Band to watch: The Flaws

The Flaws couldn't have picked a more inaccurate name for themselves if they tried.

This quartet hailing from Co Monaghan, Ireland is anything but flawed. Nominated for an Irish Choice Music Prize and a Meteor Award for their debut album "Achieving Vagueness," Paul Finn (vocals), Dane McMahon (bass/backing vocals), Shane Malone (lead guitar), and Colin Berrill (drummer) are poised to become one of the biggest acts to come out of Ireland this millennium.

When the first album was released, it generated a lot of industry buzz, which essentially can be a double-edged sword.

"It was a huge sense of achievement, not only for us, but for our parents as well. At first we didn't feel the pressure, we were just so proud of what we had accomplished, but now there's this sort of pressure that you know you'll never be able to write that good again," said Finn.

The boys are hard at working writing for their next full-length album release which should be recorded this summer. However, Finn says they are going to take their time to write so they're all happy with the final product.

As relaxed a system as that sounds from a band which has achieved so much in such a small amount of time, members of The Flaws work as a democracy, not a dictatorship. The guys have been friends since their days at university, but none of them were too inclined to start throwing around the idea of starting a band.

"You can live with someone and never truly know them, so there was always music around but the idea to be in a band didn't come until later. Most of us have known each other a long time and we sort of formed the band over just a conversation," said Finn.

Luckily for fans that conversation happened. The Flaws have a growing fan base which shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. They've played gigs at Glastonbury, Indie-pendence and Castlepalooza. And though touring can take a toll on band members, Finn says all the guys thoroughly enjoy getting out there and playing new music for the fans.

"Glastonbury was one of the most memorable moments in the past two years for sure, but also playing outside of Ireland, you know, going to Germany and other places has been great. When you play in other countries and get out of Ireland, it's more fun because people don't know you yet. They don't know the music, and they haven't judged you. You want people to hear what you can do."

The Flaws draw many comparisons with Snow Patrol, Interpol and The Killers, and though it's flattering to be compared with successful names in the music industry, The Flaws want to carve out their own niche.

While Finn acknowledges that the idea of originality is hard to come by in an industry that's seen it all, they band is certainly not afraid to push their own ideas forward. Their laid back attitudes and sweet melodies will propel them into future successes. The Flaws are definitely a band to look out for in 2009.

For more information check out their webpage at www.theflaws.com or their myspace page at www.myspace.com/theflawsmusic