The VERSE/chorus/verse approach and other such basic structures and layouts hold no currency here. Dublin quartet The Redneck Manifesto take an individual, free-range approach to musicianship and songcraft for here the streets have no name and the songs have no words.
After dalliances in various Dublin outfits such as Jackbeast, Flexihead, Blackbelt Jones and Hylton Weir, The Redneck Manifesto was born in October 1998. A flurry of live activity resulted in a clutch of material being released in late 1999, on the freshly incarnated Road Relish Singles Club and the Redneck's own label Greyslate Records.
So why write haunting instrumental soundscapes when everyone wants a top ten hit? Why have songs with no words when everyone supposedly wants to pen generational anthems? Why go against the grain when it's far easier (and potentially lucrative) to play ball?
"We have no interest in making a radio friendly pop hit and we are not interested in making a large sum of money from the band," states bass player Richard Egan emphatically. "The reason we make each song is to convey a certain emotion. We are lucky in that the four of us together can create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The music is entirely separate to us and we don't set out to make any particular form or style, we just play what sounds good to us. Luckily people like Pete Brady (formerly of the Hope Collective), Hag and Gary Sloan amongst others, have helped us out."
Mind you, the popularity of the odd and inadequately monikered post-rock genre has flourished in the past 18 months, as can be seen from the likes of Mogwai and Godspeed You Black Emperor! somehow finding themselves on the cover of the NME last year. Fans seeking emotive and intelligent music are more likely to turn to the Papa M album rather than clichid offerings by indie boy bands like Stereophonics or Travis.
"Anything which is a trend does not last," contends Richard. "It's strange to see that these bands we've listened to for the last few years are becoming really popular. Hopefully people are listening to it for the right reasons because it is some of the most interesting music that's around today. Being lumped in with any kind of niche scene is a bad thing. The popularity of this music will grow as long as those bands continue to write good music."
Another striking characteristic of the Redneck's music-loving approach is that to date they have yet to release anything on CD. "Seven-inches are more personal than CDs, opines Richard. "There's a lot more love in them. So far we've done two and we have a few more in the pipeline. We release seven-inches because they are our favourite format. The album we are in the process of writing will be available on both CD and vinyl. We are not totally opposed to CDs."
If all this appeals to you, then make the Temple Bar Music Centre your next port of call without delay. The Redneck Manifesto play a double header there tonight (Thursday 2nd March) with the brilliant Joan Of Arse. "We are all looking forward to the gig in the Music Centre with Joan Of Arse. We're also hoping that our next seven-inch will be back on time so we can give it out for free on the night. If it's not, there will be vouchers for it. This record will only be available on the night. We have written quite a bit of new material and will be playing some of it. Other releases we have lined up are the split seven-inches with the Kabinboy and another with American band The Jade Shader.
With so much activity planned for the coming weeks and months, it finally looks like Dublin is waking up a little after being associated with pure, unadulterated mediocrity for so long. "There's a great new band coming out called The Connect Four Orchestra, which is great to see, because most bands coming from Dublin these days are unbelievably shit. But maybe things are starting to change. It seems like people are finally realising that good music is more important than the clothes you wear or the clique you hang out with."
The Redneck Manifesto play tonight (Thurs 2rd) in the Music Centre with Joan of Arse and Wednesday 29th March with The National Prayer Breakfast. The 'Trm: One' 7" is currently available from Road Records. Contact: [email protected]