Irish trio Fierce Shook have released the first single from their upcoming six-track mini-album, Sons of Dis, in August. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
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Fierce Shook are an experimental punk band from Tullamore and consist of Rob Moore, and Austin and Owen Holmes.
Their most recent releases include the Something Sophisticated EP and the single, Fierce Weng.
Sons of Dis was recorded in one day, "capturing the energy and intensity of the band’s live shows". Their new mini-album combines "punk, surf-rock, unexpected experimentation (think Fugazi and Bad Religion combined with Deerhoof and Suburban Lawns)".
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Rob: I play guitar and sometimes sing with Fierce Shook, I'm originally from Tullamore and I’ve lived in Dublin for a number of years now.
How would you describe your music?
Owen: We're rooted in punk but we love lots of different styles like ska, surf, metal, prog, blues, post rock and it all gets blended up to make us.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Owen: It varies quite a lot between us all but for me, it's The Slackers, Rory Gallagher, Porcupine Tree, Man or Astro-Man?, The Redneck Manifesto, Shellac, Radiohead, Therapy?, The Doors, Converge and The Clash. I could go on, and on, and on...
Rob: For myself, I also love a lot of bands like Deerhoof, Fugazi, Tune-yards, Melt-banana, Descendents, Suburban Lawns, Nomeansno, B-52s, Jeff Rosenstock, The Monkees and a lot of old reggae, drum and bass and Northern Soul stuff.
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There’s also a huge amount of music in the Irish underground at present that I’ve found really inspiring like Hubert Selby Jr. Infants, Binomial, Peng Weng, Decal, Soft on Crime, Atomic Drag, Carpark Sci-fi, Answerer, Yop, Wild Rocket. It’s been brilliant hearing really great music being made under the radar by people that are really sound.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Owen: First gig was in The Button Factory to see Amen when I was 14. They were amazing, really crazy show. The band came out afterwards and hung out, the singer Casey stayed talking to us for a good 45 mins, incredibly nice guy.
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Rob: It was R.E.M. at Slane in 1995. They were amazing. They’re still one of my favourite bands. One of my main memories was that while Oasis were playing their support slot, someone threw a rock at Liam Gallagher and just barely missed him.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Owen: I'm pretty sure it was a copy of the Bob Marley single Sun is Shining. As for albums I think it was either Nirvana’s Nevermind or Dr. Dre’s 2001.
Rob: It was To the Extreme by Vanilla Ice. I was nine or 10 and bought it in Golden Discs on Grafton Street. I remember I was trying to decide between buying that or a Public Enemy album. If I knew I was going to be asked about it by RTÉ years later I probably would have bought the Public Enemy one.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Owen: If I had to pick one I'd say Sick in the Head by Kneecap.
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Rob: Oh I Forgot by Leigh Arthur. I’ve had that on repeat since it came out a few months back. It has one of the best choruses I’ve heard in ages and she has a class voice.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Owen: "Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, I like him just fine... But he's a mouth breather" The Jesus Lizard - Mouth Breather.
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Rob: "I’ll take a hug from you if you take one from me" - Carpark Sci-Fi by I Fell Down.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Owen: I think I'll game the system by electing the 30-minute-long Providence by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Amazing piece of music.
Rob: That’s easy. Rock Lobster by The B-52s. If you gave me a cowbell and a drumstick and left that song on repeat that would probably keep me entertained for a few decades.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Instagram, Bandcamp, all streaming platforms, YouTube and Facebook. We’ve a new mini-album called Sons of Dis coming out in August on Camellia Sinensis. You’ll be able to buy it on cassette from our Bandcamp.
Alan Corr
