Proving that all good things come to those who wait, In Heat Not Sorry (AKA the just unleashed debut album from The Altered Hours) has kicked this year off with a proverbial bang, as it's a beast of a record.
Recorded in 2014 in Berlin, the long awaited shoegaze and post-punk tinged opus sees the Cork quintet in an intense mood and, when we met up with the band's singer/guitarist Cathal Mac Gabhann, he tells us that his time in the German capital helped them become a better band. "Because the city was so unfamiliar to us, when we were in the studio the music became the only familiar thing we had, so recording became a much more intimate experience as a result" he begins. "We spent three weeks every day in the studio and we wanted to get the atmosphere right. Our producer [Fabien Leseure] is very interested in capturing the mood of the people in the room instead of studio tricks, and in a way that can be emotionally draining as everyone is fully involved. It's intense-in a good way, and I think when we left we became a better band because of it from playing so much."
Having already worked with Fabien in the past for their sublime single 'Sweet Jelly Roll', which they released via Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe's label A Records, Cathal tells us that he enjoyed re-teaming with the knob-twiddler.
"I love working with Fabien. When we first met him there was a little bit of friction because before that I saw myself as the producer of The Altered Hours, but he taught me over a couple of arguments and fun times that it's good to hear what other people have to say about your songs, especially when you're starting out. I'm just interested in learning and listening now. I can always go back to being a cocky pretentious know-it-all any time I want [laughs].
"One of the many highlights on In Heat Not Sorry is the single 'Silver Leather', the title of which tips its cap to everyone's favourite rock 'n' roll masochist, Iggy Pop.
"I'm a huge fan of Iggy. Though the track isn't inspired by his music, he is my general mentor and a reminder that you can always have more energy. He influences me in a symbolic way."
Another influence and mentor is the Altered Hours' former label boss Anton Newcombe. How did he find the notorious Brian Jonestown Massacre man, we wonder?
"I've always loved the Brian Jonestown Massacre. I got into them due to their story initially, but nowadays it's just about the music as the older you get you realise that the sensationalism is just a load of shit really. Anton is an extremely passionate, beautiful guy. He's really funny and extremely generous. He let us use his studio, all his gear and let us sleep in the bunk beds in the building too. He was very generous."
"When I met him I never told him how much of a fan I was because is there really even a point in telling someone you like their music? I don't know... people don't really take it in. It blew my mind though. I just kept thinking, 'How did I make one DIY EP and end up meeting someone who basically inspired a lot of my philosophies and decisions I'd made in my musical career?' I really admire his work ethic and he's not afraid of people liking or disliking him. It's inspiring in the homogeneous world of the music industry."