Fontaines D.C. Guitar Sounds Influenced by Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner

Carlos O’Connell, guitarist of the acclaimed Irish rock band Fontaines D.C., has disclosed the influential role that Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner played in the creation of their latest album, “Romance.” O’Connell revealed that Turner’s guitar was instrumental in crafting the heavier sounds featured on the album. This information was shared during a recent feature with Guitarist magazine, where O’Connell had the opportunity to play some historic guitars, including a 1963 custom-colored Epiphone Coronet.

“He had one of these, probably [from] a similar year,” O’Connell explained, referencing Turner’s guitar. “He gave us a loan of it, of his, for the last album.” The guitarist noted that he and fellow band member Conor Curley utilized this particular instrument for its robust, “chuggy” sound during the recording process. This collaboration was acknowledged in the liner notes of the album, as reported by NME.

Explaining the switch from their traditional Fender guitars, O’Connell stated, “I fell in love with it because, when we wrote the songs, we didn’t have a guitar like that.” He further praised the guitar’s sound, likening it to “real punk rock, you know, proper like Stooges. I love it, I wish I had one of these.” The Irish rocker’s interaction with the iconic Arctic Monkeys and their producer James Ford brought a new dimension to their sound.

The collaboration resulted in an album described by NME as the band’s “most considered and intricately crafted release yet,” despite debuting at number two on the UK album charts. The band faced significant competition from pop artist Sabrina Carpenter‘s “Short n’ Sweet.”

As Fontaines D.C. continues their North American tour, they are scheduled to perform extensively until October, concluding in Philadelphia. Following this, the band will embark on a U.K. tour, with shows planned in key locations such as London‘s Alexandra Palace.

The influence of prominent artists such as Alex Turner and the positive critical reception highlight the evolving sound and growing reputation of Fontaines D.C. in the music industry. Observing the interactions between these bands, O’Connell expressed admiration for Turner, noting how surreal it felt to engage with musicians who were significant during his formative years.