Fun, Dumb, Psychy p(rog)unk: Interview with Dumb Posh Hippies

18 Oct

Dumb Posh Hippies have just released their new single, “Scrunched Up Fist”. We chatted to guitarist and frontman, Ciarán Fitz, about the band’s journey so far.

Dumb Posh Hippies are a psych-influenced, three-piece punk band from Dublin with a love for big riffs and pace. Catching them live back in August absolutely blowing the roof off the Thomas House Bar, we can attest to their ambition to write music “for the live experience”, with enough energy to take your head off.

Tell us about your new singles / album - how does it feel to get these out into the world?

We’re buzzing to get these two out. They’re definitely the most outright punkers we have probably. Both under the 3 minute mark, which is a first for us (release wise). “Scrunched Up Fist” was literally written in the jam room in 10 minutes. Matthew and James were just playing this thing as I was coming back from a smoke, and I knew I had lyrics in my phone that would work with it. Added some guitar but not much, and it was donezo.

“Dude Almighty” is one we’ve had from the beginning basically. We used a guitar riff I had since I was a teenager and mushed it into some other bits. Big bang of ‘Dead Kennedys’ off this one with a Matt Freeman style bass solo for the craic, definitely leant into our more formative influences on this tune. Verdy fun to play live. Both tunes recorded mixed and mastered by Darragh Hansard in Orcs Lair.

Having formed over a year ago now, in what areas do you feel you have developed most as a band?

I think we’re definitely getting better at writing, well at least we’re having a lot of fun doing it. Only the other night at jamming we popped out a few songs kind of off the cuff, it’s coming easier I think. James joined us a few months into the band after our original bass player left, so there was probably a period of us getting used to one another. But now we just click. We love gigging, and we’ve defiantly gotten better at letting loose and having the craic when we play live. Sure you seen us at Thomas House. I was dripping. Good buzz.

Who is the team behind Dumb Posh Hippies?

Louis Walsh is our manager, we knew it was a risk for him to take us on, so we’re forever grateful. Nah there’s no team or anything, just friends who help out. We’re lucky to have become mates with Daragh Hansard (Thee UFO) who’s recorded most of our stuff. As well as the lads in Beardfire Studios, where we rehearse. They also produced our single ‘Belly Ripper’.

Honestly we’ve had loads of help. Genuinely too many people to mention. And I mean that, my fingers would fall of typing out a list. Whether it’s posters, pics, gigs, footage etc. It’s actually unreal people give us the time. Yis know who yis are. Xox

What song are you most proud of so far?

“Glow On My Son” is one we worked on for ages. We haven’t released it yet, but it’s a big 10 minute long yoke, that nearly broke us haha. Very proud of that one. Will probably brake us again when we try and record it in the future.

Another one called ‘Levitate Headless’, also unreleased. I got mad into that movie Hereditary. It fucked me up. Kept seeing Toni Collette on my ceiling when I was trying to go asleep. So wrote a tune about it. Probably me favourite to play live.

What do you think is your most underrated song?

All our songs are underrated, fuck all people know who we are haha. Can’t wait to be rated. Gonna be amazing. Rate us to bits please lord in jaysus.

If you could choose three bands/artists that most influence your sound, who would they be?

That kind of changes all the time. All the old punk stuff from the 70’s and 80’s. Then a load of psych stuff from the last 10/15 years. It depends what I have playing in the headphones. But if yer making me pick three I’ll say, Osees, King Gizz, Wand and of course Celtic.

Here’s the lads picks:

Matthew (Drums): Ty Segall, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Bloc Party
James (Bass): Primus, Dead Kennedys, Jetplane Landing

What's your favourite venue you've played so far?

Thomas House was unreal. We supported Sun Mahshene and the sound was great (thanks to Griff) and we had a deadly buzz. Workman’s main room for the ‘Belly Ripper’ single launch also stands out for me. If the sound is good and people are up for it, we’re gonna have a buzz no matter where it is basically. And ya have to give Anseo a shout, had our first gig there.

Who are your favourite fellow Irish bands at the moment?

Thee UFO, Joe Maxi, Tone Deaf, Mórda, Sir Marmalade, Big Tears, Mickey Chaos, Midnight Wayne, 50 Foot Woman, Sun Mahshene, Grinners (UK).

How can new fans support you best?

Come to the gigs! And all the other usual shite. Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify.

Dumb Posh Hippies will play The Grand Social on November 10th with Vulpynes & 50 Foot Woman (all ages gig). Tickets at the door. More info available here