Graeme Mearns: guitar, vocals
Ali Murray: drums
Tony Makos: bass guitar, backing vocals
Influences
Trade Winds (‘beer of the gods’), Black Gold (‘stout of the gods’), Laphroig (‘killer of the gods’), Tequilla (‘spawn of satan’); caffeine; Alka Seltzer; things I can’t tell my Mum about; Absurdist writing, trashy comics, smut and good music (we don’t mean Britnet Spears or Girls Aloud, and, if we find them, we’ll personally execute Coldplay for crimes against humanity).(And, if you ask REALLY nicely, we might do Phil Collins too while we’re at it.)
Sounds Like
the bastard offspring of PJ Harvey and Nick Cave, taken at birth and raised by Mark E Smith, schooled by Primus and sharing a flat with Tom Waits...
Graeme Mearns, three-time winner of Scotland’s Best Dressed Hobo contest, gutter-poet and axe-man par excellence, was already a favourite on the Edinburgh singer/songwriter scene and had released two self-produced albums by the time he put together the (imaginatively titled) Graeme Mearns Band in the summer of 2005. Flanked by drummer Ali Murray and bassist John Need, the band quickly assembled a distinctive set whose raw appeal was captured by The Skinny’s reviewer Ali Maloney:
“these guys are a revelation, kicking out swing'n'roll that is suave and demonic in exactly the right proportions. Smoking wah-wah pedals swirl around perfectly blended vocals that sound like lounge crossed with Placebo, albeit without the angst- laden androgyny. Stabs of funk bass and proto-stadium metal drumming drift in and out of focus, making for a superb set of eclectic sonics. ”
A string of energetic live shows around Scotland and a debut album, Some Kind of Bliss (available on i-Tunes), won the band a loyal following and further critical praise (see reviews below). Radio-play helped broaden their appeal and by the time of their Spectrum Festival appearance at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall (captured on film and viewable through these MySpace pages) in November 2007 they were well established as one of the Scottish capital’s best-loved underground acts.
A period of transition followed. In 2008 Graeme took an extended sabbatical, joining Fife-based ska-punk-rockers, Joe Viterbo as lead guitarist (a position he still proudly holds), picking up new influences, while work began on some new material. Tony Makos (bass) joined in October that year, and, rejuvenated, the GMB set up in their Edinburgh bunker to write and record with a fresh, more experimental approach. By mid-2009 the fruits were beginning to ripen and the band tentatively resumed gigging with a new album due by early 2010.
As those acquainted with the GMB might well expect, they’ll continue doggedly to follow their own path. “We’re making music that we like, not what we think will sell,” says Graeme. “It’s more rewarding that way... I’d rather die than sound like Coldplay.”
REVIEWS
"Sorry, pseudo-rockers, but Hells lounge has its bandstand reserved for when the Graeme Mearns Band *ahem* retire. Playing both kinds of music - "noisy AND offensive" - these guys are a revelation, kicking out swing'n'roll that is suave and demonic in exactly the right proportions. Smoking wah-wah pedals swirl around perfectly blended vocals that sound like lounge crossed with Placebo, albeit without the angst laden androgyny. Stabs of funk bass and proto-stadium metal drumming drift in and out of focus; making for a superb set of eclectic sonics."***** THE SKINNY, LIVE REVIEW
"These Scots work some wonderfully weird mojo as Mearns’ eccentric vocals and the band’s studied raggedness makes “I Can’t Believe I Fell In Love With You” a Black Keys-ish winner. “Dancefloor” showcases the GMB’s superior musicianship, with monster fuzz guitar and Hendrix licks galore. “N2U” steals the show, however, as the song seamlessly morphs from straightahead rocker, to Peter Gabrielian passages, to a Psychedelic Furs-type finale. This band is a find for any U.S. alt-label.
MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE, EARLY DEMO REVIEW
"Ferocious"
THE SCOTSMAN
"No matter the genre, this tight guitar/bass/drums combo display seemingly effortless musicianship and surely some of the most fiendish guitar solos to be heard in this nation since The Sensational Alex Harvey Band... damn fine music-makers."
THE SKINNY, "SOME KIND OF BLISS" ALBUM REVIEW
"Excellent riffage and razor-sharp sense of melody" IS THIS MUSIC, LIVE REVIEW
"Like a funk-influenced Stooges... plenty of charisma from Mr Mearns himself, some impressive musicianship and, hell, some good songs. Make that good, FILTHY songs... Definately worth catching live" MANIC POP THRILLS - WORDPRESS
"charismatic... refreshing... a revelation on the Edinburgh scene."**** ARTICLE 19 online review....
I hope you are well and have a good week! If you are in the Philadelphia area on August 11th, I have a show at North Star Bar on 27th and Poplar Sts. Message me if you need tickets.
Hi there, we've uploaded a couple of tracks from our new EP. Check them out and spread the word if you like them! Also if you are local to us we are launching the E.P. this Saturday at Cabaret Voltaire in Edinburgh. If you buy a ticket for the show we'll give you a free copy of the cd!
Thanks for the friendship! Hope you have a great weekend! Both my full album "Rise Above" and my EP "Out of the Dirt" are on Snocap.com for under $5 ("Out of the Dirt" is only $3.99) so if you have a chance, check it out and show some support for an independent artist. Thanks!!
Hope all you gorgeous people are remembering Frantic Chant, Delta Mainline and White Heath this Saturday 6th June at The Granary in sunny Leith. Doors open 7.30pm, tickets available from www.leithfestival.com or take your chances and pay at the door.
Summer is approaching and cruel winter is banished for another year. To celebrate, Big Hand would like to invite you to an extra special night of cosmic ska craziness...
Get your skanking shoes on and join us at Cabaret Voltaire this Sunday - 24th May (its a bank holiday, so no excuses)...
Just a quick comment to say we have 2 gigs this weekend, one on Friday at Sneaky pete's about 8ish and then on Sunday at Cab Vol with Big Hand, both should be belters. If any of you guys are about then get yerselves along.
ARE YOU A YOUNG BAND AGE 18-25 READY TO RECORD A THREE SONG DEMO BUT LACKING THE FUNDS TO DO SO? The Green Door Studio is offering five bands five days each in the studio to develope material and record a three song demo at no cost, sponosred by the Scottish Arts Council if interested visit our myspace and send us a message to book a place on our open day Sat 9th May.
Hey Graeme, we're finally launching our cd next week (the one Chris Brown played on). Would be great to see you there. BROKEN SWORD LAUNCH GIG, WEE RED BAR, THURS APRIL 23, DOORS AT 7, £3/£2 ENTRY, SUPPORT FROM MUTANT LODGE AND MANY DAYS WAITING - Darren
So I had a word with Bukkake Birthday Party and after a LOT of persuasion, mainly cos I might be their number one fan, they've agreed to let you support them er I mean play with them in a band off so I can make my final decision. So what say ye GMB? Are you up for the challenge? :) And remember, it's not the size of the instrument it's what you do with it that counts...
Online Now!
