CRISPR Kid

CRISPR Kid are a four-piece guitar band from Dublin.

The band’s story began in 2019, when home-recordists Pauric Sweeney (vocals) and Stephen Browne (bass) spent much of the year writing songs with Dublin producer Phil Dobie. That summer they brought brilliant Brazilian drummer Romulo Passos into the fold, and in December 2019 they released their debut EP, Fresno Rescue Mission. A run of blistering shows followed in January 2020, including The Sound House, Whelan’s “Ones To Watch” series and a headline night at Lost Lane.

The mercurial Gary Mackey joined on lead guitar in August 2020, completing the line-up. That November, the band began recording what was planned as their second EP at Darklands Studios, under the guidance of engineering ace Daniel Doherty. As lockdown dragged on, a creative purple patch set in, and the project grew into a full-length album, Down with the Kid, completed in September 2021 and introduced by the indie-thumper “Blitzkrieg.”

It’s no accident that the band’s name nods to CRISPR, the controversial gene-editing technology. In the same spirit, CRISPR Kid chose to “democratise” their own genes, or rather their mixes, by releasing the recorded stems of their songs for free on the day of each release, inviting up-and-coming producers and engineers to create their own versions.

Released in 2022, Down With the Kid is CRISPR Kid's latest album, and the single The Influential followed in 2023. On Eirewave you'll hear their song Blitzkrieg.