PINACT bring their chaotic fuzz-rock sound to Inverness tonight for a show that will cap off an incredible year for the Glasgow trio. The grunge-inspired band also follow up the date with a celebratory end-of-year performance at Glasgow venue Broadcast on December 19.
Having recently signed to American label Kanine Records, the band released one of the rock albums of the year with Stand Still and Rot in May. The album’s title ironically sums up the ethos of a band who attained a record deal by doing the exact opposite.
“We made a record and sent it – it was that simple,” says frontman Corrie Gillies. “Is the album as important as it used to be? If we hadn’t recorded an album we wouldn’t have got signed.
“From that standpoint, making albums is still extremely beneficial. We would have just been making EP’s forever for ourselves.”
Pinact’s self-sufficient ethos stands out even within Glasgow’s active DIY scene. Their uncomplicated approach to writing and composition harks back to the revolutionary American rock scene of the early 90s.
“That definitely inspires the aesthetic of the band,” says Gillies. “As a youngster I totally fell in love with the likes of Sonic Youth, Nirvana and Dinosaur Jr. Underneath all the distortion though, we still consider ourselves a pop band.
“I’ve always been drawn to catchy songs and simplicity, so that’s what we attempt to write. We won’t be starting a prog band any time soon, anyway.”
Gillies’ minimalist philosophy was reflected in the band’s original set-up. It’s hard to tell from the crashing cymbals and thunderous guitars, but the band’s debut was recorded as a two-piece.
After recruiting a bass player in August, the mere concept of filling out new tunes with bass lines became a source of excitement for Gillies: “A lot of duos try to overcompensate for their lack of members by being as experimental as possible. We tried to do that by playing as loudly as possible,” he says. “Having a bassist just adds that opportunity for space, texture and dynamics.”
If straightforward grunge-pop doesn’t sound appealing on paper, it certainly is to behold live. The band’s rough guitar tones and sonic experimentation has given Pinact an edge that many of their contemporaries lack.
It’s this adventurous streak that attracted New York’s Kanine Records, the label responsible for putting out records from big name indie acts Braids and Grizzly Bear.
“Signing to an American label is incredible for a small Scottish band,” says Gillies. “We’re from here so obviously we have a strong sense of attachment when it comes to playing here. There’s no doubt that we plan on taking advantage of the American connection, though.”
With the band writing their second album for the label already, described by Gillies as “louder, quieter and poppier all at once”, the prospect of breaking the American scene is beginning to look like more than a pipe dream.
More locally, the band will be performing at Inverness festival Brew at the Bog in June – and will be ones to watch in 2016.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here