History, politics, punk and finding friends with whom to ‘drink pints and play instruments’, Manchester-based four-piece GETNER’s reputation has long since taken to the road prior to the release of their debut single, Motorman. Addressing a lost British squaddie on the streets of Derry, Strabane, Omagh or Belfast during an intense period of The Troubles, the track is the first recorded work from the determinedly non-English band made up of a punchline-baiting line-up of two charming Derry hoodlums, a Lancashireman and a Yorkshire émigré.
 
“Our songs are steeped in the history of Ireland, in particularly volatile times, that we heard stories, read about, seen the aftermath and passed down trauma surrounding it as we grew up,” says Derry-raised singer and songwriter, Quentin Wylie. “We hope that the songs help shed some light on events and experiences that, for the most part, people don’t know about.”
 
Operation Motorman took place on Mon 31 July 1972 as 22,000 British troops were engaged in reclaiming ‘no go’ areas in Northern Ireland’s cities and large towns. Their deployment included the neighbourhoods of Derry, Wylie and drummer/vocalist, Ruairi Coyle’s home city. It’s a place they recognise as being of “family but division, close-knit community but small-town mentality and a strong sense of cultural identity that’s plagued by its own history,” but also “the land of saints, scholars and the fucking Undertones.”
 
Choosing Manchester as a new home, a city they recognise not only for its deep historic links to Ireland, but also noting it’s insatiable race to open as many Irish bars as possible in the present day, GETNER was completed by Charles Barber (guitar) and Will Milton (bass) through the combined circumstances of exchanging style notes on Instagram and hanging out in “Ruairi’s grotty flat”.

Lyrically of Grian Chatten, Alex Turner and Bob Dylan and musically of IDLES, Gurriers or Viagra Boys, the overflowing plate completed by a serving of MF Doom, Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, the band’s documentarian intellect (Quentin being a former student of Irish History) is poured over an on-stage devotion for “the love of a groove” and high energy performance. As Ruairi turns to provide vocals while punishing his kit, Quentin enters the crowd and Charles and Will’s voices join the mix intermittently, strange comparisons to Beastie Boys haven’t been taken as fanciful or as complete madness.
 
All upcoming GETNER live dates are as follows:

• Fri 5 June – Manchester, Yes Basement 
• Sat 13 June – Manchester, Old Abbey Taphouse
• Fri 19 June – London, The Elephants Head
• Sat 20 June – Oxford, The Library
• Fri 24 July – Sowerby Bridge, Puzzle Hall Inn
• Wed 7 October – Salford, Beyond The Music Festival

Motorman’s video is upfront in its references, made by friend of the band, Harry Proctor. A jumble footage of bombings, funerals, marches and military presence depicts the chaos on the streets at a time of overbearing tension.
 
“If we were from Senegal or Vietnam, it might just be very similar scenes as you’re seeing here, but probably with better weather,” adds Quentin. While Ruairi says: “Irish History is something we are all still learning about. It reflects in all of our songs as we delve into it. Each one includes a snippet of Ireland’s history, past to recent.”
 
GETNER can be found online at:
 
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