Quare name, great stuff

To anyone who saw their electrifying

performance at Vicar St. on the night of the National Student Music Awards, the victory of Immodium was an obvious choice on the part of the judging panel.

While Sutras and After The Party also displayed considerable talent, Immodium seemed unaware that they were playing at Vicar St. Instead, they treated the concert as if it were the home gig on a world tour of 10,000 seater stadia, playing with an energy and musical ability that transcended the venue. Every inch of the stage was used as the band encouraged the moshing crowd by example. Immodium are: Derren Dempsey, vocals/guitar; David Rossiter, guitar, Derek Rossiter, bass and Mark Hillis on drums. The music is rooted in base-Metal, yet though echoes of Rage Against The Machine and Nirvana can be heard the band retain an individual sound.

"We all have different musical tastes", says singer/guitarist Derren Dempsey. "I’m into stuff like Grandaddy, Soulwax or any of the Deftones acts, but the other guys like stuff like Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Leftfield and all sorts of other stuff. It’s good in a way because you get a mixture of ideas and influences which makes for a more individual sound. If we were all fanatical about, say, Limp Bizkit, we’d probably end up sounding identical to them and what would be the point of that? "

The band have so far entered six band competitions and have emerged victorious in a creditable four of them. Although some bands frown on the phenomena, Derren disagrees.

"There’s good and bad elements to entering competitions, though bands that think they’re all bad are usually bands that have never won one! We had played every gig we could play in Wexford, so competitions gave us the opportunity to play to a wider audience. Also you’re playing on bigger stages than you would if you were just gigging at the local pub, and that helps with the stage show and generally makes you more professional. The downside is that you do end up quite competitive, almost by accident. It comes from a belief in the music when you know you’re better than other acts you play with. That’s not being arrogant and we’ve played with some fine bands, I just think Immodium are a fucking great band. If I wasn’t in Immodium I’d still go to their gigs. Actually, no, if I wasn’t in Immodium I’d join immediately."

For those unfortunates who’ve ever travelled in the wider world the name Immodium might be familiar since it’s a patent medicine for, uh, stomach upsets. I suggest it’s not the wisest move in the world to link your band’s name to excrement of any kind. Derren agrees.

"The name happened totally by accident. We got a booking for a last minute gig and we didn’t even have a name. Since our bass player was on Immodium at the time we decided we use the name for just one gig. The thing is, the gig went really well and before we knew it we were getting reviews printed as Immodium so it kind of stuck. We’ve been thinking of changing it but everytime we decide Immodium win another fucking competition and we have to stall. Also we can’t agree on another name, so if anyone who’s seen us play has any suggestions we’d love it you could come up and tell us."

While Immodium’s debut mini-album still awaits general release the band’s next project is a single release.

"We’ve learned a lot through recording the mini-album", considers Derren, "some good lessons and some bad lessons. We’re certainly not as naive as we were. We do feel that it’s the right time to release a single and we’re talking to a couple of producers. We need someone who can capture the energy of the stage show and put it on record."

Speaking of that energy, what does it feel like when Immodium are in full flow?

"It’s the best buzz in the world! I’ve never felt anything like it and I know the others feel the same. The energy you feel when you’re playing is incredible, and the bond between the members when you look at each other across a stage as the audience go crazy…It’s a high that takes forty minutes to come up on but it lasts for the rest of the night. And it’s legal!"