Callum MacHattie
Experienced music journalist usually spotted running around gigs and festivals with a mic in hand. Also trying to prove to my dad’s mates that music is as good as it used to be, one interview at a time.
Ahead of the release of their debut album later this year, we chatted with Dublin punk band Gurriers about their influences and beliefs
“We’re angry, but we’re lovely people” is what the Gurriers front man Dan Hoff, succinctly tells me when I enquire what the essence of the band’s sound is. In their sound and performance it’s true; jagged melodies bounce off of a rhythmic groove to foreground confronting lyrics about the state of modern life.
They’re a band who have wasted no time in cutting through the industry noise and, with only a few single releases to their name, their debut album ‘Come And See’ is out on 12th September.
There’s a clarity and conciseness to their releases that absolutely mirrors the content of their art. Standout hit ‘Des Goblins’ is sharp and forthright, with a chorus of strobe lights that with each listen invites you to focus on something different: the poignancy of the lyrics, the echoes of the guitar line or the brutality of Pierce’s drums.
It’s a textured composition that is a known strength within the band: “Pierce is the main part, because if you want to make crazy guitar sounds like alien noises make any sense, you have to have movement at the bottom of it”, bassist Charlie tells me.
So far, the single releases display that with ease. But, no doubt, when the task of putting together an album presents itself there has to be an exploration of how that sound can be transferred into a different mood. “We just jam first and see if anything sounds good, because you can always hear something kind of true in the jam”, Dan says.
And truth is absolutely what the band provides. Grappling with societal vanity, climate change and everything in between, Gurriers have no issues with representing what they think is right, something evident within their music but practiced in their everyday lives also.
At this year’s SXSW, Gurriers were scheduled to play the ‘Music From Ireland’ showcase alongside Cardinals, Sprints, Enola Gay and NewDad. As a collective, Gurriers, alongwith the aforementioned acts, boycotted the festival and refused to play, because of the festival’s official sponsorship from the US Army and defence contractors and their involvement with the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In their official statement, the bands wrote, ‘it is inherently wrong to taint the celebration of art with links to the genocide going on in Palestine’.
Opportunity doesn’t come before principle for Gurriers and their respect of the truth both musically and personally is what makes them such a compelling group to support. Their songs, weighted with provocative lyrics designed to make you question to world around you, are compounded by their inward-facing honesty.
As Dan raises the idea of truth presenting itself in the jam, you can’t help but feel as a vocalist it encourages a mirrored approach. When asked about his approach, influences from Damon Albarn and Henry Rollins are mentioned, but the spirit of the answer lives in what he said after:
“Bands in the nineties like Whipping Boy and other Irish bands, who sing with their actual Irish accents. Instead of trying to be English or American, or neutral. There is a confidence building I think, with a lot of Irish bands, which is why you see this spotlight on Irish music now – because the confidence is actually coming through the music.”
Who could blame them for being confident? Their releases to date are textured, original and completely compelling, whilst their performances are both rousing and delicate. Despite minimal releases to their name, this is a band who have found their voice and speak it with unashamed confidence. You sense they have a story to tell and, come September, we’ll all get to hear it.
Gurriers’ debut album ‘Come And See’ is out on 13th September.
Listen to ‘Close Call’ here: