The punk scene of the late 70’s/early 80’s was a green light and an opportunity for many to pick up a guitar or drumsticks, or make their voice heard for the first time. Inspired by the early proponents of the scene, many of these bands shone brightly as they made their mark on their local scene only to burn out as they blazed their trail before getting the chance to release an album.
One such band was The Alleged from Glasgow, forming in 1978 and becoming one of the shining stars and stalwarts of the Glasgow punk scene before splitting again only a couple of years later in 1980. They made an impression wider than their home city though…
“Which leaves just my biased opinion. The best of the lot (Scottish punk and new wave bands) are The Alleged. If you want a label, they are pure, excellent, pop punk – a band to dance to with obvious Buzzcocks/Undertones comparisons and with tunes to sing in work as well.” Garry Bushell – Sounds November 3rd 1979
Reforming 38 years later in 2018, they have finally got around to releasing their debut album, Don’t Hold Back, having recruited Ex-Cathedra guitarist Alex Aiken to swell their ranks. An album which more than lives up to expectations and well worth the wait for anyone who yearns for the days of gigs in the Doune Castle (the album is released on Doune Castle Music).
As you’d expect from the description above, the songs are at the more poppy melodic end of the punk scale, the sprightly energy of opening song Don’t Hold Back defying the years and sealing the deal, confirming their reputation as the Scottish Buzzcocks.
The “hair may be thinning” (Just Me and You) but there is a vigorous youthful vivacity to the bands music that continues into Loser Wins and throughout the album that strips away the years. There is an obvious synergy between the musicians, and cracking harmonies creating a foil for Euan’s distinctive vocal to play off of. Elsewhere, like on Love-Life Crisis, some of the riffs take on a Generation-X style influence, and add an addictive sing a long choruses to the mix.
(Spiral) scratch the surface and songs like Castles in Spain and Relations, at times with a hint of The Banshees guitar sound, and their slow burn post-punk intensity add another layer to the bands sound, proving The Alleged are much more than the sum of their parts and far from a one trick pony.
The aforementioned Just Me and You closes of this accomplished set of songs in style, the lyrics acknowledging the band are far from their first flush of youth from their first time around, while maintaining a passion and vitality, and sense of humour, that will have you reaching over to your CD player and pressing the repeat button on more than one occasion.