New old school Dublin rockers The Psychs have released their new single, Rock Bottoms Up (Drinking On The Bus), the lead single from their new five-track EP. We asked vocalist Billy Kid Jones the BIG questions . . .
Made up of Billy, Ben (guitars), Clampo (bass) and Aaron (drums), The Psychs say they are hell-bent on bringing rock 'n roll back to the Irish scene.
In their short time together as a band, they've played The Soundhouse and Whelan’s in Dublin as well as The Grand Social, The Workman’s Cellar, Fibber Magees and a handful of outdoor festivals to date.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I believe a show ain't a show until you jump headfirst into the crowd, leap of faith, easiest way to know who likes you more, the crowd or the floor. I like to think myself n' the boys are but humble theologians in the religion of music, seeking enlightenment, the only issue is we aren't convinced we're fighting for the right side . . . I like long walks on the beach.
How would you describe your music?
The Gods returning to Olympus is a good place to start but if I had to narrow it down I would say good aul' rock `n’ roll mixed with something a little darker, rip-roaring riffs that unzip your skull and carve their name on your brain. Howling Vocals, a drummer that beats the kit like it owes him money n' bass lines that could demolish a house. They say all I sing about is the Devil and drinking and they say it like it's a bad thing.
Who are your musical inspirations?
It's hard to know where to start! I guess all the old Gods, AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Black Sabbath, Mötley Crüe, but there is a lot of bands in the past twenty years too, Queens Of The Stone Age, Royal Blood, The Dead Weather. We all come from different musical roots, country, jazz, etc. and it seeps into the reservoir of our sound sometimes for sure.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Mmmm . . . define gig? It's hard to remember the first venue gig I was at, but I remember when I was very young I saw a toothless old man playing the accordion on the side of the street, so passionately, it stuck with me and may to this day be the best gig I've seen . . . and I've seen the Rolling Stones.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I ever bought was Legend by Bob Marley . . . and if you heard our stuff you might not believe that.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My favourite song right now is Bogus Operandi - The Hives' latest comeback single, I've been listening on repeat, and the music video is amazing too!
Favourite lyric of all time?
I've got lyrics from Leonard Cohen, Mark Lanegan and Tom Waits inked all over my body but if you put a gun to my head, the one lyric that always hit me was "Well, I ain't evil, I'm just good looking, start a little fire, and baby start cooking" from Alice Cooper's Feed My Frankenstein.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If you asked this question to myself and the boys, we would without looking at each other shout in sync Song for the Dead by QOTSA.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find us on Spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud whichever way you swing, we're on all social medias - Instagram and Twitter, Facebook. For booking enquiries - thepsychsofficial@gmail.com. We're also on YouTube. Plus, we're always playing around Dublin town, if you want to find us you will, just follow the smell of blood, sweat and beers!
