BEAR’S CALL TO ARMS

HOT new indie act Wojtek The Bear have had to grin and bear it – waiting six months to release their new EP.

The Glasgow-based four-piece who formed last year go on their first ever Scots tour next month after releasing their Second Nature EP on March 31.

Tam Killean, guitarist and vocals, said: “We’re just excited to get out there and let people hear the new songs.

“We finished the last recording for the EP in September and shot the video back in November so we’ve been itching to go ever since.”

The group – Tam, Graham Norris (guitar and vocals), Martin McClements (drums) and Paul Kirkwood (bass and vocals) – took their name after “falling down a Wikipedia rabbit hole” and finding out about the Polish soldier bear who was promoted to corporal and saw out his days at Edinburgh Zoo.

The new EP was recorded with Chris McCrory of Catholic Action and the songs include new single Trivial Pursuit.

According to Tam it’s about “coming to terms with being in your 30s and realising that all your best anecdotes are about stupid things you did when you were a teenager”.

Badge of Honour concerns “Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and how deep down we’re all secretly really impressed when someone can drink like a fish”.

Tam added: “We’ve got some exciting stuff lined up across the summer and for the rest of the year including some festival appearances and will be back on STV too in the next few weeks playing the single Trivial Pursuit on their Live at Five show.” ● Wojtek The Bear’s Second Nature EP is out on March 31. They play Glasgow Broadcast on April 1, Clark’s Dundee on April 6, Leith Depot, Edinburgh on April 7 and Tooth & Claw, Inverness on April 8.

For tickets, visit www.facebook. com/wojtekthebearband