JJ72

Last year a debate took place in the pages of Student Xpress on the merits or otherwise of the band, JJ72. David Hayden, Blackrock College, got the ball rolling by describing JJ72 as the next U2. Oisin Horgan, Skerries CC, replied in the following issue that there was no basis to David's assertions. A number of letters followed in the letters page continuing the argument.

The Future of Irish Rock
'I have no doubt we'll be hearing a lot more of them in the near future as October Swimmer and Snow are undoubtedly the most impressive debut singles to come out of the Irish music scene in recent memory'. David Hayden, Blackrock College, is in no doubt that JJ72 are the band of the future.

Are they Really that Good?
'While meaning no disrespect to JJ72 or to David for that matter, his claim that JJ72 are original is ridiculous. It's impossible to miss the fact that JJ72 are using the exact same three piece set-up that Nirvana achieved success with in 1991.' Oisin Horgan, Skerries CC, disagrees with David Hayden.

Letter #1
David Hayden hits back.

Letter #2
Mairead McGuinness, St.Joseph's Secondary School, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford joins the debate.

Letter #3
Oisin Horgan replies.

The Future of Irish Rock

JJ72 are an up and coming young band who just left school last year. There are three members: Mark Greaney (19), writer, vocals and lead guitar; drummer Fergal Matthews (18) and bass guitarist, Hillary Woods (18). They formed in 1998 when they were still attending school, were signed by Lakota Records and released their first single, October Swimmer, in 1999. Their latest single Snow has recently been released and they have received much critical acclaim within the music industry. They have even been described as the 'Darling of English Music Media' and Select magazine, Hot Press, NME and the RTE Guide have given very flattering write-ups. Recently, Martin Hall, the manager who turned the Manic Street Preachers from punk outsiders to rock icons, has signed the band and some are tipping JJ72 as rock's outstanding new talent.

However, the question remains - is it all music media hype or could they be Ireland's next U2? Some say they are too young and their sound needs to develop. Others say they are young, photogenic, original and very talented. I would tend to agree with the latter. They definitely have all the vital ingredients to make it big! Their sound has been described as 'their own' and most definitely post Brit-pop era. Mark Greaney is an amazing singer with a powerful, almost haunting, falsetto voice which is just as impressive live as on CD.

They played in Whelan's of Wexford Street on Friday 14th April to a capacity crowd. There was an air of expectation with many music industry figures present such as Dave Fanning (2TV), Darragh Purcell (Pop on 3, The Sound Room) and Uaneen Fitzsimons (No Disco, Network 2). We were not let down as they gave an enthralling performance and finished off with a very impressive cover of Iggy Pop's 'I want to be your dog'.

If you want to hear them they are played quite often on BBC's Radio 1 and Phantom FM. Their next single Long Way South will be released shortly. You can also see them on MTV's 5 Night Stand where they will be supporting Embrace on May 7th. Their next gig will be in Dublin Castle on May 15th and their album is due to be released in late summer. They say they have been influenced by bands such as Joy Division and Nirvana and there is something of a mystery surrounding the meaning of the band's name. Speculators have suggested that it was Janis Joplin's weight in kilograms when she died but this was denied by Mark Greaney. He is so secretive that even the other band members don't know where the name originated! If you want to find our more check out their website. I have no doubt we'll be hearing a lot more of them in the near future as October Swimmer and Snow are undoubtedly the most impressive debut singles to come out of the Irish music scene in recent memory.

Back to the top

Are they Really that Good?

David Hayden poses the question: 'is it all music media hype or could they (JJ72) be Ireland's next U2?'. I have seen way too many bands in the last decade or so, hyped as Ireland's next U2 (pictured below). Examples of those I personally remember are Whipping Boy and Junkster. Both of these extremely promising bands managed to release one album before sinking into obscurity (though Whipping Boy are attempting a comeback with a second album).

So why has this sad fate befallen these two bands? This has more to do with the current state of the music industry than it does with their respective talents. U2 landed a record deal at a time when rock bands were the staple of the industry. From even a quick glance at the history of U2, it is obvious that they did not achieve instant world-wide fame and respect. It was not until their hugely acclaimed album "Joshua Tree", that they achieved that which has made their name synonymous with success in this country.

Maybe Joshua Tree was the album U2 wanted to make when they first formed, but I doubt it. Rather, their previous work allowed them to hone their craft to the standard required for the international fame they earned for it. The main difference between U2 and both of the other bands I've named, is that U2 didn't have to achieve platinum sales on their first album. They were given time to mature and develop their sound. They were signed to a label at a time that was more forgiving to rock bands. If you think about it, its only U2's huge success in the past, their loyal following and wealth that allows them to continue producing the music they want to produce in today's environment.

What happened to Whipping Boy and Junkster (pictured right)? They were both expected to achieve the world wide success of U2, by their first album. They needed this level of popularity to continue to produce music. This is a nigh on impossible task to achieve. If they had done the impossible however they would still be major players today. Its not surprising that they couldn't. It's like expecting a painter to produce his/her masterpiece the first time they use a proper canvas with proper paints to produce a picture. The Mona Lisa was not Leonardo De Vinci's first painting, indeed the Mona Lisa was painted nine times on the same canvas before it was judged right by Leonardo. Junkster was never given a second chance. Whipping Boy has fought tooth and nail for their's...

In light of this I'm afraid that JJ72 will find it extremely hard to be allowed to mature into the kind of rock band that stands astride the world. After all if talent was all that was required by a rock band for fame today, everyone reading this article would have heard of "Silverchair". Silverchair are an Australian band that produced "Suicidal Dream", a classic example of a rock song when they were only sixteen. That's enough raw talent to make most people jealous. Yet, they remain almost unheard of in this country.

