Harry Guerin talks to Hogan frontman Mark Hogan about the band's debut album, 'Boom!', and famous relations.
Harry Guerin: Give us a brief history of Hogan.
Mark Hogan: We are together about five years now. We formed by sheer luck, really. I was a singer-songwriter at the time and I was offered a festival gig, but the organisers said that I should do it with a band because of it being such a big gig on a big stage. So I asked some musicians around our hometown of Tullamore and that's how we formed. Since then we've released countless singles, had chart success, played numerous festivals at home and abroad, got endorsed by Lakewood Guitars and recorded and released our debut album. Not bad for doing it all ourselves.
HG: What were the big albums for you growing up?
MH: Growing up in the Nineties was a strange time for music. Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Metallica were massive at the time and you couldn't ignore that. I wouldn't say they influenced us, but they were amazing albums to grow up with. Then you had Blur and Oasis, who both wrote amazing songs and had massive albums. But the biggest album I had growing up was 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac. Incredible.
HG: Your debut album, 'Boom!', pulls in influences as diverse as disco and pop-punk. Why so many styles and did you ever have any worries about the 'eggs-to-pudding' ratio?
MH: We wanted to do an album that wasn't one genre; it was what we thought were a collection of great songs. When you ask people what music they like, nine out 10 people will say: 'I listen to everything' and that's the way we think, too. We were not worried about there being too many styles; we just wanted to make sure that everything that was put on the album was of the highest standard. We believe we've made an album that is very refreshing because of its diversity. Our diversity is our uniqueness.
HG: Greg Haver, whose credits include the Manic Street Preachers and Super Furry Animals, produced 'Boom!'. How did you end up working with him?
MH: The people who owned the studio that we recorded in met him in England at a trade show and said he should work with us. He was interested, so we sent him old songs and demos and he was instantly a fan of what we were doing and came over to Ireland recorded a track with us. That was two years ago, so when we approached him about doing the whole album he was delighted to work with us.
HG: What was he like to work with?
MH: As a band/producer relationship it couldn't have been better. He gets us and he knows what we want before we even ask him. We believe he brought out the best in us and can't imagine working with anyone else. We would consider him a great friend now.
HG: What was the most challenging thing for you making the album?
MH: Patience is the key in making an album and the biggest challenge. We could have released the album a year ago, but it would have been out of excitement and not logic. You have to be patient and make the right decision for the album. We went through each song with a fine toothcomb, which took a long time. But by doing that it made the album what it is today. It's our debut album and it has a lifespan of forever and you want to create something that will live forever.
HG: Have you plans to release the album in the UK and the US?
MH: Yes, we are just in the middle of setting up for a UK release, which should be March next year, and the US hopefully next year as well. There's a lot of exciting times ahead.
HG: You've played a lot around Ireland. What's your funniest story?
MH: We busked naked in our hometown for charity. It was a crazy idea that really worked but was so embarrassing. It was all over the front of the local papers and everything. I'll never forget it.
HG: So what's coming up for you in the coming months?
MH: Well, with the album released in Ireland in August we still have a lot of touring and media to do to promote it so that's going to make the next while very crazy. We just set up a base in London to start releasing the album over in the UK for early next year. Irish tour in February, English tour in March and we are also going to be playing our first gigs in America before the year is out in New York City. Can't wait.
HG: It always seemed like a missed marketing opportunity that the band Rooney could never hook up with Wayne for a photo. Have you sent a copy of 'Boom!' to the world's two most famous Hogans, Hulk or Paul?
MH: When I was young, my dad convinced me that Hulk Hogan was my uncle. So maybe I should send Uncle Hulk over one.
'Boom!' is out now.
