Sean Griffin Gets Weird, Loud, and Self-Aware on “Space Girls”

Sean Griffin is not easing into his solo era. He’s coming in swinging, a little unhinged, and fully aware of it.

“Space Girls” feels like a left turn in the best way. Built on a gritty, barnburning foundation, the track leans into absurdity without losing control. Alien abduction as a concept could easily fall flat, but Griffin plays it with just enough humor and edge to make it land. It’s tongue-in-cheek, but it’s not a joke. There’s still real songwriting underneath the chaos.

Coming off the legacy of The Ruffians, this release makes one thing clear. Griffin is not trying to recreate anything. He’s expanding. People Are Mad already sounds like a project that’s pulling from different timelines of his life, and “Space Girls” sets the tone as something unpredictable, a little reckless, and fully intentional.

“Space Girls” is chaotic on the surface, but it still feels controlled. Where do you draw the line between being ridiculous and actually saying something real? 

With “Space Girls,” I leaned into the insanity and chaos, and relied on the structure and form of the arrangement and rhythm section to still give it a skeleton. In all seriousness, what could be more real than getting abducted by amorous space women? I think we captured the experience in a very vivid and authentic way, and I will not be surprised if it starts a new category of song. I hope my example will empower other people to open up about their experiences with space girls. 

You built a strong identity with The Ruffians. What did you feel like you couldn’t say or explore there that pushed you into a solo project? 

The Ruffians are still around; it was a matter of scheduling and realizing my vision for the songs.  It felt freeing to be able to open up my songbook and not have to imagine how to fit it into a certain lens of Irish punk. I am very happy with what we accomplished and think it should be in everyone’s collection. 

The concept of alien abduction is funny, but it also plays with control and power dynamics. Was that intentional, or did that meaning reveal itself after the fact?

The concept of Alien abduction, or creating an intergalactic “love” fantasy, was  NOT the initial intent. I wasn’t expecting a Fifty Shades of Grey but in silver jumpsuits. It started out with a fun riff on my guitar, and loving bands like The Cramps and the B-52’s, and just having fun with it.  It is all in good fun. 

People Are Mad is a loaded title. Who exactly is mad, and do you see yourself as part of that? 

Yes, People Are Mad as a title does have multiple ways to interpret; however, I grew up near Danbury, CT, which is known as “Hat City.” Back in the day, mercury vapors were released during the hat-shaping process, and they had poorly ventilated factories, leading to mercury poisoning in the workers, which made the workers seem crazy, hence the phrase “Mad Hatter.”  I was going for more of that angle on it.  So yes, “people are mad, people are crazy from the moment you’re born till you’re pushing up daisies.” We all have a bit of silliness, craziness, and madness in all of us, certainly myself included.  You have to just laugh, or you’ll cry. 

There’s a sense that you’re not trying to be “liked” with this release. Do you think artists hold themselves back by trying to be too digestible? What are you saying exactly? 

Haha. You are right, I don’t want people to like the songs or the record, I want them to absolutely love it! I look at each song as its own little world, or environment, and try to give it space for the characters or the listener to exist in that space. I hope that people can identify with the song on a level that means something to them, or that they can at least enjoy.  I think there is a bit of something for everyone with this collection of tunes. As far as what other artists do, I can’t speculate, but I hope they enjoy what they are doing as much as I did making this album.  I really feel we made an absolute classic with this album.