G'Day From Downunder

Get the kettle on in a hurry for a cuppa tea; I can't wait to tell you all about the magnificent experience I had on Thursday September 24th and Friday 25th, most worthy of a front page story any day.

I swear Christmas came early this year to Australia and no one complained; it came in the form of three wise men, not from the East but from a tiny country in the northern hemisphere that is constantly blasted by the Atlantic Seas; a country with an enormous history of bards and scribes and, in modern days, haemorrhaging good music.

But this time this tiny little country has made its history of those past glories pale into insignificance; this tiny little country. Where else but Ireland. The three wise men? Who else but The Script! They came, they saw and they totally blew Australia apart like no other band before them.

They blew Australia apart with their charisma, their music, and their meticulous lyrics that cut into the hearts of everyone. It's not just me getting emotional or gooey. I have seen, heard and hung out with the best of them and I can tell you if you compare the music industry to a painter's ladder The Script sits on the top rung and all the rest are scattered beneath.

Musically they are clinically tight. Visually they are dynamic. Lyrically they are in tune with life. The bench mark for years was U2 and too many other artists to mention, but all that changes now because The Script has raised the bar to an enormous height that I don't think any of the other modern artists can reach.

They now hold the number one mantel. This is no overnight fairytale story for lead singer Danny O'Donoghue, guitarist Mark Sheehan and drummer Glen Power. You can tell that The Script have learned their craft the hard way. Their "overnight" success was ten years in the making.

The Australians packed the venues. They came in their thousands to listen to the three wise men who are The Script and they came to pay homage to the talent that is The Script.

I, like all who were present at this amazing performance, will cherish the memory as one of those occasions when you just know history is in the making as the gifted young lads unleashed a whole new experience in music.

I first heard of The Script while in Japan in March this year and was informed they were getting bigger by the day and were on the verge of greatens. Then on my return to Australia I heard that they had been here on tour to the east coast of Australia in 2008 a rather low key affair. Then, when it was announced that they were coming to Australia this year, tickets sold out in minutes.

Next time they will hit our shores it may as well be on Santa's sleigh as all will be awaiting with bated breath to know what sort of intoxicating music they will lavish upon their new found adoring Australian fans.

For just as sure as Australia launched Abba into the international limelight after their Eurovision win they will also put the same passion into supporting The Script!

The Script's September 25th 2009 gig will forever now be known in Australia as the birth of a new era in music and thank God I was there to witness the occasion. Back in the sixties I was lucky to be around in those days when modern music was being created; I was in the thick of it as the Irish Examiner's chief, Paddy McCarthy will vouch for; yea I had a beer and a strum with the Everley Brothers, The Searchers, The Trogs, The Mersies, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Bruce Woodley of The Seekers, Smokie, just to name drop and plenty more; but to be honest I would be embarrassed to jam with The Script; way, way out of my league.

We were greeted by the youthful General Manager Sas Frazer a wonderful lady with a charming personality. She informed us the lads were running about fifteen to thirty minutes late; I tell her it's the norm in the music industry, no apologies necessary as Sony/BMG, their record company had already advised me. She politely offers us complementary drinks while we wait.

After ten minutes or so of conversation with Sas to my surprise Glen Power arrives and immediately apologies on behalf of Danny and Mark who are only seconds behind. Danny and Mark arrive on cue.

It's the first time I ever remember musicians being on time. My first impression is how healthy and fresh they looked; their dress code is fashionable and stylish.

Emmett and I introduce ourselves "Welcome to Australia lads". The lads tell me they are grateful for me taking the time to meet with them, I am immediately impressed with their politeness and consideration.

Over the next hour the lads were most generous with their sharing of their music journey so far. First question on my list was the name The Script, Mark replies "it suits the style of music we do". Where did you do your first gig? With simultaneous verbal harmony they all reply "The Sugar Club in Dublin".

I tell them Ireland was known as the land of Scribes and Scholars back in the sixties it was Showbands doing covers, non writers. Then came the return of the writers; U2, The Cranberries, The Corrs, Enya, Chris de Burgh, Christie Moore, Sinéad Lohan, Juliet Turner etc. What brought the turn around? "MTV changed the music world," Glen says. "It gave everyone an even playing field and opportunity, it spoke the language of the common man so there was lots to write about and all you had to do was put your hand up and avail of the opportunity".

When questioned on their performance at the Sir Paul McCartney concert in New York they tell me they were most impressed as to how well he was informed on their career to date and how accessible he was to them. He was also more than willing to share some ideas with them.

Each of the lads expressed their admiration of U2 for opening up the door to the international market for all Irish acts and it was a huge thrill to play on the same bill as them recently in Dublin.

Danny, is your music style likely to change direction on the next album? "We are not looking to change at this stage we seem to have hit a good chord with what we are doing right now and we have so much more to say in this way".

Mark, the Script have a distinctive style and sound and with so many other bands out there it would have been easy to compare with like? "Yea but we are not like others and didn't want to be; we say what everyone would like to say and we deliver our music with an outpouring of Irishness".

What do you do in your spare time? I query and the answer is "what's that? next question!"

Will you be travelling to South Africa if Ireland qualifies for the World Cup? They say they will be lucky to get to their local to watch it on TV when it's on and have a few beers with their pals as they are so busy; and I'm not surprised!

I heard you had quite a few issues before the album came out lads, what's the story? Glen looks at Danny "you tell it". "It was quite eventful really! Mark's mother passed away after her battle with cancer, and then four months later my dad died! He was okay one day then the next he came down with a stomach pain and died that night.

"He had a stomach aneurysm that he failed to have checked. It was a very difficult time for the band. Then we no sooner finished the album and were about to do our first major tour and I woke up one day to discover I had a collapsed lung. To make matters worse Glen nearly died but for the quick thinking of his father taking him to hospital after he fell in the toilet of the local boozer and hit his head.

"The doctor told him if they didn't get him into theatre immediately he was going to have a heart attack or a stroke. He spent nine days in hospital." Glen interrupts saying "I went down for a quiet pint and ended up with titanium plates in my head so I guess it was a bit of a miracle that we got through all that. Then the album hits number one right across Europe, absolute magic!"

Danny how did that hit you? Number one after all the dramas and interruptions you guys had? "It was the best day of my life the day it went number one; I just looked up to heaven and thanked my Da."

Last question lads, when you get back home and you are asked what you thought of Australia what will you say? Glen says "the Aussies and Irish have a similar nature, very approachable and react much the same as the Dublin audiences."

Danny agrees but adds "both are not shy when it comes to showing their emotions and downing lots of beer". Mark kicks in with "not a lot of difference except the Aussies get hot rain and we get cold rain!"

All agree that they are looking forward to their next trip Downunder. I thanked them for being so generous with their time considering the jam packed schedule they had and they cordially thanked me for taking the time to see and speak to them.

Now for my wrap up. I struggled with myself when I sat down to put pen to paper, how could I try and make this article fairly normal and not sound patronising but to be honest I couldn't.

I have said earlier in this piece that I have strummed and had beers with numerous celebrities and to be honest I can't think of a nicer bunch of lads that I have met on the celebrity list.

As for their music go and see them and judge for yourself, I promise you won't be disappointed. I gave them ten out of ten for everything. Most importantly they did themselves and Ireland proud; long may they continue to do so.

Until I talk to you again, be good to those who love you and Slainte from Downunder! You can contact Mike Bowen via e-mail at mike.globefins@westnet.com.au