Since the 2004 IHRA conference in Melbourne, the conference party has featured our very own band (sponsored by HIT, IHRA and the Conference Consortium) – the Harm Reduction All Stars!
In Melbourne (2004) – and at the request of the local conference organisers - Jimmy Dorabjee and Pat O'Hare (both former musicians themselves) took to the stage for the first time in more than a quarter of a century. They were joined by Robert Haemmig and Damon Brogan.
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In Belfast (2005), the band performed again - this time joined by Harry Shapiro on drums, Ernst Buning on keyboard and Rob Phipps on guitar.
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 In Vancouver (2006), the band played again and (with Thomas Kerr on bass) rehearsed prior to the show for the first time! The result was a triumph at the Commodore Ballroom (the legendary music venue of Vancouver) – with the Harm Reduction All Stars standing on the same stage where the Rolling Stones and Miles Davis had stood in the past!
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The following year, in Warsaw (2007), the band played an extended and well rehearsed programme, and then went on to play their first non-conference gig at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool for Pat O’Hare’s 60th birthday party.
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At the Harm Reduction 2008 conference party (on Wednesday 15th May), the band will play another extended programme at the Razzamataz Club in Barcelona. The line-up is Damon Brogan (bass), Ernst Buning (keyboard), Dr Robert Haemmig (guitar), Pat O'Hare (saxophone, harmonica and vocals), and Harry Shapiro (drums).They will be joined on stage by Grant McNally, Andy Bennett and Thomas Kerr.
We welcome you to Harm Reduction 2008 and to Barcelona to see the group described by the IHRA Executive Director – Professor Gerry Stimson – as "the greatest rock and roll band in the world"!
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