Junk Pups recently bowed out playing their last gig as part of the Palestine Red Crescent Benefit gig in the Hug and Pint in December. Here is every appearance in these pages from 2022 to that last gig…
2022
Singles Round Up 2022 – Part 4…
Junk Pups – Front Garden Flamigo
In the time its taken me to eventually getting round to publishing this, Junk Pups have another single out in the shape of Miss Behave, but lets take some time to bask in the glory of the angular post punk guitars and laidback funky groove of Front Garden Flamingo.
Singles Round Up 2022 – Part 5…
Junk Pups – Miss Behave
The follow up to the magnificent Front Garden Flamingo single from Junk Pups, is the even more magnificently raucous Miss Behave. Jack’s deep and fervent vocal rasp belies displays such character in its raucous delivery, a character perfectly complimented by the funkpunk laden riffs, soaring electric guitar and a thundering rhythm section that just makes you want to get off yer arse and dance. One of Glasgow’s finest new bands.
Junk Pups – Live in Mono
After being highly impressed by their brace of funky post punk singles, Front Yard Flamingo, opening the set tonight and the magnificent Miss Behave, I finally managed to haul my arse along to a Junk Pups gig. Last night they were sandwiched on a bill in Mono between Pinc Wafer & Lloyds House, and while both of them played strong sets, I’m going to focus all my attention on the extraordinary talents of Junk Pups.
I believe you could still count the number of gigs the band have played on both hands, despite this, they already have the assured confidence of a band that has been playing the circuit for a lot longer.
I can’t review this band without highlighting the extraordinary vocal talents of lead singer and guitarist Jack Faulds. Jack has an incredible voice that has to be heard to be believed, especially from someone so young, he has a wonderfully warm gruff and soulful timbre, a rumble interjected with occasional primal howls and yelps.
The other element I feel I need to highlight is the accomplished funky post punk bass playing by Dylan Hutton, a solid and exhilarating throb that pulses through your body and underpins the bands sound. A fact borne out when I heard the opening strains the bass line to Psycho Killer, as the band took the lead and played a, well, killer version of the Talking Heads classic.
It would be entirely unfair of me not to mention the other band members Sophie putting in a powerhouse performance on the drums, throwing everything into it, taking no prisoners. And then of course, Ishi looking suave, cool and relaxed as she throws shapes while wrangling sweet sounds from her guitar.
And what of that sound? If you’ve heard the two singles so far you’ll know of the all out disco funk/angular post punk leanings. Elsewhere the band plough a strong furrow into sleazy garage rock with just a hint of rockabilly, while other songs have a proclivity for a punked-up bluesy feel.
The set was assured and mesmerically enthralling, and all too short. Just as I was getting in the groove, they were playing their last song. But better to have a short and perfectly formed set rather than overblown and overlong.
Junk Pups have a bright future ahead of them, I’m so glad I finally managed to see the band, rest assured, I’ll be making every effort to get along and see them again, and will be following their progress with a keen interest.
Singles of the Year 2022…
- Monica Queen – Where is Home?
- Water Machine -Hot Real Estate
- Pizza Crunch – Wilting Youth
- Horsegirl – Anti Glory
- Junk Pups – Miss Behave
2023
23 for ’23
4. Junk Pups
A band who surprised me this year by being so much better than I expected. With a vocalist whose voice belies their young years and a talented bunch of musicians, they blew me away in Mono. Their two singles two date have been superb, and I am reliably informed, there are more, and even better songs coming. If you don’t know them, you may already have seen them… they appear in the drama Mayflies on BBC Scotland in a cameo as The Shop Assistants. They are playing with Lloyds House again in January in King Tuts.
Junk Pups & Tina Sandwich live – Nice n Sleazy
It was the end of a week/weekend where, for one reason or another I missed another couple of gigs that promised much… but so did Sunday night’s Sleazy Sessions in, where else but Nice n Sleazy on Sauchiehall Street, and I managed to make that one. This was a showcase for five artists/bands, but there were a couple in particular that caught my eye, two of my bright hopes for 2023, none other than the formidable Tina Sandwich, and the dynamic four piece that make up the awe-inspiring Junk Pups.
Emma Dunlop opened the night in impressive style, coming onstage just her and an acoustic guitar. But then she started singing. Jaw droppingly good. What a stunningly majestic voice Emma has. As she put the guitar down and sang the last two songs over a backing track I made a mental note to investigate further.
I’m not going to lie, my reason for attending was the two bands aforementioned. Don’t get me wrong though, it didn’t stop me enjoying the two bands bookending Tina Sandwich and Junk Pups. The Arctic Monkeys meets The Strokes sound of Northern Holiday before, and the revolving multi talented instrumentalist line up of Velvet after, both entertained and energised the Sunday night crowd in Sleazy’s.
For me though, it was the double whammy of Tina Sandwich and Junk Pups that stole the show. I’m not going to apologise for bumping my gums once more about these two bands, in my eyes, and to my ears, both deserve to receive massive acclaim and should be on a shooting ascent to superstardom. Both bands have uniquely endearing qualities, the sum of their parts creating an end product that is much more than just about the music, which to be honest would be enough in itself, the individual talents of each band member are there for the listener to revel in. But more than that, each band seems to have a unique collective personality that can only come from a group of people that really gel as a unit, completely attuned to each other and feeding almost telepathically from each others energy. Surely the addictively compelling music each band creates is a result of that natural coming together of the collective consciousness.
Both bands have two singles out, all of which were given an airing, Tina Sandwich with their pedal to the metal Fast Cars (& Movie Stars) and the party inducing Up All Night. While Junk Pups bookended their set with Front Yard Flamingo and the immense Miss Behave. And both bands played a cover which, in a way, helps to sum up each band. The Subways Rock n Roll Queen is the cover of choice for Tina Sandwich, their version has a raw energy to it that sums up the bands sound which feels like a punked-up Glasgow meets US East Coast attitude and drive. Talking of US East Coast, Junk Pups take on New York legends, Talking Heads, classic Psycho Killer. Their high octane, souped up, bass heavy version really channeling the art punk/funk/blues mash up that is their signature sound.
