Wood Burning Savages look ahead to Knockanstockan this weekend

Two months ago, Derry’s the Wood Burning Savages released one of the records of 2018. A righteous, hook-laden salvo of punk-peppered indie, Stability effortlessly affirmed why the four-piece are such an incendiary force, while also marking them out as an act with plenty to say.

“We called the record Stability because there isn’t a lot of it around right now,” begins singer/guitarist/soothsayer Paul Connolly. “The record touches on a few different themes. Being from Derry, there’s a bit of a mental health spotlight as we’ve got a really big suicide problem here right now. I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t know at least a few people who chose to end their own life. The album is a set of songs that asks people to speak up if you need help. I make a point of saying that between songs live too. Sometimes you just need somebody to say, ‘I hope you’re well, if you’re not well, ask for help because it’s out there.’ “Political pluralism is a big theme as well. In Northern Ireland we’re constantly told that communities are opposed to something, but when you think about it, a cold house is the same cold house in the Bogside in Derry as it is in a housing estate in Lurgan. People need reminding they’re part of one community.”

Recording of Stability began when the Assembly in the north collapsed and Paul tells us he feels it’s important to stand up and make your voice heard.

“You have to try and make the best life, not just for yourself, but for the people around you. I’ve very little faith in 99% of the politicians in NI and I think they’ve very little faith in themselves too as they’ve been on holiday for the last 500 plus days. Part of the album is me pulling the shroud off and saying, ‘These guys don’t know anything more than you do - they’re just wearing a suit from Debenhams that makes them look smarter.’”

Recently, Paul also made waves online when he found himself on BBC Radio Scotland pretending to be “barrel rolling” enthusiast Woody Burnside (check it out on Facebook) and he tells us the experience still brings him out in a cold sweat.

“We were on tour and sometimes in the van I’ll act the eejit and text nonsense in to the local radio station. We were in Scotland and I texted, ‘Hi, I’m Woody Burnside and I’m competing in the World Barrel Rolling Championships etc etc.’ I thought they’d read it out and everybody in the van would have a laugh. Anyway, this lady rang me and told me everyone was rooting for me in the World Barrel Rolling competition and Stephen the DJ would love to have me on for a chat, so I went on air with my best Mrs Doubtfire accent and spoke to two million listeners about something I just made up! I still have nightmares over it.”

Speaking of van-life, the always on the road act have a raft of festival dates this summer and Paul tells us he can’t wait to play Knockanstockan again.

“Festival season has been brilliant for us so far. With played with the Boomtown Rats at one in Holywood and Bob Geldof was really dead on. He came into our dressing-room and said, ‘Aw Jesus, you’ve a nicer dressing-room than we do!” so we knew he’d be good craic. I knew he liked poetry and I do too, so we had a good chat about that.

“Knockanstockan is class. It’s a fantastic setting. The Blessington Lakes are gorgeous, it’s one of the best organised festivals around and we can’t wait to play there.”

KnockanStockan takes place at Blessington Lakes, Wicklow from July 27-29. knockanstockan.ie