Danny O'Donoghue says he feels the weight of carrying The Script forward following the death of bandmate Mark Sheehan, admitting he does not want to "mess this up". The 45-year-old frontman believes it is his responsibility to honour his late friend by ensuring the band's success continues, noting that Mark's loved ones remain closely connected with the group.
Guitarist Mark died aged 46 in April 2023 after a brief illness, leaving behind his wife, Rina, and their three children. Speaking ahead of the release of The Script's eighth album, The User's Guide to Being Human, Danny said: "The expectation that is on me to carry Mark's memory, to carry the band, also his family, my family... you're trying to do right by people at all points and a lot of that can feel like a lot of pressure on you."
Pressure in a social media age
"Because again, I am not just doing this for me. I am doing this on behalf of everybody else because all the family still benefit from what we do. So at any stage I don't want to mess this up," he added.
The pressure can feel even greater in an era where every move is scrutinised online. "It feels like I am trying my best in a world where social media feels like a bloodsport," he said. "You put your neck out there, you try and do your best and throw out music and be kind and be nice, but it's just met with somebody having a bad day, somebody having a bit of a car crash or the bots. It's very difficult regardless if you're someone my age or someone new in the industry."
Unexpected tribute on the album
The singer also revealed that one of the album's most emotional tracks became an unexpected tribute to Mark. The song After We're Gone was never deliberately written about his late bandmate, but hearing the finished song alongside images of Mark changed everything.
"It's the eternal question," he explained. "I've been in and out of religion my whole life. I go to church as well, but as much as you believe in God you still wonder, 'What is heaven? Is it this magical place? Are there dogs there? Will my pets be there? My friends?'"
He continued: "It was just a question, but a friend of ours put images of Mark to the song and I just went, 'Ah... it is about him.' You look at it and go, 'Is he up there? Is he making tracks?' It's such a powerful song."
Upcoming tour promises spectacle
Despite the emotional themes running through the record, Danny promised fans The Script's upcoming tour will be anything but subdued. He laughed: "The tour, I am definitely going to be spending more money than I am making on it. We are going all out on this tour. Drones are going to be flying. It's going to be sick."
The band will be on the road in November.
