In early October, after five great years, The Sick and Indigent Song Club ended their Monday night residency at the Ha’Penny Bridge Inn on Wellington Quay in the city centre.

A couple of weeks later they launched their latest album ‘Punch Drunk’ at The Sugar Club on Leeson Street. This is the band’s third album to date and it has already been hailed as their best. The album brings us fourteen original tracks which demonstrate the talent and energy that has made them one of the city’s more popular and exciting live acts.

The six-strong troupe bring the raw vitality of their live performances to the album while Gary Fitzpatrick, Angie McLaughlin and Shane McGrath take the opportunity to display their huge song writing talents. The range is massive with an array of influences from Blues, Jazz, Old Time Americana and Country. From the rousing and stomping bluegrass-tinged ‘Fitzpatricks’ and alt country rockers like ‘The Hudson Dusters’ to McLaughlin’s wry take on country sentimentality: ‘Whiskey is a girl’s Best Friend’, this fine collection is the ideal stocking-stuffer.

You can now catch the band on the last Sunday of every month at Whelan’s of Wexford Street. ‘Punch Drunk’ is available from Tower Records Wicklow Street and Metro Music Rathfarnham. Check out www.myspace.com/sickandindigentsongclub.