Shortlisted in the "Super Six" category, as well as scooping the Schools' Prize, The Klares – a young band from Dublin – are taking their success in The Big Break, with ALCATEL ONETOUCH, in their collective stride. Sitting in Hot Press HQ the foursome reveal that they're confident it's a stepping stone towards even bigger things.
"We want to be as big as any band can be," asserts frontman Andy Burke. "I think we're capable of it, too. We might not have the songs right now, but we certainly have the basis. Of the bands that are coming up, we haven't seen anything that strikes us as being better than waht we have to offer. It might sound arrogant, but I think we're better than any other Irish group out there."
He pauses momentarily, before generously adding, "Maybe apart from U2."
High ambitions, certainly, but despite their tender age – as yet, only one of the group can listen to 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' and legally empathise – the Dublin teens have plenty of reasons to feel positive. Their debut EP Dirty Birds was released last year, prompting the requisite raised eyebrows and impressed nods. A recent venture into studio produced Cookoo, a four-track collection that should keep the plaudits raining down.
"This EP has a far more mature sound," reflects bassist Jordan Lawless. "We were a lot more confident. It was also nice to be able to co-produce. Working with Dave Montuy was a pleasure, and he helped us hugely – but it was great to have our own input."
Together four years, the genesis of the group stretches back to Cormac Sheridan offering to drum with guitarist Eoin O'Shea at a school concert. From there, a combination of opportunism and blind luck led to their current lineup.
"I asked if I could be in the band," Andy explains, "and they invited me to come practise at Eoin's house." He smiles: "Thing is, I had no idea where Eoin lives. I didn't want to end up wandering about on my own, so I asked Jordan to come too. That's how he ended up part of this – my fear of getting lost!"
At this point, direction is something that they're certainly not lacking. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the early Arctic Monkeys – which, the band will point out, is no bad thing – while also incorporating classic punk and blues influences, their spiky sound has already endeared them to plenty of fans. Turns out they're a fearsome proposition live too.
"We want to play stuff people want to hear," Andy explains. "We've seen bands rattling off indulgent guitar solos for three minutes, but if the crowd doesn't even know who you are, then there's no way they want to hear that. You're far better off playing the sorts of bangers that people can sing along and move to."
Having already taken in some of Dublin's live venues of note – The Workman's Club and Whelan's included – they'll soon be slapping on the sunblock for festival shows, at least one of which should guarantee a bit of sunshine.
"We'll be playing Indiependence, which is fantastic," Cormac enthuses. "It's cool even to see our name on the bill, the same day as Kodaline and The Dandy Warhols. We're also being flown out to do a festival in Portugal. We really hit the jackpot with that one!"
Look too far ahead, though, and things appear slightly less rosy – the not inconsiderate matter of the Leaving Cert is on the horizon. Are the up-and-comers worried by the clichéd 'juggling-school-and-music' conundrum?
Cormac shrugs: "People make it out to be far more difficult than it actually is. OK, there might be the occasional day where it's difficult to get all four of us together, but I'm sure that would be the same in college, or with jobs, or anything."
Andy sums up their enthusiasm neatly: "It's not like some sort of chore! We love it. I mean, what could possibly be better than being on stage with three of your best mates?"