It is encouraging to note that the standards in the bands sets are being bolstered all the time by newer tracks that are really shaping each bands unique and hypnotic sounds. Medicine for me was a highlight in the set from Tina Sandwich, while two of the songs that really shone in Junk Pups set were the stupefyingly good and bluestastic Spoonfed and the magnificent Mortified.
While the bands have their collective sounds, and personalities, it would be remiss of me not to call out the supreme talents of each band member. T’s vocals for Tina Sandwich fuelled by an unabashed rock star attitude, while Junk Pups singer/guitarist Jack’s vocal never ceases to cause my brain to flip with his remarkable range and deeply resonant tone. Let’s hear it for the drummers, Tina’s Liam, a powerhouse of intense concentration, while Sophie exudes a nonchalant air of calm and confidence on the skins for Junk Pups. Then of course, bass players extraordinaire Morven (Tina Sandwich) who tonight portrays an effortless cool in keeping things tight and energetic, while Dylan (Junk Pups) struts their stuff exuding confidence that belies their years and a complexity in playing that has you transfixed. Stewart on keys/synths with Tina Sandwich looks like nothing could ever phase him. Then finally, Junk Pups guitar virtuosos Ishy and Jack gel seamlessly, never missing a note, perfectly formed riffs and licks complimenting each other effortlessly, while over in Tina land, Calvin not only loses himself in some searing & slick guitar lines, he could also play a mean part as big fight announcer…take an individual and collective bow every single one of you.
If there is any justice in this world, both bands will continue on a steep upwards trajectory, with promoters fighting to put them on. Hopefully that means you’ll all have plenty of opportunities to witness these exceptional bands.
Junk Pups – Interview and Live Review (The Hug and Pint 17th August ’23)
(All Photos Courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography)
Last week, Junk Pups played their second headline gig, this time at The Hug and Pint as part of the Endless Summer series of gigs. Having been meaning to do so for a long time, I finally managed to catch up with the band (and Angel!) after they’d sound-checked ahead of the gig.
The Ginger Quiff: So, just a bit of background first and foremost, how did the four of you get together as a band.
Jack: During the first lockdown I messaged Dylan, I knew Dylan from a thing we did in school called Behind the Noise, I knew they played bass, and I was just like. I’ve got nothing going yet but if you want to start a band, that would be cool, so Dylan was on board…Sophie did Behind the Noise as well, I messaged her and she was up for it.
Then we had a guitarist from a random, “join my band” website where we’d put an ad, but he got a job in a COVID lab or something, as you do, then we had Lucy who wasn’t around for that long, and now we have Ishi!
Dylan: Yeah, we recruited Ishi through Instagram, a bunch of people responded to our story, and one was Ishi..
Ishi: Yeah, I was always posting guitar videos, so Dylan knew I could play guitar and they put in a good word for me.
TGQ: What about the name – Junk Pups, where did that come from?
Dylan: Do you remember us doing that? We were on Zoom, and we had a bunch of name ideas, I can’t remember what any of the other ones were, no, Trolley Dolly was gonna be one of them, I think we were like, nah, that could be a cool song though.
Jack: Yeah, I think the four of us had different ideas, then it was just sort of a random word generator, like, I don’t know, I just thought the words worked together.
Dylan: Yeah, catchy, and silly. What we sound like catchy and silly dogs…
TGQ: It’s interesting you mention your sound, as you’ve got quite a distinctive sound. It’s quite different, with elements of a variety of different things going on. So where do you take their influences from? I’m assuming from your baselines, and cracking Psycho Killer cover, Talking Heads has at least some element of an influence. Where else do you take influences from?
Jack: I think Talking Heads is definitely a big one. And….. Dolly, right? Yeah. Now we’ve started to go down a sort of like country fusion direction, we’ve got a few new songs and we’ll play them tonight. Country music is really fun, I mean, I love Dolly Parton. They’re really fun songs to write too, so we’ve gone a bit in that direction. But I mean I love Kate Bush too, everyone else brings their own stuff.
Ishi: I guess with my guitar, I learned playing mainly through blues music, so that’s where my parts are at, kind of bluesy, which kind of fits in the base layer of what you write.
Jack: Yeah, I think I kind of like everything. I just like music in general and so anything goes.
TGQ (to Dylan): Yeah, you like a bit of punk and hardcore too
Dylan: Yeah, so you know my mum, she brought me up on thrash, then grunge. I love all the Kim’s. Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, Kim from The Muffs…. Kim Kardashian (laughs), yeah, all the Kim’s. Girls on bass are the coolest.
TGQ: What about yourself Sophie?
Sophie: I kinda like just simple drums to accentuate all the rest of the band’s music (TGQ: I think Sophie is underselling herself here, just watch the bundle of furious energy behind that kit when you see the band live)
TGQ: I can’t not ask about your vocal Jack, because I remember the first time, I ever heard your voice. It was like “Oh my God. Where did that come from?” So, when did you discover you could sing like that?
Jack: I don’t think I sung like I do in the Junk Pups, before the Junk Pups. When we started the band, I was sort of like into Soul, Motown, James Brown, all these great soul singers, so I think that kinda had an influence on what I was going for.
Dylan: I think also, we worked with Walt Disco and when we were recording with them, you catch yourself just copying Jocelyn, she’s just got such an iconic sound.
Ishi: I think we did take a lot of influence away from recording with them, but I think you with your voice they were like, another take, another take. Jack hit a really insane high note in one of our songs and everyone was like, do that again!
Jack: I remember one time they were like can you go higher than that? I tried and I was like, no, no…
Dylan: Yeah, they layered it, there’s like so many parts to the harmonies, I think they really brought it out of us.
