I’m ahead of the game this month for a change, the round up published before the month ends!. As usual, some absolute belters again this month. I’, especially enjoying Rabbit Heart and looking forward to Collars album coming soon…
Pizza Crunch – Wilting Youth
They’ve gone from Young Excitement to Wilting Youth. I know my youth is well and truly wilted… but inside I’m still 19, and listening to the constant stream of top quality singles from Glasgow’s Pizza Crunch helps keep me that way. Well, most of the time… Wilting Youth is the latest in a long line of their infectious post-punk tinged singles. This band deserve to be huge in a Fontaines DC way…
Bex – Bite My Tongue
Bite My Tongue is the gloriously ferocious follow up to Tiptoe, with seemingly subservient lyrics which in actuality serve as a huge fuck off to anyone trying to control their partner in a relationship. “Bite my tongue, I’ll hold it in so you have fun, Bite my tongue, cos everything I say is wrong”.
Bunkhouse – RIP.ie
The latest single from Glasgow’s Bunkhouse is another compelling slice of electro-infused dark-indie post-punk-pop, a deeply resonant vocal underlined by a sonorous bassline hypnotising the listener. The question I have – is that Robert Smith?
Tom McGuire & the Brassholes – 2008
A band that has the ability to bring a smile to your face EVERY single time. You can’t not be tempted to jump onto your feet and lose yourself in the groove of yet another addictively soulful funky single. Tom’s velvety smooth vocals giving a sense of wellbeing and soothing the soul. Where were you in the year 2008?
Jackal Trades – Bo$$/The Glenboig Snap
Interesting song title and release timing… what with the controversy around the price of Broooooce tickets. The song is nothing to do with that of course, having been released ahead of all that, this low key trippy track is more about “bad” bosses “I’m a boss, but not a fair boss”, added rhyming from Empress and Butterscotch adding to the atmosphere. Listen to if you’re fed up with your work…maybe not in front of your bo$$.
Cat SFX – Binman
A song which channels the spirit of PJ Harvey and Florence over driving guitars, the song tackles an uncertain relationship with alcohol, one which results in self doubt “I’m no good, never said that I was” and beating yourself up, impacting relationships and needing the Binman to take pout the trash…
Kamikaze Palm Tree – Predicament/The Hit
Two from Kamikaze Palm Tree ahead of their album, Mint Chip in August. Predicament and The Hit both showcasing their slightly off the wall, other wordly, almost psychotropic bluesy alt-rock eccentricity perfectly.
Dropkick Murphys – Two 6’s Upside Down
This Machine Still Kills Fascists. Two 6’s Upside Down is the first cut from their forthcoming tribute to the remarkable Woody Guthrie and his legacy. Inspired by the music and words (Poor Boy) of the pioneer of protest folk songs that influenced Joe Strummer and a wealth of others. This is a move away from their usual sound but no less powerful for that. I am certainly looking forward to the album.
Egg Drop Soup – Jimmy Eat Shit
A slow burn deseert rock intro builds up before a sudden change of pace and this feisty trio from LA bring the fury with sleazy grungy guitars and venomous vocals.
Trashcan Sinatras – Lay of the Land
Ayrshire’s finest continue their quest for world domination (or is that just in my head) with their new single which has them checking out the Lay of the Land. It didn’t take long for this new song to wriggle its way into my subconscious (through the hole in my head?) and become part of my psyche. J’adore. Four track EP available to pre-order now.
Telefis – Space is Us
I’m still reeling from the news of the untimely passing of one of my musical heroes, Cathal Coughlan. One of the most talented songwriters I’ve ever had the pleasure of listeinng to from Microdisney, through Fatima Mansions, his solo albums and latterly with Telefis, his superb collaboration with Jacknife Lee. This single comes from the posthumously released second album, a Dó, and also features ex Microdisney bandmate and High Llama Sean O’Hagan.
Femmebug – I Don’t Wanna Do This Anymore
Another SWND release (they are building up an impressive array of talent) is this DIY bedroom-pop gem from Femmebug. It sits somewhere between the DIY indie of Helen Love and the addictive grooves of La Roux.
The Crawling Eye – You Don’t Live Around Here Anymore
A compelling electronic rhythm, soaring synths and pseudo goth riffs form the basis of this mesmeric song, also from the SWND camp.
Galvo – Leave the Light On
From Wales to Ireland and the request from Galvo to Leave the Light On. A deliciously alluring strummed guitar builds and instruments layer, drawing you helplessly into Galvo’s seductively captivating world.
