The line-up has gradually expanded to a five piece ensemble in 2015 and their pedigree is quickly developing with the band supporting the likes of Jack L, The Original Rude Boys, The Mighty Stef ,Paddy Casey and From the Jam and The Minutes on the vibrant Irish live scene…each performance well lauded by those media present at the gigs. The ill fated Killarney Festival (regrettably cancelled, June 2015) should have seen Penrose open the Main Stage, sharing the bill with Duran Duran, Texas and The Proclaimers. Instead the band was invited that weekend to share the bill with Damien Dempsey and Mundy at the INEC, Killarney - a pop up alternative event put together for charity.
Penrose can now be described as a solid Indie Pop band with catchy uplifting inide songs and anthems that have “attitude” and stick in your head. Mixing the pop sensibilities& harmonies of The Beatles / ELO, the snarling vocals of Richard Ashcroft and the rhythmic acoustic guitars of Oasis, Penrose are a truly powerful force…live and on record. The guys are ready to make their mark on the international music scene.
The line-up sees Caolan Fitzsimons (rhythm guitar), Mark Bolger (bass), Benji Hayes (Keys) and drummer Donal Bowens complementing McGrane’s lead vocals and lead guitar. The band successfully unveiled there debut EP “ Live for the Dream” which charted at NO.3 in the Irish charts to a sell out house of fans & media at The Grand Social July, 25th 2015. The Band then released there critically acclaimed single MELODY which charted at No. 10 in the Irish charts and was picked up by all Irish national radio stations such as Today FM, FM 104 and RTE, with TV appearances to on RTE's TwoTube, the band then followed this up with yet another sell out show to their home fans in Dublins own Academy 2 venue. Having just released another single SIGN ON in MAY with a string of summer dates in the UK and Ireland Penrose were invited back to the UK by Alan Mc Gee to play gigs as part of the Musicians against Homelessness campaign. The lads have also been asked to support one of their main influences Aslan as part of the Made in Dublin Revisited gigs taking place in Vicar Street this Dec. With a 2nd EP and a debut Album to follow 2017 looks to be a big exciting year for the band.