MUSIC: Rock image suits us

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MUSIC: Rock image suits us

GLASGOW guitar band The Dirty Suits, hope to bring a touch of rock 'n' roll glamour to their home town.

Source Publication: 
ET

With the city's music scene more commonly associated with indie bands such as Frightened Rabbit, Belle and Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand, the quintet hope to offer an alternative experience for a discerning audience.

Founding member, Charlie Donnelly, said: "Some of the music in the charts is beyond rubbish, and it's time that guitar bands started making an impact again and inspiring children to play an instrument."

Citing influences such as, The Who, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Kasabian and Oasis, it's clear that the band is aiming for an old school British rock sound.

But Charlie, 33, has not always liked this music style.

"As a kid I was actually into happy hardcore," he said.

"My father and uncles used to come home from the pub at the weekend, and they would sit playing the guitar, the squeezebox and harmonicas and I used to think, "please just stop", but when I moved out, my flatmates and I used to jam together and I started playing bass and then writing wee poems and stuff.

"Oasis were massive at the time, and I watched Woodstock, which made me more interested in a lot of folk music."

Inspired, he decided to form the band three years ago with his friend, Colin James.

With Colin, 30, on lead vocals and Charlie on rhythm guitar, they set to work recruiting more members for their rock 'n' roll themed collective.

Along came Thomas Fitzgerald, 34, on bass, Malcolm Dierikx, 25, on drums and Matt Taylor, 26, on lead guitar.

The name of the band was inspired by a clash of cultures - the smart Mod style of dressing, mixed with the hectic lifestyle of a rocker.

"We were always out partying so the suits, jackets and ties were never clean, hence The Dirty Suits," said Charlie.

The band is no stranger to some surreal moments in the name of music.

"Matt played a pink bass guitar at his first rehearsal as it was the only one we could find for him," said Charlie.

Surreal then led to the ridiculous when they recorded their debut single, We Are Who We Are.

"We ended up trashing the studio," said Matt.

"We had a bottle of Jack Daniels and a couple of cases of beer.

"Colin ended up riding a bicycle down the stairs and crashed at the bottom. He then set off a fire extinguisher.

"There were a few arguments and a lot of shouting."

Appropriate behaviour perhaps for the recording of a song about not following rules.

The band has also been wowing audiences with its energetic live performances.

"When we played our first gig it was absolutely amazing," said Charlie.

"At the time, we had only five songs and they were still quite patchy, but we were out there gigging live and we just wanted everybody to hear us."

They have since played some impressive venues, such as Barrowland Ballroom.

Said Charlie: "I don't know if it's the excitement or the adreneline, but when you get a chance to play a gig like that, you play better as a band."

Although playing up to the rock image, the lads also have a softer, acoustic side.

"We love smaller venues for a stripped back affair. I love playing Maggie May's for example," said Charlie.

As the main songwriter, Charlie draws inspiration from everyday life, as he said: "Whether I'm in work, driving, reading the paper - it's just generally what's in my head at the time."

Matt has a different approach: "I'm a wee bit more on the darker side," he said, "I write from a more personal area, about break-ups, relationship difficulties, miscommunication and arguments."

After this Sunday, the band will take a break over the festive period.

They return to the studio in the New Year to record an EP to coincide with a support slot for Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Craddock, in February at Maggie May's.

Charlie said: "We're so chuffed to be doing this and are really looking forward to it."

Matt said: "It ties in with our style of music.

"We're definitely a bit more nostalgic than other bands and it offers something different for the audience."

n The Dirty Suits play The Admiral Bar, Waterloo Street, Glasgow, this Sunday. The event is at 4pm-2am and tickets are £5 on the door.

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