US rock-blues singer promises a treat for his Donegal fans and family

Top American rock-blues band Daddy Long Legs are coming to Donegal shortly and they're on a mission to help lead singer Brian Hurd look for his roots.

The band visited Dublin, Belfast and Derry last weekend as part of their European tour to promote their new album Street Sermons and judging by all accounts the crowds were enthralled, excited and invigorated by the raucous, retro experience.

They've been on the road since 2010 and at the Belfast gig treated their fans to some punk rock and roll salvation through the spirit of roots and blues and a hoe down's foot-stomping rhythm and your teenage garage band's grungy guitar - not a band you want to miss.

Vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player Brian (above) has strong connections to West Donegal. He and the band played at Teach Hiúdai Beag in Bunbeg during their 2016 tour where he met many of his relatives.

His great-grandfather Denis McBride from Arduns, left Donegal for America in the early 1900s.

"He was the son of Morris McBride and Cecelia Boyle of Carrickfinn. Denis came to America in 1909 and settled in St Louis, Missouri where I'm originally from,” Brian said. “My mother who is completely obsessed and fanatical about her Irish heritage has passed this knowledge on to me. She visited Gaoth Dobhair a few years back. I was delighted to visit the area in 2016 to see where my story began."

Speaking in Belfast last Saturday night Brian he said he was sad at not being able to get to Donegal this time around, he would certainly be back when an opportunity arose in the future.

"My Donegal heritage is everything to me. I can feel it when I'm on Irish soil. I feel like I'm home. I used to see photos of my grandfather's house that my mother had and I've always dreamt of finding the place and I actually got to make that pilgrimage one day. It was pretty spiritual We played a great gig in Hiúdai Beag's back in 2016, it was pretty wild. We can't go this time but next time for sure."

And with their new album creating a sensation in many countries, what was next for Brian and the band?

"I'm way too deep into this. You're going to see me doing this until my dying day I'll still be rocking, stomping, hooting, hollering and doing my thing. The 'street sermon' I will be preaching is I'm coming back to Donegal. Hopefully, I'll bring my mam and all going to plan we'll meet all our relatives and play a gig or two as well - look out Donegal."