Jack: Yeah, I think they’ve really brought us out of our shells in terms of like exploring what we can do with our music.
TGQ: When did you record with Walt Disco?
Jack: Well, we started like last summer…
Ishi: And we’re still going
Dylan: They’re just demos, something to give to other people and be like “this is what we’ve got in mind.”
Angel: Jack does impersonations of Dolly in his new songs…
Jack: I put on a voice, like a Southern American voice for the country songs. It’s just like, naff, bit it’s a bit of fun. Putting on a character, like the Thin White Duke.
Dylan: Yeah, the guy with the hat came up to me earlier and said, “where’s your singer from”? And I was like “Here”, he said he thought Jack was from America, I was like, “Nah, he just likes putting on a silly voice”.
Jack: I’d love to play a gig in Nashville or somewhere
Dylan: Yeah, hello SXSW here we are…
TGQ: You’ve gone down the country route with new songs, have you gone down the country themes for your lyrics – you know, my wife’s run away and my dog has died….
Jack: I watched a Billy Connolly thing, a comedy thing about how to write a country song, and he’s like, you need to have something about God in there, you need someone to die, all these themes that have to be in a country song. We’ve got this new song, Jesus Wept, I took inspiration from the Billy Connolly thing for that, I though, I’ll include Jesus, but I’ll make it really daft. What I like about country music is there’s always like a joke or a punchline at the end of it. A lot of Dolly Parton stuff does that, so I wanted to make it a bit daft, a bit tongue in cheek.
TGQ: I wanted to touch on the music scene in Glasgow. The city has always had a reputation for great music. I’ve been going to gigs and following Glasgow bands for aeons as I’m a bit long in the tooth now. But I think just now it’s such a good time to be into music in Glasgow. I think there are so many outstanding bands, Water Machine, Brenda, Bin Juice, Sister Madds, Avocado Hearts, Bottle Rockets, Sacred Noise …. I could go on, there’s so many good bands. If you go back to the 80’s when I was first into music, there were loads of bands that were four blokes in guitar bands. The scene in Glasgow just now seems to be much better represented across groups like women, the LGBTQ and Nonbinary community. Do you recognise that yourself? Though the representation is a lot better. I think it’s still got a way to go. What’s your view of it from the inside?
Ishi: I think we’re really proud to be in this band, with all the identities that we are. I think it was a bit daunting at first as we’re very openly a queer band. We just did a gig up in Edinburgh, a Pride after party, and it was just such a communal vibe. It was amazing
Jack: I think it is getting better, I think what I’ve noticed though is like, all the behind-the-scenes people, it’s all the same types of people. I’d maybe like to see more diversity there, but yeah, I enjoy being in a band that’s not 4 blokes.
Ishi: I think everyone is sick of it aren’t they?
Jack; it’s funny, when you go to see a straight band, you’re like, what have they got to song about. You’re like “what problems do you have?“ apart from like money, and my girlfriend broke up with me…
Dylan: There are so many incredible scenes in Glasgow, the Death Metal scene in Glasgow, Black Metal scene, Hardcore scene, we’re getting shout outs from America, we’ve got The Crowded Flat, every single one of these bands with Crowded Flat is insane
Ishi: It’s all very positive, we’re all really pally and go to each other’s shows
Dylan: it’s about bigging people up and it’s all very genuine, you see a lot of the same people at different gigs, but it’s because we all want each other to do well, especially when it’s not all the same style and types of music.
Jack: I think there are so many different things going on in the music, so many different scenes under the umbrella of Crowded Flat, bands who are musically different, but they’re not separated into different shows or different scenes.
TGQ: I think, from my perspective as a music fan and someone who, like you, likes all sorts of music. It sometimes gets boring watching bland generic music. I love it when a band is really hard to pigeonhole. It’s like, I don’t know what their “scene” is, I just love their music.
Ishi: Yeah, that’s what we always say when people ask, “what’s your music?” I literally couldn’t tell you.
Dylan: I feel like if you try and make all your songs sound the same, you’re only gonna go so far and you’re gonna get bored.
TGQ: You mentioned the same people working behind the scenes, but the music scene itself has changed a lot in terms of how people consume music, I used to buy records when I was young, I still do, but everything is streaming now. How hard is it for a band like you to get a foot on the ladder these days.
Dylan: I think there’s a lot of stuff that like, unless you’re in a band, you don’t know about, like playlists you can ask to be added to… I don’t think we knew about that when we started.
Jack: You learn as you go, yeah.
Dylan: You see bands get bigger and you’re like, I see how you did that, we could try that.
Ishi: Basically, starting off, we really just tried to do gig after gig after gig, really just tiny amounts of cash at a time, we were literally doing them a couple a month. every single month and like just really building that small amount of cash up and then trying to get into a studio and getting our music out there and getting people to listen.
Jack: There’s so much work you don’t think about. We don’t have a manager, so it’s like all of us doing everything ourselves. Sending emails back and forth, making sure everything is right.
Ishi: Give yourself credit, it was all you.Dylan: We all started signing off e-mails as Jack…
Jack: Yeah, and that kind of becomes a chore and you have to remind yourself why you’re doing it, it’s definitely harder, but we’ve made it work.
TGQ: You talked about recording. with Walt Disco, and there was talk of a video shoot (much hilarity ensued), and I’ve been desperate for new music to be released. So, tell me, what’s happening about new songs coming out?
Jack: OK. So, we just finished mixing the lead single that we’re doing the video for. It’s been such a faff. because we recorded it with Walt Disco and of course their set up was good, but it was similar the kind of set up you’d have in your bedroom.
Ishi: Remember, they were doing it for free, so it was just kind of for this demo kind of thing.
Jack: Of course. So, we spent some time trying to find a good producer to make it sound more expansive. We finally got in with Luke from Chime, and he’s made it sound really good. So that’s pretty much done. We’re filming the music video on 13th September.
