Proudly sporting their mad-eyed, but tuneful new single "Sometimes I Think About...", CORRIGAN are the latest in a line of uncompromising rock'n'rollers from Northern Ireland, in this case Boho, County Fermanagh. They are due to unleash their fearsome album "How To Hang Off A Rope" in the coming months and are clearly capable of walking it like they talk it. TIM PEACOCK corners livewire vocalist MARTIN J. CORRIGAN to learn more about avoiding issues, crossing Shellac with Johnny Cash and that mysterious girl who wears a black flower....
Just talking to Martin Corrigan down the phone line makes it abundantly clear that he's something of a character, full of attitude and bullish, whiplash humour. We decide to start our discussion by rounding on Martin's formative musical influences. I'm led to believe your entry into the crazy world of rock'n'roll was through exposure to AC/DC'S evergreen "Whole Lotta Rosie" - true or false, Martin?
"That song brought me into consciousness on this planet!" states Martin bluntly.
"I'm not fucking joking! I was walking along deaf and blind before I heard that intro. Bang! That was it..."
Err...right. Meanwhile, I'm told that you first ventured onstage on your own with your trusty acoustic guitar. I can't really imagine you doing the folk troubadour bit to be honest...
"Well, I wrote all the songs on an acoustic," says Martin patiently.
"If you can't do it on acoustic then the songs are no good, and I wanted to road test the songs for that purpose. The other people now in then band saw me play the songs that way so they knew the songs would work when fleshed out and we'd be onto something. If you've ever been in a band you'll understand that."
Yeah, I have actually, but let's not dwell on that. Tell me more about your new single, "Sometimes I Think About.." It's quite an unsettling song, with your vocals becoming quite unhinged. I read it as being about the transience of existence. Am I even close?
"Not so much transience, " corrects Martin, "it's more about avoiding an issue. To call it a song of distraction would be closer, I think."
Meanwhile, you recorded the new single (and the forthcoming album) at Chemikal Unerground's studio Chem 19 in Hamilton, Scotland. CAYTO recently enthused about the same studio. How did you end up working there and what do you like about it?
"The link's quite easy," replies Martin plainly. "The Reindeer Section are also on Bright Star (Corrigan's label) and they've worked at Chem 19. Besides, we wanted an analogue studio. It's not the most modern place, but the people who run it are brilliant."
"Andy and Pat, the engineers there are amazing: they should write a book on philosophy. Besides, they're the only guys I know who could come out the other side after taking 12 microdots."
While we're on a typically surreal tip, tell me more about one of the other songs on the new single, "It's In The Architecture, Jackson." This surprisingly downbeat, narrative-style track initially was the one that hooked my attention and seems to concern a girl wearing a black flower who becomes a thorn in the local planning authority's side by building a swimming pool without the necessary permission. Is any of this based on fact, then?
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"No, I'd seen a girl wearing a black flower in the street and it came from there," says Martin playfully.
"When you hear the album you'll notice there's a lot of surreal narrative stuff going on. The girl with the black flower appears on another song on there. In "It's In The Architecture, Jackson" the guy falls in love with her and they're into architecture...."
"....and then that situation gets resolved on the album," Martin finishes sagely.
Meanwhile, Martin, as you hail from Fermanagh, do you feel apart from the 'scene' in Northern Ireland? Do you feel isolated or anything of a kinship with other acts from your area?
"Well, Van Morrison is an influence, obviously," deadpans Martin.
"He's the only other good thing to come from Northern Ireland...apart from Phil Coulter, of course."
As usual, with Martin, it's difficult to decide how far his tongue is protruding into his cheek, but I don't get long to mull it over as he's off again...
"I like some bands from Ireland...I like The Redneck Manifesto quite a lot, and obviously we share stages with loads of bands, but up here there are still too many bands trying to sound like they're from the Britpop era."
He almost spits this last statement out, though I can understand where he's coming from here. At a slight tangent, Corrigan's forthcoming album rejoices in the provocative title, "How To Hang Off A Rope." You could have something pretty controversial on your hands there, Martin...
"Erm...I got it from a friend of mine who got it via the title of a compilation," says Martin carefully.
"Some people out there perceive it as negative? Some people would, it seems."
"It's one of those glass half full or half empty things," he continues.
"To me, there's real humour in there that not everyone sees. We done a tour of the UK recently and we have matchboxes printed up with the album title on them, and all the kids in the crowds were grabbing them and going "Is this the album title? - Cool!" , so it depends on perception."
Before we sign off, Martin, tell me a little more about the album. What songs are you particularly excited about and why?
"I'm proud of them all, of course," says Martin, indignantly.
"I really love two songs, though, "Water Ballad" and "MacArthur". One of my favourite preoccupations is trying to cross Shellac with Johnny Cash. The lyrics to "Water Ballad" are country-tinged, but musically it's more like Slint. That's the way the album goes and I'm sure you'll be enriched for hearing it."
Somehow, I think he might just be telling the truth....
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