There was simply no way I was going to miss this show, everyone I know in Edinburgh (and by “know” I mean chat with on the internet and listen to their music if they’re in a band) knows the boys in Broken Records. I’ve been listening to their music for two years now, their recorded gigs, both audio taped and videos. I’ve read endless reviews by Matthew over at Song, By Toad and seen how they’ve evolved and transformed and matured. The old songs from their first EP are still my favorite, perhaps because that was a simpler time in my life and they’re songs I know well. Regardless, EVERY song this gang of Scots belted out last night was a winner! (Check out How’s My Living’s awesome photos here!)

We started out at Reckless Records’ in-store performance. The guys were a bit intimidated by the size of the place, it IS a big, cold, hard cavern of a store with no soft squishy things to soak up any sound. So they strapped on their electric guitars and plugged in, even though they had promised us an acoustic set. We were not unhappy with the change in plans. Now, I won’t lie to you, I was not an instant fan of Broken Records, back in the fall of 2008. But what turned the tables for me, pretty early on, was a good video of one of their live performances of “Wolves” which still gives me chills. Their sneaky little EP, released only at shows in the Spring of ’09, which I heard bits and pieces of, was fucking gorgeous. And when their album came out it was warmly embraced. We were overjoyed when 4AD snatched them up. And like all my favorite Edinburgh groups: Meursault, Withered Hand, The Scottish Enlightenment, Sparrow and The Workshop, eagleowl, (and others I’m sure I’m forgetting), I was dying to see them play live. Hearing about people and knowing they’re friends of friends of yours who’ve traveled so far to play to your city is an incredible joy. Their latest album, Let Me Come Home, is out now and it is very, very good.

This is not music that’s reeking in hope and sunny melodies about pretty girls and awkward moments. It’s urgent and tense and compellingly satisfying. You find yourself gazing up at them and smiling, and feeling like Snoopy doing that wickedly funny doggy dance he does in the Peanuts cartoons. It is joy-inducing but certainly not silly. There’s just so much going on in it all; the buzzing of violin strings and crazed pounding on the drums (he’s incredible, seriously, that guy) and counter melodies and Jamie’s vocals swinging wildly up and down the scale. There’s a certain chaos in Broken Records which is only penned in by some pretty fierce rhythmic collaborations. In other words, they fucking rock out like enjoy it. And towards the end, even the rowdy crowd at Schubas was captivated and quieted. That is a feat that most bands do not accomplish on a Saturday night!

Make a point of going to see Broken Records when they hit your town. Be there at their sets at SXSW. Sit and have a chat with one of them, they’re wonderful, down-to-earth guys with no pretensions of rock-stardom about them. I’m proud to know them a bit, at this early point in what will surely be a hugely successful career, xoxo

Wednesday, March 2nd – Seattle, WA at Tractor Tavern
Thursday, March 3rd – Portland, OR at Mississippi Studios
Saturday, March 5th – San Francisco, CA at Rickshaw Stop
Sunday, March 6th – Los Angeles, CA at Satellite Club
Saturday, April 2nd – Edinburgh at The Caves
Saturday, April 23rd – Isle Of Arran at Whiting Bay Hall

(scroll all the way down, cause US Royalty were amazing too and I’ve got a few words to say on that!)

Broken Records – Slow Parade (Live at the Bedlam Theatre) from Song, by Toad on Vimeo.

Free Album Track
Download the first track of the new album, A Leaving Song, now:

US Royalty were pitched to me a few months back and I loved their single. I had no idea what to expect from the band, of course. One song usually doesn’t indicate much. But damn, that single was a killer! I walked in on their set, already begun, and what the hell? Here was a gang of young, quite dandy looking men, just cranking out a bluesy, 70s-influenced slew of rock and roll songs with complete sincerity. And let me be totally candid, as a woman in my 40s, I welcome this kind of thing with open fucking arms! It’s sexy, it’s fun, it’s very cool to dance to, and women of all ages love a man who can belt out songs like this. Now, aside from first impressions, giving US Royalty a good listen, not only are they sincere, they are good at what they do. Solidly manning guitar, bass, drum, keyboards and the requisite tambourine, every member of this band knew what they were doing. Yes, there’s some showmanship, some slick dance moves. And after watching so many goddamned indie-folk shows, I’m ready for that, believe me! John Thornley has a strong voice that he knows just when to let go with, the Fleetwood Mac cover was particularly awesome. And his brother, Paul, on guitar, is a smart soloist – playing to the song, not to the solo. With this debut album, Mirrors, this band is just coming into it’s own. California, they’re coming your way, make sure you go hear them!

Monte Carlo mp3 US Royalty, Mirrors…. buy it!
“Equestrian” (Flosstradamus Remix) mp3

U.S. Royalty – Equestrian from U.S. Royalty on Vimeo.

U.S. Royalty – Every Summer from U.S. Royalty on Vimeo.

02.27.11 – Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN
03.02.11 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
03.03.11 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
03.05.11 – Rickshaw Shop – San Francisco, CA
03.06.11 – The Satellite – Los Angeles, CA