Date Published: 18-May-2011

Alternative rock quartet Dead School cite among their musical influences the American grunge band Nirvana but their iconic frontman Kurt Cobain couldn’t have matched the energy and goal-driven determination of the Cork-based group even if you put a gun to his head.

The Seattle band’s apathetic attitude to success was probably well reflected in the title of their landmark album, Nevermind, whereas Dead School are actively pursuing a series of identifiable goals with a starkly contrasting focus and fervour.

In fact, the energy with which the post-punk band are chasing commercial and critical kudos in their fledgling musical careers is matched only by the frenetic energy and passion that flows from the pounding drums and swirling guitars of their acclaimed live performances.

The group comprised of Cathal Maher, Ruairí Dale and brothers Donal and James McDonald formed just a little over six months ago but have enjoyed rapid success in their native Cork and now have their eye firmly fixed on growing their fan base beyond the Rebel County.

Most budding rock bands of their ilk spend much of their time sitting on the backsides that they’ve managed to squeeze into impossibly small skinny-jeans, jamming occasionally and entertaining wistful notions that they’ll be overhead playing in their parents’ garage and poached imminently by some big record label.

Dead School, however, have adopted a no-nonsense approach to their careers. They are already under the stewardship of a manager and have employed the services of a professional PR company as they map their path to the forefront of the Irish music scene with unwavering and meticulous dedication.

“We are completely goal-driven, we don’t do patience, and we are not going to stop until we make it,” declares the group’s singer and guitarist James McDonald.

“A lot of bands just practice and do a couple of gigs now and again and just see how it goes. We did that for a while when we played in various cover bands but we’re not doing it anymore – we want to make it,” he explains.

In a scene more appropriate to a corporate boardroom than the conventional perception of rock ‘n’ roll, the four members of Dead School sit down together every month and make a list of goals that they wish to achieve before they reconvene again in 30 days time.

“We make lists of the things that we want to achieve by a certain stage and, if the time comes close and we haven’t achieved them, we bang our heads together and really set to it,” says James.

“We have the same long-term goals as any band but we set monthly goals as well. They might be to play a certain venue, record a single or to get more radio play on national stations. The next goal will probably be to build up a bit of a following in Dublin and get established on that scene, and we’re looking at releasing an EP next August or September as well.”

As usual, Dead School are on course to fulfil their goals and are scheduled to play six gigs in Dublin, including one upstairs at Whelan’s, as part of their tour to promote the new single, Frailties, which was released on April 28.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.