JJ72, a three piece rock band from Dublin, Ireland.
What does their name mean? No one except the vocalist/guitarist Mark Greaney knows that, and no one is likely to ever find out. Because, like the music, the name is full of mystery, depth and intensity.
The band formed when Mark Greaney and Fergal Matthews (drummer) were still at their school sixth form. Fergal asked Mark to play with him as long as the band remained 'his band'. But, has it? Mark Greaney, song writer, guitarist, vocalist, musician, promoter... the list is endless as are Greaney's talents. Hilary Woods (bassist, joined the band after Mark saw her in their school production of 'Sweeney Todd') is a talented young woman and although the JJs have been criticised for having a bassist that only 'looks pretty', she can certainly play. Although Mark is the front person for the band, and Hilary is the image, Fergal is an amazing drummer and plays with such energy and enthusiasm, that if any one of these three were to quit the band, the JJs just wouldn't be the same.
JJ72 have been compared to many bands such as Radiohead, the Manic Street Preachers, and Nirvana. It can be argued that they sound similar, but is that surprising considering Greaney wrote his songs whilst listening to the Manic's 'Everything Must Go' and Nirvana's 'In Utero'? As well as these three bands Greaney was influenced by Joy Division, The Smashing Pumpkins and Placebo. His voice has been compared to that of Thom Yorke's and Jeff Buckley's. However, don't be fooled into thinking the JJs are merely copies of bigger better bands. They offer their own original mix of guitar based melodies, perfectly matched bass lines and terrifyingly good vocals to the music scenes of Ireland, Britain and the world.
Although influenced by other bands, they are definately not the same, and in some cases completely different. Take 'Bumblee Bee' for example. Compared to Nirvana by both Melody Maker and NME, this song is obviously influenced by Kurt Cobain's style, but something about the way Greaney performs it makes it seem totally new and nothing like any other guitar music you have heard before.
It was evident from the day they sent off their demo five track EP 'Pillows' in the summer of 1999 that the JJs would go far, and far they have come. After their appearance on London's XFM's 'unsigned' show at the end of summer 1999 (although at the time signed to Lakota Records, a branch of Sony records) JJ72's career took off. Releasing 'October Swimmer' in autumn 1999 prompted immediate praise from magazines such as Melody Maker, NME and Select. They then released 'Snow' in Feburary 2000, followed by 'Long Way South' in May 2000. The fourth single released was their biggest to date.
'Oxygen' was released in August 2000 and led to the JJs first Top Of The Pops appearance and this was closely followed by the release of a self-titled debut album which coincided with their summer festival dates. 'October Swimmer' was re-released in October 2000 and led to their second TOTP appearance. The next single is due to be a re-release of 'Snow' in Janurary 2001. Algeria, another track taken from the album 'JJ72' is due for release in March 2001.
JJ72 have been touring almost non-stop since the spring of 2000. Supporting the Dandy Warhols they played in small venues around the UK. During the summer they played a few festivals. Glastonbury on 23rd June 2000 in the New Bands Tent, Carling Premier Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2000 on the Radio 1 evening stage and the Witness Festival in Ireland. After their summer dates the band embarked on a headlining tour around the UK and Ireland. Sticking to small venues the JJs played over 25 dates in the UK and Ireland in October - December of 2000. JJ72 were joint headliners with Amen for NME's 2001 tour and played numerous dates around Britain ending with a London show at the Astoria on Feburary 4th 2001.
It is easy to see how the JJs have gained fans and success by looking at the venues they have played in London. They started by playing to 50 people at the 100 club in London's Oxford Street. Next, they played a gig at Dingwalls in Camden to 300 people. On their first headlining tour they played the University of London Union for two nights to 500 people. The NME tour meant them taking the stage once again at the Astoria, but, not as a support act to the Dandy Warhols, but as headliners, playing to 2000 people.
The band has finished playing 2001 summer festivals and completed a European tour and short UK tour in June. They played gigs in Nottingham, Portsmouth and two nights at London's Shephard's Bush Empire. They also supported U2 at their gig in London's Earl's Court. Spring 2002 JJ72 completed a fairly successful US tour supporting Coldplay.
Currently, the band are promoting the forthcoming release of their second album 'I To Sky' which is available at the end of September 2002.
I'll end by saying, JJ72 are one of the most promising bands of the new millenium. Their album is an emotional mix of maturity, romantic heart-breaking songs and life examining lyrics. As a live band they have proved they know how to win over an audience and Mark Greaney is a natural-born rock star. Look out for the JJs in 2002 when they release their second album and play yet more dates around the world.
Hattie Hanison
