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Join the Purr Mailing List: Happy to be part of the Independent Promoters Network Also part of
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jj72 In the past, we may have criticised the arbitrary lumping of messianic status upon the shoulders of bewildered young bands in these pages. But, highly tipped Irish newcomers and purveyors of the sweeping epic, JJ72, actually did ooze that special something all great stars require when they played at Norwich Mojo's last week. Listening to vocalist and songwriter Mark's visionary mission statement and seeing his eyes sparkle with ambition, it is hard to believe they only left school last summer. Yet, after "spending the last three years of school waiting to do something we were good at", the band immediately started touring. Together with ice-queen bassist Hilary and slightly intense drummer Fergal, you actually believe they care that there's nothing that we'd want to go and see and get goose bumps from listening to live". So, do they feel pressurised by the media fuss (added to here) over their potential? "No, it makes complete sense to us. It doesn't matter what's written in NME or Melody Maker and all this "steps towards fame" stuff because we know these songs are good". If this seems a little self righteous, it's only because for Mark, the "surreal" nature of being in a music industry "full of pricks" means his music is all he can be sure of - "we're just trying to stay alive. Maybe I'm a bit confused about everything's that happening - not in a "I feel pressurised" kind of way but more that I don't know why I write songs or why we have a record deal. Whatever happens happens and we'll see how we cope." This is self-confidence, but not naivety. "When I say that "it's only guitar music", I mean that ultimately it's not that important and it's not that complicated. It can't preach to people because it's not preachable," Mark claims. Admittedly, much of what he says and the highly focussed way he says it has a certain tone of preachiness to it. His statement that "at the moment I couldn't imagine anyone else writing lyrics in the band" demonstrates his apparent dominance of the band's public image. However, there is no doubt that they're close - Hilary claims, "my friends are on tour with me here" to which Mark adds, "we're loners". They feel this is their calling in life: "It's something you can't describe about why you are doing what you do - there's something there, a spark there, but you don't know why it's there." So, are they happy to be on tour? Mark replies rather sadly, "I don't love being at home and I don't love being here either. It does sound bleak, but I just enjoy playing." Responding to the tag of the "new Manics", Mark calmly replies "The Manics are a great band. Their attitude is one I'd like to have." Do they share an interest in creating a shocking image too? "All bands go for image - like when you are getting dressed in the morning, it has to be a conscious thing. But we're not going for an image that isn't us just to get attention - we're just easing ourselves in." Prepare to cringe - truly, the music says it all. "We have a singer who can sing. When we play the songs I've written, there is definitely something there, a power there, that we feel when the band plays together." So what of the future: meteoric rise and a long stay at the top, or fading away? "If millions of people are meant to hear us, they will. You recognise it when the spark goes away and that's the time to go." Whatever their destiny holds, the band and the music are highly impressive and truly unique. If you don1t manage to catch them on this tour, they are touring again in May. charlie philips and louisa thomson back to interviews>>> |
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