Two brothers Mike and Pete McCarthy from Blarney decided to get a band together and all I have bullet pointed above came to pass. However now several years later and a lot wiser I had a chance to speak to these two guys on air in Youghal. On first meeting these lads you are struck by the almost shy, modest but mannerely handshake and greeting. Not something one would expect having listened to a few songs before meeting them. The second thing that struck you was how quite and laid back these guys were, I dont know is it me but a lot of my guests of late all have a confident silent way about them, anyway these two lads are no different in that regard, nothing showy or in your face here.
At first listen the music was not my cup of tea so to speak but as you listen to the songs you can understand more about this band, the lyrics, the sound, the drive, the expert musicianship, the highs and lows in every song all different but at the same time consistent with greatness. I know waxing a little lyrical here but feck it I don't know how else to describe this group. Its simple Shane , - They are dam good, they work hard and they can play, the music is worth a second if not third listen. The lads themselves are as nice and easy to talk to, nothing underhanded no attitude, no big head, no "We been to America" in fact these guys laugh at the experience they have had.
Let me ask you this how many people reading this have been to Las Vegas never mind how many of you have consistently Played Las Vegas and lived to tell the tale so to speak. This band has a lot of history under their belt and yet they don have the cynicism that most would have after going through what they have gone through. They still have a desire to play, to record, to write, to preform and most of all seem to really and I mean really enjoy it. Look I will shut up now just listen to the interview and if, like me you find your enjoying it remember its almost 45 mins long but will only seem like 10 mins.
Website
http://www.paradoxrock.com/
http://www.myspace.com/paradoxrock
http://www.youtube.com/paradoxrock
Press Contact
paradoxband@rock.com
Paradox were formed in 1996 by brothers Pete Mac and Mike Mac in Cork, Ireland. Mike the older brother grew up listening to Guns n’ Roses, Metallica, the whole 80’s metal phase and started playing guitar at an early age before switching to drums a few years before the band formed. 'Appetite for Destruction' was the album that turned Mike onto Music and Rock n 'Roll at the age of 8 and opened the doors to many more bands of that era. By the time Pete discovered music it was 1991 and the whole Alternative scene just started to take off. Pete describes his early years "I was a 10 year old kid when I first heard ‘Teen Spirit’. I can honestly say it changed my life. After my cassette copy of Nirvana’s Nevermind had worn thin from being over played I discovered other Seattle bands like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam to Mudhoney and Screaming Trees." Pete started playing guitar in 1994, that same year Kurt Cobain died and the whole Grunge scene seemed to disappear as fast as it had appeared. The early Paradox years were heavily influenced by everything musically coming out of Seattle.
Even though both Mike and Pete have somewhat different musical tastes they both seem to combine their influences. The band shaped much of their music around many vocal harmonies layered on top of power chord riffs heavily influenced by the likes of Alice in Chains. That band was their musical compromise and possibly their biggest influence. As for the third Paradox member the band has gone through many bass players. 8 in total and that number keeps growing. The bands longest playing bass player from 2000 to 2002 was Bjorn the Bass who's a huge Punk Rocker and he brought that into the bands music especially when playing live.
Debut album - 'Circle of Growth' - (2000/2002)
'Sacred' the album - (2004)
When the band returned from the US the second time they parted ways with their label and decided that the only way to go is DIY. Paradox hit BPM Studios in Cork, Ireland in January 2003 and recorded 6 new songs that were initially to be released as an EP. Among these tracks was the song 'Lame and Languid' which portrayed a completely new sound for Paradox. In January 2004 Paradox returned yet again to the same studio and recorded another 6 songs including tracks 'Downward Spiral' and 'Pretend Friend'. These 12 songs became 'Sacred' the album.
Pete and Mike Mac yet again played all instruments on Sacred. Pete done Vocals, Guitars and Bass while Mike played Drums, Vocal Harmonies with the addition of Keyboards and Piano on this album.
'Sacred' is a major progression from the bands debut album 'Circle of Growth', veering away from their previous Punk Rock/Grunge sound to a more Melodic Alternative Sound that the band has been thriving to achieve since their creation. 'Sacred' was released May 11th 2004 and distributed mostly online through the likes of CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes and all the main online retailers. That year Pete moved to London and Mike moved to Canada which proved hard in terms of touring for the album. Despite the lack of gigs 'Sacred' received rave reviews online from fans to online fanzines and radio stations. One review quoted 'The core of Paradox's sound is driven with passion and is reminiscent of the grunge/hard rock styles prevalent in middle America. The lyrics are quite insightful and are obviously something these gentleman put a lot of their heart and soul into. "Pretend Friend", one of my favourites displays their appreciation for the musical content of a song with their use of harmonies and a meaningful topic.' Another review added 'Driven by melody and pure adrenaline, these guys are a commanding force in the new music arena'. Track 'Lame and Languid' was the song that got the most attention and went viral online. While the album was proving to be a DIY success Paradox found themselves yet again without a bass player.
