SWEETS
... is an alternative rock band from Limerick, Ireland. The band features members of much-loved acts Tooth, Giveamanakick, Windings & Japanese Jesus. Expect powerful, guitar-driven, hook-filled songs, laden with unexpected riffs, pounding rhythms and textured vocals.
SWEETS are..?
Liam Marley - guitar/vox
Member of tooth/windings
Keith Lawler - guitar
Member of giveamanakick/seabeasts
Bertie Kelly - bass/vox
Member of Japanese Jesus/Supermodel Twins
Lorcan Bourke - Drums
We’re all born & raised here in Limerick, Ireland, apart from Liam, who is a proud Clare man but is also based in Limerick full time. We’re 4 friends from a wider group of friends all connected to the scene here in Limerick in someway, shape or form.
The band started out from songs & ideas Liam & Lorcan had been working on casually over about 10 plus years. It took some of us relocating back home & a pandemic but Bertie & Keith joining was integral to bringing more focus & organisation to get it to where it is now.
Do you remember your first steps in music?
At the start of the 2000’s, Liam’s first band ‘tooth’, were at the forefront of a local scene that was really bubbling under the surface & from that, a non profit, independent promoter called the Aspersion Music Collective - a group of people firmly entrenched in the D.I.Y. ethos - was born.
They brought seminal acts like Fugazi, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, Explosions in the Sky & so many more renowned bands to our town that made such a massive, lasting impression that is still felt to this day & we were all immersed in that from such a young age.
"Charm offensive" is an amazing mixture of Post Punk meets Alternative Rock , what's the story behind it?:
Thanks very much for that! The main ideas for ‘Charm Offensive’ is something that’s been around quite awhile. Given that the riffs are a little intricate & pretty off beat, it’s kind of cool that it’s got this pop sensibility about it, which probably stems from its structure. That probably makes sense of the post punk/alt rock reference, which is a good one!
Concerning songwriting ... is it always the same procedure or always different?
All 4 of us write & contribute. We have our first album pretty much written now. And quite a few new ideas on top of that. The songs that are done are mostly ideas that have been around for a while but there’s definitely new flavours all over the older ideas & all the new stuff sounds really exciting.
What do you prefer ... stage or studio?
Probably both as much as each other to be fair. Getting in the studio & recording something you’ve been working & ultimately hearing the finished product is very satisfying but equally, performing the songs for people & getting a positive reaction makes it so worthwhile too!
Any chance to see you somewhere live on stage?
We’re working on that as we type. We’re playing in De Barras in Clonakilty as part of their amazing guitar festival on 17.9.22 & after that we’re trying to put a plan in place.
We’re back in the studio at the end of the month to finish another few bits & bobs, with a view to releasing another single in the coming months, so playing a show locally in or around that time is definitely on the radar. Outside of that, it’s finishing an album for early 2023 & promote that as best we can.
The last artist who impressed you was ...?
Arab Strap played Dolans Warehouse here in Limerick a few weeks ago & were mind blowing!
How would you describe Limerick's Indie Scene?
Thriving & Prolific! We’ve an unbelievable independent hip hop scene here at the moment, with Denise Chaila & Narolane Records really at the forefront of that movement. Before them, The Rubberbandits were ploughing the road & have international recognition now.
We also have an amazing metal scene here & the guys at Bad Reputation bring acts to the city regularly aswell as their bi-annual ‘Siege of Limerick’, which sells out the full capacity of Dolans & its multiple venues.
Dolans themselves bring renowned acts to town all year round & John Hennessy, who books shows under the moniker Seoda Shows is responsible for bringing burgeoning acts & established acts too. Most recently, he brought Future Islands, Shellac & the aforementioned Arab Strap to our town. We also have to give a shoutout to the Féile na Gréine crew who curated an amazing, city-wide music festival last month. We can’t wait to see what they do next year.
So we’re thriving here, not because we’re fortunate but because people work really hard & the talent is undeniable!
Being an Indie Artist is ...?
Ideal! We all have full time jobs, with young families - this is an outlet for us, it’s what we love doing to let off steam & it’s all on our own terms. We live within our means & try to be as active as possible when it lines up nicely for us all.
What's next for you?
We are mainly focussed on putting an album out in spring 2023, all things going well. We will continue to write new material while that’s going on. Between now & then, hopefully another couple of singles, accompanied by videos, see the lay of the land in relation to playing shows & enjoy ourselves!
