“People Are Mad” - Sean Griffin
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
After a 25-year run at the heart of New York’s Irish-American music scene with his band The Ruffians, Sean Griffin has officially gone solo—and let’s just say he’s not tiptoeing into the spotlight. His debut single, “People Are Mad”, is part protest song, part pub sing-along, and part cheeky commentary on the general chaos of the modern world. It’s also undeniably fun. If you've ever laughed while crying over the state of politics, or yelled “we’re doomed” over a pint with friends, this song might just feel like your new anthem.
The harmonica flutters in like a welcome breeze, and the rhythm strums forward with the infectious confidence of a seasoned songwriter who knows how to write a chorus you’ll be chanting for days. And that chorus? It’s hilariously bleak in the best way possible: “We’re all doomed!” sung not with despair, but with the energy of someone who’s accepted the madness and decided to dance through it anyway.
Griffin blends Irish folk roots with something broader and harder to pin down—there’s a dash of punk attitude in his delivery, a touch of Americana blues in the melody, and definitely some pop sensibility when it comes to hooks. If this is just a taste of what’s to come on his full solo album, we’re in for a genre-blurring, pub-stomping ride.
But don’t let the lightness of the track fool you. “People Are Mad” isn’t just a goofy singalong—it’s satire with teeth. There’s real commentary behind the wit. Griffin taps into the collective exhaustion of trying to keep up with political absurdities, climate crises, and societal breakdowns, without ever sounding preachy or cynical. He’s the kind of narrator who can make you laugh at the absurdity, while still making you feel the urgency behind it.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
The track also carries the warmth of an artist who’s lived a full life and still chooses optimism—or at least humor—over despair. As a father of six, Griffin’s worldview clearly reflects a desire to speak truth without losing hope. He’s not yelling into the void, he’s starting a conversation, or maybe even a singalong. You can practically hear this one being shouted in unison across festival grounds, or during a particularly boisterous open mic night.
One of the most appealing aspects of “People Are Mad” is how lived-in it feels. This isn’t a debut from someone just finding their voice—it’s a release of songs that have clearly been brewing for years. As Sean himself puts it, “I had all these songs I’d written over the years that weren’t right for my other band. They needed to see some light.” And we’re glad they finally are.
Released via Right Track Records (distributed by Universal), the single marks a new chapter not just in Griffin’s career, but in his evolution as an artist willing to step out from behind a group and into his own narrative. He’s planning to bring that narrative across the pond in September with some UK shows (dates to be announced), and it’s easy to imagine these songs really coming alive in a live setting—full of foot-stomps, harmonica flourishes, and audience howling the chorus at the top of their lungs.
Bottom line? “People Are Mad” is a gem of a debut: smart, catchy, cheeky, and utterly human. Sean Griffin may be new to the solo scene, but he enters it with decades of songwriting wisdom—and a harmonica in hand. The world may be mad, but with songs like this, we might just survive it.
“People Are Mad” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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