This week the Derry News music correspondent KEVIN MAGEE listens to a new EP from an on-the-up Derry 'noise pop band' about to tour the country - and chats to an already-at-the-top legend in his own right.
Before we begin, I have found out that Brian from One Man Town’s surname is Doherty, thank you to Reevah Aoife. Anyway.
Cherym is still Hebrew for 'forbidden' and the girl band from Derry is still beating a serious path over the last year to be regarded as one the best new prospects in the country.
Their e.p. “MouthBreatherz” came out on Saturday past and kept up with the promise of being one of the 18 for ’18 in The Thin Air this year. They released their debut single in March and have been growing steadily ever since.
They are products of the Nerve Centre’s Music Hothouse, a project run here in Derry whereby established musicians take younger bands under their tutelage and help them to work together as musicians, a mentoring programme that allows musicians to give something back. The girls recently featured in a special Jazz Festival broadcast of Electric Mainline with Stephen McCauley on BBC Radio Foyle from RoCo Hair with Emily McCormick lookalike Brairie.
They had told me before about the influence of Irish bands like Wynona Bleach, Fighting With Wire, Wasps, …And So I Watch You From Afar and Sister Ghost on them, and they recently played with Brand New Friend in Sandino’s and with Waldorf & Cannon in support of The Woodburning Savages at their album launch in the Nerve Centre.
Hannah had already told me, “When we started the band we fell in love with the idea of having big, riffy, fast-paced tunes that channelled an ‘I-Don’t-Give-A-*$*!’ kind of attitude, it’s what we grew up with."
They say they’re a noise pop band who write for a teenage audience that have songs about boys, girls, self-image, friendships, bullies, etc. which, in a way, can also be seen as political.
The single “Pretty Boys” which came out on 3rd March laid the foundation for their sound and the e.p. now builds on it.
“Pretty Boys” is available to download from Spotify, bandcamp and Apple Music, the e.p. “Mouth Breatherz” is out on 12th May also available to download from Spotify, bandcamp and Apple Music.
Later this year the band will be doing a 10 date tour of Ireland, so to catch them on their travels go to facebook.com/cherymofficial or follow them on Instagram @cherymofficial.
I’m told that there are also plans to go to Britain at the end of August, but again follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated.
40 years of Kicks
Cherym won’t be unlike most Derry bands, owing a debt to the Undertones.
The punks have opened the doors for so many Derry bands and they’re continuing to celebrate their 40th anniversary with a 7” singles’ box set on Record Store Day past and a series of live shows including Stone Valley Festival South at Colesdale Farm in Hertfordshire, Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle in Dorset, Rewind Festival at Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire, Wickham Festival in Hampshire, Kubix Festival at Herrington Park in Sunderland, Open House Festival in Bangor and The Big Feastival at Blur bassist Alex James’ farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire as well as Amsterdam, Eeklo in Belgium, Düsseldorf, Dresden and Hamburg, Germany
The Undertones play a one off Derry gig in Sandino’s on Friday May 25th, and before they do John O’Neill and me had a yarn.
How special is a Derry gig to the Undertones?
“Always very special. The time that we played the Casbah is still my favourite memories. I prefer playing at a smaller venue so I am really looking forward to the Sandino’s show”.
Have any local bands caught your attention lately?
“I am pretty out of touch with the local bands. I thought Strength were quite interesting when I saw some of their set last week (John’s other band John & Lockie played in the Nerve Centre a fortnight ago). I really like Autumns and the Gatefolds too.
Can Liverpool win the Champions League?
“I support any team that’s playing against Real Madrid, so I hope they do….”
In case anyone cares I’m an Everton fan AND I too hate Real Madrid so I’ll probably not bother watching it.
Cherym photos courtesy of Mickey Rooney photography.
The Undertones poster by Marty Doherty.
Tickets available from Cool Discs.
PICTURE: Cherym's new EP was released on Saturday past.
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