John Robb Reveals Early Discovery of Fontaines D.C. and Unreleased Tracks in New Book Excerpt
John Robb, the Manchester‑based journalist, author and frontman of The Membranes, has published an excerpt from his memoir Punk Rock Ruined My Life that details how he first discovered Dublin post‑punk band Fontaines D.C. The excerpt, shared on Louder Than War and in an interview with NME, also mentions two unreleased songs the band recorded in their college days.
Robb’s career has spanned several decades of music journalism and performance. He is best known for being the first person to interview Nirvana, for uncovering The Stone Roses for Sounds, and for early interviews with The Jesus And Mary Chain and Manic Street Preachers. He has written books on Oasis and goth music and runs the online music magazine Louder Than War. His latest book, released in 2026, chronicles his life in the music industry.
According to Robb, the first time he met Fontaines D.C. was while he was conducting one‑to‑one mentoring sessions for students at BIMM Dublin. He recalls the band’s frontman, Grian Chatten, arriving with a demo tape that included a rough version of “Liberty Belle” and an unreleased track called “Rubies.” Robb told NME: “It was a different version of ‘Liberty Belle’, but it was at more at demo stage with a rawer and punkier sound with great vocals which gave it an exciting edge. I loved it then and love it now.” He added that “Rubies” was “thrillingly raw and a punky Ramones rush.”
Robb had planned to release the demo as a single on his own label, Louder Than War, and to support the launch with a gig at Dublin’s Workman’s Club where The Membranes would open. However, when Fontaines D.C. signed to Partisan Records in 2018, Robb decided not to release the tracks. He explained: “No! It wouldn’t be fair, as when they got signed I said I wouldn’t. If they hadn’t got signed it would have been released though!” The band’s signing to Partisan, according to Robb, was sparked by a BBC 6 Music round‑table appearance where Steve Lamacq championed their music.
Fontaines D.C. have continued to build on their early success. Their fourth album, Romance, released in 2024, earned two Grammy nominations and a Mercury Prize nomination, and the lead single “Starburster” charted in the UK. The band recently lost manager and long‑time associate Trevor Dietz. They are scheduled to return to the stage in Spain before a run of festival dates that includes headlining Reading & Leeds in August. Guitarist Carlos O’Connell told NME that the band has been writing new material and that they may play unfinished songs live to test them. He also noted that the visual and production elements of the Romance tour could influence future shows.
Robb’s book Punk Rock Ruined My Life is now available for purchase, and he will be touring the UK and Europe from September to November to discuss the memoir. The tour dates are listed on the Louder Than War website.
In summary, Robb’s recent excerpt offers a rare look at his early involvement with Fontaines D.C., his decision not to release their early demos, and the band’s ongoing trajectory. The memoir’s release and the upcoming tour provide a platform for Robb to share his broader experiences in the music industry, while Fontaines D.C. continue to expand their live presence and develop new material.
