‘Horse Outside”: Odds On To Beat X-Factor PR Machine For Christmas No.1

It seems like the entire country is talking about the Rubberbandits, and their attempt to be number one for Christmas with their controversial song ‘Horse Outside’.

The viral youtube video sensation has had over 1.5m viewers in less than one week. It has made the headlines nationally and internationally, with a blogger from the world’s leading business news site CNBC, picking up the story. The song is favourite for Christmas Number One at 4/5 ahead of Sony-backed X-factor winner Matt Cardle.

The Rubberbandits, a Limerick rap-comedy duo, who hide their identity by covering their heads with plastic bags,  take a satirical view of Limerick, emphasising certain stereotypical images of the city in an ironic way.

The ‘bandits have been making waves online via youtube over the last number of years and have performed at sold-out gigs and festivals including The Electric Picnic.  Previous songs include ‘Bag of Glue’ and ‘Song for Willie O’Dea’, which included the Willie O’Dea character saying: ‘’I swear on my tash it’s really good hash’.  It’s safe to say their material has always been controversial.

Their recent slot on RTE’s  Republic of Telly (hosted by fellow Limerick native, Dermot Wheelan), has catapulted them into the spotlight.  Last week the controversial video for ‘Horse Outside” was broadcast on the show.

Limerick TD, and former Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea gallantly defended the Limerick group as they came under attack from irate listeners on Radio One’s Liveline this week. He declares that the song is obviously ‘tongue in cheek’.  “We need to laugh…  Sensible people will have a good laugh at this”, he says.

In an earlier interview with the Limerick Post, when asked about the ‘bandits Minister O’Dea  enthused “I’m absolutely thrilled as this song has a lot of resonance with young people. These guys are going to be bigger than U2. I’d love to see them get Christmas no. 1.”

Willie describes the song as ‘hilariously funny’ and the bandits as ‘intelligent and musically talented’, before he went off the phone-line to resume his duties in the Dail – on the day the IMF rescue package was being voted on.

Celeb’s including Nicky from Westlife, Dara O’Brian and Miriam O’Callaghan have tweeted support for the Limerick duo.

One half of the Rubberbandits, ‘Blindboy Boatclub’ eloquently defended his Artform and lambasted irate Liveline caller ‘Anthony‘, for his purely literal interpretation of the song, which has many references to drug-taking.  Blindboy compared the bandits satirical Artform to Father Ted which, he reminded Liveline listeners, took the negative image of Ireland in the nineties in the UK and turned it around through satire. ‘Anthony’ was lost for words.

Irish people are renowned for their self-deprecating sense of humour. With the implosion of the Irish economy, the farce that is Irish politics, and the doom clouds that have settled over the country, there is a need for clever comedy.  If you think you are up for a laugh then check out the Rubberbandits.  If not there is always Matt Cardle.

Niamh Ni Aodha, Limerick

You can catch The Rubberbandits live at The Button Factory, Dublin, on Friday December 17th.  If you can’t make it to the gig, you can see them on the telly on RTE’s Late Late Show the same night.