Innate lead music revival this Saturday

It's 10 years since the release of Innate's debut album, Sweet Mess, and this Saturday Frank Byrne (guitar and vocals), Ross Kennedy (drums), Niall Masterson (bass) and Johnny Owens (guitar) will once again perform on stage together, at The Stables.

It's a gig that has been gaining momentum with local music fans for all the right reason, with Triega and Huddle also on the bill.

Having formed in their school days at the CBS, Innate – the melodic progressive rock band, or post space rock outfit – called it a day when the way we listened to music began to change. 

CDs were on the way out, and the growth of YouTube, and easy access streaming on the net was becoming more and more popular.

“We had a good thing going. We had put out our first album, did a couple of tours with The Aftermath, and then in 2009 we decided to take a break. A few of us were doing other things, Johnny went to college,” says frontman Frank Byrne.

“It was only last year that we started talking about coming back together to do something. Last year marked 10 years since the release of Sweet Mess and that kind of spurred us on.

“I suppose with starting up the studio in the Barracks, everything was there – the facilities were there, because back in the day we really didn't have anywhere to rehearse. It was probably some cold shed or something, so yes, having the facilities all there and ready to go really spurred us on a lot to rehearse and get back together,” he explains.

“We decided to do a gig. Triega (Darragh Glennon, Darren McConville and Ricky Byrne) were in the same boat, it was a long time since they had played together. We decided to put it on in The Stables, where we all cut our teeth. We've always had a soft spot for The Stables because it was the centre of everything. Where other venues will only put on cover gigs, The Stables always had that edge.”

Innate are billed for the upcoming Electric Picnic Music and Arts Festival on the MindField stage and following that, plan to work on new material.

“When we formed, it was a progressive time. There was a post grunge scene. It was big in Mullingar at the time and I haven't really seen anything like it since apart from Megacone, who have put their slant on progressive music. It was the end of the ‘90s, early 2000s, and there was the likes of Waiting To Explode, Autofly, Triega, ourselves – we all had similar elements. There was an explosion on the scene, and then, it just sort of disappeared.

“Mullingar lately has had a lack of bands coming through that are creating music, something different to the norm. 

“We started in our mid-20s and now a lot of us are creeping into our 40s. So it's different. It's a labour of love now, it's not really about success any more. We got to a point where it was like – where do go from here? Now, we're doing it simply for the enjoyment of it. Playing together is fun, and if we can inspire another young band to do the same, then great.

“It's been gaining momentum again and there's a little bit of a scene emerging. That's what's great with Music Generation, it's about trying to push the kids into creating songs and performing, to nurture that and give a little bit back. And we're having fun in the process.”

So how do they feel ahead of Saturday? “Everybody's feeling good about it, we're nervous but excited to play.”

• Innate, Triega and Huddle play The Stables this Saturday night August 19. Tickets on the door or eventbrite. Doors 9pm.