The debut EP from Glasgow’s self-described ‘queer four-piece art-rock band’ arrives with enough blistering new wave hooks to melt faces while dipping toes in an absolute tombola of genres. Having been a solid part of Glasgow’s live scene since the release of their first disco-time signature single ‘Front Garden Flamingo’ in 2021, the energy and range from their live shows is finally captured for posterity on grooved vinyl with the added bonus of synths and production provided by Walt Disco’s Jocelyn Si and Finlay McCarthy.
First track, ‘Trophy Wife’ was released as a single a few months ago but its snare-centric rhythms are still a visceral shock as Jack Faulds howling vocals scathe about the misogynist dysfunction inherent in heterosexual marriages over Sophie Madigan’s ever-shifting drums. ‘Hoi Polloi’ revolves around Dylan Hutton’s rumbling Cramps-like bassline with lyrics railing against the Tory government.
‘Mortified’ leads with Isabella Fraser’s lead guitar before launching into a more bluesy, very New York Dolls sounding strut of a tune. There’s something glorious about the blend of such an absolute audio swagger accompanied by such self-conscious lyrics about being, well, mortified.
‘Spoonfed’, also released as a single, occupies a much more psychedelic space with drums and bass that could be lifted from an unreleased Nancy Sinatra song and building, squalling wah-wah guitars while Faulds’ delivery, occasionally reminiscent of Edwin Collins, slithers hypnotically across the slightly sleazy soundscape.
Ball and Chain is fairly short, clocking in at 13 minutes and change, but the four tracks contain enough variation, delivered with enough cool, to make forecasting Junk Pups next move a fool’s errand. Enjoying their present, however, is both easy and energising enough to be exciting.
Ball and Chain is self-released and out now. Available here.
Main Photo Credit: Eilidh O’Brien
