northern rockers Therapy? Released four singles on his label Blunt. Two of
these singles featured the songs off the bands first record and 6 brand new
songs were quickly penned for the final two.
In 1995, Derrick Dalton left and was
replaced by John Duff. The band began to play their first gigs in London,
frequenting the infamous venues in Camden town and it wasn't long before
they came to the attention of the legendary Seymour Stein who funded further
recordings. 1996 saw The Pets play in Germany and Holland and several return
visits to London. In August of that year they recorded their second and
final album Humbucker which featured a tougher guitar driven sound. The
record was again funded by Cairns who had become an invaluable patron of the
band.
Having promoted the record with a
series of gigs and a brief tour of England the band called it a day in May
of 1997.
This year, following discussions
between Clafferty, O'Leary and Gough, the band was kick started once more.
Derrick Dalton, now playing in the band Crumb, was asked if he would pick up
his bass once more. Thankfully he agreed."
Who were Mexican Pets? Mexican Pets were a four piece guitar band from Dublin, Ireland. The members were Pat Clafferty (vocals, guitar), Fionan O'Leary (drums), Brian Gough (guitar, organ) and John Duff (bass). Former members include Jill Hahn (guitar) and Derrick Dalton (ex-Hey Paulette) (bass). The band was formed around 1991 by Pat Clafferty and Jill Hahn and was managed by Dave O'Grady. The band split up in June 1997. 
What record labels were they on? Mexican Pets were signed to blunt, which is licensed from Independent Records. blunt was co-founded by Dan Oggly and Therapy? front man Andy Cairns, who still retain a major interest in the label.
Where can I hear them? Mexican Pets are on the 'play lists' for a number of radio stations, particularly here in Ireland. They can be heard on
Dave Fanning's programme and The Metal Show with John Kenny on
2FM (91.8 FM). They are also played on Anne-Marie Walshe's programme on Radio Kilkenny (96.6 FM) and on Donal Dineen's "Here Comes The Night" on
Today FM (100-102 FM). In Dublin, they can also be heard on X107.9 FM alternative radio (107.9 FM). Note: Anne-Marie Walshe is also a first cousin of Mexican Pets drummer Fionan O'Leary.
In other countries, they can be heard on Radio HK and on University Radio Warwick. In California, USA you can hear them on The Import Show on GrooveRadio (103.1 FM).
Where can I get their music? Well, the first place you should try is your local record store. If they don't have what your looking for in stock, then you could try ordering it (the catalogue numbers are available on the discography page). blunt also offer a mail-ordering service. You can write to them at: You can also try on-line stores such as GEMM, Rough Trade Shop, Siren Disc and CD NOW. GEMM currently have a number of Mexican Pets' records in stock.
What do they sound like? Here's how one Dublin writer described Mexican Pets ...
"Pat Clafferty is a much underrated lyricist. There's a semi-surreal ness about his songs yet they remain very personal, an obtuseness that succeeds where more literal approaches fail." "Musically the 'Pets have only one mode. Fortunately that involves taking you to the stratosphere and keeping you there, those guitars sound like we're cruising above the clouds at 20,000 feet with the sun shining down on us. There's something about Clafferty's voice, a freshness/honesty/poignancy that can't but transport you, that snatches at your heart."
Thanks to Eamonn Maher
What promotional videos did they make? The band made promo videos for all their singles; Subside, How To have More Fun, Mackerel Sky High, Diana The Moon and Supermarket. The best place to see their videos is on either
No Disco or on 2TV.
Where have they played? They played extensively in Ireland and Europe throughout their career. Some of their most notable gigs were been in The Point playing support to Therapy? (December 28 1995) in front of 6,000 people; in
Whelan's in Dublin (December 2 1996); as part of Guinness In The City Live (July 7 1996); The Red Box in Dublin (January 19 1997) playing with Pavement and The Mean Fiddler in Dublin (25 April 1997) where I met lead singer Pat Clafferty.
In Summer 1996, they toured small venues in Holland and Germany. They did a three week tour of England in May, playing with Versus. They had planned to tour the USA at the end of 1997. * Totally Wired Studios in Dublin where "Humbucker" was mixed.
Who did they play with? They have played with bands like Sebadoh, Pavement, Fugazi , Girls Against Boys , Gas Huffer, Versus, No Fun At All, Therapy? , Ash, Joyrider, No Means No and Pet Lamb.
What is "The Voice Of Trucker Youth"? "The Voice Of Trucker Youth" is a compilation of the band's first four singles, including b-sides, which were released on vinyl. The band decided, for their own pleasure, to compile them and release them on CD. It was also a concrete product that they could sell when they toured Europe.
What do the critics say? "The Voice Of Trucker Youth" received great critical acclaim, even though it wasn't an actual album. The debut single 'Supermarket' from their debut album "Humbucker" was Single Of The Week in Kerrang!, Hot Press and The Event Guide. "This young Dublin quartet on Therapy? man Andy Cairns' label hint at the sonic explorations of Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine..." - Kerrang! "...wracked and emotive vocals and the sparks of ingenuity that flicker under the bands no nonsense approach to guitar turbulence..." - RTÉ Guide "...taking you to the stratosphere and keeping you there, those guitars sound like we're cruising above the clouds at 20,000 feet with the sun shining down on us." - Monitor
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