SHAMBOLICS MAKE BEING SCOTTISH A WEE BIT LESS “SH*TE”

LIVE REVIEW | SHAMBOLICS w/ The Rooks, The Rampants | GLASGOW SWG3 WAREHOUSE 22/11/2024 by Anne Kelly

If you ever wondered what Trainspotting [1996] would look like as a band, then Shambolics would be probably be a strong contender for the prize. The Fife four-piece (in all their various formations) have been a solid fixture on Scotland’s indie scene over the past few years, but it’s only in the past couple of years that the illustrious misfits have really started to gain the attention they truly deserve.

Shambolics sing about what’s real and relatable for working class Scots. From growing up on the schemes and the characters you meet to the the parties that never end and those regrettable lustful encounters; all whilst holding space to the bleaker side of live – poverty, addiction and mental health. There’s no charade with Shambolics, they are the people they sing about and have lived the stories they share. Earlier this year, Shambolics released their much anticipated debut album, aptly entitled ‘Dreams, Schemes & Young Teams‘ via Scruff of The Neck Records which landed them a peak No.35 position in the Official UK Album Chart.

Their show at Glasgow SWG3 last month was an instant sell out for the Fife band who haven’t played a headline show in their motherland since releasing their debut album. The show came as a finale to a wider UK tour and it showed; the guys were on top form. Priming the crowd were two of the finest new local bands breaking through right now: Kilmarnock’s The Rampants and Glasgow’s own, The Rooks.

The Rooks/The Rampants

Always an early start at SWG3, first opener The Rampants still attracted a strong passive crowd who were actively head boppin’ along to their catchy indie pop riffs. I only caught the tail end of their set but of what I did, it was enough to entice me to check them out further.

With a short turnaround, The Rooks were up next and the venue had already about doubled in capacity ready to welcome this buzzing band to the stage. I was introduced to The Rooks earlier this year when they released their debut single ‘Lay Me Down‘ and I was quick to sing it’s praises. Their latest release ‘Renegade‘ was just as strong but I couldn’t help but wonder, would this relatively ‘new’ band actually retain the same polished level of anthemic rock that their singles captured? Surprisingly, they actually surpassed that expectation. It’s frontman Ross Gardiner who is at the core of what is so captivating about The Rooks appeal. Ross’ vocals are peak Kelly Jones [Stereophonics] style and whilst this could be perceived as a mimicking, you can’t deny the results are powerful nonetheless. There’s absolutely no way these guys shouldn’t take off but I can’t help but wonder, for a band with only 2 singles to their name, are they perhaps a little too polished?

Shambolics

The main act we’re all here to see don’t keep us waiting long and Shambolics emerge with swagger, ready to command the crowd. There’s no messing about when they burst into crowd pleasing ‘Sharp as a Razor’ and the floor is bouncing. However, it’s the climatic energy in ‘Coming For You’ which really rouses the crowd to attention; a track made with the intention of detonating pits to explode.

The connection between Shambolics on stage and the crowd is strong, and they feed off each other all night. I love SWG3 Warehouse for this reason; the space and capacity is just right to maintain an intimacy which is always a tough one to get right – especially for bands at their level (a week later Shambolics would support Jamie Webster at Glasgow OVO Hydro). Co-frontman Darren Forbes holds the quartet together with Lewis McDonald through delivering the occasional interception of wit which is echoes beyond the duration of the set list.

Shambolics continue to raise the bar time and time again tonight, peaking with old favourite ‘When She Goes Home‘ to an echoing crowd, followed by the undoubtedly high of the night with their surprise rendition of Faithless‘ ‘Insomnia’. The place erupts in biblical explosions of euphoria enough to intoxicate even the most casual attendees.

Rounding off fittingly with ‘Universal Credit’ and ‘Dreams, Schemes and Young Teams’ the show is over but the memories already locked. It might be “shite being Scottish” but at least we have the Shambolics, and that’s a compromise which certainly takes the sting off.