In Prog We Trust
For his new play Declan Hughes tried to imaging what his adolesence in seventies Ireland might have been like had he been a Rush fan.
Roisin Dwyer, 02 Oct 2012
“I think in your 40s there are various ways of dealing with what could be described as a midlife crisis. A relatively inexpensive one I found was to buy the music that you hadn’t been into as a teenager and have the alternative teenage experience!”
Not only did author and playwright Declan Hughes’ brainwave provide a cost-effective solution to middle-aged woes. It also laid the foundations for his new play, The Last Summer, which opens shortly in the Gate as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
“I had been a bit of a rock snob but always been fascinated by the whole prog side of things and metal, Rush in particular,” he says. “ I was listening to Rush on my iPod and an image flashed through my mind of some lads in denim jackets hanging around a lane in Glenageary – which is how I spent most of my youth – and the music conjured up that period so clearly. Then I realised what you would need as well was perspective, the sense of what happened to them later.”
The resulting story traces the lives of a group of friends and is split between their formative summer of 1977 and the adult reality of 2007.
“We used to go to teenage discos during that summer of 1977,” he says. “That was the summer music was on the brink, The Pistols and The Clash and all that stuff was coming so it was kind of a turning point. That’s why I chose that year, it is evocative in all sorts of ways. It really was like a musical war, you were either on one side or the other. I was young enough to get punk immediately but I had older brothers who would be like, ‘Emerson Lake and Palmer – they’re real musicians. These are just kids!’”
The soundtrack is a key element of The Last Summer as it has been in previous plays, Digging For Fire for example. Does Hughes find music is a gateway to the creative process?
“Yes I listen to it a lot. It evokes emotion. That’s the great thing about music - you get a strong sense of emotion,” he states. “ Before you have an idea things churn around in your head that you are not quite able to pin down. Music really helps focus that.”
Roisin Dwyer
Latest Articles by Roisin Dwyer
After five years off the radar, the mighty Dudley Corporation have returned...
2013-05-13
Droll comic Sean Lock discusses the unconventional title of his new tour, developing a split personality on the road and the unlikely life he lead prior to catching the comedy bug....
2013-04-29
Forgot Bono. When the Bishop of Limerick decided to quote some rock lyrics recently, he could have done worse than reference some of the talent in his backyard...
2013-04-29
As they prepare to release an album of new material under the moniker Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy men Scott Gorham and Ricky Warwick talk to Hot Press about the impending collection, plans to return to Ireland and the future of Thin Lizzy...
2013-04-23
In advance of their Olympia show, mercurial Dexys leader Kevin Rowland talks about getting to the truth in his art, his love for Geno and Van, and having his picture taken with The Dubliners...
2013-04-18
In an exclusive interview guitar god Slash assesses Guns n’ Roses’ legacy, talks about BFF Charlie Sheen and his love for Irish axe ledge Rory Gallagher...
2013-04-08 - Interview
A chip off one of the most important blocks in post-war American literature Peter Leonard talks about father Elmore, hanging with the murder squad and how a chilling visit to Dachau inspired his latest novel...
2013-04-04 - Interview
A stellar solo show from the former Smiths man, says Roisin Dwyer...
2013-03-28 - News
One of our most intriguing female singer-songwriters is back with a cracking new record...
2013-03-22 - Interview
Who better to welcome Mr. Bowie back and critique his new album than Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, a lifelong fan who was never the same after hearing Ziggy Stardust?
2013-03-21 - Frontlines
They’re the cult metallers with a fine appreciation for everything Irish. Mastodon talk Thin Lizzy, hanging with The Cure and collaborating with Feist...
2013-03-14 - Interview
Nina Hynes explains how motherhood and a move to Berlin influenced her new album – and why she decided to turn to her fanbase to fund the project.
2013-02-13 - Interview
As with all Bad Seeds shows, the night comes as close to a religious experience any atheist will encounter…
2013-02-12 - REVIEW
Roisin Dwyer caught the band in Her Majesty's Theatre and had a night that "comes as close to a religious experience any atheist will encounter…"
2013-02-12 - News
Laconic funnyman Sean Hughes explains how the death of his father inspired his new show and why, the older he gets, the more he enjoys art galleries rather than rock gigs or sessions in the pub
2013-02-05 - Interview
Garlanded in five-star reviews, the new album from Tame Impala looks set to put the Australian psychedelic outfit on the map. Frontman Kevin Parker talks about his friendship with comedian Noel Fielding and his ambition to one day write with Kylie.
