Only Rivals are four best friends from Dunshaughlin in Dublin making the biggest noise in the alternative rock scene at the minute.
Lead vocalist Stephen Arkins, bassist Sean Reid, drummer Ally Doyle, and Jason McTernan on guitar, may have graced the stage as a group once before, however this time round they’ve paid attention to ‘Details’ and are not going anywhere.
We caught up with the lovely Sean ahead of the lads’ gig in Dublin’s Academy 2 this Thursday, to chat about the Irish underground scene, the band’s “mature” sound, Sean’s love for New Found Glory and the “whirlwind of madness” that the lads have experienced in the last year.
“Four years ago we were in a band called Home Star Runner. We were really young, we had semi-success nationally and then about four years ago we broke up, we wanted to do different things, go to college, and go travelling.
“Then around this time last year we decided to get together again and the last year has been a whirlwind of madness”.
So is there a major difference between the two bands?
“Home Star Runner was so long ago. When you’re that young and you’re into rock music and pop-punk music, you’re very much influenced by the bands you’re listening to. Where as now we’re much older and much braver and we’re not afraid to put your own stamp on it.
“I think one of the major parts is we’re much more heavy now. I hate using the word ‘mature’ because it’s so lame, but there is sort of a mature idea of what we wanted the band to sound like. When you’re younger you try to sound like bands you like more”.
Only Rivals released ‘Details’ in February, a five-track debut EP that was more than well received by fans.
“We wrote it [Details] over the period of last summer and we recorded it between August and midway through November. It was basically the first five songs we wrote when we got back together.
“I hate saying ‘when we got back together’ because it is a completely different band but the second we got into the jam room again we had so many ideas and so many things built up.
“We had just five song that we just wanted to get recorded, they represented where we were as band at that time”.
‘Borders’ the first release from the debut EP.
The lads are just hot off a tour with American pop punk band, All Time Low, and are now busy preparing for a string of summer festivals, some of which are yet to be announced, but do Only Rivals have a standout-arm-pinching-is-this-really-happening moment to date?
“Brixton Academy [London] was amazing. It was the first date of the All Time Low Tour and it was so out. There were 5000 people there; there was no break-in period”.
“We’re touring with New Found Glory in November and not be sound corny they’re a band that made me want to be in a band,” Sean admits, “they’re my heroes”.
“When we were told we got that tour I didn’t even react I was that shocked. It’s amazing I get to tour with a band that influenced me so much. If I told 13-year-old me that I was going to be touring with New Found Glory I probably would’ve started crying”.
Since regrouping last summer things have escalated for the band, so does Sean believe this is the year for Irish rock music to make waves across the sea?
“From being involved in the Irish underground and local scene, especially in Dublin, from a very young age there have been some incredible bands that have gone through that have not gotten the recognition they deserve.
“However I have to say in the last year that has taken a turn. There’s a band called Wounds and they’re sick. There’s a band called Red Enemy that just got signed and recorded their album over in LA”.
Red Enemy along with Dublin four-piece pop punk alternative group, Watch The Sky, will be supporting Only Rivals at their Academy 2 gig.
“Hopefully it will be a good year for Irish rock music,” Sean added.
An acoustic version of track, ‘When I Die’.
Other things to know about Only Rivals…
What is your favourite song from the EP?
“I hate to say all the songs because I don’t want to seem big headed but my favourite song is ‘Details’, that and ‘Borders’ are the best representation of where we want to see the band musically.”
Is there any artist that you’d like to collaborate with?
“Straight up, I would love Mark Hoppus to sing on one of my songs, I don’t even have to think about it.”
Favourite lyric you’ve even penned?
“It would definitely be in ‘Details’, myself and Steve wrote the lyrics. ‘Tired youth still lives in my heart’, that’s the line. I think a lot of people from the age of 18-to-25 will understand it. It is not easy to be going out looking for a job in the current economic climate, the worst part of it is that it’s not their fault either. It’s a position that people my age and younger have been put into and can relate to”.
First album you ever bought?
Limp Bizkit – Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water.
Sum up your sound in three words.
“This is the hardest question I’ve ever been asked. Fast, honest and fun. There’s no point doing it if it is not fun”.
Tickets for the Academy 2 gig on Thursday May 15th can be purchased from Ticketmaster.ie
To listen to the ‘Details’ EP in full check out onlyrivals.bandcamp.com and for more info and all updates you can follow the band’s official Facebook page and Twitter.
Until next week we’ll leave you with our favourite track, ‘History’.
If you have a favourite Irish band or act that you think should be featured as #HerIrishArtistOfTheWeek email Grace at [email protected], or get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter.
