The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Shambolics sign with Oasis legend McGee after ‘impressive’ gig
Fife indie rockers make the breakthrough after kicking up a storm
Hard work and dedication has paid off for up-and-coming Fife band Shambolics who have signed a record deal with infamous Scottish music mogul Alan McGee.
The Glasgow-based music executive, who famously had the likes of Oasis, Primal Scream and Jesus & Mary Chain on his old label Creation Records, has signed the Kirkcaldy-raised indiepsychedelia four-piece to his new vinyl release label Creation23.
The deal was signed in Edinburgh after the man with an irrefutable ear for talent was impressed by the band when he saw them live in the capital a few weeks ago.
Speaking about the signing, Mr McGee said: “Scottish indie music is having a renaissance at the moment and I was so glad I came up to Edinburgh to see the Shambolics live.
“After I saw them I just had to sign them. One of the best Scottish artists out there – a classic Creation band. Big tunes and they look great.
The band’s bass player Jordan McHatton, 24, who is now considering giving up his day job as a painter and decorator, told The Courier the deal was “massive” and underlined the band’s ambition to take on the world.
“It’s good for someone of that magnitude to have a bit of faith in you,” he said of Alan McGee’s interest.
“You can gig as much as you want but sometimes you need somebody who’s got that power to take you on to the next level, because that’s what we’ve needed. This is the biggest thing. It’s a pinnacle of a lot of hard work.”
With a line-up now comprising Lewis McDonald (vocals/guitar), Darren Forbes (vocals/guitar), Jordan McHatton (vocals/bass) and Jake Bain (vocals/drums), all 24, and with influences including The Beatles, Stone Roses, Oasis and The La’s, Shambolics’ emergence from the Fife music scene has been on the cards for a while.
The band, who have until now self-published their own material in Dunfermline, scooped the 2017 Scottish Alternative Music Award for Best Rock/ Alternative Act.
Shambolics play a series of festivals throughout the summer and tickets are selling fast for their gig at PJ Molloys, Dunfermline, on September 21.