Seán Griffin’s “People Are Mad” Turns Social Chaos Into Celtic Rock Gold

Seán Griffin kicks off his debut solo project with "People Are Mad," a hilariously honest and oddly comforting Celtic rock anthem for anyone trying to survive today's collective chaos. Known for fronting Irish punk staples The Ruffians, Griffin brings years of grit, soul, and stagecraft into a solo track that is just as wise as it is weird .

Built around a shuffling rhythm and a bouncing banjo melody, "People Are Mad" is immediately infectious. The lyrics lean into absurdity with sharp wit, turning a phrase we've all mumbled into a kind of rallying cry. From birth to grave, Griffin suggests, people have always been a bit off, and there's something liberating in that idea.

Griffin's voice is warm and familiar, grounded in storytelling tradition but laced with punk edge. The song doesn't try to save the world. Instead, it gives listeners a moment to laugh at it. And that might be even better. The production, shaped by Grammy winner Kenny Siegel and mixed by Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, Pixies), brings a polished yet playful energy to the track, while mastering from Greg Calbi ensures every detail lands just right.

The accompanying music video effectively conveys the message. It's whimsical, weird, and delightfully self-aware. Filmed in Griffin's hometown of Kingston, New York, the video features him wandering through a Victorian cemetery, dancing during protests, and navigating the chaos on a shopping cart. His daughter's final gesture, offering daisies to the audience, feels like a wink to the inevitable: we're all pushing up daisies eventually, so why not enjoy the ride?

"People Are Mad" proves that Griffin still has plenty to say, and he's saying it in a way only he can. The song is clever, catchy, and just irreverent enough to stick. It's not just a standout opener, it's an anthem for our wonderfully unhinged times.