The Plea

The Plea

The Plea are an alternative rock group from Ireland, formed by brothers Denny and Dermot Doherty in Ballyliffin, County Donegal. They start out playing together in their teens and later live ten miles apart in the same small town, before moving through a series of periods in London, Boston and Minnesota as they pursue a recording career.

Formation and line-up

The band begin as a quartet built around the Doherty brothers, with Denny on vocals and Dermot on lead guitar. Denny sings in a style compared with a young Bono and Richard Ashcroft, while Dermot is described as a guitarist suited to large stages. The brothers later bring in drummer Gerry Strawbridge and bassist Paul Toland when they return to Ballyliffin and write a new set of songs.

Early years and recordings

Before forming The Plea, the Dohertys work as an acoustic duo in London, performing covers of T. Rex and The Doors. They then move to Boston, where they work as labourers by day and play in Irish pubs at night with an American backing band provided by a benefactor. After that they spend a year in Minnesota, where a label scout discovers them at London’s Barfly and takes them to the United States to record an album that is never released.

Modern Chaos and Apollo Records

Back in Ballyliffin, the brothers write new material and post it online, attracting immediate label interest. They sign with R&S Records, which launches the Apollo Records imprint in order to release The Plea’s debut album, Modern Chaos. The label works with producer and engineer Cenzo Townsend, who has credits with U2, Blur, New Order and Snow Patrol, to mix and master songs including “Nothin’ But Trouble” and “Windchime.”

Style and influences

The Plea’s music is described as anthemic alternative rock with clear links to classic rock and British guitar bands. Their influences include the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Oasis, Jimmy Page, Jerry Lee Lewis, T. Rex and The Doors, while individual songs are said to echo the Stones, Kasabian and the Doors. The band states that it aims to write strong, uplifting songs that reflect the music that inspires it.

Promotion and photography

Before the release campaign for Modern Chaos, The Plea issue singles first, beginning with “Nothin’ But Trouble.” Their first photo shoot is done in Ballyliffin by rock photographer Jill Furmanovsky, known for images of artists including The Clash, The Stones, The Sex Pistols, James Brown and Oasis.