Fontaines D.C. comprise Grian Chatten (Vocals), Conor Deegan III (Bass), Carlos O’Connell and Conor Curley (Guitars) and Tom Coll (Drums). They met as a quintet in Dublin, influenced and driven in equal measure by the rich history of their hometown’s counter-culture, their response has been to make concise and immediately authentic indie-punk that has done anything but fall on deaf ears.
The last six months have seen Fontaines D.C. release two singles and 4 accompanying videos: Liberty Belle/ Rocket to Russia and Hurricane Laughter/ Winter In The Sun. Both records were named Rough Trade Single of the Week.
“Dublin’s latest sensations Fontaines D.C. return with a new two track 7”. On one side is Hurricane Laughter which is an insistent and repetitive song built on a Mark E Smith style spoken vocal and a band who are locked into a Rock N Roll groove. The hook of ‘And there is no connection available’ lingers long in your mind after the song has left the building” – Rough Trade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJz1DQTx0U
Fontaines D.C. have garnered early support from the likes of Steve Lamacq amongst others on BBC 6.
“I’ve played this about 15 times since yesterday. It’s a little bit like hearing Idles for the first time. I really think there’s something here”
– Steve Lamacq
The band have played a number of shows across Europe, Ireland and the UK earning a reputation for their brooding and trenchant live performances, supporting the likes of The Horrors, Girl Band and The Lemon Twigs, as well as playing festival slots at Electric Picnic, Hard Working Class Heroes and Other Voices. In addition Fontaines D.C. have racked up the miles playing nearly forty of their own headliners the length and breadth of Ireland.
Previous singles such as Liberty Belle and Hurricane Laughter call to mind the likes of the Modern Lovers, The Fall, Iggy Pop and The Strokes, seamlessly blending immediate lyrical hooks with melodic golden-era indie instrumentation, and ‘70s Stooges punk thrust, all of which is strewn with defiant rock and roll overtones.
On their new single Boys In The Better Land/Chequeless Reckless, the band have decided to delve even deeper into their influences (which they personally cite as spanning from The La’s, to The Pogues to Buddy Holly) employing hypnotic, kraut-rock infused cyclical riffs, whilst channelling Dublin into their concise and often-unassumingly poetic lyrics with a distinctive gritty Irish drawl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNXrKBt76zI&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcSFh7NVZt4
Fontaines D.C. have gone from strength-to-strength with each release, and with a vast range of critical acclaim, renowned live shows and a series of sold out releases behind them over the course of just six months, Chequeless Reckless stands as a huge statement of intent, which is not to be ignored. Comparisons will be made with The Fall and Grian Chatten’s drawling vocal style, albeit with a distinctive Irish accent and a fusion of Rock N Roll means that possibly Fontaines D.C., will take the baton from Mark E Smith. I have a feeling that John Peel would have loved them.
If you are quick you can catch Fontaines D.C. live at the following venues:-
Fri 2nd March – Derry – Dutch Kills, Mason’s Loft.
Sat 3rd March – Dublin – Button Factory
Wed 7th March – London – The Victoria, Dalston
Fri 30th March – Mayo – Garbo’s – Castlebar.
Feature/Discovery by Tony Creek
https://rockshotmagazine.com/206759/amazons-conjour-black-magic-cambridge-junction/
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