The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Fresh from supporting Scissor Sisters in London Bitches With Wolves are feeling the buzz. With an album on the way, they show no signs of slowing down.

James O’Neill grins through a mild hangover. What has he been up to?
“I’ve embarked on a new journey over in London, and started working on my album, which is going really well. I’ve done some studio time with Jake Shears [Scissor Sisters frontman], which is awesome. I’ve got a new song called ‘No Danger’ coming out which I shot the video for. Loads going on.”
The promo for ‘No Danger’ was filmed in Dublin, taking in some of the group’s favourite haunts.
“We went to loads of different places. We were at this amazing chipper called Fusco’s, on Meath St. Oh my God. So good. I think I ate my weight in chips!”, says the singer, who, in fact, can’t weigh much more than nine stone without the sequins.
Bitches With Wolves are known for their eye-grabbing dress sense.
“Well, the jacket I’m wearing in the ‘No Danger’ shoot is amazing. It’s a vintage Versace, with a jungle scene going on all over it. It’s very, very bright. And I’ve got these gorgeous shorts that Irish designer Emmy Slattery made for me. She’s worked for La Roux, Bat For Lashes... loads of people like that. I was really lucky. The clothes are an afterthought, although I’m sure you wouldn’t think it! I just go around like a magpie, pouncing on things. It [his fashion sense] is a constantly turning ‘machine’ in the back of my head. As opposed to something I’m sitting down and focusing on. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not!”
What was supporting Scissor Sisters like?
“That. Was. Amazing. The Scissor Sisters would be one of my ultimate bands. From a live point of view, it’s insane how good they are. To be honest it’s just a huge fucking honour to be asked to play, and it was an amazing experience. Jake and Ana have such an amazing synchronicity on stage. Ana is a total lash, isn’t she? And there were about a million things in Jake’s wardrobe I wanted to steal. And their drummer, he’s really hot. Oh my god, the biceps. Unreal.”
Are they a model for what BWW want to achieve?
“We’d really like to emulate their success. I wouldn’t want to be them. I wouldn’t want to be anybody other than myself. If I had nearly as much success as them, I’d be delighted.”
So, is he looking forward to his upcoming performance as part of the Dublin Jägermeister Freezer Sessions?
“Yeah, I really can’t wait. It’s gonna be super fun. Playing the intimate shows are always the best. People really get going and get involved. I’m majorly excited.”