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When Bleech 9:3 songwriters/guitarists Barry Quinlan and Sam Duffy met in their early twenties, it felt uncanny: two Dublin musicians who had lived near-parallel lives, both shaped by addiction. They were introduced during a 12-step recovery programme, where Barry became Sam’s sponsor. Bonded by shared experiences and ambitions, they began writing together in secret sessions, laying the foundations of the band.
Three years on, completed by James Quinlan (bass) and Luke O’Neill (drums), Bleech 9:3 have quickly become one of the most talked-about new live acts. After a breakout 2025 — supporting acts like Keo and Shame, playing sold-out headline shows, and a three-night residency at London’s Blue Basement — the band built a strong word-of-mouth reputation across the UK scene.
With only a handful of singles, they’ve crafted a sound that shifts between sharp, melodic hooks and bursts of distortion, drawing from Radiohead, Deftones, Nirvana, and Fontaines D.C. Breakthrough track ‘Jacky’ confronts addiction head-on, while earlier single ‘Ceiling’ marked a turning point in both their songwriting and personal journeys.
Now based in London after relocating from Dublin, the band developed their project in Brixton’s DIY circuit, playing relentlessly before gaining industry attention. With new music like ‘Cannonball’ and over 150 live dates ahead, Bleech 9:3 are building something intense, driven, and deeply rooted in lived experience.