Ishi: We’ve had so many little bumps…
Dylan: So many different plans and locations…and that’s another thing, Jack said when you have to do everything behind the scenes, that’s just another chore. I need to find this, I need to find that, am I free this day, am I at work? Will work let me get this off? The four of us have jobs. Four people with completely different hours, you guys have uni. So, it’s like when do we all have the same free time? When can we get all these people to help? I don’t know about you guys, but I was just like getting sick of it, thinking about it all the time. I was like, I just want to wake up and its done.
Jack: I feel like we’re getting somewhere now though, we’ve recorded three other songs with Walt Disco. I was listening to Spoon-fed the other day, its decent as it is, it just needs a few things changed.
It’s so funny, you can kind of tell what Walt Disco have worked on as well…
Ishi: We’ve got other songs as well, I’m talking about Hoi Polloi, I don’t know how to describe that, we went to the studio with them and they started adding all the cool synths and stuff, just like they really elevated it, but not in a way that’s like “we’re taking over, this now sounds like Walt Disco”, just accentuating Jacks songwriting and every other part it was like really, really fun to watch and they just talked a lot about the next steps of production.
Dylan: Changing up the drums and stuff
Ishi: Yeah, and now we do that live. So, it’s literally like having that opportunity with them has really, really benefited us. And it was so fun as well.
Jack: Working with other musicians when you’re recording is really good, because they can add stuff that you don’t even think of before, especially with Walt Disco. I’m pretty sure me and Dylan talked about Walt Disco before we even started the band, so it was really cool to work with them.
We have the single, the Trophy Wife single coming out this year.
Ishi: I think it won’t be long now.
Jack: We’re shooting the music video pretty soon, it’s like we planned for it to be like this month, way back in, like April or something. It’s sounding really good though.
TGQ: This is your second headline gig, your first was for your single launch. Are you expecting a busy night tonight?
Dylan: Well, I don’t know. I know that there’s a bunch of people who were like, “Oh, I don’t know. I might be there. I might not”. And then, apparently there was like an influx of ticket sales last night.
TGQ: Well, it’s cheaper to come to than Devo
Jack: I know! We love Devo, and when I saw we were playing on the same night I thought “Aw typical”.
Dylan: At least we’ll still have We Are Not Devo – shout out to them, they’re awesome.
There’s a bunch of gigs on tonight in Glasgow, it’s Thursday. So, there’s Dirty Laundry Thursday’s. I know a lot of folk in the in the hardcore scene and they were like “which one will I go to?” I was like, “either way, I don’t mind, but I would love to see your face.Jack: I think it’ll be fun; I’m looking forward to it.
TGQ: Is there are few songs you’re playing for the first time tonight?
Jack: A couple of original songs and one cover which is really fun
Ishi: It’s exciting to play the cover, cos Jack has some fucking range, this guy can go from like way down low, then he hits the high notes like he does on Trophy Wife. And Jack has a personal connection to the song.
Jack: Should I talk about it? (concerted “yeah” from the rest of the band)
My mum’s dad, my Papa John, we used to stay at has before we go to school, he’d wake us up and stand on the windowsill and sing Big Bad John, because his name was John. And I thought for years that he had made-up this song.
I’ve never asked him about it, but I looked it up and found out it’s this old country song by Jimmy Dean called Big Bad John, so we’re doing that tonight as a cover. My mom was like the other day, gonna do Big Bad John for your Papa, so I sent him a video and he was really chuffed with it.
And I’ve started playing the banjo on stage, so it’s a different vibe, I feel, from our last headline.
TGQ: Is that the Billy Connolly influence too? (More hilarity ensured)
Jack: Billy Connolly can actually play the banjo!!!. I’m still learning…
TGQ: So, a single out this year, video coming, gig tonight. You’ve got a couple more gigs coming up too?
Ishi: We’ve got quite a few, we’ve just got one with Iraina Mancini on 7th September in Stereo, we’ve got Tenement Trail in October (7th), and Starsky Rae in October too (The Hug and Pint on the 27th)
Dylan: I’m so excited for that one, they’re so good live. Last time I saw them he was like Starsky Rae, Junk Pups – we will do it, and when we got the email through, I was like “YES! This is it, we finally got it”.
Jack: We’re also doing a DJ set (Vega on 5th September – Bottle Rockets also doing a DJ set)
Ishi: As in, we’re doing a playlist, it’s for promotion for Tenement Trail, so getting paid to plug into Aux and play a bunch of songs – absolutely!
Thanks a million to Junk Pups for giving up some of their time pre gig to chat to me. The question is, was the subsequent gig any good….?
Before the main event, there was a duplet of support bands to enjoy, both of them new to me. First up, Glasgow band Sweet Bleach, who played a combination of their own songs alongside some carefully selected cover versions to give a taste of their influences, including a cracking version of Stupid Girl. Then it was the turn of Macclesfield trio Queen Cult to entertain with their unholy racket, the threesome of Maise (guitars and vox), Brodie (drums) and Piers (bass) play a thunderous style of rock, dirty guitar and bass, creating a melee not unlike that of a mix of Placebo and Daisy Chainsaw, definitely one’s to watch.
What followed was a combination of frivolous fun, unadulterated joy, and exquisitely crafted tunes, kicking off with their fun side playing How Much is that Doggy in the Window complete with dog hand puppets, and ably assisted by a series of barks and yelps from the audience. I wonder what the collective term for a group of Junk Pups fans is. Whatever, they will all be instantly recognisable bedecked in new t-shirts being punted by merch-gurl Angel, undoubtedly the most glamorous person in the venue.
After the intro, the set was bookended by the band’s singles to date kicking off with the wonderful Front Yard Flamingo and closing n style with the sublimely striking Miss Behave, in between was a set packed with familiar Junk Pups songs, two covers and some excellent new songs alluded to in the pre-gig interview.
