Band to Watch - Shooting Stansfield

Taking their name from Gary Oldman's character in Léon, Edinbugh band Shooting Stansfield's emotive indie is much more of a reluctant hug rather than a murderous hitman. Forming in September of last year, the band has wasted no time in recording their debut EP, 'Human Static' at The Wee Red Bar with Alex Fenton.

The title track starts off as an indie folk lament, erupting into a plethora of catchy guitar hooks and sing a long choruses. It reminds me of fellow Scots There Will Be Fireworks, but less post-rock driven. Singer Stewart Douglas' distinctive vocals compliment the accompanying driving bass and drums and swirling guitars from Stephen Whipp, Craig Robertson and David Steel, perfectly. This is again demonstrated in the slow building song 'Pulse', which again takes influence from several bands in the Scottish scene (Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Idlewild), combining heartfelt lyrics with soaring guitars.

One thing I can take from my introduction to Shooting Stansfield, is that they show how Scottish bands are now looking to home-based bands more than ever for inspiration, and the results are compelling to say the least. If the band can build upon their sound and become a serious live force, then I predict big things for these guys.

Shooting Stansfield - Human Static


Shooting Stansfield - Pulse


Forthcoming debut EP 'Human Static' is launched on 4th March at Sneaky Pete's, with support sets from Windlestray and Birdhead.

Band to Watch - Ardentjohn

The wind beats against my face with a relentless force. I'm exiting Stirling Rail Station with a bag consisting of Sensodyne toothpaste, non-biological washing powder, non-perfumed soap, anti-dandruff shampoo and sensitive antiperspirant. I am the epitome of tough. Hours earlier I had been enjoying a meal in my hometown of Edinburgh, at a little place called The Red Fort Indian Restaurant with seven of my closest friends, ten pints of Cobra later and I'm back in the cultural wasteland that is Stirling. Bookmakers, pound shops and fast food outlets imprison me as I walk along the main street, with my sensi-personal hygiene package in tow, I am grasped by a sense of annoyance at having to come back solely to work tomorrow. During the five minute walk to my flat I am asked for a cigarette by tracksuit clad locals on three separate occasions. 'Gonnae crash us a fag pal?' Sorry I don't smoke. 'Here, mate geez a fag eh?' Sorry I don't smoke. 'Fag ya cunt?' Sorry I don't smoke. With nothing to look forward to but an empty flat and a drunken phone calls at three o'clock in the morning, I drunkenly decide to write a post. But not before using my outdoor toilet. Sigh.



Self deprecating and self righteous laments aside, there is a sheer ironic element to this story, through all of it I am listening to Ardentjohn's debut single 'Home'.

The Edinburgh band's folk-indie is a stark reminder of my hometown, while simultaneously being a kick in the teeth. The sweet vocals of 'Home' and the lush layers of guitars, xylophones and drums are enough to make a homesick man write a fucking terribly whiny blog entry. The hopeful lyrics make me uncomfortable as I sit in the train seat, yet I can't help but listen and smile, as Ardentjohn are an extremely good band. With their debut being released on the 25th of this month, the six piece have quietly been plying their trade since 2007. Double-a side 'Where All Paths Lead' is another song about traveling to the place you belong, with a build up similar to contemporaries Broken Records and smooth reassuring lyrics and stinging me with sick irony, I sit and listen to the song, traveling to a place which I hate, because the song is so fucking good. 'I want you, I need you, can't you see?' is sung throughout 'Home', and I couldn't have put it better myself.

Ardentjohn - Home


Ardentjohn - Where All Paths Lead


'One the Wire' is released on the 25 of Jan.

Band to Watch-The Last Battle

Many bands are influenced by the city which they come from, but perhaps none more so than Edinburgh's The Last Battle. Emerging as a live unit in October, the band wasted no time in impressing anyone who would care to listen, already establishing themselves as one of Scotland's brightest prospects. It is impossible not to draw parallels between the band and their city, as their music is both understated yet ambitious, beautiful yet dark and each song has a comforting familiarity without ever feeling unoriginal. All attributes shared by Auld Reekie.

Consisting of eight members, the band is really brought together by Scott Longmuir's earnest vocals, singing with a sincerity that makes every lyric sound honest and experienced, and with the female backing vocals accompanying, they transform into something hauntingly beautiful. Songs such as 'Whisky!' highlight the bands love affair with their hometown, with subtle references to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and Leith; "Past the gardens and the castle, where the ships go to the ocean, where my soul lies on the sea bed". However, it is important to realise that although The Last Battle are influenced by Edinburgh, they are not defined by it. Far from it, as 'Ward 119' shows the darker side to the band and tells the story of a dysfunctional family's hospital trip with Longmuir singing hopeful lyrics 'hold on we'll be out of here by dawn' juxtaposing against painfully frank and sad ones 'what the hell's the matter, what you getting at, you cannae even say you fucking love me back'. The diversity of these two songs show The Last Battle to be no one trick pony and the instrumental 'Secret Arcade' only helps to further this notion.

As impressed as I am by them, I feel that they have only shown a glimpse of what they are truly capable of, propelling their debut as one of my most highly anticipated albums of 2010.

The Last Battle-Whisky!


The Last Battle-Ward 119


The Last Battle-Secret Arcade



The Last Battle are playing on the 6th at The Jazz Bar in Edinburgh and on the 7th at Captain's Rest in Glasgow.

Also, check out more of their songs at their myspace page.