On Our Radar - Onion Boys: "There’s been a punk revival since lockdown; bands are leaning into the absurd style of Irish rock"

How did you guys meet?
We were living together during lockdown, me and Leadpipe Dan. One day we said, 'Let’s start writing some music about how we feel about lockdown.' We didn’t know if we were writing it for anything, or if we would ever actually be able to play these songs. We just set up a mic in a room and started recording.

What inspired the band’s name?
The Onion Boys came from a reference to a children’s book that Leadpipe had when he was younger. In addition, we were trying to think of rock star names, and Johnny Dublin seemed so fitting for a Dublin rocker, whose ego is so massive, he thinks the city is in his way. As a frontman, I try to give it 100% and leave the stage completely drained. If I don’t, I’m not very happy. I love looking at the audience and putting the fear of God into some people, but also welcoming them to do the same to me, you know?

What was the songwriting process for ‘How To Grow Up (On Tik Tok)’?
We’re very strict on not overthinking this stuff. If we get one hot, catchy part, we try to just build off that. We start with beats and riffs, but if we’re hitting blocks, we go with the simplest, easiest element and see what happens. We get catchy phrases and work from that.

Who are your main influences?
If we’re talking Irish bands, I would say Unstuck, Peer Pleasure, Acid Granny, Meltybrains, Spud Gun – those kinds of acts.

How do you feel about the current Irish scene?
It’s doing well. There are a lot of gigs coming our way and I hope it’s the same for everyone. There’s been a punk revival since lockdown – bands are leaning into the absurd style of Irish rock.

• ‘How To Grow Up (On Tik Tok)’ is out now.

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