We have the chance to catch up with Falkirk band Pleasure Heads for a wee chat.
What effects has the lockdown had on you as an artist?
EUAN: Obviously lockdown has meant all of our upcoming gigs being delayed until later in the year, which is pretty gutting. Playing live is definitely our favourite part of the creative process and it’s been frustrating not being able to do so.
ROSS: It’s really messed up our schedule but we’re still working hard to get as many songs out as possible before the end of the year.
How have you taken advantage of all the free time?
EUAN: It’s not all doom and gloom, being locked inside has meant we’ve been writing a great deal of new material. We’ve been chatting loads via video calls so it’s surprisingly easy to collaborate. Also, I’ve been getting a lot of reading and binge watching done; Seinfeld’s been on my telly nonstop and I would highly recommend Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, if you’re after a poignant read.
What’s your first drink at the pub when we’re allowed out?
ROSS: I’ve drunk enough White Russians this lockdown to kill someone with even a minor lactose intolerance, so they’ll be off the menu for a while. I’d love a draft Guinness but I imagine my first one back will be in the Priory, so I’ll have to settle for a bottle of Peroni.
EUAN: Has to be a big juicy pint of Tennents.
What are you most looking forward to at your first live gig back?
EUAN: I’d say I’m most looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces of the scene, everyone finally getting together again for a good old fashioned party.
ROSS: Agreed. I think we’ve all missed going to see live music, but I really underestimated how important the social aspect of it is.
For those who aren’t familiar with you, how would you describe your music?
EUAN: We’ve got the aggression of punk, the earworms commonly associated with Motown, and sharp lyrics bundled up in an indie rock package.
If you could cover one song, what would it be and why?
ROSS: We covered “Build Me Up Buttercup” by the Foundations in past, so it would be fun to bring that back.
What’s your favourite Scottish artists / bands at the moment?
EUAN: Gotta lot of love for Catholic Action, Voodoos, Gallus, The Roly Mo, Rascalton, Fabric Bear, Baby Strange, Neon Waltz. The Ninth Wave too.
ROSS: I’ve mostly been listening to Spyres, Swim School and The Roly Mo.
What’s your favourite Scottish venue you have played at?
ROSS: I dunno if it counts as a venue but I’d probably say Fred Paton Day Centre. If you know, you know.
EUAN: There’s so many to choose from, but I’d have to say the Liquid Room in Edinburgh is in the top 5. It’s a great space, and when we played a support slot there last year, it was probably in front of our biggest crowd to date.
Describe the Scottish music scene in 3 words?
ROSS: Open To Everyone. There’s no elitism. The scene isn’t just made up by the bands, its everyone that goes to the gigs and hangs about at the Priory. We all play an equal part!
What do you think 2021 will be like on the gigging scene?
ROSS: I’d like to imagine everything will be back to normal, but it’s hard to tell at the minute. A lot of artists on large scale tours have postponed until next year, so it might be hard trying to book a date for a gig without having to compete with one of the big wigs.
You recently released Sicks Of The Sights, what is it about and hows the reaction been to it?
EUAN: It’s about outgrowing the streets you grew up on and leaving behind a relationship that no longer feels fresh and familiar. We’ve had a great response to the track; it was a live favourite when we first started playing and it’s good that it’s finally made its way back into the set.
Should we expect any new music in the near future?
ROSS: We’ve got a single coming out on Friday the 8th of May and we’re sitting on an EP’s worth of tunes so there’ll be no shortage of new music.