Band Of The Week: Honeyblood

Sorry, who?

Self-proclaimed ‘noisy Scottish girls’, Honeyblood!

Glasgow sometimes doesn’t seem the place for ballsy female attitude but Honeyblood serve up plenty of it by the bucket-load. They’ve built up quite a following, with their tumblr garnering considerable attention (https://yumhoneyblood.tumblr.com/) and an impressive list of UK festivals under their belt this summer including The Great Escape, Tramlines and T in the Park.

Having only formed in early 2012, the pair has supported some considerably impressive acts in this time. They’ve graced the stage with the likes of Sleigh Bells, Palma Violets and Deap Valley, proving they’re far from inexperienced on the tour circuit.

With Shona McVicar on drums and Stina Marie Claire Tweeddale (mouthful much?) on vocals, the twosome makes for a captivating listen. Their live performances are gutsy. Stina sings with conviction and Shona bangs those drums like she means it. There’s plenty of angst but also passion to be found in their music, which is what makes them so exciting.

Who do they sound like?

A Punked-up version of Best Coast springs to mind; the vocals are very reminiscent of Bethany Consentino’s dreamy, wishy-washy warblings but with a tougher edge.

Something about the twang of their guitar riffs also bring to mind the Southern charm of Alabama Shakes (if Brittany Howard suddenly developed a liking for semi-angry Glaswegian tones).

It’s hard to hear a Scottish accent in any kind of musical capacity and not think of Biffy Clyro. Honeyblood don’t really carry the kind of epic belters that Biffy do but there’s something in Stina’s strong delivery and their catchy riffs that bare a passing resemblance if you’re into that kind of thing.

What should I listen to?

The band’s debut single ‘Bud’ first popped up on the Internet about a year ago but it’s only now receiving critical attention, with Steve Lamacq putting it forward for the prestigious Rebel Playlist on BBC 6 Music. The track is a catchy, cautionary tale about not caring when everything goes wrong, in other words to ‘nip it in the bud’. Wise words, girls, wise words!

Listen to ‘Bud’ (released on 4th September 2013 through Fat Cat) on Honeyblood’s soundcloud here: