The members of Fangclub speak to Melissa Ridge on the release of their latest EP and the recent success that has followed since the launch of their debut.
SINCE first beginning to jam together in 2013, Fangclub have become one of the most successful punk-rock bands to come out of Ireland. Brought together by a love of punk-rock, the North Dubliners have played gigs across the city as well as festivals in Toronto and New York.
Dara Coleman, drummer, gives an insight into the origin of the Fangclub 90’s sound, stating: “We all have our own personal music taste but I think there is a corner of rock that all of us are really into so that is the sound that Fangclub have come out of. It would be that whole 90’s thing.”
Stephen King, singer and guitarist, adds that: “We all have specific styles and different aesthetics and those three different aesthetics together form our sound.” He goes on to talk about how his contribution lays the foundation for the band’s songs and lyrics, admitting that: “I would do most of the writing, like the lyrical stuff, melody and the kind of first ideas of the song.”
“In between gig rehearsals,” he continues, “we always make sure we have time to just jam. Someone will just start something. We won’t even think, we’ll just go for about twenty minutes, have a recorder, trawl through the files and we’ll hear something and be like, ‘Oh, I like that’ and that’s the beginning of a new song, Songs come out all over the place emotionally.”
On this, Kevin Keane, bassist, adds that their songs are often a mix of emotions with each being captured in their own right in each song. He explains that: “Lyrics would be on one buzz and the riff would be on a different buzz. Whatever mood you’re in you can find some aspect of the song that you can relate to.”
After the release of their first EP Bullet Head in May of this year, Kerrang called up the band for an interview, which the lads have now come to view as a big moment for themselves and milestone for their careers.
“Kerrang was a big moment for me,” King explains. “Watching it when I was 12 or 13 and then you’re in the magazine that you bought every week. It was just insane.” The band was playing in Toronto when they got the phone call. Reflecting, he admits: “It was incredible. They were like, ‘What do you want to do for a photoshoot?’ And we were like, ’Can we trash a hotel room?’ And they were like ‘Yeah.’.”
“It was incredible. They were like, ‘What do you want to do for a photoshoot?’ And we were like, ’Can we trash a hotel room?’ And they were like ‘Yeah.”
Their second EP Coma Happy, is due to be released on November 11th. It is a collection of four of the band’s favourite songs that they feel best represent their sound and ethos. The lads began recording in Data Recording Studios in Kerry but after it closed down they finished off the last track in Station Studios in Balbriggan.
“The majority of the songs, even from the last EP, were recorded before any of the label stuff happened.” Keane explains. “We went down to Kerry two years ago and just recorded an album for our ourselves with no real plan. Then it found its way in the hands of certain people.”
King adds that: “It was just picking and sprinkling songs from those sessions and choosing an EP from that. Looking back, if there was any direction, it was in the studio two years ago. ‘Dreamcatcher’ and ‘Inside Joke’ were the last of the songs to be recorded so there was more work in them and the writing was a little better. We were more mature as a band writing those songs.”
‘Dreamcatcher’ is the lead single on the EP. The band feels it is one that really connects with a wider audience. King reveals: “I just love that song. It went down well live. Anyone who has heard it live is like, ‘What’s that dream song?’ We had a feeling that it would be one that would go down well.”
The band is set for a busy year ahead. After the launch of Coma Happy, they have a gig on December 10th with Twin Atlantic in the Academy, which the lads are very excited about.
“We wrote a new song and we’re testing it out on the Twin Atlantic tour,” King reveals. Following this they are travelling to the Limelight in Belfast and then across to Glasglow where they will play for three nights in Barrowlands. After taking a break for Christmas they will kick off again in February and be on the road doing various festivals in the UK.
“I’ve no idea where we could be. I didn’t even know we’d get here”.
Faced with the prospect of the long-term, Keane jokes: “I’ve no idea where we could be. I didn’t even know we’d get here”. Life has a funny way of working out like that. One thing is clear, though, for Fangclub; the wheels have been set in motion and things are only increasing in pace. “Things are moving so fast. It’s impossible to gage or have ideas where we’ll be in years to come.”
Fangclub’s second EP Coma Happy is released on the 11th of November.
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