Scott Swain

Scott Swain has been playing in bands for almost a decade, and has achieved relative success with this: from supporting Biffy Clyro back in the day, to being featured in Kerrang! Magazine.

However it wasn't until his main band took a hiatus in 2016 that Scott decided to launch a solo project. Influenced by the likes of Elliot Smith, Mark Lanegan, and cult cinema, Scott's music aims to combine haunting harmonies with provocative melodies, disarming listeners along the way.

Live Scot Swain is raw: just vocals and an acoustic guitar. In the studio, however, he recruits a small band of 'reprobates' to add some serious colour and angst to the songs he records with them.

Scott Swain also performs with two bands, How to Dress a Monster and Fire at Night. He is therefore likely to be playing live at least a few times a month and always happy to meet new people and chat about bands, music, and/or films.

With regard to his latest single, Scott says: "Oil! is heavily inspired by the film There Will be Blood. Lyrically, I wanted to examine the relationship between wanting to be ambitious and the things which can be sacrificed in the process."

"Also, I want to highlight how miserable it can make you if you let working be the thing which defines you as a human being. I think Daniel Day Lewis’ character painfully personifies both of these ideas in the film.

As the story behind the film is set in the Wild-West of America it seemed only fitting to have a Country style to the song, and nobody does Country with more attitude than the legendary Johnny Cash; so the song is also a homage to him."




As a homage to Mr Cash Oil! is indeed a fitting tribute. From it's thumping drum/acoustic guitar intro to the gritty lyric and soundscape it's very much in the style of 'The Man In Black', embracing both his Rockabilly/Americana feel musically but with a rockier more contemporary vocal by Scott.

Ralph's already given Oil! a spin on his Radio KC Indie Show and it's a fair bet it'll be getting a replay soon. Remember to tune in every Sunday 5-7pm UK time on rkc.noip.me.

Véloniños

One of the finest slices of Americana-esque music to hit the kennel's juke box of late is the eponymous album by Véloniños which was released on Monday. 

It's steeped in Rockabilly and Rock 'n' Roll, which is hardly surprising as it's the work of former Shakin' Pyramids duo Davie Duncan and Kenny McLellan, ably assisted by Shug Jamieson and Laurie Cuff (formerly of the infamous Cuban Heels).

The Véloniños album is available digitally and on CD but it's authenticity begs for it to be lovingly pressed on vinyl, maybe something they'll consider due to the resurgence of that format.



The Véloniños album features six songs previously released as a digital EP plus four brand spanking new tracks - Red Diesel Medicine, Preacherman, These Quiet Lands and Hillbilly Girl. Ralph has already played the single Hey Velonino on his Radio KC Indie Show and will be following that up by spinning the excellent, blues infused Alabamaman on the Valentines Day Special.

For aficionado's of the Americana scene, the Véloniños album's a true classic, but that being said its appeal should cover the full spectrum with its blues, rockabilly, rock 'n' roll and just downright quality listening pleasure pedigree.

MIR

One of Ralph's most Northerly favourites for plays on the Radio KC Sunday Show has been MIR, the ever evolving musical vehicle of ebullient Scottish singer/songwriter extraordinaire Miriam Campbell. 

Originally formed in 2012, there's now a new line-up about to play their first gig in The Market Bar in Inverness so it's as good a time as any for y'all to take a closer look and a listen to their 'Soul' EP.

MIR are the epitome of modern Rock 'n' Roll and You Got Soul kicks off the EP in that stylee with classy guitar-work embellishing Miriam's raunchy vocalising. If you're at a gig and not up and bopping by the end of this one...you're dead.

On stage Miriam is Connie Francis meets Fay Fife (with the emphasis on Fay's onstage energy and presence) of The Rezillos.

Secret drives the EP on harder and faster as MIR play 'Scotabilly' (yes I made that up from Rockabilly and Scotland - obviously) at it's best. It's got to be a crowdpleaser at their gigs and it's followed up by the catchy Made Me replete with proper Rock 'n' Roll guitar and more of Miriam's gritty vocalising.

MIR are a fusion of all that's good in Blues, Country, Rock 'n' Roll, Americana and Rockabilly all wrapped up in a madly bouncing ball of musicality and songwriting excellence.











Upcoming Gigs...

Saturday - Nov 22nd

The Market Bar 

Inverness

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 10:30 pm

Free Entry

Friday - Dec 12th 2014

Invergordon Social Club

Charity Event

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:30 pm

Tickets tbc

Saturday - Dec 13th 2014

Strathpeffer Pavillion

Strathpeffer

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 8:30 pm

Tickets £10

Burning Condors

Looking for some down and dirty, bluesy and gritty, edgy rock 'n' roll?  The look no further than Burning Condors as they're producing just that in spades!  

