When I first created my playlist dedicated to the buzzing Scottish music scene around the end of last year, Two Tone Television’s Eight Ball (released back in June 2018) was among the first few tracks I added to it. The song was stuck in my head after only one listen (a sign I’ve really enjoyed something), and I loved how it differs slightly from the heavier sounds Glasgow has on offer, but still successfully maintains the attitude.
Now, the alternative quartet consisting of Liam McCombie (vocals, rhythm guitar), Craig Bronsdon (backing vocals, lead guitar), Dave Murray (bass), Chuck McAulay (drums) and Neil Lovett (keys) are back to serve up another attitude-driven offering.
Lead singer Liam McCombie described The Heavy to me as “the typical ‘I want to escape this town’ kind of indie song”. It’s a song built on teenage arrogance, claiming an identity, the desire to be heard and to be something special, “but then having to come to terms with the fact that most people just aren’t”. There are elements of the song that almost every listener will be able to identify with, this being one of them. The lyrics ‘today was a good day and I know why / I kept myself busy / didn’t have time to cry’ strike quite a chord with me, as does the asking of ‘where’s the fun?’ – a question many young people find themselves contemplating as they transition into adulthood.
The Heavy begins with a lone guitar playing a riff which implies the song will resemble the indie of the 00s, before a sudden chord change and the entrance of the drums take the track in a different, more up-to-scratch direction. At the start of each verse, the guitar takes a backseat as the bass takes centre stage with a smooth melody, and the vocals give off vibes of Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys/Last Shadow Puppets-esque harmonies. These harmonies are particularly effective in the bridge, where they exist almost by themselves before building up and giving way to the guitar solo. Repetition of the lyric ‘I’m reaching’ brings the track to a close, with the guitars droning on and leaving that final lyric open to whatever interpretation the listener may have of it.
Be sure to stream to The Heavy here, and make a space in your diary for the launch gig at Broadcast on March 23rd – with support coming from The Roly Mo, Paris Street Rebels and The Bleeders, it’s bound to be a fantastic night. And, in typical Glasgow music fashion, the party will probably continue into the early hours courtesy of the Priory.
You can follow Two Tone Television here:
Comments