"NEWBRIDGE TO ROCK TO THE SOUND OF BAND ON AN ISLAND"
Band on an Island Interview; published on Thursday 19 January 2006
By Emma Allen
Who are Band in an Island? Ciaran Dwyer, vocals & guitar, Rob Mockler drums, Andrew ODonnell, Bass, Gavin Elsted lead guitar and Eimear Dempsey violin, all from Newbridge.
Forerunners of a thriving music scene in the town they are leading a music momentum here. Playing to gigs of fans singing along to every word of their rock and dirty roll songs, their music has encapsulated a mood.
Band on an Islands formations began over word trade offs 8 Mile style, two chord exchanges, skating and camping trips in Athgarvan. Verbal bouts developed and learning to play instruments followed. I heard Rob play Wonderwall on guitar and I thought it sounded deadly so I learned to play it too, says Ciaran.
Its a cold January night in Newbridge and Band on an Island are on a photo shoot. Not as glamorous as it might sound due to the icy chill in the air but the band are skipping around the place, chattering away and generally goofing off.
Heading first to the new bridge for some shots, the conversation bounces from tipping over bus stops, setting up road blocks and the evils (are there any) of the Whitewater. Band on an Island have been together for nearly two years. Having seen BOAI at several gigs their rounded rock meets raucous sound impressed. Young and loving their music, their music seems to gel pretty well with them too. Their self penned songs are catchy, you will find yourself humming along days after and wondering. Just wondering goodly. On Friday 20th January in the Riverbank Band on an Island will be playing what they have termed a special gig. Special as in it is ticket only, and also because they will be recording their first promotional DVD, in a bid to spread the sound nationwide. A mixed set list is promised, incorporating old tunes and new.
Can you see a change in your new tunes and what is influencing that, I ask. Its not really about influence, volunteers Gav whilst extolling the virtues of Joy Division. I tried to listen to them (Joy Division) a while ago, and couldnt get into them, but now, mind blowing. Its about showcasing your music, were listening to different things at this point the rest of the band interject with a range of barrages along the lines of Shut up you f***ing eejit! They all break up laughing.
Gav continues, accepting the banter graciously. Our new songs are same as the old, just more content, we are putting more time and effort into them, our musical ability is getting better.
Our ability is getting worse! slags Rob. Japing aside this band threw themselves together through and for the binding love of music and fun. Rob learned to play the drums in a week. Ciaran had his guitar and his voice for singing. Gav on lead guitar brought what only a lead guitarist should bring to a rock band, slick and pumping riffs. Andrew was initially made a roadie so he could hang out and get into gigs free. Then the word bass was casually mentioned to him. The next day he went out and bought a bass and an amp. Then we were f****d! So we were a band." Eimear, a classically trained violinist with a major gr and a gift for traditional airs, already playing on the circuit with, amongst others Niall Whelehan, joined the band officially a few months back having jammed often with the lads.
We were talking about this only a couple of weeks ago, myself and Gav said Eimear. How did we get together? When I asked her how she hooked up with band, And we honestly cant remember! Who writes the music here, how does it come about? We have loads of songs, loads, declares Ciaran, we never get bored. People bring in chords and then start telling me stuff. Gav leads the tune with some mad chords, Rob is mad on the drums. Andrew is just mad out of it! They collapse into collective laughter, although Andrew by the looks of things is well used to this line of slagging. All I do is drink, and play bass, he confirms. Ah no, Andrew has brilliant bass lines, continues Ciaran. We are talking about the songs more now, we are on the buzz together, talking about how they become tunes. At this point the conversation breaks off into the has anyone heard the new Richie Kavanagh song topic, following onto a debate about the general merits of Carlow town. This leads onto speculation over the loss of great Irish abuse words and the Anglicisation of insults.
Tangents, segues and always buoyant, for a band who are conducting their first interview there is no sign here of reticence, and initial awkwardness was fleeting. You wont see that on stage either; their performance is confident and outreaching, the music and sweat pours out of them with great passion.