2012-12-18 - Interview
Thin Lizzy – as we know them today – took to Dublin's Olympia last night for a rip-roaring farewell show, and Hot Press were there to witness all the action...
2012-12-14 - News
There’s a real international tinge to the new record from Limerick’s Windings with the bulk of the recording undertaken in Canada with post-rock icon Efrim Menuck...
2012-11-05 - Interview
Raconteurs-man Brendan Benson on his foray back into solo artistry, his adopted home of Nashville and why it might not be the end of the worlad for the Jack White supergroup...
2012-11-02 - Interview
From hanging out at a UFO convention with Robbie Williams to working with movie star Michael Fassbender Jon Ronson has seen it all. His latest collection chronicles several of his more lurid escapades.
2012-10-25 - Interview
Northern metal stalwarts Gama Bomb have been there, done that. On their tenth anniversary, they take us through the highs, the lows and the inbetweens.
2012-08-23 - Interview
You know him as the crotchety dad from Frasier. But John Mahoney is also a distinguished theatre actor whose career has followed a singular trajectory.
2012-07-31 - Frontlines
En route to the Galway Arts Festival Chic’s Nile Rodgers talks about his friendship with Michael Jackson and David Bowie, working with Daft Punk and sharing the stage with The Smiths’ Johnny Marr.
2012-06-28 - Interview
Northern soulman Richard Hawley talks about his epic new album, his unlikely get together with Priscilla Presley and being feted on The Simpsons.
2012-06-19 - Interview
“Thanks for coming out, thanks for putting up with my lame ass, and thanks for not throwing shit.”
2012-06-01 - REVIEW
Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Forbidden Fruit-bound alt. country legends Wilco, talks to Roisin Dwyer about the group's electric new album, A Whole Love, working with Mavis Staples, gigging with Nick Lowe and overcoming anxiety disorder.
2012-05-30 - Interview
Ahead of their gig with Guns N'Roses, Thin Lizzy’s Scott Gorham talks about the band’s plan to record again, their cheeky appropriation of Alice Cooper’s guitarist and why he’s cool with having David Cameron as a fan.
2012-05-23 - Interview
They had their hearts broken and went nu-folk. Yes, it’s been a time of upheaval for former Libertine-alikes The Gandhis.
2012-05-21 - Interview
Black Key Dan Auerbach is catalyst for stellar set of tracks by New Orleans legend
2012-05-17 - REVIEW
As their ghoulish moniker suggests The Spook Of The Thirteenth Lock aren’t a band afraid to shy away from the darker aspects of life. It all adds up to a creepily fascinating second LP.
2012-04-18 - Interview
Chris Slade looks back on a colourful CV to date which includes stints with AC/DC. Jimmy Page and Dave Gilmour.
2012-03-07 - Reports
When not participating in the Cranberries’ reunion Noel Hogan is lending his production skills to a host of up and coming Limerick acts.
2012-03-06 - News
As their 13th album drops Northern noiseniks Therapy? discuss their love of dub-step, singing with Ozzy Osbourne and why, underneath it all, they’re just a bunch of underdogs who refuse to quit.
2012-02-27 - Interview
They’re the quirky pospters whose sound is hard to pin down. But one thing can be said for certain about Django Django – we like what they do!
2012-02-14 - Interview
It’s all happening down south this month, with a slew of new releases incoming. What are they putting in the water supply?
2012-02-03 - News
As he gears up for a date with Vicar Street on February 15, Nick Lowe shares anecdotes about Wilco, Elvis Costello and his father-in-law Johnny Cash.
2012-01-31 - Interview
Lots to look forward to in 2012 – including new long-players from Katie Kim, the Quicksand Band and The Walpurgis Family.
