Barry Peak has released his debut mini-album, Read Like Lisa; Skate Like Bart. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The album is available on cassette and through Bandcamp and features the singles Appalachia and Shivers and Shakes.
Raised in Belfast and based in Dublin, Barry was a member of 90s indie rock outfit Backwater, who toured with Mogwai, Ash, and Urusei Yatsura and recorded a John Peel session.
In the 00s, he became a school teacher while continuing to play music with Torgas Valley Reds.
When not playing music, Barry works at a university in the areas of sustainability and social justice and tries to ride a skateboard.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
When I was younger, I played in a few bands and while we didn't set the world on fire in terms of sales, we got to do some very cool things like recording a Peel Session and playing at CBGB's in New York.
I’ve worked in education for most of my adult life. First as a school teacher, then for a charity. Now, I work at a university, where I support the teaching staff to integrate themes of social and climate justice into their practice. I started a doctorate last year but didn’t enjoy it and quit after a few months. I used the money I had set aside to buy some home recording equipment and other music gear. That kick started the whole process of making music again.
Despite being old enough to know better, I still ride a skateboard. Skateboarding changes as you get older and your knees don’t work as well but it remains the most fun thing.
How would you describe your music?
I think it’s fairly straight ahead indie rock. Lots of tunes but hidden under some noise and drones. There are other bits and bobs in there too - maybe space rock or even elements of shoegaze. It’s all pretty lo-fi as it’s mostly recorded using cheap and/or broken equipment.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Musical inspiration changes on an almost daily basis but the constants would be Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, Spacemen 3, the Flaming Lips and Teenage Fanclub. More recently, I’ve felt inspired by records by Wednesday, Hotline TNT, Water From Your Eyes and They are Gutting a Body of Water.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Primitives in the Europa Hotel, Belfast. It was at a time when gigs in Belfast were frequently targeted by ideologically questionable punks. They spat at the band constantly, tried to start loads of fights and even tore down part of the lighting rig. It was utterly chaotic but it didn’t put me off.
What was the first record you ever bought?
This is genuinely hard to remember. It might have been the first Madonna album or Welcome to the Pleasuredome by Frankie goes to Hollywood. It was possibly bought in the Ards Shopping Centre, probably on cassette and definitely listened to about a million times.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Another almost impossible question but I’m going to say Bronx Cheer by Mercury Rev because I listened to it about two dozen times this morning.
Favourite lyric of all time?
My two favourite lyricists are Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses and Fred Thomas. Every Throwing Muses song could be a perfect little short story, not unlike Raymond Carver. Fred Thomas is a similar age to me and a lot of his lyrics reflect on situations I find very relatable. He has a song called Voiceover which includes the line: "But that dirty boots video from when I was a kid, I still remember trusting it" which makes me simultaneously laugh out loud and get nostalgic for a time and place.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Diamond Sea by Sonic Youth. They were my favourite band when I first saw them play when I was 15 and they’re my favourite band now. That song has a bit of everything that makes them so special.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Alan Corr