By 2005 Pete and Mike returned to Ireland and some shows were booked starting with a show for Pulse Radio UK in Dublin. New bass player Jon Finn jumped in and the band continued to play more shows back in Cork and Dublin. In that time Pete moved to Berlin, Germany and it wasn't long before shows were booked. Their debut German show took place on Dec 28th 2006 to a packed house @ Rock at Sage in Sage Club, Berlin. The show was widely advertised and was considered to be one of the bands best live shows to date. The following year Paradox played a few outdoor music festivals in Germany and 'Sacred' continued to sell and gain momentum. But the fact that Pete and Mike lived in different countries and the lack of touring began to take it's toll.
Pete Mac - In Limbo (2009)
By 2008 many new songs had been written over the past few years and were just waiting to be recorded. A few acoustic demos had been recorded back in 2005 on an analoge old school 4 track in Ireland. At the time Pete was listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, Elliott Smith, Eddie Vedders solo album and the idea came to put out an acoustic album. Instead of going to a traditional recording studio Pete recorded at home using a 4-track, 2 microphones, an acoustic guitar, bass, tambourine and a little imagination. Half of the album was recorded in his apartment in Berlin while other songs were recorded in a bathroom and 3 of the tracks were the demos that were recorded analoge in Ireland in 2005. The album did however take a long time to complete, 6 months in total. The album was called 'In Limbo'.
'In Limbo' is an album of many moods, emotions, each song bringing across a different vibe. From the political outbursts of 'Corporate Pollution' to the atmospheric ambience of 'In Limbo', followed by the melodic waves of 'No Words' to the dischordent chops of 'Bury the World', 'In Limbo' takes a different musical direction from any previous Paradox sound.
'In Limbo' was released February 2009 again mostly online through CD Baby, Amazon and Apple iTunes. Two videos were also shot by Pete for the songs 'No Words' and 'Pretend Friend' with various art like images and video clips shot all over Berlin.
The new acoustic sound was well received by Paradox fans as well as attracting many new fans that might not have listened to Paradox before and the album received mostly positive reviews. The Grunge fanzine Minerva Corner in Portugal summed up the album as follows - "In Limbo" is a simple/ acoustic and direct album with some twists of electric guitar, nothing more added. Its natural and emotional as an intimite album should be... Nothing artificial, no masks, simply true! Other reviews added "The common thread across the diverse songs on the album seems to be the melodic smoothing of sharp edges (biting lyrics) by your spot-on harmonies between lead vocals, guitar chords, and backing vocals."
Pete started playing solo acoustic shows all over Berlin throughout 2009. At a lot of shows Pete would play covers including Eddie Vedders 'Society' and acoustic versions of a few Paradox songs. Although for the most part the shows went well Pete found it hard to fit the traditional singer songwriter role. A lot of the new songs lacked that sound that only a band could create.
'Corporate Pollution' - (2010)
By 2010 Pete and Mike were back jamming together, rehearsing lots of new material written over the past 5 years. A plan was made to record a new album, the bands first since 'Sacred' in 2004. The first Paradox UK tour was also planned for July with 16 dates initially booked. After much confusion with the booking agency the plug got pulled on the whole tour just 3 weeks before it was meant to start. The band continued to pursue the tour themselves and managed to salvage 8 dates. New bass player Jet jumped in and the band hit the road in Mikes blue tour van playing dates all over the UK all the way up to Scotland. On their return it was straight back rehearsing for the new album and then off to a secluded recording studio in County Kerry. Some tracks had been recorded at a different studio a few months before but the band were unhappy with the results so they decided to re-record everything from scratch at the new studio in Kerry.
'Corporate Pollution' is the third Paradox studio album displaying the bands most powerful sound to date. 11 songs were recorded and mixed in 9 days @ Data Recording Studios in County Kerry, Ireland. Just like the previous two Paradox albums brothers Pete and Mike Mac play all instruments. Pete plays all guitars, bass, vocals while Mike plays all drums, piano and vocal harmonies. They also co/produce the album. A few of the songs appeared as acoustic tracks on the Pete Mac solo album 'In Limbo' in 2009 (Emptiness, Bury the World, Serenity) but were re-recorded with drums and a full band sound for this album.
'Corporate Pollution' is the bands biggest loudest sound yet. On average 6 electric guitars were recorded along with triple vocal harmonies, 2 acoustic guitars, lots of bass, piano for certain tracks, a female vocal for one track and two days of drumming. 'Corporate Pollution' captures the frustration, emotion, anger, sadness, happiness and confusion towards todays superficial society in the form of expression through music. From the opening track 'Corporate Pollution' with it's churning guitar riffs and political sneers to the melodic melancholic melodies of 'Repress Excess' or the distorted confusion that is 'Mind Mud' the albums diverse mix and ever changing pace create an interesting and unique sound. The albums stand out track 'Mr. Bureaucracy' was chosen to be the first single with it's fast pulsing riffs and melodic vocals. 'Mr. Bureaucracy' is aimed towards any corporate or political establishment designed to keep society dumb, confused and poor. While the riffs are fast and grungy the melody and lyrics almost seem sarcastic. The line "Mr. Bureaucracy can you control the air I breathe" opens the track to a sudden burst of energy. The chorus refrains of "Freedom of choice not good for me" ring through to an old school grunge sounding riff that takes the song in a somewhat different direction yet repeats itself as the song ends.
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