London four piece Burning Condors emerged when Marcus Thompson left his roots of Bradford and moved south to London to find acting work and met band mates to be Matthew Edun and Churchy.

With Marcus influenced by British acts like Joy Division and Bowie and Matthew an old school blues nut, the pair introduced each other to their record collections to create a noise which led one reviewer to gush - Burning Condors have distilled the essence of the blues, added a dash of rockabilly swagger and forced it through a modern art punk filter to come up with something fresh and new’.

After cutting their teeth on the London gigging scene, they earned a break with a run of support slots for Punk Blues favourites the Legendary Shack Shakers.  








After seeing Burning Condors strut live, producer Mark Robertson invited the boys out to his studio in Nashville, Tennessee to cut their debut album.  The record also features the talents of Col JD Wilkes of Dirt Daubers and Dave Roe from Johnny Cash's band Tennessee Three and is released September of 2013.

Although their sound naturally draws comparisons to bands from the other side of the Atlantic, they're most definitely a product of their immediate environment and wear their London roots along with their combined musical heart loud and proud on their sleeve.

Alongside their devotion to their craft as musicians, Burning Condors collaborate with emerging photographers, illustrators and animators from the UK’s exciting art scene to create visuals which add a new dimension to their music. The cover art for ‘Dirty Girl Blues’ was produced by Danny O’Connor (aka DOC) who has exhibited alongside some of the world’s leading urban artists including Banksy and Adam Neate. DOC often leaves paintings on the street for people to discover and take home.

Burning Condors’ debut album ‘Round Our Way’ is due to be released in September 2013. ‘Round Our Way’ was recorded at Stainless Sound Studios, Nashville and features a guest performance from the aforementioned Dave Roe.

Hot on the heels of the release of their 2nd single ‘Knockout’, a track described by Fortitude Magazine as - “150% old-school hot…slinky to the point of slithering out of the speakers” - the new single ‘Dirty Girl Blues’ is released on 15th July 2013 through Snakehand Records.







From the first grinding, sliding guitar and cocky vocal backed up by a solid beat (shades of Doctor Feelgood) 'Dirty Girl Blues' grabs you by the short and curlies and doesn't let go as it's soaring slide guitar digs it's nasty way into your heart and soul.  Proper old school and it's Ralph's Record Of The Week on Radio KC this week prior to its release on Monday.

Blindfolds.....Mean and Moody Rockers

Looking for a good reason to visit King Tut's on Friday 4th January.....look no further.....mean and moody Glasgow rockers Blindfolds are taking to the stage and bringing you a blistering set that'll include tracks from their new Voodoo EP released in November of last year.

Blindfolds are - John Gerrard O’Neill, Conor Jack Goldie, Joshua Campbell & Stuart Ivens.  

Formed only a year ago yet come at you with an assured, punky, rockabillylike bad ass Mo Fo attitude. From the off they show their quality with Joshua's drum intro on the opening track of the EP 'Black Magic' leading into John's gritty in your face vocals.  

The King Tut's gig is on the back of a sell out show at Broadcast in Glasgow and Glasswerk had this to say about their set......There was a real party atmosphere throughout the show and the band played with similes on their faces all night. The crowd pressed ever closer to the front of the stage creating a marvellous sweaty rock atmosphere. Blindfolds seemed to react to the energy, playing at a fast pace and showing off their EP songs. Girl Gang with its fifties feel and great guitar was well done, as was the infectious Young Blood. Another highlight in a great set was Razorblade Johnny, a song with a menacing edge to it.  

My favourite track on the EP is 'Columbus' with it's retro Dr Feelgood stylee, sleazy harmonica, thumping drum, a chant backing vocal that the fan's love, solid bass throughout from Stuart and stylish geetar from Conor Goldie.  Just to prove my point and show you this is a gig not to miss.....back to Glasswerk for a word on how the Broadcast set finished.....

'Columbus', fast paced and very energetic. This one is a perfect closing song, coming to a massive crescendo which saw John O’Neil disappear into the crowd, still singing. He finally made it back to the stage before dropping the mic and taking his leave. Conor Goldie was by now enveloped in the front row of the audience, still playing, while a fan picked up the mic to add her own vocals. The rest of the band finally left the stage to a tremendous, and well deserved, ovation.   

Sharing the stage on the night are the mental Begbies, up and comers The Gazelles and Radio Arcade.