It might seem strange but Germany of all places seems to have a great fondness for music produced on this isle. We can’t put our finger on exactly why (or we’d share the secret of course) , but it’s incredibly encouraging to see acts such as The Plea making a name for themselves in mainland Europe. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Biffy Clyro and Miles Kane on rock radio playlists. Producing big time anthems fit for stadiums, they’ve just released their debut album ‘The Dreamer’s Stadium’ with thumbs up across the board. We felt it was probably time for an introduction.
▶ Tell us the interesting story behind the band’s moniker.
Dermot Doherty (Guitar): It’s not that interesting but it is unusual, we originally where called ‘Jacob’s Plea’ when we played in Boston people just called us ‘The Plea’ so we came home , dropped Jacob and formed ‘The Plea’. Jacob’s Plea , that name came from a gig we where offered in London , we where living up stairs in a pub and working as labourers , we got offered some gig’s and needed a name, basically got the beers out and had a few quiet sips of inspiration and in the morning after a few more beers we had the name ‘Jacob’s Plea’ written on bit ‘s of paper lying beside a bible , so yeah it was divine intervention or a moment of clarity , either way we still don’t know who wrote the name but it was born out of beer and religion.
▶ When did the band form and how long did it take to find the bands own sound?
Myself and Denny are brothers so we’ve been playing together for a while, everywhere from Boston to London. We formed the band ‘The Plea’ as it is now about 3 years back and we just recently brought in a new guitarist ‘Hand-some Dave’ so the bands still evolving. It’s hard to know when you’ve got your own sound especially if you hold outside opinions so high but for us we connected on the songs. We’ve been through one album in the studio called ‘The Dreamers Stadium”. We wrote the songs in about 3 weeks, myself and Denny with an electric guitar and a piano . We both had songs the other liked and we worked on them until we where happy. We used a small cassette recorder and recorded on that till 2 or 3am then we’d get the band in and go through them again. We really focused on the riffs and the tunes came together really quick . It was a crazy 3 weeks, but we got the sound we have now in those 3 weeks. One song just lead into the next.
▶ What releases have you put out thus far, and which would be the one to listen to for the uninitiated?
Before we released ‘The Dreamers Stadium’ we released an EP called ‘Nothin But Trouble’ there’s some songs on there that gives a bit of a different side to it , we intend to release some off the wall tunes along side this record also , so people can keep an eye out for that, tunes we have done already and tunes we are working on now. Our Current Single from ‘The Dreamers Stadium’ is ‘Glass Waltz’ i recommend you watch the video while you listen to the tune , it makes more sense.
▶ Is there a particular live show that stands out amongst all the rest?
I think one of our best live shows has been in Ghent in ‘The Charloton ‘ was the first night we played everything from the new album ,was a great atmosphere. Supporting Snow Patrol for 2 nights in Germany was great too. The last gig was an Arena and was packed when we went on , that was pretty cool for us.
▶ Can you talk about a Highlight and a Lowlight of the journey so far?
There’s alot of highs n lows in a band , anybody that’s been in one will tell you that , but for us it’s been a bit of both, the high’s can be anything from a great gig to hearing your music on theradio in a different country at the air-port or randomly in a bar or playing with bands your a fan off. The lows can be anything , high expectations or people not getting as excited about a song that you feel is better or a gig you want to do cancelling or being completely skint and wondering where the next gig is coming from , depends what your sights are set on , for us we just want to keep playing as much as we can and at the minute that’s what we’re doing.
▶ What does ‘success’ mean to the band?
Number 1 in every planet in the solar system….but if that ‘s not possible we’ll settle for being able to play and record. I imagine it must be similar for a journalist , some want the pulitzer and some want nothin more than to write and be anonymous. Musician’s are the same, some want the lime light and some don’t. Although we’ve yet to meet the ones that don’t.
▶ You are in control of forming a 4 piece ‘super group’ – who is in it and what do they do?
Jim Morrison on vocals, Jimi Hendrix on guitar, John Entwistle (The Ox) on Bass and Keith Moon on Drums, we’d call the band ‘Quasi-Mono‘ and the first single would be ‘The Hump’……The after party would be one not to miss.
▶ If you and 3 bands of your choosing were to do a world tour, who would the other 3 bands be?
For me if it’s bands from the past , Bob Dylan (and The Band) to open the gig , Jimi Hendrix as it’s getting dark and The Doors to close it . Bands from today , Kasabian to open it , Beady Eye and The Stone Roses to close it.
▶ If you could make one strange dressing room demand, what would it be and why?
That would have to be ‘Daisy Duke stretched out over the General Lee covered in Sushi with a penguin wearing a top hat serving sake , that’s the goal.
▶ Finally, in a climate saturated with bands vying for listener attention; why should the good old folks at home listen to you guys?
The ‘good old folks at home’ are capable of making up their own minds and we the Irish are not ones for jumping on the band wagon unless it’s going all the way. I’ve never met any one at home that’s just gone out for one pint ? So one reason could be longevity but I’d say take a listen as the songs are stories and the Irish love a good story. Cheers.
Facebook ▶ https://www.facebook.com/thepleaofficial
▶ Tour Dates
Wednesday 1st May
Thursday 2nd May Empire, Belfast
Friday 3rd May
