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Frontman Danny reveals the secret to the band’s success is because they...
‘I recycle pain and turmoil. That’s what an artist is. I turn it into art. It’s important’
They’re one of the world’s biggest bands – with one of the most eligible bachelors as their frontman.
But as The Script head back into the studio to start their new album, singer Danny O’donoghue reveals there’s one vital secret to the band’s success.
They all get paid the same. He even gave them an equal cut when he was on The Voice.
He says: “We split everything three ways, so they got paid too. That’s why we’re still together after so many albums.
“The number one reason bands break up or split up is because of money. If you’ve got the lead singer coming in in a Lamborghini, and no one else is, we don’t think that’s very fair.”
The equal pay even comes down to the songwriting – so no one feels under pressure or any resentment in the studio.
“You do that to rid the room of disagreements,” says Danny. “Even if I’m not writing or contributing that much today, I will tomorrow. And that means no one’s trying to say, ‘My chorus is better than yours’ just to get a percentage.”
The main members – Danny, 39, lead guitarist Mark Sheehan, 42, and drummer Glen
Power, 40 – formed in Dublin in 2001, but had their breakthrough eponymous album in 2008. Since then they’ve had hit after hit and have just finished their world tour, and headed straight back into the studio.
This time Danny has some extra inspiration – after he split with his swimwear model girlfriend of four years Anne De Paula, 23, in September.
But while many might want to hide from the limelight while coping with heartache, Danny didn’t mind
that his split hit the headlines. “It was like a £3million advertisement that I’m single again,” he laughs. “And absolutely me being freshly single again is playing into the music. I class myself as someone who recycles pain, I recycle pain and turmoil. That’s what an artist is. I turn it into art. It’s important.”
Danny adds that the new album is already going so well that they might bring it out earlier than planned. He says: “This year has been a hell of a year for us, personally and professionally.
“So instead of trying to write the songs that change the world, you’ve got to try and write stuff that heals yourself first. Instead of looking outwards, you’ve got to try and look inwards.”