Not only is it music they are passionate about they are young people growing up in what can still be seen as a small town. That in itself poses its own problems and realities and they are passionate about perceived views of teenagers and early twentysomethings. When youre twenty years of age and a skater you dont get much respect off the guards, Rob quietly states. It seems implausible that dissuading young people from engaging in a valid and active sport, in times when various media scream about growing obesity rates in children, is acceptable. What were once skating points, where kids could hang out in full and safe view of the town and about 50m from the local law enforcement building have been adjusted and rendered unusable. Skater kids equal trouble. But there is no where else for them to go. Unless you are prepared to travel to Dublin to practice the sport you love. Or maybe you just dont bother at all.
Drink and drugs are another route to be taken in the absence of sporting activities, an unavoidable reality for any teenager growing up, anywhere.
Some of us have been there and felt, that oppressive sense of injustice, some of us are there, and for some who are probably not even reading this yet, it is coming your way too. It all comes out from them all, how they feel, how they are treated, how they think it is wrong. How all they want is to have fun and be good people. They love where they come from, just sometimes its hard. A part of growing up?
Were not mindless. We write songs about protest, about narrow mindedness, Ciaran explains. And they exorcise their grievances through music. Songs like Mad Sunday and Keep your noses clean catalogue their life in this world.
The words are honest and heartfelt. The lead vocalist and the lead voice throughout the interview, he has a lot to say and wants to say more.
The conversation has now veered completely from any question I want to ask. Its better to let it flow. Do you have an agenda (are they Bono?) I ask. The phrase working class heroes is voiced.
These are young people doing things that other people are only brave enough to dream about. In a rock and roll band. Hanging out with your best friends and generating energy and good times. You love Newbridge, you just take an alternative route to the mainstream says Rob. Its not about being alternative. The song We live in a hole in the ground is all about Newbridge. You just love spending time with your friends. There is a general consensus that despite the bad stuff now is an amazing time to be growing up in Newbridge. The amount of other bands that are coming out of Newbridge, its a really healthy time, enthuses Gav. Most of us are the same age, some younger, some older. Musical opinions on them may be mixed but you have to respect them for being in a band. We respect every person who gets up in a band". This is met again with strong agreement.
Looking out for each other is strong. Looking out for people who come to their gigs is worthily strong. Andrew is getting some breathing space. We always make sure we get people in (at a gig) when it is sold out and we try and not do over 18s show, we just want people to come and hear the music.
A lot of their fans (and there are many) would fall under that category. And we play free gigs in the park for everyone, Ciaran is back, we just want to play the music. The park as it turns out is everyones most loved part of town, except Gav, whose house ranks above the perennial favourite of generations.
By this point we have left the bridge and are making our way up to the train station for part two of the shoot. Their manager Peter Lane (christened by the band Rock n Roll Laneo) was worrying that things might not run so smoothly with the band, what with a photographer and an interviewer combined, it could be a little overwhelming. He had nothing to worry about. No self consciousness here. The night is pressing on and the cold is well settled in the bones. Whats ahead for Band on an Island after what should be a spectacular gig at the Riverbank? We want Oxygen, shouts Ciaran. They all want it. They can taste it.
Once Eimear has completed her Leaving Certificate they then plan on going on tour for the Summer. The live DVD will get them out there a bit more once blitzed around. Everything is going great and things should only get better. While striking some now serious poses, Conal Dempsey (of three piece acoustic band The Rockets with a folky, country, death metal vibe) is introduced as their musical advisor and keeper of the buzz line. The buzz is all important and without the buzz, we wouldnt be doing it, says Ciaran. All we want to do is have fun and see other people have fun.
The concept of the buzz committee is introduced, members are in charge of locating where, and making the most out of the buzz. Then its onto tales of encouraging American girls to drink mouthwash for its alcohol content, unfortunate bee stings, and Hustler magazines being banged out the back of a bus on a way to an under 14 GAA match (they were made pick up every single one of them).
The last photograph taken looks to be the shot of the night. The band seated with the Kildare train whizzing by in the background. They are fresh and shiny, loaded with tingling energy. We pack up and head back to town.
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