Streamline fines Brian Ireland back in the sonic game

Drummer Brian Ireland, seen here second from right, will play with his newest project Streamline at the Coach House on Friday night, Jan. 11.


Brian Ireland is no stranger to success, having served as one of the founding members and the full-time drummer of Dana Point-based Something Corporate during the band’s successful run from 1998 to 2004.
Now, Ireland is once again in the spotlight thanks to Streamline.

Something Corporate was a winning, alternative rock band fronted by Andrew McMahon (now leader of the successful Jack’s Mannequin) that found favor with a mostly teenage and early-twenties crowd.
Streamline, however, is aiming for discerning listeners of all ages.

Indeed, songs such as the infectious “All I Need” and driving “Higher” from the group’s recently-issued debut have the accessible sound charted by recent tastemakers such as John Mayer and Maroon 5. Other strong songs on the band’s heartfelt release include “Flicker” and “The Only Thing That Matters.”

In a phone interview earlier this week, Ireland noted he is excited to perform and be a full-time member of Streamline during Something Corporate’s continuing hiatus.
“Really, we’re still together. I’m close with all the guys,” said Ireland, noting he recently got together with McMahon. “Jack’s Mannequin came out at a time when morale (in Something Corporate) was low. We had been touring four plus years. But we’re all still really close and everything is good amongst us.”
The good news for fans of Ireland’s strong skills behind a drum kit is he is bringing that same energy and enthusiasm to Streamline. That rock quintet performs at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano tonight.
In addition to Ireland, Streamline also includes singer-guitarist Mike Hogan, keyboardist-vocalist Jon Scholl, bassist John Viavattine and guitarist Brad Ourso.
It was Ireland’s high-profile role in Something Corporate that ultimately led to his joining Streamline in December 2006.
Ireland recalled he was just as he was arriving on the first day of recording drum tracks for Something Corporate guitarist William Tell’s 2007 solo debut “You Can Hold Me Down” when he ran into Hogan and Scholl as they were leaving the studio.
“They knew who I was. Later they phoned me at the studio and asked if I would sit in and do a drumming session…It was for ‘All I Need.’ I was so impressed with them. They are great players and have a real sensibility for music.”
Ireland is back to where he was a decade ago, when Something Corporate was just a largely-unknown outfit writing and rehearsing songs, as well as out playing daytime gigs at colleges and nights at small clubs.
“For me, it doesn’t matter if you are playing in front of 2,000 or 20 people, it’s all the same,” Ireland said.

Streamline was originally launched out of Upstate New York, but is now based in Los Angeles. Ireland, 27, still lives in Dana Point. He noted Streamline went on several tours earlier this year and has a strong fan base in Baton Rouge; the rock troupe is tentatively planning on relocating to Louisiana to take advantage of fan support in that region to nurture the band.
“It’s definitely still fun,” Ireland said of playing in a band full-time. “I learned a lot from that experience (playing with Something Corporate).”

Streamline, Get Back Loretta, Knockout Charlies and Space Pilot perform at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, at 8 p.m. on Jan. 11.
Admission to the all ages-welcome show is $10.
Information: www.streamlineworld.com.