2012-01-24 - News
From The Stone Roses to Van Halen, 2012 is shaping up to be the year of reunions. And the heavy rock get-together fans have been crying out for is on, with Ozzy Osbourne rejoining Black Sabbath for a new album and tour. Guitarist Tony Iommi discusses the historic get-together and fondly recalls their only Irish performance, in Dalymount Park a lifetime ago.
2012-01-23 - Interview
Hmmm... 2011, the year of global economic crisis and a punishing domestic budget. But it seems the old adage of creativity flourishing in times of recession is true, as we added a plethora of top long-players to our iPods, and basked in the glow of a dizzying array of exquisite live performances. Long live the downturn!
2012-01-11 - Interview
They’re among the world’s most influential hip hop groups – and one of the few modern rap acts with intelligent shit to say about the state of America. In an exclusive Hot Press public interview Public Enemy leader Chuck D. talks race, the emptiness of the bling-chasing lifestyle and why Barack Obama was destined to fail.
2012-01-09 - Interview
He won a Pulitzer Prize and helped kick-start Sofia Coppola’s career as a director. Now, with his new novel The Marriage Plot, Jeffrey Eugenides reimagines the 19th Century romance novel as 21st century social satire. He discusses his love of Joyce, the pressures of success and why it’s Colm Toibin’s round...
2012-01-06 - Interview
Having left Ireland a decade ago, Dara Ó Briain has become a force in UK comedy. On a quick visit to the auld sod, he talks about bringing his love of phsyics to the stage, the vogue among younger comics for gratuitously offensive gags and why standing in front of an audience telling jokes will always be at the heart of what he does.
2012-01-04 - Interview
Wistful country rockers to their boots, Ireland’s The Lost Brothers are creating waves internationally. They discuss their unique heritage, attempts to navigate the treacherous waters of the music industry and hanging with some famous chums
2011-12-13 - Interview
An encore of a jubilant ‘Whole Love’ and explosive ‘Shot In The Arm’ (on which the crowd take care of the chorus vocals) bring the night to a triumphal close.
2011-11-18 - REVIEW
They bonded over their love for Radiohead and originally featured the word ‘camogie’ in their name. You could say We Cut Corners are an indie band with a difference.
2011-11-16 - Interview
A new release sees the late songwriter Paul Clancy honoured in the fashion he would have wanted.
2011-11-07 - Interview
He’s starred on TV, cinema and in an ad for a well known supermarket. Now Simon Delaney is about to appear in his most controversial role yet as Jerry Springer The Opera reaches Dublin.
2011-10-21 - Interview
One of the best live nights in the country is about to celebrate a milestone 450th gig.
2011-10-13 - News
They’ve toured with AC/DC, hung out with the Stones and inspired Def Leppard. Now, The Answer are ready to step up to the next level with their poppiest album yet.
2011-10-11 - Interview
Lairy lad rockers turned musical sophisticates Kasabian discuss their dinosaur-inspired new album and their burgeoning career as Sky Sports pundits.
2011-09-16 - Interview
Doom pop uber-lord Robert Smith is far cuddlier and more approachable than his stern image might suggest.
2011-08-30 - Interview
What's Nick Cave doing enjoying the nice weather? As his Grinderman side project gears up for a brief Irish tour, the dark lord of countrified goth-pop looks forward to his next Bad Seeds record and discusses his forays into writing for cinema...
2011-06-13 - Interview
As they prepare to release debut Marcata, Dublin act The Minutes talk about signing to Rubyworks, and declare that some bands just don’t cut the rock mustard
2011-06-02 - Interview
As lead singer with Whitesnake and formerly Deep Purple, David Coverdale has sung on some of rock’s best-loved tracks and worked with a plethora of legendary musicians...
2011-05-19 - Interview
He’s one of the world’s foremost travel presenters. But before he was the man who spent most of his year jaunting around the world, Michael Palin was an actor, writer and – oh yes – Monty Python member. He sets down his backpack long enough to share some war stories.
2011-05-11 - Interview
Never Minds The Buzzcocks captain Phill Jupitus on his foray into Broadway-style musicals, his admiration for Irish comedian David O’Doherty and his friendship with the late Ian Dury.
