• 2012-

  Elijah HewsonLead vocals, guitars, keyboards2012-

  Robert KeatingBass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals2012-

  Ryan McMahonDrums2012-

  Josh Bartholomew JenkinsonGuitars, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals2015-
• Inhaler formed while its members were still students at St. Andrew's College in Dublin. Elijah Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon and later Josh Jenkinson, spent those early years shaping their sound, gaining live experience, and building a natural onstage chemistry long before the wider music world caught on.
• Lead singer Elijah Hewson is Bono's son, but he deliberately avoided leaning on the U2 connection in the band's early days. He stuck with his own name, focused on touring, and let indie singles and live shows build credibility rather than pedigree.
• Hewson's full name - Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q Hewson - reflects Bono's Christian faith and musical friendships, incorporating the Old Testament prophet Elijah, as well as "Guggi," a member of the Virgin Prunes (the Dublin art-rock band that also featured The Edge's brother), and a nod to Quincy Jones.
• The band name Inhaler started as an inside joke about Hewson's asthma. His sister flippantly referred to the group as "The Inhalers," and the band liked the slightly nerdy, self-aware feel. The name stuck, and they made it official in 2015.
• Inhaler built their reputation the old-fashioned way: onstage. Before streaming success, they became known in the UK and Ireland as a reliable live draw, winning over skeptical audiences while supporting the likes of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Kings of Leon, Pearl Jam, and the Arctic Monkeys.
• Their debut album, It Won't Always Be Like This (2021), debuted #1 in both Ireland and the UK. Inhaler were the first Irish band since The Script in 2008 to top the UK Albums Chart with a debut release.

Comments

More Songfacts:

London CallingThe Clash

"London Calling" by The Clash was written amid widespread fears that the Thames River was going to flood the city.

Devil InsideINXS

In the INXS song "Devil Inside," the devil represents chaos. "Every time you think something's right, he comes in and changes everything," Michael Hutchence said.

Let The Day BeginThe Call

Al Gore chose an inspiring but obscure campaign song when he ran for president in 2000: "Let The Day Begin" by The Call.

Red Red WineUB40

UB40's cover of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" was a minor hit when first released in 1983, but it went to #1 five years later when radio stations in Phoenix started playing it.

Beat ItMichael Jackson

Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo on "Beat It" as a favor to Quincy Jones, who produced the album.

I Melt With YouModern English

"I'll Melt With You" by Modern English is about a couple who melt together because a nuclear bomb drops.

Editor's Picks

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.