Take five… with The Violet Breaks drummer Jonny Byrne
Favourite book?
I’m reading Shogun by James Clavell at the moment and it’s been a very good read, hard to believe it’s based on a true story, but I can’t just yet say that it’s my favourite. I think Dubliners by James Joyce would probably be my number one. I remember the first time I read it, it was for a school assignment, but I’ve always enjoyed going back to it. I find that the collection of short stories reminds me of songs on an album, where you have your favourite ones, but over time you start to gravitate towards others in a way, which is what I love about it.
The Violet Breaks
Favourite song?
It’s so hard to pick just one, so take it with a pinch of salt, but I suppose Mr Brightside by The Killers would have to be up there. It’s such a catchy song that has an amazing feel to it, it has that infectious chorus that just never disappoints, and it’s on an amazing album to boot. I still remember the first time I heard it and I feel it typifies the indie rock boom of the 2000s, which I was fully immersed in, and still am.
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Favourite film?
Another very tough decision, but I’m going to go with Terminator 2: Judgement Day. It still stands up as a great movie to this day, in my opinion. It’s just top quality action from start to finish. I also really enjoy Quentin Tarantino’s films and The Godfather Part 1 would have to be an honourable mention.
Marlon Brando as Don Corleone in The Godfather. Photo: Silver Screen Collection
Favourite place?
Anywhere warmer than Ireland is usually my first answer! I love the Greek islands though, so that’s where I’d be going on holiday, Crete or Corfu maybe. My favourite city is Berlin, however. The beer is great, the people are cool, the music scene is unreal and I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Favourite meal?
Definitely a beef burrito, with tortilla chips and guacamole on the side. I absolutely love Mexican food. My personal preference would be a place called Acapulco in Dublin, but Boojum is a solid choice too. Home cooked coddle is also a huge comfort food for me as an Irishman, so I could never turn down a bowl of the stuff during the colder months.
The Violet Breaks have just finished making the artwork for an upcoming project which will be coming out soon. The band is very ‘hands on’ and do everything themselves, from photos to videos and even making the graphics. Jonny says it was a lot of fun on the day — there was a makeshift setup in a kitchen and they had a fish tank involved in the process along with a bit of imagination. “It might sound bizarre, I know, but the final product turned out to have some pretty stunning visuals. We are delighted with how it turned out and we hope everyone else enjoys it too.”