The men behind the wire

A little over eight weeks ago, Derry three-piece Fighting With Wire found themselves at a turning point in their career. Although they were loathe to admit it, the post-punk pugilists were thinking about throwing in the towel after five years of blood, sweat and tears. Following much debate, they decided to go one more round to see if things would work out and man, did they ever.

Now this writer doesn’t believe in fate, Buddha or even superstar medium Derek Acorah, but when it was recently announced that the band had inked a deal with Atlantic Records (home of Gnarls Barkley, Hard-Fi and Led Zeppelin) mere weeks after they started to question their future, well, you gotta believe that somebody up there must like them.
“We were all at a party last Christmas and it was there that we began to wonder if we should continue this band or not,” recalls singer/guitarist Cahir O’Doherty. “Craig [McKean, FWW’s tub thumper] works as a joiner and had just started his own business and I was getting tired of playing the same old places. We had our album Man Vs Monster recorded, we weren’t getting much interest in it and to be blunt were wondering why the hell we were bothering anymore. So we decided that we’d do a few more tours in the new year and see how things go.”
A short time after that, Cahir heard about a new website www.shadowglobe.com which aimed to promote new music. He set up a profile and as it happened a lot of people loved what they heard. Among those initial fans were BBC Radio One DJ Zane Lowe, who instantly began playing them on his show, and Atlantic Records C.E.O. Craig Kallman, who promptly got in touch and flew the guys over to New York for a showcase gig.
“We went over to New York about four weeks ago and played five songs to a room full of record executives,” says Cahir. “Later on that night we were having dinner and were offered our deal straight away. It’s a bit spooky how everything worked out, but it just shows you how things can go sometimes. I have to say that any preconceptions I had of industry people being all suits and ties were smashed that day. Everyone at Atlantic is just like us. It feels like an independent label but with more money behind it. We’re over the moon.”
Fighting With Wire are in a dream situation at the moment. Their thunderous debut record is already recorded and slated for a March 10 release via-Cahir’s friend and bandmate Andrew Ferris’ label Smalltown America (the two play together in Jetplane Landing). They’ve also got a work ethic like no other and aren’t shy about playing the flea-pits of the world. So when you add in the fact that the band has one of the most hardcore followings in Ireland right now, you’d be a fool to bet against Fighting With Wire becoming world beaters over the months ahead.
“I’m a firm believer in building things from the ground up,” offers Cahir. “We’re an honest band, we play with our hearts and there’s no bullshit from Fighting With Wire. I think people like that about us. There are a lot of chancers out there playing music and they appreciate that we’re not like that. I think we began to struggle last year particularly in the UK because it’s more fashion over content. We’re just three guys who look like a 90s alternative band and that confused everyone. I think once Atlantic release Man Vs Monster in America, it’ll work out better for us as there seems to be more of an understanding about bands like ours over there.”
In an era where we’re constantly reminded that nice guys finish last, it’s reassuring to see FWW give a two fingered salute to convention. Their potent mix of head spinning riffola, Husker Du-esque melodies and sonically devastating live shows has quite rightly made them one of the most talked about bands in Ireland. In short, these men have made a monster of a record and they’re only just getting started.
“I can’t say that I always thought things would work out for us, because I didn’t,” concludes Cahir. “However, I did know that we were onto something really good. Whenever we’ve played we would get a brilliant reaction and we’ve now got some of the most loyal, supportive and insane fans out there. We’ve even got a guy called Dermott who had a Fighting With Wire tattoo done, which I think is amazing. We actually see him at most of the shows singing the words louder than I am. I’m sure when he reads this he’ll be thinking to himself thank fuck we didn’t split up, because then he’d be stuck with us on his arm for the rest of his life.
“Seriously though, we know we’ve a long way to go before we achieve our dreams. The deal with Atlantic has helped us pursue things further, but we’ve a lot more touring ahead. For anyone doubting us, let me say that we’re the same band we were two months ago and we’ll never change for anyone. Thankfully Atlantic will never ask us too.”

Man Vs Monster is out now on Smalltown America