Ahead of a very special return this weekend with a gig to support the re-issue of the superb Maid to Minx album from Lungleg with the mighty bis in support, promoting the release of their own latest long player, Systems Music for Home Defence, it seemed appropriate to review both albums in one go…
I’ve always hated the word iconic as I feel it was one of those words that became overused and lost its meaning, much like the word literally, which is literally used incorrectly just about every time I read it somewhere or hear someone say something stupid like “I literally died on the spot”. Anyway, I don’t think it is wrong to say that bis and Lungleg are both literally and simultaneously both seminal and iconic Glasgow bands, each band ploughing their furrow in their own ways and having a huge impact on the Glasgow music scene at home and far beyond.
Both bands burst onto Glasgow’s world renowned independent music scene in the 1990s, each leaving an indelible mark. bis are famously the first unsigned band to appear on Top of the Pops way back in 1996 with their sugary sweet slice of energetic indie electro-pop Kandy Pop. Fast forward to 2022 and the band have now released their 6th studio album in the form of the magnificent Systems Music for Home Defence.
While the bands share an affinity, Lungleg took a different route musically, their attitude fuelled riot grrl anthems infused with postcard era jangly indie guitars, at times bolstered by sub-L7 heavy riffing, the Glasgow version of US heavywelght’s like Bikini Kill if you like. Lungleg’s classic album Maid to Minx has received some remastering treatment, a shuffle around of track order and the addition of some extra songs and serves as a timely reminder of one of Glasgow’s much loved gems.
Both bands played on the same bill as Bikini Kill back in the mid 90’s. The Classic Grand won’t know what’s hit it tonight as both bands come together again to play to what I’m sure will be a fervent sold out crowd.
While there is a difference musically between Systems Music for Home Defence and Maid to Minx, there are many synergies between the two, only to be expected from two bands who emerged from the same scene. Thematically, Disco Biscuits on Maid to Minx reminds us of the friends who took too many drugs back in the day, while bis bemoan insidious actions by the inebriated on You’re Drunk, Go Home.
A similar theme is explored on the first single from Systems Music for Home Defence, Lucky Night. bis tackle, in their own inimitable tongue in cheek style, the guys on nights out who’ve dropped the old mysoginistic chat up lines, only to replace them with new ones proclaiming themselves to be feminists but revealing this as surface gloss only.
Musically on Systems Music for Home Defence, bis take us on a journey through their own musical history mixed with what feels like a whistlestop tour of 1990’s dancefloor fillers. The Lookback has a contemplative trancey nostalgic feel, while the synth sound on (I Got My) Independence recalls early era Prodigy with a really soulful groove.
Elsewhere guitars are introduced to the mix on the fraught staccato of Stress a song so taut and filled with pent up energy it entirely lives up to its name. Perhaps the stress brings on Headaches, a song with an insanely addictive incessant beat and hypnotic rhythm.
The Who’s Who of What closes out Systems Music for Home Defence in style, the sparse electronic arrangement working to great effect allowing the vocal harmonies to take centre stage. A more than worry follow up to Slight Disconnects.
Maid to Minx was the parting shot from Lungleg, their one and only album (Hello Sir being a compilation of EPs) a glowing reminder of a band that exploded onto the scene burning brightly as part of a scene that injected a shot of adrenaline into the Glasgow indie music scene.
Old favourites like the albums superbly uplifting and dance inducing title track, the effervescent ball of energy that is Theme Park, and the angular post punk guitars and soaring melodies, with the soul of sixties garage rock at its centre, of Right Now Baby can’t fail to bring a smile to your face. The songs losing none of their power in the intervening years.
The expanded track-list on this re-released and remastered version of their classic album includes the sad melancholy of Juanita, the jaunty romp that is Whiskey A Go Go, one of their more pointedly fragmented songs recalling the likes of Fire Engines. The penultimate song on the album is a work of genius, the many textures of the surf guitars and multi layered vocals of Bad Love delighting the listener before the enigmatically atmospheric A Different Kind of Love closes out side two of this exquisitely spirited musical (re)adventure.
Lungleg/bis live in Glasgow – Saturday 10th December
Lungleg also play a free All Ages gig in Mono on Sunday 11th
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