Hailing from Central Scotland, Indie-Electro band Johnny and the Giros are a band everyone will want to take off all their clothes and dance about naked to. After forming in 2007, JATG went down the route of modern 80's music which hooks and captivates their audiences, forcing them into some kind of strange, exuberant dance - the kind where you don't really know what you're doing, especially when the clothes come off. This has happened in many of the venues the band have played throughout the UK, including Glasgow's prestigious King Tut's (which was a sell-out). They have also supported many well established bands like Fenech Soler, The Sunshine Underground and the now disbanded Dykeenies. Below is The Day That Friction Overcame Fun and by going further you can get their newest release For Ourselves. Have a listen and don't blame me if you're mum walks in on you naked dancing.
Cancel The Astronauts are one of Edinburgh's most exciting upcoming bands. They perform 'secretly miserable pop tunes' that people love to dance to, and are due to release their brand new single Intervention, following up from their two critically acclaimed EP's, and their stint on the T-break stage at T in the Park. This will consist of the following:
Is this a sheep dog? Very clever.
A. Intervention
B1. Echoes of Love
B2. The Hardest Thing
Hard copy CD's will be released on April 16th- the same day iTunes put it up for download.
I have had the privilege of receiving a copy of this single already and it's fair to say I'm more than impressed.
Opening with Intervention, we are hit with the powerful synths, foot tapping, head nodding drum beats and catchy lyrics. This particular song "documents those messy ends and sleepless nights when a relationship
is over bar the admission of it." From listening, you could never tell this was the meaning. How secretly depressing. The next track Echoes of Love features much more guitar with softer interlinking synth. Coincidently, the crux of this follow on track is the loss of love- depression is a recurring theme.
Lastly, the acoustic The Hardest Thing brings a much more mellow end to the single, a calming end to indie pop tunes. And guess what the general feeling stemming from this track is?
Overall, Cancel The Astronauts are setting a name for themselves with the release of this single. The flawless synth will play a big part at gigs (a list of which to follow) as it will appeal to the young, energetic crowds of Scotland- and hopefully further afield. If you're liking their sounds, why not catch them at any of their upcoming gigs:
24th March - Sneaky Pete's, EDINBURGH (wIThe Bad Books & Fuzzy Star)
6th April- Henry's Cellar Bar, EDINBURGH (wi Astronaut Head, The Cosmonauts & Fishing For Seagulls)
13th April- Saucy Mary's, SKYE
14th April- Newmarket Bar, THURSO
18th April- Flat 01, GLASGOW (MILK)
19th April- Cafe Continental, GOUROCK (BEATCLUB)
(plus more TBC)
The Second Hand Marching Band are a Scottish indie-folk band who have been together since the Autumn of 2007. The band started off as just one man and spread to the grand number of 23 over the period of just one month. Notable instruments used by these extra members include flute, ukulele, horns, mandolin, sax, accordions (and quite possibly the kitchen sink) all coming together into a huge 'untraditional folk' sound. The band take their influence from more traditional folk music and other Scottish bands like Glasgow legends Mogwai.
SHMB released their first EP A Dance Half to Death in 2008, comprising of 6 tracks. Layers upon layers of melodies are carefully constructed, with the intertwining sounds of ukulele, guitars and brass which helps to create a unique sound - and not one you would expect to hear, considering the instruments. The band continued this trend as they released their second EP Grit and Determination while then going on to record a session for the BBC.
Meursault are an alternative indie folk band from Edinburgh who use
traditional acoustic instruments, such as guitar, banjo and ukulele, teamed with electronic sounds to make their
own distinctive music. Lead singer, Neil Pennycook’s powerful voice also makes
the band’s music unique. Meursault have
released two full length albums to date, the first Pissing On Bonfires/ Kissing With Tongues in 2008 which was placed at #16 in The Skinny's Scottish Albums of the Decade and their second All Creatures Will Make Merry in 2010.
Although the band is fairly successful, I think they still
deserve more recognition so go and have a listen.
This is New Ruin from the album All Creatures Will Make Merry:
And this is A Small Stretch Of Land from the first album Pissing On Bonfires/ Kissing With Tongues:
Washington Irving (probably named after the American author) are a 5 piece indie folk band, similar to the likes of fellow Scots Admiral Fallow, My Latest Novel, Frightened Rabbit etc... I've listened to a number of songs from the band on Youtube and I noticed that, for a band with so much talent and potential, they clearly aren't getting a fair amount of publicity back. So have a wee listen and if you like what you hear, spread the word. This band deserves the recognition.
Danish indie rock outfit Efterklang, who formed in December 2000, have released 3 albums to date. Their music is well orchestrated with moments of relaxation merging with some electronic fun. Their first album Tripper was released in 2004. This album has a more of an electronic sound compared to the later releases, the next of which was their second album Parades in 2007 andthen their third album Magic Chairs in 2010, though compared to the first album, the third is a lot more instrumentally based.
This is the fun animated video for Mirador from their second album Parades.
Okay, just another quick update to tell you about a couple of bands that are on repeat right now.
1. Unpunished Monsters - Not my usual choice of music but they are reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem who I loved.
2. The Ok Social Club - More my usual sound. The Scots are making a name for themselves with their similarities with The View and their lyrics of drunken nights in and out.
3. The Imagineers- Another band that hails from the best part of the UK (Scotland). A guitar based band who are a bit different, especially with the song Spanish Sands. Strongly recommended.
