I can’t remember the last time I was sent a band’s song and then spent hours going through previous tracks, reading the artist’s background, sifting through YouTube videos both live and directed and generally obsessing.
Fontaines D.C.‘s frontman Grian Chatten is comparable to so many of the prominent male influences I had in my collection when I was younger. Mark E Smith will come immediately for many, but for me, Smith was never a hero or figure of influence and entertainment. Cobain, Curtis and even Gallagher to a certain degree all donated to my music taste and love for a type of slacker nonchalance in indie and rock music. There was still an intensity they delivered, something I could never quite put my finger on, but it gave me the desire to act like them – even as a female. To be fierce myself and in my love of their music, to be prominent and stick two fingers up at all the bullshit that passed me by, even now. Chatten, with the support of a solid band, channels this impeccably.
The Dublin 5-piece have released bits and pieces, but ‘Chequeless Reckless’ is my first introduction and by fuck, I am near desperate to see them live.
An almost visceral experience, this combines punk, rock and indie with a faultless delivery. The Irish lilt, the solid backline with its relentless, invigorating core riff is like crack. The song finishes and you are hovering over the play button for your next frantic hit.
This is a vital band in a sea of diluted, lad rock wannabe pish. This is invective, genuine and holds a glaring torch of nostalgia that will put your faith back in new music.
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