As usual, the bands take on the Talking Heads classic, Psycho Killer was off the scale, played at turbo speed, the combination of Dylan’s thumping bass, Jack’s striking vocal, Ishi’s impeccable guitars and Sophie bringing the noise from the back really hitting the mark. Then of course Jack’s tribute to his Papa, the cover of Big Bad John, a combination of the voice of Johnny Cash and the brash swagger of Lux Interior coming together to do the track proud. I may be one of the very few of a certain age in the venue that night that recalled a certain TV advert during the song (Domestos anyone?)
As promised Jack brought the banjo out for a few new songs including the excellent Jesus Wept, alongside much in-band joking and pelters as the tuning of said banjo took longer than expected, with Jack joking about buying cheap cables from Amazon. As he alluded to in the interview, he may still be learning the banjo, but it certainly brought an additional texture to the band’s sound and their alt-country tracks.
As I’ve come to expect when I see this band, every one of them brings their A-game, the combination of each of their unique talents combining into a seamless sound that really hits the sweet spot. Jack playing vocal gymnastics all night, hitting every note in his extraordinary range perfectly with an impeccable American twang to boot. Ishi’s guitar playing is meticulous, bringing that effortlessly cool blues edge to the band’s sound, whipping out the steel tube at one point for some subtly cool slide guitar. Sophie, the quiet unassuming one during the interview is anything but when she get’s behind that drum kit, don’t let her fool you when she says she likes to keep things simple, I was watching mesmerised at one point as she pounded the skins, her face a picture of studied concentration. And of course Dylan and their bass playing that belies their years, creating a sound that puts many players with many years of experience to shame.
Hearing songs like Hoi Polloi and upcoming single Trophy Wife played live has really whetted my appetite for the release of the latter song, and it’s so far scuppered video. if you have still to experience the Junk Pups live experience, there are plenty of opportunities coming up, they are a band on the up and up and not to be missed, I wouldn’t want you all to suffer from fomo now…
Junk Pups at Tenement Trail 2023
If Walt Disco opened the night in style, Junk Pups were certainly challenging them for “band of the day” with their crowd-pleasing set-in front of a raucous packed out McChuills. The band, who themselves have recorded with the mighty Walt Disco, never fail to impress in the live arena, the pupstart pup stars not only accomplished in their musicianship, but also looking as if they’re having the time of their lives on stage, almost as much as the crowd who were by now bouncing as one all the way to the back of the room. Like Jocelyn in the opening band of my day out, Jack has a voice to kill for, a range and intonation that defies belief. But this band isn’t just about Jack, the band have an assuredness about them, without being cocky, and a knack for writing a hook laden catchy song too, they are very much a gang of like-minded souls, gelling as one on the McChuills stage, Sophie banging the drums to within an inch of their lives, it is almost hypnotic watching her, a study in intense concentration, while Ishi wrangles sweet bluesy melodies from her guitar, and Dylan plucks funky bouncing rhythms from their bass. Although I’d been enjoying the short, sharp, punchy sets all day, the Junk Pups set was over far too quickly, with the crowd howling and baying for more, at one point they hesitated as they left the stage, Looking as if they were coming back…but a return was too much to ask for leaving time for the secret final band.
And who was that Secret Act? Well, by now it wasn’t a secret, the last band of the day in McChuills was to be Spyres, like the opening band of the day, Walt Disco, a band riding the wave just now on their ascendency and playing the intimate venue ahead of their SWG3 gig the following week. I will admit I was almost defeated by this time though, way past my bedtime, and shall we say, tired and emotional, and in need of my beauty sleep, so had to beat a hasty retreat missing most of their set to try to find transport home (ultimately this “transport” was Shank’s Pony).
A triumphant Tenement Trail, roll on next year.
Junk Pups at Queer Theory 2023
Last week I attended my first ever Queer Theory night in Nice n Sleazy, and what a welcoming night and magnificent celebration of the queer scene in Glasgow it was. Kudos to the organisers for pulling together such a slick night, a combination of comedy, poetry, drag acts, cabaret, performance art, and of course, my initial reason for buying a ticket, Junk Pups.
Surely one of Glasgow’s most exciting new bands, quiet and unassuming when you meet them, but on stage an entirely different kettle of fish. The four of them utterly brilliant in their own right, but coming together as one in one joyous melee that infuses blues, post punk and country in their own unique and very special sound. Sophie is an enigma, don’t let that seemingly reticent and hushed demeanour fool you, once behind that kit all hell breaks loose, the powerhouse behind the band. The rhythm section is completed by the gobsmacking thunderous bass provided by Dylan, who just exudes the fun they are having when they play. That only leaves Ishi with her mind blowing phenomenal blues inspired guitar lines and Jack channelling everyone from Johnny Cash to Dolly with that voice that blows my mind every time. Look out 2024, Junk Pups are going to explode.
2024
24 for ’24
2. Junk Pups – sticking with the New Years revolution gigs, one of Glasgow’s best musical exports, Junk Pups have a headline show on the 27th January, and will hopefully be releasing their single and video for Trophy Wife around the same time.
Junk Pups – New Years Revolution – with Homework, The Cowards & Velvet
The closing event in this year’s New Year’s Revolution had a lot to live up to after the extravaganza earlier in the month featuring the glory of Sister Madds (many of whom were present for this gig) and the mighty Tina Sandwich whose powerhouse vocalist Tilly was also in attendance for this closing night.
The job of opening proceedings was handed to Homework who went about this task with aplomb. The sparse early crowd soon bolstered as people started filtering in from downstairs as their set caught the imaginations of the early comers. The bands blend of west coast harmonies (take your pick from whichever west coast you chose – Glasgow or USA) paired with their energetic dual guitar assault is a joy to the eardrums coming across like a grungy Teenage Fanclub mixed with elements of Kiwi Jr and Sebadoh. The shared vocals bring another vibe to the mix, at times giving a laid back Pastels groove and a vocal channeling Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson.