Collars – Rabbit Heart
How can you not love Collars? This latest single, Rabbit Heart, cements them, in my mind, as one of the best young bands in the country. Kane’s drums bring the thunder, while the understated vocal’s from Dan in the verses build to a huge anthemic chorus backed by positively singing guitars.
Sister John – Young at Heart/The Bluebells – Glasgow is a Rainbow
Having played live together in December last year, and again at the start of this year, Sister John and The Bluebells have swapped songs! Sister John reworking The Bluebells effervescent hit Young at Heart and giving it a Sister John spin, while The Bluebells take on the wonderful Glasgow is a Rainbow. Both songs received their debut spin on The Roddy Hart Show on the 26th of July, link below, around the 43 minute mark. You can order the double AA side &” from Last Night From Glasgow now…
BBC Radio Scotland – Roddy Hart
Bodega – The Art of Advertising
Another cut from Bodega to follow up the success of their Broken Equipment album, this track with its cleverly observed lyrics follows more of a power pop route akin to The Cars than some of their straight out of the NYC punk scene angular art rock.
The Vulcan Straight – You and Me
Wales again and more from SWND. and some heartfelt power pop rock from The Vulcan Straight.
Tallies – Memento
Tallies continue to make me yearn for my youth with the latest single drawn from new album Patina continuing to build on their back catalogue of passionate 80s/90s indie in the vein of The Sundays et al.
The Penetrators – Skateboard Girl
Some laid back garage rock grooves courtesy of The Penetrators …
Port Sulphur – Ring O
Another song and a deliciously retro video from the superb forthcoming collaborative release from Creeping Bent/Last Night From Glasgow, Speed of Life, featuring the talents of one of Glasgow’s most in demand guitar slingers, the talented Douglas McIntyre.
Lucid Hound – Chloe
Not strictly a “July” release but I’m including Lucid Hound after their coming to my attention this month due to their links with Sacred Noise, who I now seem to have been banging on about for ever. Anyway, Lucid Hound are a 3 piece indie/psych rock band from Glasgow who released a few cracking songs on Bandcamp this March including this one, Chloe.
The Interrupters Ft Tim Timebomb & Rhoda Dakar – As We Live
The Interrupters have a new album In the Wild out now. It is more of what the band do so well. I picked this track due to the appearance of long time band collaborator Rancid’s Tim Armstrong and the legendary Rhoda Dakar. Don’t miss The Interrupters at Barrowland in August.
Monica Queen – Stop That Girl
With her album of the same name due out at the start of August, Monica Queen released the title track as a single in July. What can I say about this most talented of singers? Her voice is to die for, and as for her sidekick, what Johnny Smillie can’t do with a guitar isn’t worth knowing. Sublime as ever.
Scorpio Leisure – Driving
Scorpio Leisure are Hettie Noir (The Gussets) Ricky Maymi (The Brian Jonestown Massacre), Rusty Burn (Fire Engines, Win, Trama Dolls, Opium Kitchen, Boots for Dancing redux, The Bum Clocks) and CC Whitson (Gin Goblins, Opium Kitchen, Boots for Dancing, Voicex and The Bum Clocks) – hows that for a line-up! Hopefully an album will see the light of day in the not to distant future, but for now, check out this mesmerising song and video, Driving. I watched it at least three times back to back the first time I saw it such was its draw. I’ve heard some of their other somngs too, we’re in for a treat when these see the light of day.
Blu Lipz – Gun
Not any more cheery than Tietr’s lo-fi rock, but equally as absorbing, Teitr vocalist solo project (well apart from joining up with Slow Death) Blu Lipz is described on bandcamp as “Glasgow punk rock shit hop, who cares?”. I do, and I love this rack.
The House of Love – Clouds
Late 80’s indie darlings, The House of Love make a more than welcome return with this Guy Chadwick’s familiar vocal atop an oscillating driving guitar throb, the addition of a soulful backing vocal adding to the texture. “Get your head out of the clouds” and get their forthcoming album “A State of Grace” ordered.
King Wine – Puberty Boys
The masters of what can only be described as Nintendo Gameboy pop incorporating stunning choreographed dance moves treat us to their single Puberty Boys. If you’ve ever seen this pair live you cant have failed to have been entertained.
The Claudettes – Exposure
The Claudettes impress once again with Exposure, Johnny Iguana and co. come over almost Devoesque initially before Berit’s vocals kick in, and Johnny’s familiar driving keyboards alongsde Zach’s riffing and Michael’s drumming create a mid song instrumental break to die for. More Exposure for The Claudettes please…
That’s it for this month. It’s Over…
As ever, The Ginger Quiff’s eloquent reviews, propel you to seek out more about the bands and singles featured. Hats off to the GQ!