U SERIOUS BOI?? YOU BET THEY ARE!!
The streets of Kirkcaldy were quiet on Saturday evening, mainly because most of the towns young folk were descending on Sauchiehall Street to see their local heroes Shambolics play to a packed-out Glasgow audience in the famous old Garage venue.
Opening for the band were The Rooks. The young Indie outfit warmed the crowd up nicely with their own brand of guitar music. Littered with a few choice covers including a fabulous take on the Tommy Tucker penned Hi Heeled Sneakers, they made a great sound and provided a great start to the evening ahead.
And onto the main act. Shambolics were formed in Kirkcaldy on Scotland’s east coast but having been signed up after a promising start by Creation Records Alan McGee, the band have relocated to Glasgow to hone their skills and complete their debut album. Having been held back by the recent pandemic, they have finally released their debut EP on Scruff of the Neck Records and have sold out The Garage in Glasgow to promote this.
Fans of guitar-based music, such as Oasis, The View, Arctic Monkeys etc will no doubt tune in to the sound made by the five piece from Fife, and who knows where they would have been had it not been for the outbreak of covid. However onwards and upwards, they are back on track, making music and selling out gigs across the country again, getting their name back out there.
Four tracks from the six available on the new EP would be included on tonight’s setlist. Opening with Sharp as a Razor, the crowd were whipped to a frenzy in no time. The influence of The View and having a recent writing session with Kyle Falconer in Spain is plain to see, from the catchy guitar solos to the relatable lyrics of youth and local culture, right down to the customary east coast twang included on the vocals.
Sandra Speed, Whats Going on in Your Head, Better Off Alone, all great tracks keeping the crowd on a simmer. Highlight of the night for me Dreams Schemes & Young Teams, a cracker of a tune getting the crowd above boiling point again. Chasing a Disaster, Love Collides and When She Goes Home closed tonight’s event, the band took their bows and the hot and sweaty crowd made their way out to the cold Glasgow night.
Fans of the band knew what to expect and would no doubt be on a high after tonight’s performance. For new fans just discovering them, I’m sure many are already checking to find out when they can catch them live again. Scottish music is in its healthiest state for many a year, with so many top bands and musicians on the circuit. There’s a lot of hype around The Shams, now it’s time for them to show what they’re made of and take things to the next level. Definitely one band to watch out for.
Review & Photographs by Stephen Wilson
