Five Grand Stereo

Art rockers Five Grand Stereo are today releasing their new “rock opera” album.

The Seventies influenced London-based six-piece led by Dubliner Chris Singleton are heading to these shores for a hometown gig at the city’s Grand Social on April 12.

The Beat: Tell us about this current tour

Chris Singleton: We’re playing shows in the UK and Ireland from March 28 to 15 April and then doing some festivals in the summer. Full dates will be announced on www. fivegrandstereo. com in due course, but shows will be happening in London, Dublin, Leicester, Liverpool, Enfield and various other cities.

The Beat: What has been your best gig so far?

Singleton: We played a gig last year in an intimate but fun venue called The Islington in London which ticked all the boxes. A stage which made us feel taller than everybody; a full house; a friendly sound engineer; the crowd singing along; and a pint of my favourite beer (Camden Hells) at the end.

The Beat: Tell us about your new/latest record?

Singleton: Our new album is called Sex and Money. It’s a rock opera about sex and money, and it’s influenced by the likes of Bowie, Beatles, Bolan and – for the sake of mentioning an artist whose name does not begin with B – Roxy Music.

The Beat: Describe your music in one sentence.

Singleton: 1975 (the year, not the band) – we are very retro, for this record at least.

The Beat: What are you listening to at the moment?

Singleton: Menomena! You should check them out.

The Beat: What Irish acts do you rate?

Singleton: In terms of Irish artists that are still alive, Bell X1 have my vote. In terms of those sadly no longer with us, I’d view Phil Lynnot (inset) as being the best Irish rock star ever.

The Beat: What has been your favourite moment as a musician?

Singleton: Doing postproduction on this album at Abbey Road felt pretty special.

The Beat: What’s in store for you for the rest of 2018?

Singleton: Some shows, some writing and hopefully some more Q and As like this.