The second band of the evening had an entirely different vibe going on, but no less entertaining for that. A “new to me” band, The Cowards must surely take their name from the flamboyant playwright who Time magazine once described as “a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise”, which could equally be used to describe the band. Their style of jangly indie pop with thoughtful lyrics immediately brings to mind the leftfield pop by the likes of It’s Immaterial, Divine Comedy and Furniture. Their sound has roots in the quintessentially Scottish jangle guitar vibrancy, there was one song that i swear could have been the opening of a long lost Friends Again classic, while vocally the warm brogue channels that of the honeyed sound of Grahame Skinner.
Velvet are a band I’ve seen once before in Nice n Sleazy on the same bill as tonight’s headliners Junk Pups, and the aforementioned headliners of the earlier NY Revolution gig, Tina Sandwich. The band have been fairly quiet of late in the live front so it was a rare opportunity to catch the multi-faceted band in the flesh. Like the fabric with which they share their name, their live sound is a smooth and deeply luxurious beast. The talents on show are abundant, swapping instruments during their set and sharing vocal duties giving their set a complex multi textural experience.
I’m not sure if there is anything I can say about the magnificent Junk Pups that I haven’t said before, except to say that tonight they were possibly tighter than I’ve ever seen them. Their sound was both sharply focussed and immaculately polished, without taking away any of the edge of your seat excitement or supercharged energy of their impossible to pigeonhole bluesy countrified post-punk sound.
If there is a more focussed, tightly wound ball of energy than drummer extraordinaire Sophie, I don’t know what it is… the look of intense concentration on her face and sheer exuberance as she pounds the skins is something to behold. Then you’ve got the joyous and zestful dynamism of that front line, Jack, Ishi and Dylan coming together to create the unique experience that is Junk Pups. The band went for the jugular from the off, hitting us with the opening barrage of debut single Front Yard Flamingo, the aural assault of Hoi Polloi and the superb Jesus Wept.
Everything came together perfectly for this headline set, I couldn’t imagine a better close to the New Years Revolution, the crowd were as pumped and boisterous as the band were exuberant and rambunctious, having as much fun on stage as we were out front.
Forthcoming single Trophy Wife went down a storm, just wait til you see the video…and of course Miss Behave was a blast. This gig was all about the band bringing the party, and what’s a party without a party piece? Dolly herself would have been dancing the night away when she heard the bands glorious take on her global smash 9 to 5, which had the place bouncing as Jack invited us all to join in their party piece.
Two gigs in for 2024 and the bar is set high already.
Single(s) of the Month February 24
Here’s my top 15 singles of the month for February… at the top of the list and earning the “trophy” for single of the month is a band on the ascendency…
Junk Pups – Trophy Wife
It feels like an age since Junk Pups released their last single, Miss Behave, but have certainly not been sitting doing nothing, gigging constantly, the latest of which was headlining the last night of January’s New Year’s Revolution in King Tuts (review). Trophy Wife is another slice of brilliance from the fearsome foursome, with an outrageously engaging video to boot, that showcases the outstandingly inimitable talents of drummer Sophie, bass player Dylan, Ishi on guitar and the remarkable vocal talents of the one and only Jack. Not so long between this and the next single please…
Get along and see Junk Pups live supporting Death Valley Girls on the 17th of March.
Death Valley Girls with Junk Pups and Tanzana – Broadcast
The last time I caught Death Valley Girls live was on a dreich and miserable Monday night in the self same venue, but with the stage where the bar is, and vice versa. Bonnie and the band were on top form back then with local duo Run Into the Night in tow. This time around they outshone themselves with a mind-bending stellar performance.
Before the headliners took to the stage though, they already had a lot to live up to after the performances from the two support bands for the evening.
First up it was the turn of fresh faced quintet Tanzana. I’d heard only good things about this band, and I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed. Having played their debut gig in the self same venue less than a year ago, to their credit, the band have been honing their sound on the live circuit before they lay down the tracks for their debut EP in the studio. This treading of the boards has served them well, ensuring their own songs stand strong and proud alongside the covers in the set.
Their opening song built to a chiming guitar crammed crescendo thanks to the dual guitar assault from Sarah and Lily on lead and rhythm guitar respectively, elsewhere Wah Wah guitars featured strongly and with, in my mind the strongest of their own songs, Covet, featuring a sold rhythm section with Katie on bass and Karolina on drums and a thunderous riff reminiscent of Nirvana meets Stiltskin.
The covers (Portishead’s Glory Box and their set closer Jeff Buckley’s Grace) were taken on by the band without fear, and made their own, the intensely dramatic version of Grace in particular making it the perfect end to the set.
A special mention must go out to the bands vocalist, Freya, her voice an instrument in itself, ranging from sinewy and muscular, to powerfully soulful with a tremendous range, bringing an edge to the songs and falling somewhere between the likes of Alanis Morissette, Grace Slick and current music industry darling Raye. Watch this space…
Ginger Quiff favourites Junk Pups were next up on the venue’s basement stage and as I’ve come to expect from this outstanding quartet, the band absolutely owned Broadcast. The foursome exude a suave swagger, effortlessly cool with an effervescent nonchalant charm, confident but with not a shred of arrogance.
The rambunctious set was bookended by perennial Pups favourites, debut single Front Yard Flamingoes kicking things off in style and the extraordinary Miss Behave, showcasing Jack’s still, despite the number of times I’ve witnessed it, quite remarkable vocal style and range closing their set to a rapturous reception.
The more I see this band, the more I love them, their youthful exuberance, and their rollicking bluesy garage country punk. As well as sublime bass lines, bass player extraordinaire Dylan provided extra yelps and hollers throughout, while Ishi led the charge on lead guitar. The bands songs swing between the Jimmie Rodger’s on acid yodelling country of Don’t Piss on My Leg, through the tongue in cheek punked up tale of the bloke from Nazareth at the Multiplex in Jesus Wept, all the way to the sub-Crampsian Western rumble on the likes of Hoi Polloi and their most recent irrepressible single Trophy Wife. The last of those complete with machine gun drumming from the drum maestro at the back (and on the Broadcast stage it’s way back!) and unstoppable force that is Sophie. It’s hard not to be transfixed watching her play, with her arm flailing, head shaking, hair swirling intensely focussed style.
