The Hot Sprockets let loose as they talk about new album Dream Mover

Sitting down to discuss their third album, Dream Mover, a serious step up for the band, with three of The Hot Sprockets – a mutual pal described them as The Monkees crossbred with The Rolling Stones – would melt the heart of any old hack. Their enthusiasm is ebola-level infectious.

“We always try to move forward in our songwriting and in the recording,” says guitarist Tim, a man graced with sideburns that would make Mungo Jerry jealous. “We like to think we’re always progressing, sounding better.”

Did they begin writing straight after the previous album, Brother Nature? “Yeah,” according to singer/guitarist Wayne, the one with the spivy ‘tache and beret. “Some of the tunes, like ‘Sanctified’, could have been on the last record.” Multi-instrumentalist Franky, who sports a fulsome, manly ronnie that could easily steal the lunch money off his bandmate’s effort, adds, “We kinda push each other to not be afraid to go in different directions.”

There’s a very prominent African influence on ‘Cold, Cold Sweat’, not something you hear from a lot of Irish bands. “That’s why we put it out as a single,” notes Tim. “’Right Spots’ was more of a connection to the last album, but this one is right out there.” The band have provided a map to how far out they went in the form of a Spotify playlist which has, among its many treasures, Fela Kuti’s ‘Expensive Shit’. “Another reason behind the list,” says Frankie, “was that we could share something like a guitar sound to try and emulate it production wise.”

Some recording was done in Gavin Glass’ Orphan Studios – “I get to use all his keyboards and gadgets, all his bits and bobs,” grins Franky – and the rest in Bow Lane with Dave ‘Skip’ Christopher producing. “He was a fan of the other two records,” explains Franky, “and he wanted this one to sound as good as possible. He’s been a key asset to the band.” Adds Tim, “He was able to help us do things we couldn’t do before.”

Since the recording was completed, there’s a new Sprocket in the form of Dapper Dan himself, Ken Mooney, of fellow psychedelic headers, The Urges. “He had a fairly hard task,” says Frankie, “to come in and learn everything, but he’s a brilliant drummer.”

“He did the homework,” adds Tim. “It was a worry at the start, because Andy was there for seven years. But he did give us plenty of notice and wanted to finish the record. He’s the one who suggested Ken.”

Has Ken – a hopeless dandy – ever baulked at any of the dressing up? “He hasn’t said no to anything. Yet!” Franky laughs. By dressing up, I mean the band’s excellent knock-about videos, a promotional opportunity the band take seriously. “Yes, but not too seriously, obviously!” says Franky. “We approach them professionally. People see the videos and that gets them into the band.”

Another thing they take seriously is album packaging: Dream Mover comes complete with Franky’s freaky artwork, as well as special paint-splatter vinyl. But are physical releases still a viable option?

“It works for us at the gigs, especially abroad,” says Tim. “The CDs can make the difference for petrol money, and food! Vinyl means more to people; all my parents’ vinyl is still there, but there’s barely anyone I know who holds onto a CD from even five years ago. It’s the artwork as well – you know it’s going to be there in fifty years.”

“The vinyl is expensive”, Franky adds, “but it’s a labour of love to have it.”

At this point, we digress into a debate on the merits of vinyl over CDs and downloads – and the perception, imagined or otherwise, of better sound. “Does a cold cider taste better on a hot day?” is Tim’s prematurely rhetorical conclusion. Hot Press takes this and runs with it, producing a fine argument about the theory of relativity as it pertains to a nice drink and a good record. We have no room for this kinda thing here.

It might seem like the obvious approach for any band, but being a Hot Sprocket does look like a lot of fun. “It’s the love of doing it, and the love for each other,” enthuses Tim, while Franky continues, “We were mates before we started, so it’s basically best friends hanging out together, making music.”

“We have fans who have been with us from the scene in Sweeney’s,” adds Tim. “Everything is about music for us – we’re always going to gigs, so we get what it’s like to be part of an audience, and I think that’s why there’s a connection there.”

“Sweeney’s, The Salty Dog, Knockanstockan – there’s an almost spiritual connection to those things with us,” chimes in Wayne, a bit misty eyed. “It really is about expression and art.”

What follows is a long reverie from the four of us, about the glory days of Sweeney’s and its sad demise. Again, there’s no need to repeat it here, but you really should have been there.

The Hot Sprockets notably recorded a version of Wyvern Lingo’s brilliant ‘I Love You Sadie’ recently, in support of the Repeal the Eight movement. It’s perhaps a dreadful over-simplification, but should men have even gotten a vote on an issue like this?

“Well, I voted in the referendum for gay marriage, but I’m not gay,” replies Tim. “It’s all about giving people the choice they should have in a democracy.” Bloody good answer.

A big record calls for a big launch, and the band delivered in front of a sell-out crowd in Dublin’s Button Factory. From the new album, ‘Dead Still Ride’ and the gorgeous ‘Woke Up’ were highlights, and any band that has a thing of beauty like ‘Homeslice’ in their arsenal is always going to be alright. What’s the next move? “Festivals, England and then Spain – we’re seen as a kind of a cool new garage band there, I think!”, says Franky, “We actually released Brother Nature there, and it got a bit of a buzz going.” “The national station in Spain actually plays us”, adds Tim, “and they get in touch looking for new stuff”

Do the Sprockets have a long-term plan? “We’ve been lucky that we had a few ‘syncs’ that have kept us going,” says Tim. “We used to always say no, we’d never sell out, never have a song in an ad, but we couldn’t afford to put our first EP, Country Dirt, in 2007. That’s when you start changing your attitude – and Bulmers came looking for ‘Solid Gold’. I don’t think it’s selling out if you need it to survive”. The only way to sell is out? “There you go!”

As you get a small bit older, and personal commitments multiply, does it get harder to give it your all?

“Things take more time, but you work around it,” says Tim. “People telling you what a song means to them makes it worthwhile.”

“It’s like asking an artist why they keep painting,” adds Wayne, “When you release something that you love, you want people to love it as much as you do. I think this album shows that we’re unafraid to follow whatever sound we want, and I believe in it as a piece of art.”

Dream Mover is out now. The Hot Sprockets are touring Ireland through the summer and play the Sea Sessions, Donegal (June 22-24) and Knockanstockan, Wicklow (July 28-29).