London-based Irish indie rock band We Are The Darts have released their debut album, Who Are You Again? We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Izaak is the third bass player in The Darts. He's been given a Tipperary jersey and a brief chronicle of Irish history to help assimilate. Studies have found 10 songs is the perfect amount to make up an album (source missing). None of The Darts are particularly good at darts.
How would you describe your music?
Brian (lead singer & rhythm guitar): When myself and my brother Stephen got the idea of putting together a band, we always said we wanted to write and play guitar music with singalong choruses and catchy riffs. That was always our favourite type of music growing up. We felt like we weren’t hearing enough of it at the time but we might be able to deliver it. That’s been our formula really and we’ve tried to stay true to it.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Izaak (bassist): It's a pretty comprehensive list, dipping into the rock n roll of the 60s, punk, glam rock, indie, Britpop and basically anything worth its salt in between. You never know where inspiration is gonna strike from but listening to the bands and artists from these eras definitely increase the chance that it'll be something worth pursuing.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Shane (drummer): My first proper gig was Slane Castle in 2009. Oasis headlined, and they were supported by Kasabian, The Prodigy, Glasvegas and The Blizzards. Brian and Stephen were also at this gig but with different groups, and Izaak saw Oasis at a different venue on the same tour so from the start The Darts were interlinked by great music. To this day I have never been to a gig that has topped that.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Brian: Not sure what the first record I bought was but I vividly remember getting a Sony cassette Walkman for Christmas in 1997. My uncle bought me Be Here Now by Oasis the same Christmas. I remember listening to it over and over again. They’ve been my favourite band for as long as I remember so I think it must have started that Christmas. I count myself very lucky to have managed to get a ticket to Croke Park next summer.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Brian (lead singer and rhythm guitar): Myself and Shane saw Fred Again the other week headlining Reading. Shane was a big fan beforehand but I wouldn't have known more than a few tunes but having seen him turn the main stage into a rave has me fully converted and his new album is on heavy rotation at the moment, I Adore U and Places to Be are two standouts.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Stephen: "Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend". We Can Work It Out, The Beatles. Just sums it all up in a tidy little sentence really. No point in stressing over things you can't control, your biggest fears and anxieties will probably never happen. Enjoy the moment.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Shane: It would be Emerald by Thin Lizzy. Thanks to my dad, Thin Lizzy were my first introduction to music when I was young, and in my opinion no other song showcases the raw force of rock n roll as the guitar solo call and response and the bone shaking drums that feature in Emerald.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our new album, Who Are You Again?, is out now and can be found on our Spotify artist page We Are The Darts, along with a few old ones from the archives.
Alan Corr
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