It’s all going on for TOUTS at the moment. The Derry trio have spent their short time together supporting the likes of laddish legends Liam Gallagher, Kasabian, and Paul Weller, while releasing defiant pissed-off-at-the-world tunes like ‘Go Fuck Yourself’ and ‘Rip It Off Me’. Their latest EP ‘Analysis Paralysis’ is out now, and it sees them hit the road once again, supporting Rat Boy around the UK. Drummer Jason Feenan introduces his band.
Hi Jason, what got you into wanting to make music, then?
In all honesty, I starting playing drums cause I was 14 and didn’t have many friends. After that, I started listening to Led Zeppelin and The Police. When I started playing with Matthew and our old bass player, it began to be something I wanted to spend me life doing.
Did you ever consider going solo, or were you always destined for band life?
Matthew will probably do a Feargal Sharkey [the Undertones’ frontman who later went solo], to moderate to high avail. I could see Luke having a film career, one big role then some supporting parts, eventually leading to a string of low budget efforts. I’ll probably end up on the arse end of some sort of legal dispute regarding my rent, and have to work in a factory or moonlight as some sort of Phil Collins tribute to clear all the debts that I’ll incur.
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician?
The live end for definite. We’re a live band, and that’s where we’re at our best. Either that or spending all me time in a van with two other smelly bastards, and I fucking love being skint too.
How’s Derry for up-and-coming bands?
There’s a lot of support in the music scene. Everyone comes to watch everyone, and there’s not many cliques. However within the general population of the town, and probably all of Ireland, there’s an attitude of support up to a certain point, and then you’re considered to be a prick for doing well and, “forgetting where you’re from.” This happened to the Undertones, like. But really, Derry is a class spot for music. All the musicians are keen to help each other.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for new bands at the mo?
Using social media effectively, and getting people to gigs instead of dance nights.
You guys have had a pretty nuts year, what’ve been your highlights?
SXSW was mental, despite us being painfully underage. We did some recording with Paul Weller, which was surreal. Apart from that, putting out new music and seeing the response has been class for us.
Have any of the big-name musicians you’ve met along the way been especially nice, or a bit of a twat?
Paul Weller is a gent, same goes for the boys in Kasabian and Blossoms. No one tends to be a twat in our experience, everyone that we’ve come across has humoured us at the least, and been sound.
What do you lot do for fun?
Luke’s a part-time jockey, Matthew’s writing Tim Wheeler’s biography, and I like to see how many people at airports have a spare fag.
Tell us about your new EP, ‘Analysis Paralysis’ – what’s it about, and how did it come together?
‘Analysis Paralysis’ is our third EP, so we wanted to develop our sound before we sort an album out – experimenting with things but still trying to keep it in a punk vein. All the songs, like everything we do, are a complete joint effort and we all have our stamp on it. Me and Matthew are thinking a lot more about what we’re playing and Luke’s creeping in on vocals on a track or two.
What’s on your bucket list for 2019?
I wanna be in a hot tub with Blindboy Boatclub, Sting and James Dean Bradfield. Either in the states or at a few European and UK festivals.
Touts’ new EP ‘Analysis Paralysis’ is out now. They’re currently on tour with Rat Boy.
Words: Sam Taylor
