Brothers promise Power Pop treat with debut album
THE Everlys, the Corrs, the Carpenters.
Throughout the decades, music history has been peppered with siblings who make music together, and Drogheda is no different.
After several separate collaborations, Michael and Martin Shields have joined forces as The Fuzzy Papers (best not to ask!) and will launch their debut album in Sarsfield’s on Saturday September 15th.
And the Harmony Heights natives are confident ‘ The Great Transformation and other stories’ will have something to suit all musical tastes!
“It’s hard to describe our style, but some have said Power Pop would suit,” says Michael, the older of the two, who plays guitars, some bass and keys.
“If I had to define it, I would say we write catchy guitar-led tunes, which will stick in the mind once you hear them once.”
And fans can get to hear the songs, which include ‘Here I am’ and ‘Remote Control’ at the launch gig in one of their favourite venues in the town.
“It was Michael who first taught me to play guitar when I was about 9 or 10,” says Martin ‘Brush’ Sheilds, who is also well known from The Enemies, Drogheda Brass Band and his former project Mojo. “We’ve been writing the songs on this for a number of years, and we thought it was about time we did something with them and we got the band together, with Keith White joining us in a live setting on tenor guitar, ukulele, bouzouki, musical saw and piano”!
The album draws inspiration from the economic transformation Ireland has experienced, from barter to capitalisation.
Influences are usually guitar-based bands who have lots of layered vocals (The Who / Small Faces / Super Furry Animals / Pixies), but also bands like Sly and The Family Stone / Queen / Fleetwood Mac / Julian Cope.
“All songs were recorded in my attic over a period of about three years in addition to our day jobs,” explains Michael.
“About six months ago, we decided it was time to stop starting new songs and to start finishing some instead. I start off with the basic song, then Martin moans at me and we tweak at it until we can barely stand to hear it for another second.”
In fact, fans who are impressed at the debut album wouldn’t have too long to wait for a follow-up or two.
“We wrote so many songs, that we struggled to whittle them down for the first album, and we have been stock-piling them for a second or third least,” explains Michael.
“We even have a video for the first single, which we had great fun filming out at the Obelisk bridge.”
All are welcome to attend the launch in The Living Room, Sarsfields and entry will be €5. CDs will be available to buy on the night and the first 15 people to buy CDs on the night will get a second CD with acoustic versions of some songs off the album.
More details are on Facebook /thefuzzypapers.