Galoshins - EP1 & EP2

Scottish trio Galoshins are a rather strange proposition. A band who are almost impossible to pin down, their wild, and at times unhinged brand of freaked-out rock is frequently thrilling and never boring. It makes their debut album - a collection of both their EPs - an intense listen.

Hailing from the undistinguished town of Gourock, the threesome are very much off the beaten track, and this comes across in their off-kilter approach to rock ‘n roll. Opening track ‘Shake Up’ introduces their hyperactive fervour with a harsh and bracing mix of serrated guitar, organ and a combination of shrieks and yelps delivered in a strong Scots brogue. The parochial vocals and jerky guitar attack brings to mind early Futureheads. It makes for a striking introduction to their sound.

The songs collected on ‘EP1’ are unabashedly flamboyant, the band careering through each track with reckless abandon. ‘The 4th Chord’ finds them resembling a slightly unhinged Kinks, a trad-rock riff combining with wild soloing and an audible sound of panting. It’s barmy but brilliant.

Galoshins are not, of course, being entirely serious. Often the songs here are tongue-in-cheek. ‘Fly On You’ does see them explore darker territory, with a Hammer horror-like organ sound, but rather than sounding menacing, it comes across as theatrical fun.

The effect of combining their EPs allows listeners to hear a progression both in sound and musical proficiency. ‘EP2’ sees them taking their relentless sonic attack in a slightly more esoteric and oblique direction: the idiosyncratic psych rock of ‘Dehydrated Sun’ is particularly alluring. This slightly bonkers collection of songs is perhaps best summed up by closing track ‘Get Me Out Of This House’ which is sonically all over the place, collapsing in on itself in carnage while a deranged voice laughs in the distance.