SUPER EXCLUSIVE
The Script and the power of ‘#3’
By Angela V. IgnacioPhilippine Daily Inquirer
BOYS FROM DUBLIN Irish trio The Script invades Manila for the second time on March 31. KEVIN WESTENBERG
Good things come in threes, or so the saying goes. For Dublin-based trio The Script, it probably couldn’t be more true, since the band’s latest album, “#3,” is a prime testament to the chemistry between these humble lads and their growing legion of fans worldwide.
The album’s first single, the anthemic fist-pumper “Hall of Fame” which features the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, has become the The Script’s highest charting song to date.
The follow-up, the mournful ballad “Six Degrees of Separation,” sees Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power in their elements—dealing with the woes of heartbreak like there’s no tomorrow.
This third album remarkably holds its own against the staggering success of its two predecessors, 2008’s eponymous debut and 2010’s double platinum-selling “Science & Faith,” which has earned The Script gazillions of YouTube views and social media followers.
Sold-out dates marked the band’s world tour in support of “Science & Faith,” with the Manila show in 2011 being one of the most memorable.
Almost two years later, the band is set to serenade its Filipino fans on March 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Not surprisingly, tickets have sold out.
Super had a pleasant phone chat with Power just before the band’s show in Madrid. So much has happened in the last two years, but it’s pretty refreshing to know that he has remained down-to-earth.
How has the reception been so far on this world tour?
It’s been amazing, people have really taken to the music. It seems that we’ve struck a chord again in most people; [they] relate to the songs we sing about. A lot more people know about the band than they did before, so word has spread and it’s really great.
What’s the story behind “#3”?
It’s a snapshot of our lives. We were trying to be honest. I think the story is really about triumph over the odds and starting again. The theme of the songs is quite dark, but they’re songs that’ll help you get [on your feet].
Has anything changed with the way you write songs?
It’s very similar … We kind of know when we find something; we have an idea when we’re in the right place. Basically, we do what we do. Usually, when the good ideas arrive, we put them right at the top and we jam to it.
The first two albums were huge hits. Did you ever feel pressured at some point while making the third album?
Not really. We just write music. We write to stay young, so staying young and fresh will keep you famous (laughs). Oh, God, we don’t think of it like that. We basically just get in and do what we did before. We all have ideas; we all create, we all write. We have to work hard at what we do. We don’t take a break for long; we always work long for what we do.
What’s it like to collaborate with will.i.am on “Hall of Fame”?
We basically did the work on “The Voice.” I saw Will down at the dressing room, and he heard the track and said, “It sounds dope, man!” He said he wanted a look and we said, “Why don’t you do it with us?” So Will came and basically demo-ed the vocals, and it sounded so good we were just like, “Yes! This is great!” It was by accident, how it happened. But then, I don’t think we could plan a collaboration like that, you know.
If you had the chance, which artist would you want to do a song with?
I think if we got a chance to work with Adele, that would be awesome.
Danny (O’Donoghue, The Script frontman) is a coach on “The Voice (UK),” right? How has that affected you individually and as a band?
It gave me and Mark (Sheehan, The Script guitarist) some time off. He (Danny) put the name of the band out there, because people didn’t really know the name or us. When he did “The Voice,” it raised the profile of the band, so it’s a good thing. We thought, people know our music but they don’t necessarily know who we are, so what he did really helped.
Your first show in Manila in 2011 was an incredible sold-out success. What were your fondest memories from that visit?
I can’t explain. Everybody’s reaction to the music … It was such a big reaction for us that people knew our music.
I hear that tickets for this show have also been sold out. Does this surprise you?
Oh, yeah? Oh, good! Every time we put on a show we’re always afraid that it’s gonna go away, so that’s why we try too hard to keep it where it is. We try to grow and keep it as it is because there are so many good bands out there. We love the opportunity and the chance that we have, so we’re always surprised when it happens to you.
We’re looking forward to playing for the audience and meeting up again with Anne Curtis, if she’s around. She’s a really good friend of mine and she’s a really good person.
Awesome! I didn’t know you were good friends with her.
Yeah! I know Anne well. She’s a good friend. She’s really cool. She came to our last show there, and she contacted us and we met up. We’ve been friends ever since.
Music has always been some sort of therapy for you guys, and I understand that deeply personal issues, like the death of a parent in Danny and Mark’s case, were tackled in one song on “#3.”
So, has the album served its purpose? Did it have a cathartic effect?
Yeah, it’s healing. Music’s a very powerful thing, and the guys decided to write that song because it was a subject that they never really went to before. It was a very brave thing for them to do, because we play that song every night on stage. They have to constantly open up that wound and play that song again to the audience so that people can relate to it.
The title of the song is “If You Could See Me Now,” right? I know you guys have played it in your recent shows for this tour. Has it ever gotten too emotional at some point?
Yeah, Mark has a hard time when he performs it live. It’s such a big thing for him, to be honest. A lot of people in the audience have lost someone, and that they can relate to, so you can really see that when we perform. You know, I’m glad that we’re singing about this because it gives them inspiration.
Lastly, do you have any messages for your fans in the Philippines?
Absolutely! We can’t wait to get there and play for you guys again. Thank you for last time, for the reception you gave us. Please come along to our next show. It’ll be better and bigger than we were the last time.
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Tags: Black Eyed Peas , The Script , “Six Degrees of Separation
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