There’s something exciting happening in North Ayrshire’s music scene. Emerging from the area’s seaside towns, The Blanks are a young band making their mark on the Scottish grassroots circuit.
Their identity is rooted in a love for the music that defined a generation. Combining original material alongside covers from the legends that inspired them, their set list features tracks from the likes of Sum 41, blink-182, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Radiohead, All Time Low and Foo Fighters. Basically, if you grew up with pop-punk blasting through your speakers, chances are The Blanks have got a song for you.
While their influences might be familiar, this up and coming band are far from being just another one of your typical “covers band”. With original music of their own and a growing list of live shows behind them, they’re quickly becoming a name to keep an eye on within Scotland’s grassroots scene.
So, let me introduce you to your new favourite Scottish pop-punk band. First up is guitarist and singer/songwriter James Paul, who brings an obvious passion to every performance. Whether he’s performing one of the band’s originals or throwing himself into a classic pop-punk anthem, James has the kind of energy that makes it difficult not to get caught up in the show. Then there’s Blair Thomson, the band’s rhythm guitarist, who brings his own flair to every gig. There’s something about watching a band who genuinely look like they’re having fun on stage, and Blair is no exception.
We also have the only female member of the band, bassist Ava Monaghan. Ava makes playing bass look completely effortless. Then comes Jack Denny, originally behind the drums, Jack has since stepped into the role of lead guitarist and vocalist, showing off his multiple talents. The way Jack commands an audience is amazing to watch, and he’s clearly built a reputation for bringing an energy that doesn’t go unnoticed during their shows. Last but certainly not least, we have Tom Denny on the drums. Tom has just recently joined the band and he has already become a fan favourite; the way he never misses a beat and always shows off his skills is admirable. He brings so much life to the live shows and it’s hard to keep your eyes off him when he plays.
Although they’re still at the beginning of their journey, The Blanks have already found themselves playing some of Glasgow’s best-known grassroots venues, including The Classic Grand, Rocco’s Music Lounge, Ivory Blacks and SWG3’s Poetry Club. Their August 2026 appearance at SWG3, playing B12 Entertainment‘s OFF THE GRID, marked another step forward for the band and also saw their first show with Tom on drums while Jack took on guitar. and vocals
It doesn’t look like The Blanks are slowing down anytime soon; they have been building up an impressive collection of original material alongside all of their live performances. Tracks including ‘Wing Woman’ and ‘Invalid Opinion‘ show a band that isn’t afraid to experiment while still holding onto the pop-punk sound that brought them together in the first place. Their originals keep the classic themes within pop punk, young love and heartbreak.
The Blanks are new, but they keep you feeling nostalgic with their sound; even though we’re in 2026, you’re taken back right to the early 2000s. You can listen to them on Spotify, including live versions where The Blanks really come alive.
There’s a difference between listening to a song and standing in a sweaty little venue surrounded by people singing along, and The Blanks seem to understand exactly why grassroots gigs are so special. Their shows are energetic, loud and unapologetically fun, the kind of gigs where you can turn up knowing absolutely nothing about the band and leave feeling like you’ve just discovered your new favourite group, that’s what makes The Blanks so exciting.
They aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel, they’re taking the music they love, putting their own spin on it and creating something that feels genuine. In a time when everything can feel polished and carefully curated, there’s something refreshing about a young Scottish band simply getting on stage, turning up their amps up, and having a bloody good time.
From North Ayrshire to Glasgow, The Blanks are proving that you don’t need to come from a huge city to make noise. If this is only the beginning, I think we’re going to be hearing a lot more from The Blanks.
You can find The Blanks on all socials here: Instagram Tiktok Spotify Facebook
To the band, you all make me proud every day; keep rocking the house down, my wee punk rockers.
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