Dave Finnegan, one of the original cast of the feature film The Commitments, is committed to keeping sweet soul music alive.

In the Alan Parker movie Dave took the part of Mickah Wallace, the drummer and bouncer. He is now the front man of Dave Finnegan’s Commitments, his own tribute to the phenomenon that hit the big screen in 1991.

The Irishman will be heading for Swindon on St Patrick’s weekend and performing with his band at the MECA in Regent Circus on Sunday.

Special guests on the night will be two other original Commitments from the film, Dick Massey and Ken McCluskey. The trio will also be playing together tomorrow before they come to Swindon at the O2 Arena in Liverpool as part of the 20-year Commitments reunion tour.

Dave is also returning to Swindon to catch up with old pal and former manager Andy Cotton, one of the new directors at the MECA.

“Andy rang me to tell me all about the new venue and we chatted about life on the road and our rock ‘n’ roll years,” said Dave. “We had this idea for Paddy’s weekend.”

The musician’s career began playing rockabilly in the rock ‘n’ roll bars, pubs and clubs of Dublin. He was spotted by the casting director for The Commitments and offered an audition.

“When I saw them come in I thought they were American tourists tracking down their Irish roots,” said Dave. “And then I thought the audition was for a Bisto gravy ad.”

He says the real challenge came when they started filming. “Alan Parker really pushed us but we had a fantastic time. I remember getting a phone call at my mum’s at 2am telling me to pack for LA as we were going to the premiere. I was so lucky; one minute playing in the bars and the next talking to Kevin Costner. It was exciting and fun.”

Dave mixed with other big soul stars at the time including Sam and Dave, the Temptations and James Brown. “BB King was fantastic,” he said. “We met on tour in Brazil and he asked us to play with him. It was a big buzz meeting James Brown, but Wilson Pickett was my favourite. I was a big fan.”

Tickets to see Dave and the guys at MECA are £12.50 in advance, plus booking fee, from 01793 495527.