2011-05-04 - Interview
They’ve supported Primal Scream and Alabama 3 and count Seasick Steve as a fan. You could say Sligo funkateers Oddsocks Revival are going places.
2011-04-29 - News
One of the greatest songwriters in American post-war music, both solo and with The Band, Robbie Robertson was Bob Dylan’s right-hand man throughout the firestorm of the mid-60s electric period and Martin Scorsese’s music producer of choice for three decades. Now, as the living music legend releases a solo album featuring collaborations with Tom Morello and Trent Reznor, he grants Hot Press a career-spanning interview.
2011-04-29 - Interview
Why local supergroup Elevens are set to sweep all before them.
2011-04-11 - News
Forget the Jacksons and the Gallaghers. New Sony captures the Cluskeys - aka The Kanyu Tree - are set to shake the planet to its foundations.
2011-03-24 - News
The Minutes have just bagged themselves a new record deal and are getting ready to release their killer new single.
2011-03-10 - News
As a teenager, Joey Tempest was such a huge Thin Lizzy fan, he travelled 24 hours by ferry to see one of their shows. Here, the Europe singer tells us why the band mattered so much.
2011-03-04 - Interview
“The first time I heard ‘Jailbreak’ I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, that’s mindblowing’!” As the man who signed them to Phonogram, Nigel Grainge was instrumental in Lizzy’s elevation to superstardom.
2011-03-02 - Frontlines
Back in the day, Thin Lizzy’s first manager Terry O’Neill was one of Philip Lynott’s closest confidantes. He tells Roisin Dwyer about the band’s early highs, wild nights in Clontarf and how image and clothes were as important to Phil as his music. Well rearly...
2011-03-01 - Frontlines
An ambitious young Irish label is readying its most exciting release yet.
2011-02-24 - News
Good news blues fans. One of Ireland’s foremost young exponents of music for weeping to are back.
2011-02-11 - News
Deluxe reissues confirm the genius of Lizzy.
2011-02-09 - REVIEW
Local faves for years, sister duo Heathers are finally getting the overseas attention they deserve...
2011-01-27 - News
Hailed as the new Kings Of Leon, Mona have a big sound and super-sized egos to match. Frontman Nick Brown explains why the band are destined to hoover up Grammy awards and bend the mainstream to their will.
2011-01-20 - Interview
Looking for a thaw? Check out the Certain Three tour, featuring We Cut Corners, The Ambience Affair and Windings.
2011-01-14 - News
They’re label mates with Villagers, have played with Pearl Jam and signed their record contract in a stone circle. You could say that Domino newbies CHIEF have a few stories to spin
2010-11-25 - Interview
He scaled the dizzy heights of socially conscious stadium rock in the ‘80s with Simple Minds, but now Jim Kerr is balancing the day-job with his new solo project Lostboy.
2010-11-15 - Interview
Rich pickings from a thin band
2010-11-03 - REVIEW
Guitar ledge Joe Satriani talks about hanging out with Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger, playing with Deep Purple and slaying the stadiums of the world with Chickenfoot
2010-11-02 - Interview
Since supporting BB King at 12 years of age, JOE BONAMASSA has gone on to become one of the world’s most celebrated guitar players. 2010 sees him release his tenth solo album, Black Rock, and his debut album with rock supergroup Black Country Communion. Not bad for a self-confessed ‘kid’ of 33.
2010-11-01 - Interview
hotpress.com
Blogs on hotpress.com
Additional Sites on hotpress.com
- The Music Show
- The Jagermeister Freezer Sessions
- Hot Press Rock Photo
- The Philip Lynott Exhibition
- The INEC Homegrown Sessions
- HTC One Hotpress Photojournalist
- Genre Free Compilation
- MIX 13: Music Industry Xplained
- Shoot To Thrill: Make a Hot Press Cinema Ad
- Other Voices
- Best of Ireland
- The Big Break
- Hot for 2013
- Josh Ritter
- Eoin Glackin
- Bitter Rocc
Contact Us
Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500
Email:info@hotpress.ie
Click here for more contact information.
Click here to find out more about Hot Press
Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.
Advertise With Us
For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540
©Hot Press 2012. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About Us Jobs @ Hot Press