Hopefully that will keep the ears busy a while, enjoy!
We have a new writer on the blog now- go easy on her now, she's an amateur!
Hopefully this will mean more regular updates and we might start doing different things, who knows. Just keep checking on the site and tell everyone you know! Stay cool.
When it comes to Scotland, there isn't much to be hopeful of. The weather is dire year round, there isn't much money to spare and it's near impossible to get a job. Yet there is one thing that may shed some light on our bleak horizons: Music. Over the past forty odd years, Scotland have produced some of the finest bands ever to have graced our ears.
Attention was first brought to Scotland by the Bay City Rollers. They enjoyed great success-albeit, short lived- and created mass hysteria over Britain during the mid 70's. They did all this while making tartan cool.
Then came the synthesisers of Deacon Blue and Simple Minds; then the rocking guitars of Primal Scream.
The Proclaimers are perhaps Scotland's best loved act of all time with their anthemic songs like I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) and Letter From America. They were also one of the first bands to sing in their native accents- an act continued by Scottish indie bands of today.
The past decade saw some amazing Scottish bands emerge, many of whom have the same sort of style, yet a completely different sound. My favourite band for the past 5 years is Frightened Rabbit. Their music is so heartfelt and deep, and their lyrics are meaningful, beautiful and raw with emotion- and they are definitely one of the best live acts I've seen. Many other Scottish bands have come to my attention and have been added to my musical collection, most notably, The Twilight Sad, My Latest Novel, Broken Records, We Were Promised Jetpacks and more recently Admiral Fallow. Each band has it's own talents and use a broad range of instruments showing the musicians sheer talent.
Scotland keep churning out these amazing bands that don't seem to get the credit they deserve they have released three or four albums, but the wait for fame is worth it when bands begin breaking into America and making the big bucks from tours and further record sales.
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In my opinion, Scotland always have had the best bands. They may not be the most successful bands who make their millions from all the 14 year old girls buying their music and screaming in their faces, but they are by far the most talented, emotive and thought provoking bands ever to have played. They bring the whole country a glimmer of hope that Scotland does own something of value.
Admiral Fallow are an indie folk band with a bit of an orchestra throw in the mixer as well. Their second album is due to be released on May 21st and is to be name Tree Bursts In Snow. Front man Louis Abbott gives us an insight into the decision to name the album this:
“…the title refers to the sound and the image of an artillery shell exploding into a cluster of snow-drenched trees.…I'm also astounded by the sheer volume of gun related violent crimes throughout the world but in particular in the U.S. The lyric from 'Tree Bursts' was inspired by the idea of the effect that losing friends through violence, in particular during times of war or conflict has on young men and women. They are "the leaves that fall louder than backfire, all orange and halloween red..."
Tree Burst In Snow will consist of 10 tracks:
1.) Tree Bursts
2.) The Paper Trench
3.) Guest Of The Government
4.) Beetle In The Box
5.) Old Fools
6.) Isn't This World Enough??
7.) Brother
8.) The Way You Were Raised
9.) Burn
10.) Oh, Oscar
The first single to be taken from the album is Beetle In The Box which can be downloaded for free for a limited time here: http://admiralfallow.com/
Dog Is Dead are a 5 piece indie, poppy, jazzy, Bombay Bicycle/Animal Collective band from England. I first became aware of this band about a year ago when I briefly saw them at Rockness where they were playing to a crowd of less than 100. But they have received a bit of attention from Radio 1 and Radio 6 where they got some air time and they also appeared on E4 drama Skins, twice in one episode. They are on tour at the moment and I'll hopefully be seeing them again in Inverness on March 1st. I expect big things from this band who are sounding fantastic already, without the release of any album- only a couple of EP's. Listen to all the tracks but, in particular, Glockenspeil Song, which is probably the best and realises the bands full potential.
1. Mutineers a 1980's synth inspired band from Manchester.
2.The Little Kicks a Scottish indie pop band with a bright future ahead of them.
3. Fatherson See my first post for more details on this band, but expect big things from them in 2012. 4. The Animation a Swedish rock band that are doing well in Sweden at the moment - only a matter of time before they break the UK.
5. Pulled Apart By Horses a heavy, screamy Leeds based band that will blow your speakers.
Click the links and check these bands out-many of whom I hope will be making it big by the end of this year.
Okay prizes for weirdest, most difficult name goes to this next band from Newfoundland which is in either USA or Canada-they didn't specify- (and yaaaaay it's not a Scottish band this time). X.E-L.A & The UFO Acid Godz is a psychedelic folk artist and that's about all I know. However this appears to be a hidden gem amongst the indie music world and I'm rather pleased with this find. Get listening!!
This 3 piece band from Inverness are quite local to me and I've seen them about 5 times now when I've been at gigs in Inverness. They are usually the support act and consistently put out a good performance and take a bit of banter from their friends in the crowd. They have shared a stage with the likes of Twin Atlantic, Sucioperro and The LaFontaines.
He Slept On 57 have released 2 Ep's and, from these, they have been compared to the likes of Scottish legends Biffy Clyro. They blend hard rocking with some more melodic guitars and have even used violins in Your Faint Memory They have also played a number of shows in big venues and they continue to burrow their way deeper into the Scottish music scene and I hope this band make it big as they deserve the plaudits.
