Name: Left Undercover
Formed: May 2012
Hometown: Larne
Genre: The lighter side of punk
Line-up: Shea McIlroy (Vocals / Bass) | Ciaran Miller (Guitar) | Padraig O’Rourke (Drums) | Fearghal Breslin (Guitar)
Similar to: Angels & Airwaves | Blink 182
What They Say: “Spirited, ridiculously tight blend of indie pop.”
What We Say: Foot tapping punk rock that is brimming with edgy and often delightfully dark lyrics.
◀ Q & A ▶
▶ Tell us about your stage name?
The band name was decided upon in a bar over a pint and a game of pool. It means nothing. We just liked the sound of it.
▶ When did you start playing music and how long did it take to find your own sound?
We’ve all been playing music since we were teenagers. Shea was a late bloomer. He didn’t discover good music until he was 21. Once we all started playing together, all our own preferences and attitudes towards life seemed to match. So we just rolled with it.
▶ What releases have you put out so far?
We recorded and released our debut EP in April this year. We put it up for free download and it got a good response. We’re recording an extended EP at the minute which will be available for download around August/September.
▶ Is there a particular live show that stands out amongst all the rest?
We haven’t played many shows, but our favourite is probably one we did with a friends band and a room full of Polish people. It was in a small bar in a small town, but it was just so much fun.
▶ Can you talk about a Highlight and a Lowlight of the journey so far?
Highlight – Our first time in the recording studio has been the best part so far. I think it’s a milestone in any band as it’s the point where you all feel ready to release your material to the public. It was very enjoyable.
Lowlight – We’re still enjoying being a new band in the big bad world of music, so there hasn’t been a lowlight yet. The most unexpected part, is how tough it is to get a gig if you don’t already know somebody who’s in the business.
▶ You are in control of forming a 4 piece ‘super group’ – who is in it and what do they do?
Vocals – Matt Pryor (the Get Up Kids)
Bass – Kim Deal (pixies/the Breeders)
Drums – Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)
Guitar – Matt Skiba( Alkaline Trio)
▶ If you and 3 bands of your choosing were to do a world tour, who would the other 3 bands be?
1. Alkaline Trio
2. 90’s Green Day
3. Weezer
▶ What will be the 3 strangest things on your rider when you’re able to make any demand?
To have just 3 urinals so we can have our customary pre-show joint pee.
▶ Who has been your biggest inspiration as a musician?
The most influential band for Ciaran has got to be The Get Up Kids. He loves the lyrics, the music and the emotion the band portray. Phil Lynnott beckoned Padraig into rock music, where he found himself admiring the drum work of Bryan Downey. Shea’s initial inspiration was Ciaran. Until they met he was tracksuit-wearing, repetitive beats lover…and Jesus, obviously.
▶ What does ‘success’ mean to you?
Success for us would probably being able to do music full time for a living. It’s something we try to take realistically though, being in a band is an awesome hobby for us and something we love doing and if the opportunity came up to make a career out of it we would jump at the chance. It’s not the kind of thing that many people get the chance to do though so until that point we’ll just keep putting as much effort as we can into making the best music we can, playing as many gigs as possible and hoping as many people hear and enjoy our stuff as possible.
◀ LISTEN ▶
Faceboook ▶ /Left Undercover Twitter ▶ @LeftUndercover
