Those Black Marks – Irish Band Of The Week

Considering the outcome of yesterday’s All Ireland Football final, it seems only befitting that this week’s Irish Band Of The Week hails from the triumphant capital.

Those Black Marks are a recently established band, formed from members of several other bands – they draw upon these past influences and styles of their respective musical projects to create a very powerful grunge rock band.

Meeting under the tile of Those Black Marks for the first time in March 2015, they felt the overwhelming chemistry they had earmarked for some fiery tunes. Their own influences, having performed in their respective bands, and their musical idols, which include Biffy Clyro and Muse with undertones of a 90s grunge era unwilling to be forgotten from giants like Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters, meant there was no stalling on what sound they wanted to create.

The handful of tracks they’ve already recorded have received much praise, and it’s clear that their past experiences all fuse together to seamlessly form some commanding contemporary rock music. Their style and vocals demand attention, but this can only be really felt when the band perform live. The band themselves claim that ‘their game really kicks off when they hit the stage’. Frontman Watmore and his writing partner in crime, lead guitarist Redmond, have an inexplicable brilliance. Their style is gritty, unpolished, and exudes confidence. This, coupled with the powerhouse rhythm combination of McEvoy and Moran on bass and drums, gives the band its full explosive strength.

Those Black Marks are the kind of band that thrive on live performances, the gritty roar of guitar, the pulse of drums, it’s something that has to be experienced but there’s no harm in checking out the three very impressive tracks on their website. ‘She Said’ perfectly displays what the band can do.