The Saw Doctors feel at home in Cape Cod

Ireland’s The Saw Doctors are back in America for another summer tour that will stop in Hyannis tonight for a sold out show at their home away from home, the Cape Cod Melody Tent.

Led by guitarists/vocalists Davey Carton and Leo Moran, the band has been going strong for over 20 years and will release their first new studio album in four years later this fall. The new release comes at time when the band has experienced a re-birth of sorts on the home front while continually growing a rabid fanbase here in the States. We caught up with Moran earlier this week to discuss the band’s legacy, new material and their love for Massachusetts.

Boston Music Spotlight (BMS): Over 20 years together and still going strong. What’s been the key to the longevity of the Saw Doctors?

Leo Moran (LM): Simple songs, a sense of enjoyment, good organization, pride in the presentation, good food, good drink and an appetite for further adventures.

BMS: In the past couple of years, you’ve experienced a re-birth of sorts at home in Ireland after the appearance on Podge and Rodge which sparked “About You Now” to hit #1 and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Meteor Music Awards. What’s it been like to have the spotlight back on the band?

LM: Re-gaining the spotlight is very healthy as regards making new friends and bolstering up the numbers at the gigs, but it’s just a bit of luck that has happened us every now and again while we’ve just been doing what we’ve been doing, more or less, the whole time.

BMS: The Saw Doctors – in my opinion – are just one of those bands you need to see live to truly appreciate. How does the band look to to touring and performing live? It really seems that you thrive on stage.

LM: It’s a happy coincidence, and not a designed thing, that we’re comfortable onstage so we do love the shows and are always open each night to whatever might make this particular gig distinctive. We constantly work hard at adjusting and improving the details of the arrangements, smaller stuff that most people wouldn’t notice but it all counts.

BMS: After four years since your last studio album, you’ll be releasing The Further Adventures of The Saw Doctors next month. What can you tell us about the new album?

LM: We recorded it in two wonderful studios – Rockfield in Wales and Grouse Lodge in Westmeath, we’ve got Phil Tennant back producing and it was engineered by Adam Whitaker. We’ve worked hard at polishing the songs and they’re all presented now to our satisfaction so hopefully it’ll work for the listeners.

BMS: How did the recording process go this time around? Was anything different this time around?

LM: Having Phil back was great fun, we’ve spent a lot of time together and laughed lots over the years; strangely, each time we were going for the week’s recording we invariably only had a song or two to be starting with, something I wouldn’t recommend to anyone, but it’s worked out brilliantly.

BMS: Are there any tracks you are particularly proud of?

LM: I can honestly say I like them all, but if I had to pick two favourites today I’ll say “Friday Town” and “As The Light Fades”.

BMS: Are you working any of the new songs into your setlists on this tour and if so, how are they working in the live setting?

LM: We’ve done six small shows in Galway, playing the album from start to finish so their teeth are well cut now and we’ve had them all in the gigs we’ve been doing over the past few months in Australia, Britain and the States and we’re getting compliments and no complaints so we’re hoping the album will be received well.

BMS: No matter how brief or long your summer stateside tour is, you’ve always stopped at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. What makes this venue so special for the band?

LM: It’s a very special venue with the stage down the bottom, the revolving around and the heat and energy that builds up in there on a hot August evening; there aren’t many places like it anywhere. Then there’s the mix of the loyal American fans and the mad energy of the J1ers.

BMS: You recorded your second live DVD there a few summers ago. What was the reaction back home to the film and your fans in Massachusetts?

LM: The DVD was well received, it was nice to be able to show the people at home what a special event the Melody Tent is. I think they liked it!

BMS: What can fans expect from the show on Friday?

LM: We always get up there and thump it out as energetically as possible and whatever happens after that, something to make that particular night special, is what we’ll be watching out for.