Touching briefly on another subject. While meaning no disrespect to JJ72 or to David for that matter, his claim that JJ72 are original is ridiculous. It's impossible to miss the fact that JJ72 are using the exact same three piece set-up that Nirvana achieved success with in 1991 and that The Offspring started out with in 1989. A three piece sound that has been thoroughly explored since by such bands as "Everclear" and even the Irish "Kerbdog" (currently "Wilt").

There's nothing wrong with this set-up, which lends itself to a simple punk (some would say grunge) style. However it doesn't take a high IQ to realise that there are only so many sounds that can possibly be made on these three instruments. This set-up lacks even the four piece rock groups scope and complexity. This complexity is needed to create such, near orchestral rock songs as "Soma" by the Smashing Pumpkins. Possibly, its even needed to create an original sound that varies something more fundamental than the lyrics.

Original? Hardly. At best JJ72 are interpreting an established genre, at worst they're playing rock by numbers, and are really just a pop group.

Oisin Horgan, Skerries CC, Dublin

Back to the top

Letter #1: JJ72 - Setting the Record Straight

In reply to the article about JJ72 in the September issue of Student Xpress, I would like to say that, whoever you are, you've got it all wrong. I don't know exactly when this article was written but I can assure you that it is now out of date. The question is no longer will JJ72 make it big but just how big will they make it? For the sceptics among you, consider this. They entered the British charts at Number 16 and the Irish charts at Number 7 and are topping the Indie charts with their self-titled album. They packed out the tent at the 'Witness' Festival last August weekend. It was covered by TV3 and Darragh Purcell from 'Pop on 3' said they could be headliners next year. They have had just too many favourable reviews to mention and regarding their originality, I noticed that you couldn't even name one other singer with a voice comparable to Mark Greaney's.

You say that at best JJ72 are interpreting an established 'genre', yet you can't decide if that's rock or pop. You say in the same sentence 'they're playing rock by numbers' and 'they're really just a pop group' - which is it? If they are not original why can't you say which genre they belong to? You can't because although sometimes they sound like a rock or pop group - they're not - they've got something different and I'm not the only one that sees it! They're already attracting a celebrity guest list such as James Dean Bradfield - Manic Street Preachers, Ian Brody - The Lightening Seeds and Simon Gillbert - Suede. Possibly the most ridiculous statement made in this article is that three piece bands are really just ripping off Nirvana's winning formula! Do you honestly believe that bands like Manic Street Preachers and Supergrass are copycats that lack complexity of sound and are just milking an already used formula? Somehow, I don't think so.

You say the music industry's staple is no longer rock but pop and then go on to say JJ72 are a pop group. You make the point that they are young and haven't had time to let their sound develop when it's obvious that you haven't listened to their album since you don't even mention one of their songs in the whole article. Yet you still have the audacity to criticise them. Take your own advice and let them reach their full potential before you say they haven't got what it takes.

If you were well informed about JJ72 you would know that they have been considering adding another guitarist to the band. However, many critics feel they don't need it as they already have an 'architectural sized' guitar sound. I don't intend to insult the author of the previously mentioned article. In fact, I think it's clear that he knows a good deal about music in general - I'm just setting the record straight about my favourite group. If anyone wants to see for themselves (which I would strongly recommend you do), they are going to play in the Olympia Theatre along with Muse (another promising young three-piece band), on Monday October 30th.

David Hayden, Blackrock College

Back to the top

Letter #2

Original? Hardly. At best JJ72 are interpreting an established genre. At worst, they're playing rock by numbers, and are really just a pop group." I quote a paragraph from an article concerning Irish band, JJ72 in the September edition of Student Xpress. After reading this article, and the quoted paragraph in particular, I was outraged. I could not believe that JJ72 were being referred to as being "a pop group!" They are far from it! Hailing from Dublin, JJ72 are leading the way in a new era of dark, emotive rock music. Lead singer, Mark Greaney, proves this point alone with his 'serene choir-boy voice', which indulges the listeners to the music. Having seen JJ72 performing live myself, I can definitely say that they are an unforgettable experience. With a powerful performance from all three-band members, they were one of the highlights of the music festival "Witnness" during summer 2000. Discovered in a pub in Dublin, the band have come a long way with just four singles ("October Swimmer", "Snow", "Long way south" and "Oxygen") and debut album entitled "JJ72", they are already soaring well above their peers. So, for the unknown author who pinpointed JJ72 as being 'unoriginal' and "interpreting an established genre", perhaps you should listen to their music before presuming they are another Irish rock failure.

Mairead McGuinness, Transition Year, St.Joseph's Secondary School, Newtownforbes, Co. Longford.

Back to the top

Letter #3: JJ72....Again

Dear Editor,

In response to both David and Mairead's criticism of my JJ72 article in the September edition of Student Xpress I would like to quote REM and say that: I demand a rematch, I decree a stalemate, I divine my deeper motives, I recognise the weapons, I've practised them well, I fitted them myself. Since I assume that to continue the prolonged debate on the subject of JJ72 in print would appear tiresome to those not keenly involved, I have decided to publish my reply in its entirety on a message board. It centres around the fact that while JJ72 may appear gifted next to their nearest rivals, they are severely outclassed in the greater context of modern rock music. I invite David, Mairead and all interested parties (be they supporters of JJ72 or anyone like me that likes to see mediocre music get a good kicking) to come and read my views, and to post any replies or comments on the board.

Oisin Horgan, Skerries CC

Back to the top

Htoo Twins

Asgard

Napster

JJ72

Features Links

The Future of Irish Rock

Are they Really that Good?

Letter #1: JJ72 - Setting the Record Straight

Letter #2

Letter #3: JJ72....Again