Santoria
Santoria (pronounced "Santeria") are a professional 7-piece Funk/Soul band from Dublin, Ireland.
Origin
Formed by Ballymun Musician & Songwriter Shane Smith and Swords Vocalist Linzi McKeon, the band's name was inspired by the song "Santeria" performed by American Rock band Sublime. Due to possible negative consequences of using the name Santeria (which refers to the religion) the band chose to use the alternate spelling of Santoria, which is also the name of a holiday village in Cyprus.
Brief History
Lead duo Linzi McKeon and Shane Smith are the only remaining members of the original Santoria line-up, which officially launched on 24 September 2002 in The Isaac Butt venue (now known as Radio City). The band have enjoyed steady success in their home country and are currently one of the few acts performing soul music in Ireland. This is a marketplace void that the band have exploited having adapted The Title of "Ireland's Premier Soul Band", much to the dismay of their peers.
In 2004 the band teamed up with Irish R&B Vocalist Niamh Strong (younger sister of The Commitments star Andrew Strong) and reached the final heats of the o2 Warner Music Band Competition.
In May 2006, Santoria headlined Ireland's National Events Centre in Killarney, County Kerry as part of the "Ceilidh in Killarney" festival, receiving much praise from the 1500 strong audience. Later in 2006, during a regular show the band were joined on stage by International R&B star Lisa Stansfield for an impromptu rendition of the Jackson 5 classic "I Want You Back".
Having recently announced the recruitment of former Triniti Popstar Laura Cunningham, the band still regularly performs with a 10-piece entourage that includes choreographers and crew.
Current Members
- Linzi McKeon - Vocals
- Shane Smith - Lead Guitar/Vocals
- Heather Condren - Vocals
- Laura Cunningham - Vocals
- Jonny Doyle - Bass guitar/Vocals
Previous Members
- Karen Oldfield - Vocals
- Kate Grabowska - Vocals
- Nikki Griffin - Vocals
- Lynette Rice - Vocals
- Charlene Nolan - Vocals
- Noriana Kennedy - Vocals
- Brian Shanley - Bass Guitar
- John McQuillan - Drums
- Gary Moran - Bass
- Ann-Marie Hynes - Vocals
- Susan O'Connor - Vocals
- Deirdre Gannon - Vocals
- Niamh Strong - Vocals
- Phil Nulty - Engineer