Label Releases 2023
Here is where we showcase to you where we're at with the latest releases from Whanga Records. Follow us on all the usual socials to let us know exactly what you think, or if you want to get involved or arrange a chat to discuss how we can work together, drop us a line using the deets on our Contact page.
Birrell or Biscuit -
Pages and Mr Black Sheep (Double A-Side)
Released 24/11/23
Download Mr. Black Sheep via Bandcamp shop here
Listen to Mr Black Sheep via your preferred streaming service here
Download Pages via Bandcamp shop here
Listen to Pages via your preferred streaming service here
One part old school romantic, one part anarchist, Birrell or Biscuit's Craig Birrell is a true libertine.
This double A side release falls on his more old school romantic side.
Mr. Black Sheep is about feeling kinship with and giving love to the people who are outcast by mainstream society.
It has been around for a while, Birrell not quite knowing how to complete it or even if he should. Then as with most things with Birrell or Biscuit, clarity sneaks in through the fug of life and Birrell turned it from a demo of semi ranting to the heartfelt ode it now is.
Daniel Johnson meets Jad Fair in a hospital car park policed by Syd Barrett anyone ?
Pages is a wistful lament about losing your mind and saying things you regret.
It came together much quicker than Mr Black Sheep. It’s rawness and honest lyrics played out over the country guitar sound that could only come from Scotland.
The songs were recorded by TheSocialOrderRecords.com, Working together covertly from a Shed on a hill in Fife.
During lockdown they remained true to themselves and constructed TSO PROJECT9 as a means to protect their sanctuary. Robert Reilly & Allan Mills - Rab and Albo formed the project and are now listened to worldwide. Proving the importance of being real and keeping true to the mission. TSO PROJECT 9 are now working with local artists and producers to create and inspire!
Birrell or Biscuit -
Music to Watch Lavalamps (EP)
Released 31/03/23
Birrell or Biscuit's debut 6 track EP release! This will comprise songs that have not been released yet from Craig's solo recording days, before the new full band line up move onto new material.
Check out the as always great and in depth review below from thesongbirdhq.com.
The EP consists of 6 tracks of psych punk mayhem!
Title track ‘Music To Watch Lavalamps’ is the perfect opener, a proper jam in the mould of Oasis’s ‘Fuckin’ In The Bushes’
‘Double Decker Bus’ may well be the first time I’ve ever heard the store manager of Morrison’s introduce a song and then go on to narrate, over the top of a proper punk banger, about re-training as a s driver!
While ‘Boy Band’ is the antithesis of anything Five ever produced, with some hilarious subject matter lamenting the fact his Casio keyboard is in need of some new AA batteries!
‘Silly Billy’ is probably the catchiest track on the EP, it has the hooks, melodies, punk guitars and a false ending.
Whereas ‘Hey You’ gives off some Happy Mondays vibes, it might well be my favourite track here, it stomps along with a swagger, every instrument used seems to get it’s space to shine.
Final track ‘Eye For An Eye’ is the most clear vocally with a catchy bassline and psychedelic guitars.
You might need a few listens to get your head round these songs, as ever with Birrell Or Biscuit, there’s a lot going on but with every listen you’ll find different parts, it’s like a psychedelic punk jigsaw, stick with it and you’ll be so satisfied when you solve the puzzle.
‘Music To Watch Lavalamps’ joins an impressive back catalogue since 2021’s ‘Top Of The Pops’ and there’s plenty more to come with the full band set-up.
Stay tuned for more material later in the year!
Birrell or Biscuit -
Eggs and Onions
Released 19/09/23
Download via Bandcamp shop here
Listen via your preferred streaming service here
Watch the music video here
Howdya like yer eggs in the morning?
EGGS AND ONIONS!!!
Put this in your belly and it'll make your pumps smelly!!!
There is no genius without madness. Birrell or Biscuit, ladies and gentlemen.
TwinsTown - Brankholm Brae (album)
Streaming Release 24/11/23
Vinyl Release 8/3/2024
Pre-order ltd edition white vinyl and download digital album here
Listen on your preferred streaming service here
''Introducing TwinsTown and The Greatest Album Never Released… until now!
A Clockwork Orange was withdrawn from British cinemas at the behest of director Stanley Kubrick after it inspired copycat crimes and a bit of the old ultra-violence. They stopped the Sex Pistols’ God Save The Queen from hitting number one in the Jubilee year. And, mid-song, when prudish Radio One DJ Mike Read realised what Relax was all about, he believed he had good reason to yank the Frankie Goes To Hollywood single off his turntable toot sweet. However, no one knows why The Greatest Album Never Released has been gathering dust in an attic somewhere on the outskirts of Rosyth… until now!
TwinsTown’s Brankholm Brae – the Cinderella stuck in the scullery missing her ball, the sleeping beauty never kissed, the debut album lost in the mists of time – has found a Prince Charming, a man who can make fairy tales come true… it’s Big Barrett of Whanga Records, Stuart to his parents, and he’s remembered that a record label needs records.
The supremely-talented song-writing sonic twins, Donald and Stuart Mackay, have remembered that they want to be rock stars, or indie pop playboys in Hollywood, or something with guitars.
Harry Dixon won’t thank me for reminding him that he worked his fingers to the bone devising and playing unflinchingly good bass lines at the magnificent Tpot Studios, Path of Condie.
Having worked with Manic Street Preachers and The View, top producer Robin Wynn Evans demands the best, the hit-maker recognised Harry’s talent and worked him ’til he dropped.
Unlike Harry (and me), universally acclaimed superstar drummer, Wayne Robertson, avoided the perils of Sailor Jerry, and drummed his heart out. Brave and selfless, Wayne returned to smash it on stage with TwinsTown recently, when new drummer, Keiran Gillespie, was unavailable.
Aiden Stewart, the other new member of TwinsTown, knows what he’s let himself in for. I remember Aiden doing an acoustic version of fan-favourite Wrath of the Rum ages ago at The Creepy Wee Pub jam sessions. That reminds me, we missed out on having the Brankholm Brae launch party at Tappie Toories, that would’ve been quite something to remember.
Welcome to TwinsTown, Keiran and Aiden.
Magnificent Mark Guyan is still in the band. With the patience of a saint this classically trained pianist takes the ever-catchy tunes to new heights. Fans say Mark “could be in a boyband” and he is most likely to look good in an Ainsley Harriott T.
Brilliant backing vocals from Ellie and Billy George alongside Ben Sharp complete the infectious sound.
I know the band would like me to thank you for buying the album and everyone who makes the live gigs so special. Thanks to everyone who helped along the way too (sorry I can’t mention everyone here) and special thanks to Billy George whose support and advice was, and still is, crucial.
The whole Brankholm Brae experience was amazing, a pleasure from start to finish, from all the days and weekends spent at the idyllic Tpot Studios to The Twa Tams in Perth, just after lockdown, where we heard the album played live to an adoring audience.
I still have flashbacks, slightly ironic for the photographer, to that magical night in Perth; taps aff Greco-Roman wrestling with a massive cuddly gorilla* and Hugh Reed of Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants. Hugh, who was left shocked when Diane drank both his drinks in Trainspotting, had not encountered TwinsTown. Well, he has now!
Danny Boyle, eat your heart out! In the TwinsTown video shot at Tpot, Hugh has a cameo role as Santa Claus. Releasing this album on Christmas Eve, I had to find an excuse to say…
Merry Christmas!''
Words by Joe Graham, TwinsTown Photographer
www.getsetjoe.com