So tell us a bit about Turning Down Sex’s collective philosophy on rock and/or roll and life in general.
We’ve always been pretty relaxed about our music, and the advantage of writing short and fast songs is that we can really try out whatever we feel like; we’ve honestly never played the exact same set twice, and playfulness is important to us. The aim has always been to make music that is heavy, fun and ultimately strange; really, we aim for moment-to-moment unpredictability.
How a song behaves rhythmically is a big part of our music. It can be difficult playing as a three piece, as we each have different things that occupy us, but rhythm is something all three of us can contribute to, and it creates a sort of tight core that we can then build on in whatever weird ways we like.
As part of 10 Days in Dublin, you’re putting on something called the Mutant Debs. Where dd the idea for that come from?
We’ve always wanted the opportunity to put on the most extreme and flamboyant show possible, and the set up of us playing as a debs band seemed pretty funny, considering our music is so awkward to dance to. Eoghan does a lot of theatre stuff, and we thought it would be a good chance to add a more narrative aspect to our music. As a result, we’re working with some pretty incredible actors and guest musicians to put together something extremely unique.
The show is set in a future where Turning Down Sex is the world’s most popular band, owing to the projected popularity of ‘avant-spazzgrind’ and our heralded vanquishing of the despicable Lizard People. We’ve been invited to play the debs of Dublin’s most illustrious school for Mutants when a horrendous murder occurs. We don’t want to give to give too much away, but let’s just say you’ll have to rethink your definition of ‘time’ and ‘space’ It’s part gig, part play and almost entirely getting drunk in a sweet BYOB venue in Smithfield.
I believe you’re working on a 7”, can we expect that to see the light of day anytime soon?
We’ve recorded a split with I’ll Eat Your Face from Cork, which will be the first release on a soon to be announced Dublin vinyl label. It’s a concept EP based on a drunkard who violently downs questionable quality wine on a beach and begins to have violent underwater hallucinations. I’ll Eat Your Face share our passion for strange song titles and stranger songs so to work with them is great, not to mention we’re possibly the only two bands capable of fitting five songs on one 7”
I heard you’re calling it quits soon. Have you any other projects in the pipeline?
Our dear drummer is unfortunately moving away to learn how to be a man but if a hiatus hasn’t killed off the Foo Fighters at this stage, I doubt it’s going to do us any harm. The opportunities for Skype gigs and some shows on foreign sands are pretty exciting but yes, it does mean that Mutant Debs and this split are probably going to be our last project as a band for a while.
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Mutant Debs takes place as part of 10 Days in Dublin on 6th July, 9pm, €10, Block T. For more on the 10 Days festival, see our interview with founders Dan and Rob. Tickets available here.
