Over the last couple of weeks we’ve brought you interviews with some amazing bands, artists and singers. From rap, to electronic synth pop, we tried to show that there is so much more to the Irish music scene than the stuff that we peddle overseas, people are fed up of U2 and unless you are a 12 year old girl you won’t really like Westlife.
There is nothing wrong with the music these guys make but it has all become very stale and the Irish charts are beginning to suffer but not for much longer. Frantic Jack are an acoustic rock band from Edenderry and if you need something new, fresh and amazing to listen these lads have it all.
Watching the lads perform or checking their videos out on YouTube you see music become magic as they synch together so perfectly. The vocals of lead singer are powerful and remind us all of times gone by, singing lyrics to intoxicating guitar and drum beats.
On a basic level the guys remind us of the music of Nickelback or Counting Crows but there is something unique about the music and songs of Frantic Jack – there is heart and passion in every beat, every lyric and each chord, their music is the stuff that fantastic summers are made of and road trips are made epic by and we are lucky enough to catch up with the band while they continue their tour of the country.
Who are Frantic Jack? How did the band come together?
Frantic Jack are Daragh Fitzgerald – Vocals & Guitar, Pauric Hurst – Bass, James Kearney – Keys, Mark Kelly – Lead guitar and Mick Holten – Drums. We formed in Edenderry Co. Offaly in February 2009 and began to write our debut album “Independence” which was released on July 23rd of this year.
Have you always been interested in music? Is this what you wanted to do with your lives?
I think everyone is passionate about music in their own way. We were no different but only really began the drive to write and perform our own music when we formed “Frantic Jack”. If it were possible to live life playing music then there are not many people who would say no!
Could you describe your sound for us? Of all the artists out there at the moment who would you compare your music to?
The bands influences vary from Pearl Jam to Creedence to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dire Straits so to describe our own sound is very difficult as we all have different views on how we’d like to sound! Most comparisons we’ve had have been a mix of Matchbox 20, Dave Matthews Band, Counting Crows and Nickelback! But really it’s open for interpretation.
You are currently on a 6 week tour of Ireland – how are you finding the travels and the gigs? Any adventures or inside gossip you want to share with us?
We’re right in the middle of our Irish Tour and it couldn’t be better. We’ve already travelled the length and breadth of the country and we’re only about half way through! The travel is pretty good fun. It’s like gathering a big crew together and road tripping for 6 or 7 weeks. I’d love to tell stories but what happens on the road, stays on the road! (Namely in Tramore!)
Frantic Jack just seemed to burst onto the music scene in Ireland and you’ve really made a name for yourselves – did you ever imagine that you’d have a single in the charts, an album and a tour?
To us it’s been a long 18 months getting the name of the band out and into people’s heads as well as promoting our singles but I think most other bands who’ve been trying for years would laugh at us for thinking it’s been hard. We’ve only really been touring as a band since last October and have had 2 top 20 singles and a Top 10 single as well as released our debut album “Independence”. I think the fact that we’ve done so much in such a short time gives the impression that we’ve kind of come from nowhere.
Where can we see you playing over the next few weeks?
Well we’re over half way through the tour and these are the remaining dates for anyone who’d like to see us live:
| 03.09.2010 | Harrisons | Blackrock | Louth |
| 04.09.2010 | Murtaghs | Carrick On Shannon | Leitrim |
| 07.09.2010 | Captain Americas Live | Cork City | Cork |
| 16.09.2010 | The Kings Head | Galway City | Galway |
| 17.09.2010 | Bakers | Galway City | Limerick |
| 18.09.2010 | Rapture | Johnstownbridge | Kildare |
| 20.09.2010 | Whelan’s | Dublin City | Dublin |
| 25.09.2010 | Olympia Theatre w/The Saw Doctors | Dublin City | Dublin |
What are your plans for the future?
We’re gonna continue to promote the album as much as we can as well as our 3rd single “Hold On” which debuted at no.9 in Irelands Official Top 40. We have a couple more singles in the pipeline that we will be releasing from the album and lots more gigs to come in the run up to Xmas. Then next year we hope to enter the studio again to begin work on album no.2!!!!!
Finally if you were trapped in an Arcade for eternity, what one game would you play to pass the time?
Pac-Man, it’s like Banana’s in Pyjamas go Cannibal.
Frantic Jack have thankfully given us a signed copy of their album ‘Independence’ to give away to one lucky reader. To be in with your chance of winning, all you have to do is answer this question:
What is the name of Frantic Jack single that made it into the top 10 of Ireland’s Official Top 40? Is it…
a) Hold Up
b) Hold Out
c) Hold On
To enter this competition all you have to do is send your answer, along with your name, to info@the-arcade.ie – good luck!
If you would like to learn more about Frantic Jack or stay up to date with their tour and news you can find them here: Official Website / Frantic Jack Facebook
Frantic Jack’s debut album is also available on iTunes, so get your copy now!
