Danny O'Donoghue.net: The Script brings its hits to Hard Rock

Hard Rock Live, 6060 Universal Blvd., Orlando

Thursday, Nov. 1 8 P.M

Tickets $31 to $51

INFO: Call 407-351-LIVE or visit www.thescriptmusic.com.

THE STORY: Dublin Ireland’s chart-topping trio The Script will perform next week at the Hard Rock Live in support of their recently released third CD, aptly named “#3.” The CD, which features the chart-topping single “Hall of Fame,” featuring will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, is the followup to the critically acclaimed “Science & Faith” CD, which debuted in 2010, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard music charts and featured the hit singles “For the First Time” and “Nothing.”

The trio broke on to the music scene with their enormously successful self-titled CD release in 2008 that featured the chart-topping “Breakeven” and “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” among others. The Script features the crystal clear vocals of Dublin-born lead singer and keyboardist Danny O’Donoghue, his longtime friend (and former Mytown band mate) Mark Sheehan on guitars, and Glenn Power on drums.

I spoke with Glen Power about their new CD, their sound and how life has changed while their success grows. Let’s Shake, Rattle & Know: The Script

Question: It seems like your second album had wrapped before your first album really caught on here in the States. Why do you think it took so long for the band to catch on here?

Glen: I think it just comes down to your country is just so big. I call it Planet America. There is so much to cover, whereas in the U.K. we can get around a lot quicker and get embedded there. I think a big part of the magic is seeing us live and that helps to build a fan base, so we had to get around and do some tours here while still keeping it going overseas as well. I think our first album got some people interested and they wanted to see us, and once they came to a show and saw us they were fans. It just takes longer as big as the U.S. is.

Q: As an artist, which do you enjoy more, the recording process or playing live?

Glen: Live. I enjoy real people. There are always those moments in the studio where you feel like you have done something special, but it’s not the same as playing live and the psychological preparation to go play live. The feedback is instant. In the studio it is just you, the band and some engineers and it’s just the same feeling. I enjoy the creative side of things, but playing live is more enjoyable for me.

Q: You have a unique sound but, for comparison sake, people will always try and compare you to some other band. What comparisons have you heard?

Glen: Sure, we all get comparisons. The band has been fortunate with being compared to bands like U2 and Coldplay and some really great bands. For us, I am sure they choose U2 because we are both Irish, but we don’t have the same sound. We try and stay as original as we can be, but some of the people they have compared us to is such a huge honor and we are so appreciative to even be mentioned with those groups.

Q: How does the new album (“#3”) differ from your previous records?

Glen: It is just us moving forward and doing what is current. I think it’s more Top 40. We never really used trigger samples like we did on this record and the album shows us pressing forward and not as acoustic-based as our other records. Despite the progress, we still stayed very true to who we are.

Q: Has becoming so recognizable as a band made everyday life a little more challenging?

Glen A little bit. It really just takes a while to get used to. When you see someone looking at you, you first think, “Oh, do I have something on my face?” and then you remember, “Oh yeah, I’m in a band they know.” It isn’t a hassle though and hasn’t been too crazy. Maybe it will get a little bit more so now that we have our third album out. Back home, people know me and pretty much leave me alone. But when people want a picture with you or an autograph, I am honored and respectful. I mean, as kids, isn’t that what we all dreamt of; that people would want their picture with you and your autograph?

Q: If you hadn’t made it in music, what do you think you would be doing today?

Glen: I would still be trying to make it in music. I have never even thought of anything else.

Q: Getting signed to a major record label is harder now than ever before. How did The Script get their first big break?

Glen: It all comes down to the music. Mark’s contacts and street sense make the difference. I think we were attractive to a label because we had Mark and Danny and, with their experience and contacts, we were ready to go. We could produce ourselves and keep costs low, and I think that was a big factor. It is tough now, because there is so much illegal downloading and the economy being so bad, labels often struggle to make it. In the end, it all comes down to music, though. If you are making great music, people will find you and you will want to be heard.

Q: What is probably the biggest misconception people have about you as a musician?

Glen: That’s a tough one. No one has ever really said anything to me that seemed way off-base. I think one misconception people have is that we don’t get nervous anymore. We are still human and, of course, we still get nervous. I think if you really care about what you are doing, you will get nervous. If there comes a time you don’t care anymore and that’s why you aren’t nervous, then maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what you are doing.