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2007 was a busy year for local indie rock band 32 Miles to Breakfast but 2008 could be the year they get the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for.
The young Mid Argyll group are hoping to get on the bill for T in the Park and Connect this year and a gig in front of music industry scouts in February could give them the exposure they need. They have also been confirmed for the Skye festival this summer.
The band made regular trips to Glasgow last year, playing in most of the key venues in the city. They graced the stage at Barfly, Classic Grand, Maggie May’s, and headlined King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut twice, the famous venue where Oasis were discovered some years ago. They’ve also travelled to Inverness, playing at the popular Hootenanny’s.
Their last concert was on Boxing Day at King Tut’s, a hit-or-miss night on the gigging calendar. ‘It went well’, said singer Alex. ‘It was an awkward night to play but there was about 80 or 90 people there.’
The band comprises Alex McMahon, aged 19, on lead vocals and guitar, and his brother William, 16, on lead guitar. Scott Rolland, 16, plays drums and John Kennedy, 22, is on bass.
Forming towards the end of 2005, they have shown their dedication towards the band with William and Scott both leaving school to concentrate full-time on the music. Scott said: ‘It’s just too difficult when you’ve got gigs on during the week and you’ve got to take time off school. I’d rather focus on this.’
The band cite a wide range of influences for their music. William is a fan of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, John’s a Rolling Stones man, Scott plumps for US rock band Brand New, and Alex is an Eagles fan. The age of many of their influences is surprising for such a young band but goes some way to explaining the maturity of their sound.
Thus far, the band have released two e.p.’s; the first in 2006 and their most recent effort Acid Rain with Mid Argyll label Wild Biscuit in May 2007. They are hoping to get and album out this year.
They’ve also been getting some radio play, playing acoustic sets on Your Radio in Dumbarton and Oban FM with their songs played on Argyll FM and Iain Anderson’s show on Radio Scotland.
Their next gig will be at the Classic Grand in Glasgow on February 15 with Any Colour Black and Manchester band Airship. People in the music industry are expected at the gig and the man who runs the venue is a scout for Warner Bros.
Does being in Argyll makes things more difficult to be spotted?
‘It’s a lot harder being here’, says Alex. ‘It’s a massive disadvantage compared to bands in Glasgow. We have got to put in a lot of effort travelling to gigs. We’d only move if there was a good reason but you’re limited to what you are going to achieve here.’
The hardest gig they’ve played so far was the Classic Grand the night that Scotland was put out of the World Cup by Italy. John recalls: ‘We had 150 angry guys in the crowd but we managed to calm some of them down. It was probably one of our best gigs in the end!’
With music being downloaded for free these days, gigs are still the mainstay of the group.
‘I get a good buzz from it’, says drummer Scott. ‘I think the best thing was stepping off the stage at King Tut’s the first time we played. It was natural ecstasy for us and we want every moment to be like that. It’s nice to see other people’s reaction to it.
Tickets are available from the band for their gig in Glasgow in February and they are also looking for sponsors. Call 01546 603764 for details. You can listen to the band on their website: www.myspace.com/32milestobreakfast.
