'We are sounding way better' 1990s Laois rockers reunited
The Mere Mortals' Ollie Plunkett on their initial fame and a new creative energy
A nationally renowned Laois band who chose family and sport over fame in the 1990s is now back and sounding better than even with new tracks.
The Mere Mortals from Portlaoise first known as The Drowning Fish, have just released a new single Why Can’t I Believe, launching it to a full house in Kavanagh's Bar Portlaoise last Friday.
The original lineup is intact, with Paul Marron on Main Vocals, Paul Brophy Vocals/ Guitar, Ollie Plunkett Guitar/backing vocals, Des Rigney Bass/ backing vocals, Dick Duff Drums/ backing vocals and Pat Critchley who will join for guest appearances.
Ollie looks back on their unexpected rise to fame in the 1990s, speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
The band played a two month residency in the Baggot Inn as well as doing the festival and club circuit, and reached number 11 in the Irish charts with Travelling On in 1991.
"One day after we played the Baggot Inn, at the time a hugely prestigious venue, we got a call to meet Christy Moore's manager. We thought it was just a prank," he said.
The offer was to go full time in the music business, making albums and touring.
A recent performance at Kavanagh's Bar & Venue, Portlaoise.
In fairness they had plenty of good reason to choose life outside the band. Des Rigney played rugby for Laois and hurling for Portlaoise, and Pat Critchley played hurling for Portlaoise and Laois as well as basketball.
"Another time we got a casting call and were asked to audition for The Commitments. I had no idea who Alan Parker was. I remember there was a big queue but were were told to bypass it. They gave us scripts, but we had done no preparation. The Stunning were brought in at the same time. The Frames were coming up and Glen Hansard got the part," he said.
There were lots of "pinch me" moments.
"I always remember back stage at Féile we were waiting in a tent with Crowded House. It was the first gig in their first world tour. They played the whole set to us in the tent. It was unbelieveable. You'd be pinching yourself," Ollie recalls.
"We never broke up, we took a break. We all did different things. I formed The Lost Messiahs and we released three albums, with two more ready to release," he said.
The band reunited following their appearance on TV programme Laochra Gael to celebrate the sporting achievements of member Pat Critchley.
"We had no intention of getting back together, but after playing together, we went into Peigs and chatted and agreed it would be good fun," he said.
It will not be a rehash of old hits either.
"I like writing songs, I didn't want this to be karaoke, so I have eight brand new songs written. We will play them along with the best of what we produced before, and fresh covers," Ollie said.
"We are sounding way better than we were. We have developed our skills and are bringing all that to it. The gigs we've done so far have been brilliant," he said.
It is handy that he owns his own recording studio, Golden Egg Studios.
"I can spend a lot of time in there experimenting. It's good to see emerging new talent too. Artists come to us from Laois and outside Laois. they are very confident and competant. I encourage them to record original music. If you do get success, you'll make money out of it. You could be lucky and get a song that connects with people. Take Hozier, he was playing pubs in Bray and a year later playing worldwide. If you own your own material, it's brilliant," he said.
Their first release is called Why Can't I Believe, with a video featuring a computerised dancing robot. Produced by Ollie, it was engineered by Owen Geaney at Golden Egg Studios . The video was edited by Avalanche Multi-Media Studios.
"It's a reflection on what's going on in the world. The whole promise of AI. We have our doubts about the future," he said.
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