Straight out of Dublin comes a rock band with pop sensibilities.
Danny O'Donoghue, Mark Sheeran and Glen Power formed The Script and were eventually signed to a major label. In Los Angeles, they worked as producers, writing songs for Britney Spears, TLC and Boys II Men. Over the years, the band has released several albums, including their fifth and most recent, Freedom Child.
Hit radio song "Rain" led the band back to Chicago and drummer Glen Power sat down backstage to talk about the magic behind the music.
Windy City Times: First off, you have the best name ever!
Glen Power: Thank you. In America, people are very impressed with my name. It's real.
WCT: Where are you from originally?
GP: I am from Dublin, actually not too far from where Danny grew up. The thing is we didn't meet until I went to Los Angeles. When we got to talking we realized we were both from Ballinteer When I visited his dad one time, it turned out his dad had played music with my dad! They had played at events together and knew each other really well.
WCT: How long has The Script been together?
GP: Ten years in 2018. In truth it is ten years since the first album, but we were together longer than that.
WCT: I saw you perform here back in 2012. So does the band stay on the tour bus while on tour?
GP: Yes, but we stay in hotels on our days off.
WCT: Some stars, such as Lady Gaga, fly in for their concerts.
GP: We are not the Gagas. We are on the bus. We call it "The Pirate Ship!"
WCT: Do you like the touring part?
GP: I like meeting fans after the shows. That is what it's all about, the connection. The traveling is a lot. We didn't even know that it was our upcoming anniversary. That is how busy we are.
When we go onstage, it is the best thing ever. That negates all of the traveling and tiredness. It does something to your body and soul that makes you want to keep doing it.
WCT: Like a drug?
GP: In a way, but a good one. It makes you feel good, plus you are making other people feel good. It is not about me. I am just a part of it. If you forget about yourself and think about them, then you have a great time.
WCT: Where is the name "The Script" from?
GP: We started the band in LA. When we would call each other, we would say, "What's going on? What's the script?" So we just decided to name the band that.
WCT: Were you a fan of U2's drummer?
GP: I got to speak to Larry Mullen Jr. in the past. Adam Clayton is a friend of mine and I was having problems with my shoulder two years ago. Adam gave me Larry's number to talk about it. He invited me to his house in France to have a doctor look at it. I couldn't because I was on tour!
I remember seeing the video for "Where the Streets Have No Name" with them playing on a rooftop in LA and I wanted to do that.
WCT: Was the goal with Freedom Child to be more commercial?
GP: It was either sink-or-swim time on the charts. A band needs to evolve so we just took a step that way. The song "Rain" has drums, bass guitar, keys and vocals. We are still the same band, but a bit more geared to what is happening on the charts. It is the first song we had that people dance to. Before our songs were a bit more introspective. Now we see people bobbing their heads to the song.
WCT: Is "Divided States of America" about politics?
GP: It is more about allowing people to have an opinion and not argue about it. When we were in the studio we couldn't help but be influenced by the news. There was so much uproar over the election. We are massive fans of America. After the election everyone was fighting in the country that we love so much. It is more of an observation of Irish people looking in.
It less political and more about unity. The lyrics say, "If we don't all stand together we will fall."
WCT: What is the stance of The Script on gay rights?
GP: My opinion is that love is love—end of story. People should have the right as a human being to choose what they wear, who they love, where they live, what they eat, and what their dreams are. No human being has the right to tell another human being that they can't do that.
Love is action. That is what love is.
Marriage should be an open thing to everyone and it will happen. It is just when, not if, because the right thing will happen. It is just time for everyone to accept it. Ireland is a small country. If we can do it then the rest of world can too, mate!
We were just in Australia. I couldn't believe Sydney was still debating it. [Editor's note: Australia has recently approved same-sex marriage.] We were quite shocked when we were there that this was still going on.
Love is such a precious thing and so hard to find in this world. It makes everything better. Happiness is not happiness unless it is shared. If you can love someone, and really love them, what is wrong with that?
See TheScriptMusic.com .
