PULSE - Music and More compiled by Simon Donohue FORGET the Troubles. It's the music that matters in the world of hard-working "Irish" band Gone Beggin'.

In reality, the four-piece Darwen outfit are about as Irish as a Blackburn-brewed pint of Guinness. But it's incredibly difficult to see the joins on their superb collection of traditional Celtic songs Gone To The Dogs.

"Music is a universal language," said youngest member Gary Walsh, 24, who will be playing with them at Shamus O'Donnell's, in Ewood, Blackburn, tonight. "We perform traditional rebel songs from more than 100 years ago but they do not have any relevance on today's situation. We are out to entertain. The music comes first."

The Gone Beggin' line-up includes third generation Irish immigrants, as well as Scottish and pure Lancastrian stock.

But listening to their tape, recorded at the Zig Zag studios on the hills above Darwen, it is difficult to imagine the group are anything but the real thing.

Fiddler and mandolin player is Pete Bogg. Whistles, bodhran and other instruments are played by Gary. Percussionist and vocalist is Julie Pilkington and guitar, lead vocals and harmonica are handled by Jim McGovern.

"Originally, I wanted to start something like the Saw Doctors or The Pogues," said Gary, who has played in every type of band. "It ended up as a Celtic rock thing and gradually became more folky."

Gone Beggin' have grown from a two-piece to a four-piece in five years and have enjoyed the same boom as the Irish pubs which have sprung up everywhere. However, while theme pubs seemed to have peaked, Gary is convinced that his band's attention to detail, commitment and individuality will see them stay just as strong into the future.

He said: "Most Irish groups belong to a bit of a Commitments scene. That is becoming a bit tired.

"The way that we do it really hasn't been done by any other bands in this area."

The success of their formula has taken them to venues across the country and saw them performing no less than 15 gigs in 17 days during the lengthy St Patrick's day celebrations, spending any free time in the studio.

The result is a tape capturing the a whole batch of songs which are completely new - to the band, that is.

And their appeal seems universal among people who simply like a good old knees-up.

Gary adds: "In Blackburn, Darwen, Great Harwood and Accrington, we have by far the best audience.

"There just more down to earth," he adds.

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