If it’s not too late, you need to grab your ticket now for the House Guest festival on 6th of April and get in on some Pups action…
Junk Pups – Ball and Chain – EP Review
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.
Ball & Chain EP Cover Art: Mhairi McPhail “Best of Friends”
Single of the Month June
Junk Pups – Spoonfed
The June released singled from their Ball and Chain EP (full EP reviewed here)…
…Spoonfed….“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, Apologies and National Playboys – live in Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow
I’ve not been at many gigs recently so a Saturday night in Sleazys was a most welcome release from the pressures of life that are sent to try us. And after missing a couple of Junk Pups recent performances, including their appearance at the Variety Bar for Crowded Flat’s third birthday celebrations, having this most extraordinary of bands at the centre of the nights entertainment made it all the better.
Glasgow’s Junk Pups were bookended by Apologies from Falkirk and Edinburgh’s National Playboys. Apologies were the first band on the bill, playing what I believe was only their second or third gig as a four piece. Apologies by name, but absolutely no need for apologies for the performance, the band had me captivated from the off. At their more delicate moments I could hear shades of the bands near neighbours, Grangemouth’s Cocteau Twins, before the brooding almost goth like bass lines and the intense guitar parts layered and built to a crescendo, at their most powerful creating a face melding wall of noise, and bringing back a mixture of memories from many shoegaze gigs from back in the nineties alongside the ferocity of the post-rock sound that Glasgow legends Mogwai are famed for. I look forward to hearing more…
Following Junk Pups it was the turn of Edinburghs National Playboys to ply their trade, packing the small Sleazys stage with a line up that included, at times, 3 guitarists and a bass player. I’ll admit to not knowing anything about the band before the gig, if I’m honest, I bought a ticket purely for the presence of Junk Pups. The Playboys started positively with a song that hinted at a Pixies type vibe, but as the set progressed different elements came to the fore, some songs with a louche Fat White Family feel, the frontman with a menacing growl somewhere between Hard-Fi’s Richard Archer and IDLE’s main man Joe Talbot.
Probably unsurprisingly to most, for me Junk Pups were the stars of the show, the cheers for the band prompting Jack to stage a tongue in cheek coup from the stage to oust National Playboys from their headline slot…
This is the first time I’ve seen the band since the release of their cracking four track Ball and Chain EP (review here) with three of the four songs appearing on the set. A set which kicked off in style with their now standard gig opener, their debut single Front Garden Flamingoes. I’ve seen the band so many times now, these songs are like old friends who carry the ability to bring a smile to your face whenever you encounter them. For these songs the smile is instantaneous on hearing the first bars of Flamingoes, and it stays fixed to my face for the entirety of their blues infused, country garage rock set, like Johnny Cash joined The Cramps and started dabbling in art-rock a la Talking Heads. The joy comes from a combination of the strength of great songs – from the assured swagger of Hoi Polloi to the vocal gymnastics of Miss Behave, the wry humour in the lyrics – “Don’t piss on my leg, and tell me it’s raining…” and from watching each of the individual members of the band ply their trade with their own unique styles and pizzazz, four accomplished musicians who never cease to delight.
When you bring all these factors together I defy anyone who sees these young pups in their natural environment not to be thrilled by what they witness. On a weekend when the TRNSMT main stages appear to celebrate what is stale and boring about the current (I use that loosely based on some of the acts appearing) music scene it is bands like Junk Pups that deserve to be lauded and admired. Shout their name from the rooftops, the world needs to hear these songs.
Govanhill Street Music Festival – Scottish Faultlines, Junk Pups & San Jose live
After recent weeks events with the racist right wing rioters taking to the streets (of England & Northern Ireland) to claim “are country” back it was heartening to see UK-wide counter protests claim the streets back from these knuckle-draggers to prove that the fascist scum are in the minority.
To join in on these celebrations of togetherness, I ventured out to my first “gig” in about 3 weeks to the sun swathed Govanhill Street Music Festival, three stages in the area catering for every music taste.
Scottish Faultlines
Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the Reggae Stage at the Bees Knees Cafe with the Bass Warrior Soundsystem, my day kicking off in the early afternoon sunshine at the Belljar Stage being entertained by the inimitable Hugh Haggerty in his guise of Scottish Faultlines. Hugh played an entertaining set of acoustic songs to an appreciative gathering, drawing people in from the surrounding streets throughout. The set included his ode to the city, funnily enough titled Glasgow, and his glorious latest single Lemons for Lovers. Next up for him is a night with new stars on the scene The Cords and Stevie Jackson & the Reverberations on 13th September in the Glad Cafe.
Junk Pups
A quick refreshment in The Belljar before adjourning to the Love Music Hate Racism stage on Albert Road/Victoria Road for the mighty Junk Pups. Regular readers will be aware of my admiration for this superb avant-garde garage punk Queer quartet, and I’m delighted to say they were once again on top form, I’m sure adding new fans to their swelling fan base while cementing them in my mind as one of Scotland’s most entertaining, accomplished and in demand live bands.
The band played a top quality set of their usual standards, bookending the gig with their first two singles Front Garden Flamingoes and the incredible Miss Behave, and including personal favourites like Hoi Polloi, Trophy Wife and the country-punk of Jesus Wept. They also cleverly reintroduced their high octane cover of Talking Heads Psychokiller to pique the interest of new fans, it was a welcome return for their exceptional cover which has been missing from the set the last few times I’ve seen them. The band finished to a hollering ovation, if they continue in this ascendency I predict great things for this band.
