The Dirty Pints formed out of an Irish music session started by Alan Carrick at Ireland's Four Provinces Bar and Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. The group sports three traditional instruments: fiddle, whistle and guitar, and plays a mixture of traditional Irish session tunes and songs, with the occasional American classic. The Dirty Pints truly bring a fun and joyous atmosphere whenever and wherever they play, and add to their ranks of fans each and every time they play.
Alan O'Concarraige, on vocals, penny whistle and bodhran, is a native of Galway Ireland and to this day considers himself still on "vacation in America." He has been playing the penny whistle since he was about 7 years old (thanks to a very smart mother Eileen). He was trained in the classical clarinet and played with The Galway Youth Ochestra (Ireland) for about 7 years (one of the founding members). He is sometimes known to show up with his tenor sax, or blues harps at other venues just for kicks. He joined The Irish Youth Choir and sang as a tenor prior to moving to the USA. Alan has played with several bands throughout the years including The Pat and Mike Duo, The Real Men, The Chancers, Mojo, etc.
Arlington, Virginia native Tim Griffin took up guitar around the age of twelve, influenced by classic rock legends such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Current influences include guitarists Richard Thompson, Mark Knopfler and Buddy Miller, and – among Irish groups and artists in particular – Mary Black, the Waterboys and Solas. He has accompanied numerous artists and bands in a variety of genres, including folk, rock, alternative country and Americana. He has opened for national touring artists in venues ranging from house concerts to local pubs to festivals. In addition to his work with the Pints, Tim also performs as a duo with local artist Amy J. Sullivan and in the band The Whiskeydarlings.
Marc Cheek is from Durham County, North Carolina, and has been performing music of one form or another for nearly thirty years. He played classical and acoustic guitar during his teenage years. He studied music theory and history, and performed in various classical ensembles, while he was a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (where he also served as choir director in a local Episcopal church) and later at William and Mary. He took up classical violin after moving to the DC area, but soon thereafter began studying the fiddle. His playing draws on the fiddling traditions of Scotland and Cape Breton as well as Ireland.