You may have heard me wax lyrical about the endearingly sublime qualities of Glasgow based queer art-rock quartet Junk Pups on occasion. If you haven’t, and your first question is “Who the fuck are Junk Pups?”, my immediate response might be, “Where the hell have you been?” Followed quickly by a thoughtful wish that I was in your shoes and could have the awe and excitement of hearing, and seeing, the band for the first time again.
Fear not though, now’s your chance to play catch up as the band, having had a rabid pack of pups and pupettes baying for new tunes to listen to, finally release their debut 4 track EP, Ball and Chain. The EP from this fantastic four of Jack (vocals/guitar… and (very) occasional banjo), Ishi (axe wielding guitar maestro), Dylan (bass and backing vox, screams and hollers…) and at the back, bringing the thunder, the dynamic dynamo that is Sophie (drums) follow their first three single releases, cementing their place as one of Glasgow’s rising constellations. We’ve already been treated to the magnificent 2021 debut which was Front Garden Flamingoes… (I just typed that at first as Glamingoes, I like the ring to that – I might start a band… sorry, I had a squirrel moment there…) it’s follow up, the remarkable Miss Behave, the launch show for which in Nice n Sleazy brought the band to the attention of Walt Disco, and more recently adding to that stellar list with Trophy Wife, which is the first of the four tracks on the EP, and it’s “gloriously camp” smile inducing accompanying video by Humble Films Productions .
You’ll MUST see the band live too, where they really shine. They are clearly in demand, their gig history including support slots for The Raincoats legend Gina Birch, Death Valley Girls and a headline show to close out King Tuts New Year Revolution this year. The band are never far from a stage in Glasgow, recently to be witnessed playing with Soapbox and also reaching some new ears while supporting energetic garage rock’n’rollers His Lordship in the Rum Shack. If you’re quick you’ll catch them this week with Special Interest in the Hug and Pint and at Crowded Flat’s 3rd Birthday on the 22nd of June in the Variety Bar.
Back to the EP then, all four tracks are due to be released to the baying pack on the 27th of June, but prior to that they’ll be leading with another, ahem, Spoonfed taster on the 6th of the month. The EP also features one of their live highlights Hoi Polloi alongside Mortified, and of course the aforementioned Trophy Wife. Following Jocelyn and Finlay attending their Miss Behave single launch show, the demos for the EP were recorded by the duo from the wonderful Walt Disco, whose own sopohomore album is due later this year, with Finlay also contributing synths to the EP. The final studio production and recording was completed at Chime Studios by Luc Grindle. On listening to this exceptional EP, it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch of the imagination to see Junk Pups follow the same stellar trajectory that has seen Walt Disco spread their wings across the pond, touring as invited support to synth legends OMD.
If you were wowed by Junk Pups first three singles, just wait until your hear the rest of this phenomenal EP. Having now lost count of how many times I’ve seen them live, I’ve witnessed their growth in the live performances, the band now exuding a well-deserved, while somewhat coy confidence that only comes with learning and honing their trade through hard work and practice.
And let’s not forget they couldn’t achieve all this without a talent that belies their still tender years. I’m still in awe of Jack’s incredible vocal, no matter how many times I’ve heard him sing, that range and depth still gives me chills while Dylan’s bass playing has them trying to out-Tina the famous Ms Weymouth at times. That famous quip from Joe Strummer aimed at Mick Jones in Complete Control works for me for the incredible talents of the modest but brilliant Ishi, and on the subject of quiet modesty, Sophie is a drummer extraordinaire, an intense focus from the petite powerhouse always apparent when you see the band live, I guarantee once you glance to the back and watch her perform, you’ll find it hard not to be mesmerised.
The EP opener, Trophy Wife, should be instantly recognisable to you all by now, as it was on Friday night, it’s familiar opening drum rolls and guitar riffs filtering into the crowds ears before Sister Madds took to the Hug and Pint stage, the mysogist-baiting/wife as a status symbol lyrics from Jack hitting their mark, with Dylan’s backing vocals, yelps and hollers creating the perfect foil for his lead vocal. Little couplets like “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth, (yes – (Dylan…)) and where is your mother now?” bringing a wry humour to the mix, the couplet and others leading into little punk-like riffs from Ishi.
The band describe themselves as art-rock, a clever description as it doesn’t pigeonhole them and allows them to cover a range of genres, Ishi’s guitar playing is rooted in the blues, however, there are elements borrowed from country, garage-rock, soul and punk giving them their distinct sound, and meaning they have, to my ears, produced one of the most exciting and addictive EPs of the year so far.
I’m stoked that one of my live favourites from the band, Hoi Polloi, has finally received a release. It’s anti-elitism, anti-Tory sentiment comes perfectly timed for a General Election that will hopefully see the annihilation of an evil Sunak and his fascist cronies whose main reason d’etre seems to be to re-build intolerance and divide in society. Anyway, Hoi Polloi is a rollicking thrill ride, with a fuel-injected hot rod rockabilly vibe, the foursome coming together as one to create a sizzling-hot driving rhythm a;; topped by the equally seething diatribe from Jack.
For someone who at this advancing age still has moments of energy sapping social anxiety, the theme behind the lyrics of Mortified really strike a chord. Musically, Mortified is a high energy soulful bluesy number complete with with Motown styled shimmy inducing backing vocals. The bands press release states the song is “a paranoid yet powerfully claiming of klutziness, self-doubt and general personal trainwreckery” ….fuck aye! But the results of this song are anything but mortifying, what a confident and uplifting tune, pounding backbeat from Sophie, Ishi gie’in it laldy on guitar, Dylan bringing the swag with a solid vibrating bass, and joyous synth lines underlining Jack’s extraordinary vocal range.
The single coming on 6th of June, Spoonfed, closes the EP, and for anyone who misses the off the wall duo, The Bikini Bottoms, this bouncing garage rocker will fill that hole. A hauntingly mysterious melody unfolds into glorious dual harmonies from Jack and Dylan. This mesmerising slice of psych/garage rock, and it’s lyrical ode to dysfunctional relationships, comes replete with some blisteringly face-melting triumphant wah-wah riffing as the song reaches its dazzling zenith courtesy of guitar goddess Ishi. A joy to behold.
Junk Pups have set out their stall with this EP, if there were any doubters, which I would find had to comprehend, these four outstanding songs are proof positive that this queer quartet are not messing about, these are four serious statements of intent, the sound of a band on the rise. If they continue in the same vein, releasing these songs, and playing the hearts out on stage, the world is their oyster and there is absolutely no stopping them.
Junk Pups – Instagram – YouTube
Ball & Chain EP Cover Art: Mhairi McPhail “Best of Friends”
