Words by Vintage Society Music's Alex Matthew.
Rhythm and Resonance: Why “Retro Video Club” Deserve All The Success That’s Come Their Way So Far and More...
With the Scottish music scene currently overflowing with superb artists, several astounding acts are undoubtedly fated to slip beneath the radar of even the most well versed frequenters of local venues. However, one band who’s spectacular sound is unlikely to have passed your ears by is that of Retro Video Club, the Lothian lyricists who combine refined relatable lyrics and hard pressed rhythmic guitar music to craft energetic singles that offer poignant snapshots into life and relationships in 2019.
As the final show in their recent trilogy of performances at Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh was propelling down the home straight toward it’s close, Retro Video Club stood atop their stage, taking advantage of a short breather to tweak instruments in preparation for their final two songs at the venue (possibly in their last ever performance there). Then a lone heckler let loose with a humorous call for “Sex Appeal”. The closing track to their “Back to Normality” EP (which no longer graces Spotify with it’s charming presence and can instead only be found lurking in the shady shadows of Soundcloud) was released almost four years ago now and yet still carries the same emotional punch that explains the continued desire to have it be heard live. After a short period of back and forth deliberation the quartet, comprised of Liam Allison, Sam McGill, Michael Ward and Kieran Burt, decided to honour the fan’s request and smashed out a driving performance of the track that, judging by the pulsating crowd, more than satisfied those lucky enough to be present.
“Sex Appeal” still feels like a song that epitomises everything that works so well about Retro Video Club; frighteningly accurate lyrics surrounding day to day situations and social encounters that we’re all likely to have found ourselves in. This combined together with tight reciprocating instrumentation which helps to give the songs a feeling of continually pounding forward with a quickening pace and ferocity makes for a sound unlike any other band emerging from Scotland right now. It’s an amalgamation that when heard either recorded or live provides the evidence and explanation for exactly why it is Retro Video Club have seen such a huge surge in popularity lately.
Now we have tracks such as “Addicted”, the band’s latest single offering, as well as “Chemistry”, now passed one million streams, and “Famous”, perhaps their most lyrically skilled. Each track feels like a worthy addition to an ever growing canon of tight nit well versed songs that each tackle various aspects of modern day life in the city. “Pyscho” takes a reflective look at a bygone relationship and that one ex who’s perhaps not all quite there. Whilst the stripped back “Noir” serves as a quieter more thoughtful musing on heartbreak and the unavoidable struggle to overcome it. Lastly the aforementioned “Famous” is a slightly humorous take on the widespread attraction to fame and the kind of people you meet on a night out who can’t help but gravitate and orbit around those who are fortunate enough to possess brief interactions with it.
Each single release appears as if it could be a short story or a photograph, acting as another entry into a growing pantheon of commendable work. Similarly lay the tracks out into chronological order and one could even perceive them to serve as diary entires, tracing a man’s forays into romance and relationships over the last few years. It’s this sense of intimacy and no nonsense honesty which forges a meaningful connection with the listener and results in the ever expanding fanbase with whom the songs resonate so deeply.
Heard at an aforementioned live performance, Retro Video Club are a force to be reckoned with! Their stage presence is reckless but also natural, with their commanding movements fierce and jagged to match the vibrant rocky nature of their songs. Yet each terrifying strum of the guitar, each resounding crash upon the symbol and each heartfelt delivery of honest no nonsense lyrics also appears organically sporadic and as a result more emotionally affecting. It’s this appearance of the songs being second nature that sets them apart from many other superb local bands, as if Retro Video Club don’t play the songs but rather the rhythmic movements are coming from somewhere deeper within.
With their music sonically and lyrically referencing back to iconic high achievers such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and Catfish and the Bottlemen, Retro Video Club wear their influences upon their sleeve and as a result are able to build upon them and push forward to make something which possesses a more distinct sound of it’s own. This is of course in part due to superb production of Paul McInaly of 7West Studios who the band have cited in numerous interviews as someone who completely understands the delicate procedure of translating their live sound to recorded material. The triumph of the tracks committed to tape is that they still succeed in possessing the raw emotive quality of their live shows whilst straddling the delicate balance of allowing Allison’s powerful lyricism to stand tall without underserving the rest of the group. Each Retro Video Club song comes complete with driving drums, pounding baselines and melodic guitar riffs all shining through and elevating each other.
In recent times it can feel like emergence of such an impressive Glasgow scene has perhaps overshadowed the remarkable level of talent present all over Scotland and bands like Retro Video Club are the torch bearers for groups striving for success out-with the west coast. With 2019 having already offered support slots for the likes of The Hunna and Barns Courtney as well as a set scheduled at TRNSMT in July, Retro Video Club give the impression of a band going from strength to strength and no doubt the rest of the year will continue in a similar fashion. Whatever the future holds for the four piece, one can only hope it’s as exciting as the seven singles they’ve dropped so far. For now it’s nice to see they’re still willing to play intimate local shows for their dedicated fans and even treat those present to one or two old favourites!
But maybe next time give “Heart Brigade” a go too lads?
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