Interview // The Rubberbandits

“Your notes look like the ramblings of a lunatic,” says the man whose face is covered with a knitted replica of a Tesco carrier bag.

Meeting the Rubberbandits for the first time is just as memorable an experience as one would expect – any interview with the Limerick pair is bound to be unpredictable – but the knitted bags is definitely a new one.

The more vocal half of the duo, Mr Chrome, explains the change in look from their usual plastic headgear: “An American fan noticed we had the bags so he knitted us these. We just find them very comfortable, especially when it’s this time of year.

“It’s our first time wearing them. It wouldn’t be a permanent look – it’s like putting the roof up on a convertible, you know?” he points out with no little irony.

“It’s like every now and then you treat yourself by putting on the woollen condom,” adds his cohort, Blindboy Boatclub, helpfully.

Interview // The Strypes

I had the pleasure of speaking with these young lads from Cavan (average age 15) a few days before they signed a five-album deal with Mercury Records. They already boast Paul Weller, Jeff Beck and… Brian Kerr among their fans. 

Having recently inked an astonishing five-album deal with major label Mercury Records, The Strypes could be forgiven for indulging in a little bit of rock n’ roll excess, but the Cavan four-piece have their feet firmly planted on the ground despite a growing chorus of approval from some of rock royalty’s most prestigious names.

Modfather Paul Weller recently picked the band out as one of his favourite new bands in an interview with an influential UK magazine – as well as inviting them to open for him on a live session for Channel 4 – while former Yardbird and blues legend Jeff Beck has also made his admiration public.

In an exclusive interview with Something for the Weekend – on the eve of penning the record deal – the band are remarkably laid back about it all, choosing to lavish praise on their elders rather than acknowledge the talent and dedication that had bought them so much success so quickly.

Interview // Chris Jericho of Fozzy

He’s best known as one of the icons of World Wrestling Entertainment – his snappy catchphrases and bitter put-downs that made him one of the sport’s most popular stars – but these days Chris Jericho is fully focused on his metal band Fozzy, who have moved from strength to strength with their new album ‘Sin and Bones.’

Speaking exclusively to Something for the Weekend ahead of the band’s twin dates in Cork on Friday night and Dublin on Saturday, Jericho appears genuinely humbled by Fozzy’s swift ascent from a an apparent novelty act to a band that even the most begrudging metal fan now has to take seriously.

The singer says: “I’ve been playing in bands since I was 12 years old. I always wanted to be in a rock band and I always wanted to be a wrestler – those were my two dreams. Wrestling came first but I always wrote songs, recorded demos and played live. We started Fozzy in ’99, and three or four years ago I decided all my time would be based around Fozzy’s schedule.

“It’s amazing the leaps and bounds we’ve taken since we really put our noses to the grindstone and made this the priority. To see the reactions from the people and to see the crowds grow at the shows and to see the records being sold everywhere, it’s been a really cool experience. Everybody is coming back and saying to us that Sin and Bones the best record we’ve ever made. It’s really cool to have that gratification.”

Top Ten Irish Albums of 2012

Originally published in the Irish Sun on Friday, December 21st.

1. Lethal Dialect – LD50: Part II (Stream)

Lethal Dialect’s first album, 2011’s LD50, announced the Dublin rapper as a serious talent, and the follow-up confirms 23-year-old Paulie Allwright’s place as arguably the most talented writer and emcee this country has produced. Producer GI’s jazzy beats recall the likes of DJ Premier while the overall atmosphere is reminiscent of Illmatic-era Nas. In contrast to the gloomy, murky street vibe of LD50, Part II is less heavy and more accessible with tracks like ‘Keep it Real’ and ‘Get to My Dreams’ achieving deservedly crossing over to the mainstream. With Magnum Opus, the final part of the LD50 trilogy, on the back-burner for now, Lethal Dialect is preparing to release his third record, 1988, in the summer.

Listen to: The Four Commandants, Snakes & Reptiles

2. Therapy? – A Brief Crack of Light (Interview)

Therapy? had been unfairly written off as a bog-standard rock band in mainstream circles, but their recent 20-year anniversary heralded a resurgence of interest in the Belfast trio. This culminated in the release of A Brief Crack of Light, their most vital release in over a decade, and an album bristling with bone-shaking punk riffs, memorable choruses and subtle electronic undertones. As Andy Cairns explained to Something for the Weekend earlier this year: “When people are comfortable, that’s when bland music seeps through. Whenever people are disaffected, agitated music eventually creeps onto their radar again.”

Listen to: Living in the Shadow of a Terrible Thing, Get Your Dead Hand Off My Shoulder

3. BATS – The Sleep of Reason (Review) // (Interview)

The Sleep of Reason is the follow-up to 2009’s Red in Tooth & Claw, and is very much a development on the propulsive, science-themed post-hardcore that made the latter one of that year’s most exciting heavy rock releases. Speaking to Something for the Weekend before Electric Picnic this summer, frontman Rupert Morris said: “Our mission statement is that we’re taking a stance for science and stabbing the traditions of religion and pseudo-science and superstition, and we’re doing it in the form of danceable metal and exotic post-punk.” In equal parts catchy and challenging, The Sleep of Reason certainly succeeds in its mission.

Listen to: Astronomy Astrology, The Sleep of Reason

Interview // This Club

Originally published in the Irish Sun on Friday, September 7.

Dublin four-piece This Club shot to prominence around this time last year when their infectious summer pop hit ‘I Won’t Worry’ was featured in what felt like a ubiquitous post-Electric Picnic ad for Vodafone – but guitarist Philip Broadbery insists it’s been anything but an easy ride for the band once known as Hoarsebox.

He explains: “From the outside it looks like it’s moving quick. If you take it fr0om and the album release back in May, it’s only been a summer and it’s been well-received, but some of these songs have been around for years.”

Interview // Fred

Originally published in the Irish Sun on Friday, September 7.

Following the commercial success of their 2007 album ‘Go God Go,’ Cork four-piece Fred took the brave but ultimately justified decision to record a less radio-friendly follow-up in Montreal with producer Howard Bilerman.

The former Arcade Fire member was instrumental in persuading the band to change the ways that had brought them slowly to prominence as one of Ireland’s best pop rock groups, and to take a brave journey into the unknown for ‘Leaving my Empire,’ a sprawling set of 11 epic rock songs that ranks as one 2011’s best Irish albums.

Speaking  to the Irish Sun, bassist Jamin O’Donovan (curiously, all four band members’ names begin with J) revealed that there was a lot of apprehension within the band before taking the decision to record as a live band for the first time, but ultimately he feels it was a huge success.

Interview // BATS

Originally published in the Irish Sun on Friday, August 31.

“Come along and have your faces melted!” laughs BATS frontman Rupert Morris as the Dublin five-piece prepare to land at Electric Picnic with their explosive brand of science-fuelled heavy metal.

BATS are far from your average rock band, and their music is infused with a burning desire to educate and transform people’s minds, as demonstrated by the title of their upcoming second album, ‘The Sleep of Reason.’

“The title track is called ‘The Sleep of Reason Brings Forth Monsters.’ Our mission statement is that we’re taking a stance for science and stabbing the traditions of religion and pseudo-science and superstition, and we’re doing it in the form of danceable metal and exotic post-punk.”