SHARE
The Halez: Bringing Guitar Rock Back to the Forefront
The Halez (pronounced "The Hails") is an electrifying indie rock band hailing from Athlone, Ireland. Comprised of longtime friends Kieran Murphy (vocals), Jerome Sheerin (guitar), Cormac Sheerin (bass), and Eamonn O'Toole (drums), the band was born out of a fateful meeting in Sean’s Bar—Ireland’s oldest pub. Amid sawdust-covered floors and perfectly poured pints of Guinness, the group bonded over a shared mission: "To bring back proper, honest music."
Since that serendipitous night, The Halez have evolved into one of Ireland’s most exciting rock acts, driven by raw energy, unwavering passion, and an undeniable chemistry. Their sound draws inspiration from legendary bands like The Stone Roses, The Beatles, Oasis, and the Brit-pop era, yet retains a freshness and authenticity all their own.
Their journey took a major turn after supporting singer-songwriter UMAN (Brian Flannigan) at a festival, leading to their demos landing in the hands of Grammy-nominated producer Billy Farrell (The Corrs, Eddi Reader, Brian Kennedy). Quickly becoming the band's "fifth Beatle," Farrell recognized their potential, remarking that their songs “have more hooks than a Russian trawler.” In an industry saturated with fleeting trends, The Halez are determined to craft music that stands the test of time.
“The main aim is to bring guitar music back. The world is crying out for it now, and who knows? Maybe we’ll be the ones to reignite it—or at the very least, inspire the next generation to pick up instruments, form bands, and create some good old rock 'n' roll.”
With a belief that collaboration fuels creativity, The Halez thrive on shared energy, bigger connections, and the undeniable magic that happens when real musicians come together. Their mission? More drum kits, more guitar amps, fewer gimmicks.
After making waves in 2024 as Hot Press "New Local Hero" competition finalists (Shannonside FM region) and debuting with their first single, "Charlie," The Halez are back with their most rock-centric release yet. Their new single, "Coming For You", is an anthem built for live crowds, commanding attention with its pounding drums and infectious singalong chorus, reminiscent of alternative classics like "Chelsea Dagger."
"The hook just came to me and refused to leave!" says frontman Kieran Murphy. "I brought it to the boys the next day, and it all came together in the first jam. They say the best tunes come easy, and this felt like one of those."
The recording process was as raw and organic as the track itself. Before heading into the studio with Billy Farrell, the band started recording in one of the lads’ sheds—in the dead of winter. Huddled around a mic, chanting ‘Na Na Na Na’ to stay warm, whiskey may or may not have been involved… purely for survival, of course. One drunken joke even made the final cut: "If you crank up your headphones, you can actually hear us singing in a ‘Darth Vader’ voice. That sums up the song for us—high energy, a bit of madness, and a lot of fun."
Lyrically, "Coming For You" adds a layer of intrigue to The Halez’s growing repertoire.
"There’s a bit of mystery around the lyrics that makes this song different from our previous releases—it’s got that femme fatale vibe. Who is this admirer? Is she a real obsession, or could she be a catfish? It leaves you wondering—are you gonna run and hide, or give in to her charms?"
2025 is set to be a defining year for the band, and "Coming For You" is just the beginning. "We’ve got some cool stuff in the pipeline, and this track is kicking it all off. It’s rockier than our previous singles—bags of energy with a killer singalong hook."
With their electrifying sound, infectious energy, and an unwavering mission to bring guitar rock back to the forefront, The Halez are leading the charge for a new era of Irish rock—and this is just the beginning.
