Snuts have America in their sights
HAVING triumphed in the UK with a debut No1 album, The Snuts have their sights on America.
The West Lothian band beat Demi Lovato to top the chart last Friday with W.L.
And frontman Jack Cochrane, 26, said: “I think our music translates well to America and we made a lot of W.L. over there.
“When we did some dates in 2019, we sold out a show in New York and played Los Angeles, too, so once Covid allows, we’ll get over there.
“We’ve put the groundwork in, now we want to get out there and play the music.”
While the album was available on vinyl as well as via streaming, Jack just wants the world to hear W.L.
He added: “Making music people are going to be able to interact with – no matter how they find themselves playing it – is the way we feel we should be doing it at the moment.”
Jack believes lockdown has worked for The Snuts in terms of their development.
He said: “We will be 10 times the band, especially live, when life comes back.”
They have announced an Unplugged with Strings tour in Scotland in September which includes four dates at Glasgow’s Oran Mor, two at Edinburgh’s The Caves and gigs at Aberdeen’s Tunnels and Dundee’s Church.
This is on top of a 22-date UK tour which includes their three nights at Glasgow’s Barrowland in September – which sold out before the band had released W.L. – and a gig at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange in October.
The band are childhood pals who stuck together and made it. Guitarist Joe McGillveray, bass player Callum Wilson and drummer Jordan “Joko” Mackay – met when they were about three and Jack joined the crew aged 10.
Their familiarity is their strength.
Songwriter Jack said: “I’ll bring a song to the guys and how they feel about it dictates whether it goes further.
“If they praise it, I’ll say, ‘Let’s do this’. If I get a few mumbles, you will never hear of it again.” Their home town, Whitburn, looms over much of W.L., with commentary on teen angst and the damaging effects of drugs on their community.
Jack, who moved to Glasgow in the first lockdown last year, said: “Whitburn is built for growing old. Everything is set out for you. Go to school; if it doesn’t work, get a trade.
“There’s almost nothing else. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s one of those grey towns that can sometimes trap you.”
The Snuts’ success has allowed them to meet their heroes, including Pete Doherty and his band the Libertines.
Jack said: “You always hear, ‘Don’t meet your heroes’ but they were gentlemen.”
● W.L. is out now. For info on their gigs, go to www.thesnuts.co.uk