Seanchai & the Unity Squad

Seanchai & the Unity Squad were a band that simply could not be pigeon holed or stereotyped. Frontman Chris Byrne was a founding member of the iconic Black 47 before changing lanes and establishing his new band. 
 An incredible infusion of hip hop, reggae, trad and rock, Seanchai & the Unity Squad was the welcoming smile of Irish hospitality mixed with street wise New York City swagger. 
 The band served as a symbol of what Irishness has come to represent in the intense crucible that is urban New York. 
 Their lyrics pulled no punches and tackled a wide range of issues, from British occupation of Ireland to a loss of traditions and values in modern society. They were as hard hitting and direct as a Jack Dempsey left hook. 
 Seanchai & The Unity Squad were the resident house band when Byrne opened the renowned Irish watering hole Rocky Sullivan’s, originally in Manhattan before shifting to Red Hook. 
 Rocky’s soon became a Mecca for any travelling Irish artist arriving in the Big Apple. Before long artists such as Damien Dempsey Gary Óg and Declan McLaughlin were regularly gracing the stage. The great Shane MacGowan declared Rocky’s his favourite venue and nobody will forget the late great Joe Strummer joining the band while in the Big Apple. 
 Though Seanchai & the Unity Squad have long since split, with some members going on to form Lost Tribe of Donegal, their spirit will live on. “Pump your fist if you love freedom! Pump your fist if you love culture!”