Juniper (band)

Juniper
Origin	County Kildare, Ireland
Genres	Rock,pop rock
Years active	1991–1998
Labels	Polygram Ireland
Associated acts	Bell X1, Damien Rice
Members	Damien Rice (Dodi Ma) Paul Noonan Brian Crosby Dominic Philips David Geraghty

Juniper were an Irish rock band from County Kildare, most widely known today as a precursor to Damien Rice and Bell X1. The band consisted of Rice (under the pseudonym Dodi Ma), Paul Noonan, Brian Crosby, Dominic Philips and David Geraghty. They released two extended plays, The J-Plane (1994) and Manna (1996).

The band's only two singles, "Weatherman" and "World Is Dead", charted in Ireland when released in 1998. Juniper also appeared on a compilation album, Natural Born Elvis (1998). They split over creative differences soon after, with Rice going on to have a successful solo career and the remaining members forming Bell X1.

Juniper were founded in 1991 by Damien Rice, Paul Noonan, Dominic Philips and Brian Crosby whilst they were students attending Salesian College secondary school in Celbridge. There was a fifth member a female singer Lisa Thompson that joined for a 2-year period 1991 to 1992, contributing to lead vocals and backing vocals at the time. Noonan played the drums, Philips and Crosby played guitar, Rice performed vocals. Rice referred to himself as Dodi Ma during Juniper's existence. David Geraghty joined the band later. Geraghty's girlfriend was studying for her Leaving Certificate alongside Rice. Geraghty and Rice met first as the other members were in the United States after obtaining J-1 visas. Geraghty later recalled those days:

Geraghty contributed to the recording of the band's second EP Manna, released in 1996.

Juniper's first television appearance was on Irish talent show Go For It where they performed a song called "Pillars of Society".

In 1994 the band recorded and independently released an EP entitled The J-Plane and began performing in local bars, including The Kildrought Lounge in Celbridge.

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