Interviews: The Spent Priests

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band The Spent Priests from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Was it planned, or did it just happen?

NT: It comes from the idea of a priest who’s lost his faith. Religion was a huge part of the fabric of where I grew up in Ireland, so it’s a bit of a play on words—someone burned out, changing lanes in life.

GL: I remember texts going around about possible band names, and I thought, “Am I in a serious band now?” Then at rehearsal, Niall just shouted out, “The Spent Priests.” There was a brief silence… and that was the moment it stuck.

JM: Coming up with a band name can be tough, so it’s great when something clicks for everyone and actually means something we all relate to.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

NT: We don’t really stick to one genre—we like to mix things up, twist influences, and see what happens. Everything from pop to metal is in there somewhere.

GL: Niall and I go way back—going to shows, talking endlessly about bands we love. A lot of that comes from the ‘90s bands he grew up with in Ireland. We love the energy on those records, especially live. That said, all three of us listen to a wide range of music.

JM: Our general sound is not something I’d played before, but I loved the energy Niall and George brought, so I jumped in.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

NT: I knew George, and George knew Justin. George and I had been working on ideas and needed a bass player—Justin stepped right in.

GL: Niall and I had been jamming for a while. I knew Justin from coaching Little League. I actually went to see his band at the time playing at The Gutter in Brooklyn—they did a heavy cover of “Nutbush City Limits,” and I lost my mind; it was brilliant. Later, we had studio time booked, and our bass player bailed two hours before—so I called Justin.

JM: George asked if I wanted to jam. I said, “Sure—when?” He said, “About 45 minutes.” I grabbed my bass, headed to the practice space… and that was it.

4. Each band member’s favorite band?

NT: Right now, Mark Lanegan.

JM: I’ve been listening to a lot of Sam Cooke lately.

GL: That’s an impossible question—it changes daily. But since it’s late March and the moon’s in a waxing crescent… I’ll say The Clash.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

NT: Life in general. No pain, no gain.

GL: Clever lyrics about dumb things people do—myself included. Relationships, human behavior, and whatever strange ideas are bouncing around in my head. And once I got into Niall’s songwriting world, I thought, “Where is this going?”—in a good way.

JM: Life is the driving force—the good, the bad… that’s The Spent Priests.

6. Where was your last gig?

GL: Connolly’s in Midtown Manhattan. Not the best part of town to find new music, but Connolly’s books are great and puts on killer shows. It’s a legit stage and sounds great in that room.

7. Where would you most like to play?

NT: Irving Plaza in NYC and The Stone Pony.

JM: Anywhere there’s a stage.

GL: The 9:30 Club in D.C.—I wish I could’ve seen Bad Brains there. And definitely Irving Plaza.

8. Who would you like to collaborate with?

NT: The Melvins or Helmet.

JM: Anyone who’ll play with us.

GL: Them Crooked Vultures, The Bobby Lees.

9. Who would you not want to collaborate with?

NT: Kanye West—he doesn’t seem like the most chill guy.

GL: Laughs

JM: No offense, Kanye… but yeah.

10. Have any of you experienced stage fright? Any tips for beginners?

NT: All the time. Nicotine helps me.

JM: My first live show, the guitarist spent the whole first song yelling that I was out of tune—I was a wreck. Turned out, it was him. Now I just keep a couple of beers on stage and roll with it.

GL: Rehearse until you’re confident, keep your timing solid and your kick drum in one place, and maybe one shot of tequila to take the edge off.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

NT: The entire ‘90s grunge and metal scene.

GL: Fugazi’s DIY ethic, Superdrag and Fountains of Wayne’s lyrics, the Pixies’ disregard for structure, Lana Del Rey’s darkness, Weezer’s humor, Old 97’s storytelling, Stewart Copeland’s hi-hats, the intensity of OSees, and a lot more—it’s a long list.

JM: I grew up on punk and hardcore, but I pull from everywhere. I once tried to start a band that mixed Jackie Wilson with Cockney Rejects.

12. What’s the weirdest thing a fan has asked you for?

NT: A ride home… it was my wife.

JM: Someone once made me do multiple shots of Fernet Branca.

GL: My chocolate chip cookie recipe.

13. What do you think of your fans?

NT: Hardworking people looking for some rock therapy.

GL: Great, brutally honest New Yorkers—they’ll tell us if something’s off, not just that we’re awesome.

JM: I’m grateful for anyone who comes out or connects with what we’re doing.

14. What do you think of our site?

NT: It’s awesome—great vibe and a solid platform for discovering new acts.

GL: I love how international it is. You’re showcasing bands from everywhere. I’m also a fan of “Behind the Tracks”—it’s great hearing how songs come together.

JM: Yeah, it’s great—love the support for new artists.

15. Anything else to add?

GL: Thanks for taking the time to check out our music and get to know us. There’s so much great music out there, and what you’re doing helps people discover it. I’ve already found some great bands through your platform, like Doll and Relentless Aggression.

Support independent metal journalism — Visit the official BTC store