Gurriers: "We’re taking things at our own pace, and we’re going to do things on our own terms, when we want to do them"

“Everyone always says, ‘You’re Gurriers – but you’re very nice guys!’” Dan Hoff laughs. “And I am a nice guy, but I’m definitely angry…”

That urgent, unapologetic anger Gurriers’ lead singer is reflecting on has been crucial in fuelling the band’s remarkable run over the past two years, following their live debut in October 2021. Carving out their own noise-rock and shoegaze-informed sound, in the fiery punk spirit of some of the great anti-establishment acts, the Irish five-piece have continued to make serious international moves, with lauded shows across Europe, BBC Radio 1 airplay, praise from The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano, and major UK outlets dubbing them ‘Ireland’s next big thing.’

And with no shortage of current issues, from the personal to the geopolitical, to turn their crosshairs on, it’s unsurprising that Gurriers – made of up of Dan, Pierce Callaghan, Emmet White, Ben O’Neill and Mark MacCormack – have resonated so powerfully with audiences at home and overseas, particularly since the release of their first two singles, ‘Approachable’ and ‘Sign Of The Times’, earlier this year.

“I’m angry about a lot of topics, but when I speak about it, I feel I can never get my point across,” Dan resumes. “But I can really process it, and allow it out, when I sing. And it seems more genuine that way. Anger’s a good energy for the stage, too, because people can reciprocate that.

“I’m angry about how things went during the pandemic,” he adds. “‘Approachable’ is about right-wing extremism and the Internet – which we all saw during lockdown, and we’re seeing a lot more now. And then ‘Sign Of The Times’ is about desensitisation to violence. I’m angry about that, and how it’s not that big a deal to some people.”

As Dan points out, it’s “modern problems” that most heavily inform his songwriting. ‘Sign Of The Times’ was a direct response to the extremely graphic and traumatic videos that continue to be shared widely across social media.

“I have friends who work in content moderation, and they have to watch those kinds of videos – and they tell me horror stories,” he says. “I also saw a video on Twitter that I wish I never saw. Something had happened in America. It was so dark, and it was the first time where I saw something and I was just stunned.

“What I write, it’s what I see in the world,” Dan continues. “And there are love songs as well, obviously. But as one of the lads says, they’re ‘post-apocalyptic love songs!’”

Gurriers. Credit: Evan Cahill

Despite having just two singles to their name, the response to Gurriers’ work has been phenomenal – though that early buzz often comes with its own unique form of pressure.

“There’s an expectation on all guitar bands in Ireland at the minute, because everyone’s saying, ‘Ah, there’s such a great scene there right now!’” drummer Pierce reflects. “So there’s pressure then, when you start to get recognition, that you have to be the next big thing. But we don’t take much stock in what’s expected of us from outside of the group. We put enough pressure on ourselves!”

Many international critics have grouped Gurriers into the same ‘Dublin guitar band’ category as Fontaines D.C., The Murder Capital, and Gilla Band – something Pierce considers a surreal honour, more than anything. But as their run of support slots with The Mary Wallopers demonstrated, the raw, defiant energy coming out of Ireland right now can’t be confined to any one genre or label.

“At first, you might be like, ‘That’s a bit of mad mash there!’” Pierce says of their tour with the Dundalk ballad group. “But I think it worked really well.

“And we enjoyed ourselves!” he adds, in reference to The Wallopers’ penchant for pinting. “The Leeds Irish Centre is basically like a big GAA club. You go into the hall, and there’s a photo of Mary Robinson on the wall, and a wee shop with Daniel O’Donnell DVDs. It’s unbelievable.”

You’ll be able to catch both acts at this year’s Electric Picnic – alongside some other notable names Gurriers are particularly looking forward to seeing, such as Amyl and the Sniffers, IDLES, The Murder Capital, The Last Dinner Party and Chalk.

“And I really want to see Nell Mescal again,” Pierce adds. “I saw her at The Great Escape, and she was unbelievable. I knew the name, but wouldn’t have been overly familiar with any of the tunes. It was class.”

It will be Gurriers’ second time playing the festival, following their set on the Salty Dog stage last year.

“That was my tenth time there,” Pierce says of EP ‘22. “The first time I went, Arctic Monkeys were headlining – and the first time I played, Arctic Monkeys were playing as well. So it felt like a full-circle moment.”

Of course, in the midst of a busy festival season, Gurriers are mindful of the threat of burnout.

“It’s something you’re not overly conscious of when you’re starting out, because you’re so excited,” Pierce reflects. “You’re like, ‘Let’s go, and do as much as possible! Let’s do it all!’ But now we’re a lot more conscious of minding ourselves. You want to be busy, and be doing as much as possible, because it’s good for the band – but you also have to be conscious of burning the candle at both ends. We’ve had discussions about this recently, just about checking in on each other, and looking after each other.

“Take, for example, the last run we did in May,” he continues. “That went on for three weeks – with three or four days off spread throughout that. It’s not a whole lot, but the last tour we did, in October, was 11 shows in 10 days, or something stupid like that. I was never more dishevelled in my life, the week after that.”

While the demands of modern touring can take their toll, it helps being on the road with people who came together as good friends first and foremost.

“Definitely,” Dan nods. “We have a lot of fun, but we also know when to leave each other alone, when someone needs a bit of downtime.”

“I need to get a wee bit better at that!” Pierce laughs. “My whole thing is winding people up!

“But it’s good to know when to treat each other as mates, and when to treat each other as the band,” he adds. “We’re all very ambitious, and we all want so many things for the band. But you have to remember that you have a really strong relationship with these people outside of being in a band with them. So half-an-hour of talking about anything else, other than the band, is good for the soul!”

As for their recording plans, Gurriers are in no rush to serve up their debut album.

“We’ve given it consideration, but it’s not this big thing hanging over us – like, ‘We need to do this, or we need to do that,’” Pierce tells me. “We’re taking things at our own pace, and we’re going to do things on our own terms, when we want to do them.”

•‘Sign Of The Times’ is out now. See Gurriers live at Electric Picnic 2023 (September 1–3), and at The Grand Social, Dublin on October 19.

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