'Alan is our hero' - Galway band managed by former Oasis boss Alan McGee release first single

Having Oasis boss Alan McGee “in their corner” has been a dream come true for Galway band The Clockworks.

Originally from Loughrea and now living in London, a simple Instagram message to the iconic band manager – who famously discovered and managed Oasis – got the ball rolling for The Clockworks.

The quartet signed for his new label Creation23 earlier this year and have just released their first single, “Bills and Pills” today (October 4).

“Alan McGee is a hero of ours, as he is to many people,” explained guitarist Sean Connelly.

“We are delighted to have him in our corner. The way we got in touch was via Instagram. I sent him a message saying, ‘We sound like The Streets with guitars’ and he said, ‘Send me your best song’, which I did, and what followed was us being signed.”

“All of this was less than two weeks after we packed up and moved to London. Now we are in touch every day. He's heavily involved, which of course we love.”

The band made up of lead singer James McGregor, guitarist Sean Connolly, bassist Tom Freeman and drummer Damian Greaney, first formed as secondary school students in St Raphael’s College in Loughrea, often practicing together at lunch break.

Now based in London, The Clockworks have performed at a string of UK and Irish festivals – including a packed show at the Cosby Tent at Electric Picnic – and, in a welcome turn of events, were even booked onto cult football magazine show, Soccer AM in September.

“To play Soccer AM was a dream come true,” Sean says. “We played 'Can I Speak to a Manager?' live to over 3 million people, met Harry Redknapp, and had a crack at the top bin challenge.”

Though their footballing touch might have let them down on the day, the Loughrea lads certainly made an impression on their fellow guests – with Love Islander Ovie Soko soaking up every bit of their opening performance.

And much like the during the “top bins” challenge on Soccer AM, The Clockworks always have their eye on the next milestone.

As Sean puts it, “We have no singular goal really. The goal posts are always moving. We have always had our eye on the Glastonbury Main Stage though. We're coming for that.”

For now however the lads will have to settle with a homecoming gig in the Róisín Dubh in Galway on Friday December 6. Plans are also in the works for a Dublin performance, although the venue and date have yet to be released.

It seems they're certainly ones to watch - aside from their Oasis links, they are also on the same roster as bands like Arctic Monkeys with agents WME.

“Bills and Pills” is out now on all major streaming services, including Spotify and iTunes. A 7” vinyl version of the single with “Can I Speak to a Manager” on the B-Side is also available for purchase on the Creation 23 website.

Listen to 'Bills and Pills' here:

Bills and Pills

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