One of Glasgow’s hottest new bands is claiming success with a style harking back to America’s west coast music of the 60s and 70s.
Ahead of their third EP release, Kassidy is carving out a new sound for Scotland.
The Glasgow band, which has a sound closer to that of The Mamas and The Papas and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, than the west coast of Scotland, is enjoying its success.
Barrie-James O’Neill, Hamish Fingland, Chris Potter and Lewis Andrew, signed a four-album deal with Mercury Records last year.
With their debut album recorded with Jim Abbiss, who has worked with a selection of prestigious artists including the Artic Monkeys and Kasabian.
Hamish revealed Kassidy (all in their early 20s) actually came together by chance.
He said: “I used to sell papers outside Queen Street station. I met Barrie in a bar. I just went up to him because I thought he looked like a musician.
“We soon formed a harmony band with two girls but it didn’t work out.
“Chris and Lewis were friends from school. They joined the band just through jamming sessions we used to have.”
He also explained how their set-up evolved.
He said: “We initially consisted of drums, bass, guitar and an organ.
“We soon realised we could use acoustic guitars so that the vocals could be heard better.”
The final make-up of the band consists of four acoustic guitars, box-drums and plenty of pitch-perfect harmonies.
Consequently, the hairy foursome have been likened to acts such as Mumford and Sons and Fleet Foxes.
But Hamish said they don’t like to really restrict themselves to particular genres or sounds.
“We don’t want to be pigeonholed. We are inspired by a wide variety of music,” he said.
“We are influenced by each other’s tastes in music and it’s all so diverse”
They are often seen sporting retro 1970s-style suits and cowboy boots.
And in keeping with this American outlaw image, the band took their name from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
To avoid clashing with a rapper by the same name, “Cassidy” soon became “Kassidy”.
They have gradually been gaining more and more recognition for their individuality and Californian sound and image.
Hamish explained: “We used to rehearse in a wee studio and did a few shows around Glasgow. When we did a radio session for Vic Galloway more people expressed interest.
“Eventually we were noticed by Mercury, The four-album deal was signed last year.
“Now we’re playing more shows around the UK and we even did a festival in Switzerland.
“We’re always on the go. We travel around with a group of friends which is loads of fun.”
The four-piece, who live together in an old recording studio in Shawlands, are constantly surrounded by their music and each other.
They record at all hours of the night and day in hallways and bedrooms.
Their studio/home has echoes of the likes of Texas and Primal Scream who both recorded there.
When asked if they were inspired by the Glasgow music scene, Hamish said: “I think there’s a lot of talented bands in Glasgow. Bands with great prospects. But we always wanted to steer away from scenes.
“We wanted our music to appeal to everyone, not just the Glasgow niche market.”
The band’s Rubbergum E.P Vol 2 was released in August and includes the single ‘Take Another Ride’.
Following the release of their third E.P before Christmas, The debut album ‘Hope Street’ is coming out in January,
After a busy festival season, which included successful performances at T in the Park, Reading and Leeds, Kassidy begin a new tour in October.
They will be playing the Glasgow QMU on Thursday October 14.
To see and hear Kassidy go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvkrJt4nnRE
