Deep-blue somethings

Having recovered from JJ72's post-secret-gig celebrations in Spy, singer Mark Greaney gave Hot Press a few choice syllables about how the Red Box was for them - and wazed enthusiastic on new album I To Sky.

"It was a big relief being able to play new songs," says Mark, "but nervewracking, 'cause it was a first time set-list and we didn't know how it'd all slot together. The audience was great, though, and it ended up being just the positive start we wanted."

What's this we hear about Greaney morphing into the indie Barry Mannilow?

"'Nameless'?" he smiles. "I prefer to see it as more of a Freddie Mercury moment, but yeah, the first track on the album is just me and a piano. I decided what the song was going to be in my head before I wrote it, had a few beers and then came up with the lyrics. I had a few more beers and went into the studio the next morning and nailed it first take. Of course, I did another ten before realising that it couldn't be improved on."

I To The Sky finds the JJs renewing their studio partnership with Flood, who turned down a big money offer from Limp Bizkit to produce them again.

"He listens to us and our ideas, which is why we get on so well together," bassist Hilary Woods enthuses. "There's none of the 'They're only kids, what do they know?' attitude you get from other people in the industry. He treated us the same way he treats U2."

"It's true love," Greaney agrees. "Certain producers are me, me, me whereas he's you, you, you. My favourite moment was when I spied a page that Flood had been writing his suggested running-order on, and there were our songs in the middle next to the running-orders for Achtung Baby and The Joshua Tree. That's who he was slotting us in with!"

Fans who weren't able to bag a POD ticket get their first taster of I To Sky on September 23 when 'Formulae' emerges as the lead single.

Described by Greaney as "really powerful and dramatic", the non-album cuts accompanying it are 'Dreamed In A Dream', 'Alabaster Ocean' and 'Higher Than Gods'.