Undertones guitarist DAMIAN O'NEILL has a new solo video out which he's premiering exclusively with Vive Le Rock!
The atmospheric, cinematic 'Más O Menos' is a remixed version of the track from Damian's largely instrumental third solo album An Crann (The Tree) which earned a 9/10 review from Vive Le Rock! on its release last November.
Remixed by Lionel Limiñana of French band The Limiñanas, the track features on a new EP, alongside the album version of the track and another remix by Irish musician Kevin Sharkey.
"There's definitely a French connection to 'Más O Menos' (even though the title's in Spanish!)" says Damian. "I came up with the opening bass riff after seeing The Limiñanas play an amazing show at the Garage in London. They're obviously influenced by Serge Gainsbourg and I wanted to replicate a bass part that could've come from Serge's Histoire de Melody Nelson album from 1971. Once I had the riff, the rest of the track was easy to write with the help of added tremelo guitar and organ. I guess things went full circle after I got in touch with Lionel Limiñana (through a mutual friend of ours) and sent him the track to remix. He looped the bass riff and added a French narrative about a mysterious woman searching for Andy Weatherall's grave in a cemetery at midnight. It's exactly how I hoped it would be - hypnotic and very atmospheric!
"Kevin's one of my best friends and we've known each other now for nearly 30 years," he says of the Sharkey remix. "He's an incredibly versatile drummer, we've collaborated on different musical projects in the past and has been making a name for himself lately with his remixes (he did a great one of Cathal Coughlan's 'Crow Mother') as well as working on his own music. He recently also signed a deal with DSPPR (Disappear) Records. Kevin's remix of 'Más O Menos' takes the listener on a different journey - there's a Spaghetti Western theme going on with plenty of added percussion. Every time I hear it, I discover something new...and I'm delighted”.
The atmospheric video was shot in Nunhead Cemetery, one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' Victorian cemeteries.
Released this Friday 24 March through Dimple Discs, the Más O Menos EP is available to buy here.