What I'm going to present to you, is a bio of an upcoming band who I feel you will all be talking about soon.
So, the Aberdeen/Exeter based trio consists of: Murray MacLeod on lead vocals and guitar, Jordan Smith on backing vocals on bass and Tom Heron on backing vocals and drums. The band was originally informed in 2001, with MacLeod and Smith at the tender age of just 13, at this point accompanied on drums by a friend by the name of Ross Mctaggart. In this time, the band released two EP's, recorded from their local recording studio, Captain Tom's. The EP's were named "One Time Too Many" and "The X-certs EP". Unfortunately, I have been able to get a hold of either of these to provide any form of review upon. In 2006, the band relocated to Brighton to progress as a band, parting ways with Mctaggart, who was shortly replaced by Heron on drums, the trio become close friends whilst together in Brighton. The band released two singles through One Records based in Glasgow, "Breathtaking Fights" and "My Books Laugh" subsequently saw the band headhunted by former Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. frontman Sam Duckworth's label, Mannequin Records. This saw a release of a further two singles which would feature on the bands first album "In The Cold Wind We Smile." Both "Just Go Home" and "Do You Feel Safe?" were successful in their own right, the earlier received regular airplay on MTV 2 whilst the latter was recorded with Dave Eringa, formerly of Idlewild and Manic Street Preachers.
The afore mentioned debut album was released on the 30th of March, 2009 through Xtra Mile (also used by one Frank Turner) and King Tuts Recordings (who would produce records for the Dykeenies and Twin Atlantic).
The album was a success for the band. Each of the 11 tracks contained on "In The Cold Wind We Smile, are in my opinion, amazing songs, so picking a standout or two for me was difficult. "Lost But Not Alone" is one in which standouts from the others as it is not just as fast-paced as the other songs on the album, taking a moderate paced approached. The song describes how many other young bands feel around the time the trio had then, confused as to what lay in store for them. "Aberdeen 1987" is the song which shows the bands varied approach to writing. For me, this was an absolute masterstroke, putting an acoustic song in an album containing electrified instruments can be a huge risk in terms of upsetting rhythm, but it definitely paid off. The song is basically about Murray reminiscing, it is however well-worked and generally moving.
The album earned the trio supporting slots on tour with bands such as Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., Make Model and Fighting With Wire. This brought the band onto a new musical sound.
The bands second release, "Scatterbrain" takes on a whole new direction from the bands first album. It was supposed to sound more raw and heavy, and 100% delivers just that. The band at this point had a few tours under their belts, they had seen and heard what their fans wanted from them and responded. As a personal preference, having a more metal-orientated music taste, for me it is Scatterbrain, however, I believe In The Cold Wind We Smile is an amazing album as well, as the two are so different yet so good. They both clearly map out the bands musical journey.
Murray described the album as "The sweet sound of a young man losing his mind".
Scatterbrain's stand out songs for me are: Slackerpop, a single which BBC Radio presenter Fearne Cotton played on repeat at every possible opportunity. The band is everything you would expect from a rock band experimenting on heavier sounds, yet in some ways is still a pure rock song.
He Sinks. He Sleeps. is a much darker, gloomier sounding song. Well considering it's about a dead boy, there's not a great amount of musical directions to take, is there? I've always been drawn to this song, the reasons for which I don't even know, I just think it's a brilliant song.
Hurt With Me is another, this is a demonstration of vocalists MacLeod's abilities as there are moments at the end of the track where he screams the songs title repeatedly.
The release of Scatterbrain brought the band three amazing touring opportunities. The first was with also up-and-coming Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic, where it is believed the two bands formed a very close friendship.
The second was with my favourite band, Fightstar. This tour was exactly what The Xcerts needed to flaunt their new sound, Fightstar having a very heavy rock sound and they did exactly that. They impressed lead singer and my personal muscial hero Charlie Simpson so much that he took them on tour with him as he launched solo album "Young Pilgrim". It was on the Glasgow leg of this very tour at King Tuts (brilliant, brilliant venue) where myself and fellow writer Dylan actually saw and afterwards met the band. They had to strip back their sound, yet did so in a way that allowed them to play the songs they were meant to be played. Meeting them afterwards left a huge impression on us both, the three guys are just very down-to-earth and genuine guys whom I really enjoyed watching perform and meeting.
The band are currently undertaking their own headline tour, the last to promote Scatterbrain. They play The Garage on Wednesday, something I'm sad to say I'm missing due to my attendance of the Download Festival but if you can go, please go and see them, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Following this tour, the band will be supporting the one and only GUNS'N'ROSES! (Aye, the one with Slash.) in Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol and London, which is for any band a big deal.
As well as their various touring slots, the Xcerts have also played at big festivals including T In The Park and Rockness.
So, when in a years time, you're all discussing the bands new album, just remember who brought you all the heads up on them, eh?;)
Thanks for reading, be sure to check out the posts from the other guys, if you haven't already done so!
Much love, Ross :).
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