Bandit territory: Limerick duo release new single

THE RUBBERBANDITS have provided a welcome distraction in these troubled times as well as producing the most-viewed Irish YouTube video to date.

Yesterday the duo from Limerick released their new single I Wanna Fight Your Fathera follow-up to Horse Outside, which has been viewed six million times on YouTube and has made the band an unlikely international success.

Despite its triumph on the internet, it failed to beat X-Factor winner Matt Cardle's When We Collidein the race to top the Irish charts last Christmas, although it topped the download chart.

I Wanna Fight Your Fathercombines a silky, soulful groove with lyrics about a young man who wants to win his girl's hand by boxing her disapproving father. "If your Daddy had a busted mouth, he wouldn't be so smart."

The expensive-looking video to go along with the song features well-known actor and television presenter Páraic Breathnach, who plays the father.

Yesterday, the Rubberbandits performed their new single in the packed canteen of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street. Many watched through the windows outside.

Opinion is divided as to whether the Rubberbandits, Blind Boy Boat Club and Mr Chrome, are here to stay or one-trick horses.

They were accompanied yesterday by their faithful companion and high-profile supporter Willie O'DJ who took time out from his hectic canvassing schedule to provide support and the backing track for I Wanna Fight Your Father.

The pair have opted to vote for a candidate standing in Carlow called Dennis 20 who intends to cross-breed the common house cat with Enya to recreate the Celtic Tiger.

The Rubberbandits are set to play the Olympia Theatre in April.