747's - Take Off
It’s quite ironic that a band named the 747’s would be dragged off an airplane, arrested and interrogated in Italy under terrorist suspicions. But how else is a busker supposed to cart around his petrol-powered generator than in his hand luggage? Oisin (pronounced Asheen) lead singer from worldly band the 747’s can’t really explain the incident without seeming a little like a dunce. In any case it wasn’t their fault if two security checks let them through and on the plane in the first place!
I say the band’s worldly not because they play “world” music in any sort of description, but rather that it seems you couldn’t get four people from further places in the world if you tried. Oisen on guitar and lead vocals hails from Ireland, Ned on bass and vocals is English, while Massimo on the drums is Italian and Freddie on lead guitar is German. You would expect that there would be a backpackers story in there somewhere explaining their meeting or a delayed international flight where they bonded with guitars at an airport lounge but the truth is always far simpler. The common link with these four is busking. The story goes that Oisin and Ned met up from busking on opposite sides of the street in England, then in their busking journeys through Europe picked up Massimo in Italy and Freedie in Germany. They then continued busking the globe as the group before relocating to Liverpool in England. “It’s a great city.” Comments Oisin. “Philosopher, Carl Jung, writes about the real creative energy in that city. Electromagnetic, geographic or something. The Beatles, Zootons, The Coral, Echo and the Bunnyman are all from there. It’s a beautiful city.”
Busking it seems not only seen them travel Europe and given them the live training ground needed for touring bands these days but become one with the audiences they play to. Oesin says that busking, “…helps you learn to respect the audience.” And he would know how important that is. Starting a musical career at an early age of 11 he is no stranger to an expecting audience. “I used to sing at school Christmas parties in front of 800 people cause I was the only one that could sing high and stay there… So my headmaster made me do it.” Talk about pressure!
Though pressures to perform at a young age is scary it must’ve been nothing in comparison to some of the surreal audiences they have played to while busking.
Oisen recalls, “We were busking in southern Italy and this police man came up and said, “You’re not aloud to busk here.” and Kirstie Alley was in the audience. She came up in big sunglasses and said, “Well if the police don’t want you to play, you can play in my house.” So she took us back to her mansion and we played.” The name dropping doesn’t end there. Guess who just happened to be at Kirstie Alley’s house that day? “Miles Davis’ fashion designer was there, and Prince's bass player! She was really nice to us and put us up in her house.”
Touring the world busking and now supporting their debut album release Zampanó, the first signing to the new indie label ARK recordings, they have many tips on surviving on the road and keeping healthy. “Good music is important. Surfing is important. Olive oil is bloody great. Lots of whisky. Lots of smoking of joints. Don’t take life too seriously and be nice to your roadies and drivers.”
