The Walls

Irish alternative rockers the Walls formed in 1998 around Steve and Joe Wall, Carl Harms, and Rory Doyle. A series of singles released on their own Dirtbird Records label arrived the following year. Their full-length debut, 2000's Hi-Lo, charted nationwide, but the band's big break came in 2001 after securing an opening slot for U2. A tour with the Red Hot Chili Peppers followed, as well as the departure of bass player Harms, who was replaced by Jon O'Connell in 2004. The group tapped ex-Frames guitarist David Odlum to produce its 2005 sophomore release, the alternately brutal and pastoral New Dawn Breaking. ~ James Christopher Monger