"You look at a band like The Strypes who have this incredible energy going on," Paul Noonan tells Hot Press, "And it’s all heart. You don’t want to dilute that with too much head.”

Noonan and his Kildare band are using the hotly-tipped Cavan act of an example of how a lack of young Irish musicians talking about social issues isn't necessarily a problem.

"I don’t think they necessarily should have to. There’s plenty of time for that."

Noonan reckons The Strypes will quickly evolve.

"The fact that most of their set is covers still... But it’ll come. I do think there’s something special there. In that Arctic Monkeys kind of way. Of course, your man Alex Turner has both going on. He’s a great lyricist, he does write social commentary. With their early stuff when they were in their teens, they really chimed with teenage life and teenage troubles. It’s write what you know. But they also have that incredibly visceral thing going on as well.”

For more with Bell X1, who have just returned with new album Chop Chop, pick up the forthcoming issue of Hot Press, on sale tomorrow (August 1).

Also on the agenda? Recording with The National's producer, their outrage at the Anglo Tapes and their view that rockers can keep going well past pension age "as long as you stay skinny."