Over pints of Guinness and Camel cigarettes at a dank and smoky pub, three members of the New York-based band Skyrocket recently struggled to describe their sound. After several minutes of clever banter – including a tongue-in-cheek reference to a Jan. 29 New Yorker blurb that described the “ensemble” as “energetic” and their “excursions” as “cinematic” – lead singer Eoin Killeen, drummer Emmaline Duffy-Fallon and synth-man Josh Byrnes settled on “entertaining, sci-fi, retro rock.”
“Entertaining, sci-fi, retro rock that’s energetic and cinematic,” Killeen clarified.
Capitalizing on their film-like vibrancy, Skyrocket, which also includes Ken Reynolds on bass and Dave Hardiman on guitar, has made a name for itself on Manhattan’s Mercury Lounge/Arlene’s Grocery/Knitting Factory circuit. In an effort to promote their new self-titled EP, the band has recently started to perform in cities like Philadelphia and Boston. On Friday, they will make their debut performance at Maxwell’s in Hoboken.
N amed after the Cockney slang for wallet, Skyrocket formed two years ago. “Back home there is a saying, ‘skyrocket in your back pocket,'” explained Killeen, who grew up in Galway. “So the gag was, we’re only in it for the money.”
While all of the members are originally from Ireland (with the exception of Byrnes, who hails from Boston), Skyrocket does not consider itself an Irish band per se. “We’ve got a little bit of a European sound,” said Killeen. “But we don’t hang the Irish flag over the stage. We’re not very political and our crowd is across the board.” In fact, Killeen cited New York City vanguards such as Blondie, Television and The Talking Heads among their inspirations. Like varied contemporary bands ranging from Ween to The Chemical Brothers, Skyrocket offers an eclectic, updated-’80s flavor by blending electric guitar with synthesized sounds.
In the true do-it-yourself spirit of the past decade, Skyrocket recently built their own recording studio called Swamp Music Studios on Crosby Street in Lower Manhattan, where they are independently recording their first full length CD. Swamp Music also spawned their new five-song EP featuring standouts like “Cinderella,” “Let’s Go,” and a cover of PIL’s “Rise,” all of which are crowd favorites at their live shows.
“We love to perform and we’re not shy on stage,” said Duffy-Fallon. “I don’t like to see bands who just stand around and don’t interact with each other or the audience. It’s supposed to be fun.”
“Fun and cinematic,” added Killeen.
Despite his tacit (albeit sardonic) off-stage demeanor, Killeen takes on the role of rock star at shows. As the band’s animated front man, he’ll bare his chest, break dance on stage or fling himself into a crowd to get the audience involved. Set against the solid backings of the band, Killeen’s natural stage presence, which manages to be both unfettered and unpretentious, sets Skyrocket’s live shows apart from most others.
“The world needs to know about us,” said Killeen with his signature cheeky humility. “And we’re really coming into our own. Finally.”
Skyrocket will be performing at Maxwell’s (1039 Washington St., Hoboken) on Friday, Feb. 23 at 10:30 p.m. Also performing will be Palomar at 9:30 and The Gossip at 11:30. For more information call 653-1703.