Black Bic Biro

My first write-up is a shameless promotion of a band I have a lot of history with. Scotland's finest, Black Bic Biro. Hailing from the Shetland Islands this three piece, comprised of my childhood friends, are garnering a lot of interest from the press, both locally and nationally. Vic Galloway has been spinning their song, Peggy Sue, frequently and they recently appeared in the NME's Unsigned Bands section; the review was seemingly written by a spastic, however.

They recorded their eponymous E.P. toward the end of 2007 for the Shetland based BleatBeat Records. The launch of the record coincided with the band being offered the support slot for Franz Ferdinand, having been selected by the band themselves, against stiff competition. The gig was a riotous success, I threw a glowstick at the bass player, Ledaby Cricket, striking him in the face. Guffaws were had all round.

Four songs were recorded for their debut. The indie pop anthem; Peggy Sue, that draws on the influence of current British guitar bands, the sea-shanty-esque Timmy The Flea, the electric Ecto Joe, and Chamber Of Smoke, a delightful wee acoustic ditty, twinned with haunting lyrics. While Peggy Sue remains the fan favourite, due to it's singalong nature and soppy lyrics, the stand out track, in my opinion (which is all that matters), is Ecto Joe. Detailing the deranged antics of a friend of the band, and myself, who, on his thirteenth birthday, consumed a copious amount of ecstasy and had to be prised off a lamp post by paramedics. The track is the perfect compliment to the story, all chugging guitars, wailing screams, and disjointed lyrics.

If you visit their MySpace page (here), which is well worth a gander, you'll notice the track Palindrome Ho. A song not quite in keeping with the rest of their output, but still sits within their catalogue quite comfortably, nonetheless. A laid back summery tune provides a backing track for the hip-hop stylings of Loddwan, friend of the band and frequent collaborator. A scathing account of a bad break up, filled with vulgarities and insights a plenty;

'if she was so obsessed, and believed I was the best, then why has she oppressed, my blessed organ from my chest? I feel unimpressed. Vicious and callous, like a malicious phallus, raping a baby goat, and spraying it's demon semen, black worm sperm into it's throat.'

Black Bic Biro are currently in talks with SSB Solicitors and Statham Gill Davies, lawyers who have represented massive acts such as Oasis and Radiohead. A name change is also imminent, a move to prevent any future libel cases. Any suggestions for a new name are welcomed by the band, all of there's have been shit so far. Yes, even shitter than Black Bic Biro.

Black Bic Biro (left to right): Ledaby Cricket; Bass, John Gair; Drums, Reuben Quinn; Singing Guitarist