THE Restless Natives festival hits various venues in Glasgow’s East End from May 9-15, bringing with it some influential names from the outer edges of good music (Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan, a screening of documentary film Instrument followed by a Skype Q&A with Fugazi’s Ian Mackaye) as well as some invigorating local talent (Tuff Love, United Fruit, Le Thug).
But if there’s a buzz within the buzz, I’d say it lies in the night curated by Fuzzkill Records, and specifically in the raucous lo-fi punk of Breakfast Muff (pictured). Some of their songs might last for less than a minute, but each and every one makes an impact.
Given that Cal, Eilidh and Simone rotate duties on bass, guitar, drums and vocals depending on the nature of the song, it only seems fair to let them take equal turns with questions. So, is Glasgow’s current lo-fi scene as cohesive as it seems?
“It’s definitely a community,” insists Cal, the sole male in the trio, who also plays in Spinning Coin. “Everyone is really supportive of each other. I guess it’s marked out by how connected everyone is and how willing everyone is to work together – which is always good.”
I hear anger and chaos on the surface of Breakfast Muff’s music but pop melody and sharp humour underneath. “Humour is a big part of the music,” Eilidh agrees. “It really disarms people, which maybe means they are more willing to listen to what you have to say. Some people have referred to some of the lyrics as sleazy or subversive but really we write about what we talk about together as friends in our late teens/early 20s - stuff that happens to us, our friendships and relationships, sexism, sad things and funny things.”
In among the shuffling, how do you decide who plays what on which song? “We all sing together and are way too comfortable with each other as it is, so it’s usually whoever comes up with an idea first,” explains Simone. “There’s no judgement in switching around if it’s too difficult to play and sing at the same time or anything like that. Also it’s just fun.”
Breakfast Muff play The 13th Note on May 13 as part of Restless Natives (see restlessnativesfestival.org for full programme); supporting Joanna Gruesome at Stereo on June 1; playing The Old Hairdressers on June 18; and recording a live BBC Radio Scotland session on June 20.
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