“THE CHILD OF JAMIE T AND SEX PISTOLS” | ‘NO SCRAP VALUE’ DEBUT EP BY JAM TUB

‘NO SCRAP VALUE’ BY JAM TUB | EP REVIEW by Keira Knox 4/5

Rising from the depths of a global pandemic, the North East three piece Jam Tub have been generating significant commotion since their establishment in early 2023. The band have refined their skills, perfecting their talents that have enabled them to settle quickly into the music industry, performing to sell out crowds and already garnering a loyal and dedicated fanbase.

The band have continued to master their craft of a live sound, pouring effort and passion into their work. Jam Tub have now released their 5 track debut EP ‘NO SCRAP VALUE’, and that tireless work ethic has certainly paid off. The Geordie swagger that infiltrates this EP is off the charts, it’s only up from here for this dynamic trio.

The EP begins with ‘Riverside,’ which deceives you into thinking it will be an acoustic song until the thunderous percussion beats and fast-paced guitar chords breathe new life into this explosive piece. The guitar solos in this track are off the scale, something that would make icons like Jimi Hendrix proud, they make this track that extra bit special. ‘ABIOTIC,’ is deserving of a spot on the prestigious BBC 6Music playlist. This song has a similar vibe to some of Jamie T’s best-loved songs; the fast-paced style and strong guitar riffs further enhance that. The only way in which I can describe Jam Tub’s sound is that they’re the child of Jamie T and Sex Pistols, the perfect combination of Jamie T’s distinctive indie sound whist blending in that sense of anarchy and punk.

With its creative lyrics and varied musical style, ‘NO SCRAP VALUE’ could prove to be an excellent piece for Jam Tub. Personally, my favourite track on the EP is ‘Mr Fully Paid,’ which combines racing punk guitars with that unique indie vibe from the 00s. This EP is refreshingly diversified, and I enjoy how the band has combined their distinct sounds with their own inspirations to produce something truly unique. The confidence of this young band is evident in this tune.

‘Daisy Chain’s’ repeated nature has the potential to lead you to become obsessed with the tune. Compared to the other tracks on the EP, it’s far more subdued. The distinctive guitar riffs are still audible, while the deep bass tones slink beneath the surface, enhancing the vocalists’ subtlety. I was particularly intrigued by ‘Superficial Lover,’ which ended the EP with a completely different tone. Plenty of tempo shifts, major seventh chords, and mouth organ flourishes are all included.

Jam Tub have set the standards high for themselves with this EP. Experimentation working in the best possible way and I can’t wait to see what they produce next!