The Snuts

Wilson, McGillveray and McKay went to primary school with each other and they met Cochrane at secondary school. They've played music together since they were 15 and on forming the Snuts, Wilson has said "we’ve only ever really played music together so I can’t really imagine it any other way".[5] They have been influenced by the likes of the Libertines and Arctic Monkeys, and Scottish Ned culture growing up.[6][7] They have also said that "one of our biggest inspirations is not to sound exactly like everybody else".[6] Before going full time as a band, Cochrane was a joiner, Wilson was a slater/roofer, Mackay was a mechanic and McGillveray got qualifications to be a stoner.[8]

The band's debut single, the demo "Glasgow" was described as a 'stunning track with heaps of melody' and quickly lead to an ever since growing fanbase.[9] After releasing several other demo singles in 2016, the Snuts released the self-produced EP The Matador in June 2017.[10]

The Snuts released their first 'proper' single, "Seasons" in June 2018, described as 'conventional in a much-needed and refreshing way', a 'total throwback to the last renaissance of alternative music' and 'impeccably pieced together, designed to detonate on impact'.[11][12] The following month, they then played at Scotland's TRNSMT Festival at the King Tut's Stage.[13] In September, "Manhattan Project" was released, produced by Dave McCracken.[14] In November 2018, the band signed with Parlophone Records.[15] In March 2019, the band made their US debut at the South By South West festival in Austin, Texas,[2] and their first single under Parlophone, "All Your Friends", was released in May. It was produced by Inflo and was the first single from their second EP Mixtape. It was described as having "an irresistibly catchy raw edge and a massive chorus" and Cochrane explained that it was a "new twist on a familiar social stigma around the drug epidemic that nobody seems to want to talk about".[16][17]

In July 2019 they performed again at TRNSMT, this time on the Main Stage;[18] in August they performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals and also at Victorious Festival.[19][20] The band's next single "Maybe California" was released in September 2019 and was produced by Rich Costey.[21] "Juan Belmonte", named after the Spanish bullfighter, and also produced by Costey, was released in October.[22] In January 2020, the Snuts released a cover of Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man" from sessions at the Firepit Recording Studios in London. Two further singles, "Fatboy Slim" (in "homage of Fatboy Slim's notorious set at Brighton beach" in 2002)[23] and "Coffee & Cigarettes" were released before March, whereupon the EP Mixtape was released. The EP consists of 5 songs which showcase different influences and 4 interludes, which are studio outtakes, giving a kind of informal feel to the EP.[24] The EP peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart and also topped the Scottish Albums Chart, as well as the UK Vinyl Albums Chart.[25][26][27] Following the success of Mixtape, the Snuts quickly released their next single, a cover of the Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City". Like their previous cover song, this was a Firepit session.[28] It was also featured in an advert for Strongbow cider in August 2020.[29]

The following single "Elephants" was released in June 2020 and was produced by Tony Hoffer. It topped the iTunes Singles Chart on the day of its release.[30] Cochrane described it as "another twist on our ever-growing diverse catalogue".[3] In August, the band supported the Libertines at a socially-distanced performance at the Virgin Money Unity Arena in Newcastle.[31] "That's All It Is" was released in September and features on the soundtrack to the video game FIFA 21.[32] A week later, the Snuts released "Always", with Cochrane saying "the song depicts the message of falling in love with someone who in turn allows you to love yourself".[33] "Always" was the final number one single on the Scottish Singles Chart before it was discontinued in December 2020.[34]

In December, the band announced the release of their debut album W.L. on 19 March 2021. It will include 10 previously released singles, 3 of which featured on the EP Mixtape, and 3 previously unreleased songs. The deluxe edition will include 4 previously unreleased bonus tracks.[35] In February 2021, a new single, "Somebody Loves You" was released in support of the Scottish Refugee Council, with the band donating the budget for the music video to the charity.[36]

• Jack Cochrane – vocals, guitar (2015–present)
• Joe McGillveray – guitar (2015–present)
• Callum Wilson – bass (2015–present)
• Jordan 'Joko' Mackay – drums (2015–present)

• Official website