San Jose
After a further refreshment, it was a hot day after all, it was time for the headliners of the Love Music Hate Racism stage, San Jose, to entertain the gathered masses, and entertain they most certainly did. The bands animated frontman displayed a wide range of emotions, not only through his thoughtful lyrics and engaging vocals, but with his energetic body language as he paced up and down and languished on the pavement on Albert Road.
The six piece, originally from Kilmarnock, have plenty of earnest messages behind the songs, and a deep set passion equally demonstrated by between song declarations. Their theatrical performance was matched with the dramatic musicality from the band, the set sounding like an unholy alliance between The Fall, Fat White Family, Fontaines DC, Joy Division and The Blinders. Catch San Jose on their Scottish Tour climaxing in Glasgow’s Old Hairdressers on the 23rd of August.
We shouldn’t forget what has just occurred on the streets around the UK in recent weeks, and an impassioned speech from the stage organisers ended the day reminding us all of the messages we need to remember, immigrants are welcome here, black lives matter… love music, hate racism.
Don’t forget on 7th of September, the Say No to Racism demonstration against the far right in Glasgow.
Top 40 Singles of the Year
To pick just 40 from over 700 songs featured in the monthly singles round up was a nigh on impossible task. The links for all the years playlists are linked below so you can check out the others for yourselves too
- Tenementals – The Owl of Minerva
- Junk Pups – Spoonfed
- Scorpio Leisure – Apology
Water Machine/Maz and the Phantasms/Vibrator/Junk Pups – Live Review – Palestine Red Crescent Society Benefit
My third from last gig in 2025… in a year when I seem to have missed more gigs than I managed to get along to for a combination of reasons not worth going into here..Let’s just say I need to resolve to ensure 2026 is much of a shit storm than 2025…
There was the potential for me to be missing this one too, but with this line up, plus the knowledge that this would be the last ever outing for Junk Pups it was a no brainer to pull out all the stops and make it by hook or crook. It was a stripped back Junk Pups that took to the Hug stage for their one last hurrah. It’s a weird feeling knowing you are seeing a band you love playing their last set. I’m sure we’ve all seen loads of bands unknowingly for the last time but when you know it’s the final time it’s an odd mixture of feelings, it’s kind of a sadness mixed in with a warm feeling knowing that you’ve seen the band play some cracking sets over the years and that you’ve got the privilege of seeing the band as they bow out. The stripped back performance certainly showcased Jack’s remarkable vocal and reminded me of one of the things that wowed me on first hearing the band. Kicking off with Hoi Polloi, Jack and Izzy played a crowd pleasing set of Pups classics interspersed with a couple of covers including a beautifully emotional take on Kate Bush’s Why Should I Love You. The last ever Junk Pups song to be played live was their brilliant Miss Behave single, and as if that wasn’t enough, I don’t know about anyone else but I had a genuine lump in my throat and tear in my eye when they closed their set with the Dolly Parton classic, I Will Always Love You.
Next up it was Vibrator hailing from my ancestral home in the North East, Aberdeen. The band had an entirely different vibe to Junk Pups and somehow managed to squeeze about a dozen or more songs into their cataclysmic half hour set, a set which has grown and developed since the last time I saw them supporting Cavegirl and the Neandergals. The band started and finished their set with a sound that channelled the surf punk guitars mixed with eerie outer space like sounds made famous by Pixies alongside Black Francis style yelps, yells and hollers, the middle of the set was more akin to a morphing of NYC hardcore à la Minor Threat/Fugazi and Gallows, and I was enthralled by watching drummer George pound the skins to within an inch of their lives. Definitely a force to be reckoned with and ones to watch.
I don’t know how I’ve never managed to catch a live set by Maz and the Phantasms until now but I really need to see this band more often now that I’ve broken my duck, their melding of musical styles to create something quite unique was remarkable. And when you hit the audience with an opening salvo of the epic full throttle punk infused Voices in My Head, followed by an impactful Factory Hell that mixed hard as hell glam bass lines with Patti Smith swagger and attitude you’re onto a winner straight away. The melding of styles I mentioned was a joy to behold and marvel at, with shades of spaghetti western coming through at times and somehow wrangling sonorous Spanish guitar rhythms from two electric guitars was quite something. The band closed their set in style with singalong fan favourite, A Pigeon Shat in My Room – mission accomplished. And yes Maz, Free Palestine, Fuck the IDF and Fuck Eurovision.
I’ve not seen Water Machine in an age, and boy was it great to be back in the saddle (I’ve also just realised that on my sabbatical from writing I missed doing a write up of their glorious debut album – I must rectify that) opening with a double whammy of Bussy and Dog Park, Hando and the band were in fine fettle playing a boisterously raucous set, which was more than matched by the riotous reaction of the crowd in the Hug, at one point almost ending in disaster when one of the moshers nearly wiped Hando out and her Korg almost met with a disaster. I don’t know about chaos at the Dog Park but there was certainly chaos in the dancefloor…Disaster was averted though and the band brushed off the incident continuing to play a incendiary set as if their lives depended on it, a set that contained banger after banger, it’s impossible to pick highlights – I think my smile just got wider and wider with each song they played…River was sublime, the fuck you attitude of Hot Real Estate was undeniable, while Water Machine Part II was just one huge grin inducing celebratory anthem. One of my (many) favourites Blisters “closed” their set the song reaching well, quite simply a blistering high octane crescendo. But of course things weren’t over as the crowd bayed for “one more tune”… but one wasn’t enough, with Flore taking on lead vocals and Hando on bass for a riotous Sabotage era Beastie Boys take on Junction before the band ended their set on a high with the crowd singing along in unison as At the Drive In brought things to a jubilant close.
So there you have it, a band that burned brightly and delighted many during their brief existence, I’m sure we’ll see more of Jack, Ishi, Sophie and Dylan as part of other bands on the Glasgow scene over the coming years…