Predestination Records Unveil Premeditation III

The roots of the Premeditation compilations go back to one fundamental question that the five of us in Predestination Records posed to ourselves nearly six years ago: what makes a scene? The best answer we could come up with at that time was "community".

We defined community with wider boundaries than most perhaps, preferring to draw the lines based on perceived common interests and so it extended across cliques and cities not to mention Scotland and later into Europe. Musically speaking, that under-pinning interest is the survival of the numerous independent labels, promoters and bands operating outside the mainstream of a notoriously prohibitive industry.

The basic purpose behind these compilations is to bring a band's music to the attention of people who would otherwise perhaps not encounter it and, as a result, try to encourage some cross-pollination between disparate crowds. To that end, Volume 3 is by far our most diverse collection, hopefully without being inconsistent.

Of course, it's only one of many such collections released by DIY contemporaries across Scotland and Europe, all equally deserving of your attention.

– PreRec, June 2010

United Fruit – Current pack-leaders of the Glasgow post-hardcore scene who combine elements of Sonic Youth's inventiveness with Quicksand's raw snarl. Push It is the rasping opening track from their brilliant Mistress Reptile EP. Big plans are apparently afoot for the end of 2010.

Adebisi Shank – This Dublin trio's feral live shows are already the stuff of legend. A commendable devotion to touring has even taken them as far as Japan. Look out for the guitarist with a brain like a super-computer and an insane masked bass player with a penchant for climbing.

Dead or American – Ostensibly the original core of the label, DorA called “hiatus” in early 2009. Creepy, barbed and melodic – Ne Plus Ultra is the lingering reek of a band at the height of its powers. Taken from their belligerent, Kurt Ballou produced swansong (?) Thaumaturgy.

Vcheka – Their genre-blurring, trend-shunning sound emerged apparently from nowhere. A vain attempt at comparison might read: a rhythmic blend of Battles-eque instrumentalism and Primal Scream's violently skewed indie. Whatever. Long story short, they're superb and their Live At The BBC EP is released later this year.

Super Adventure Club – One of the hardest gigging Scottish bands around, this trio make a fantastic racket distinctly of their own design, somehow staggering the divides of pop, jazz, post-hardcore and prog. All done with a level of musicianship that makes most guitarists/bassists/drummers want to throw in the towel.

Divorce – Four girls and a guy spewing a gritty mix of contemporary Riot Grrrl and 90s Chicago noise. A split record with über-hip Comanechi attracted much praise but this track is lifted from their equally excellent split cassette with fellow Glaswegian face-melters Ultimate Thrush.

Gâtechien – This cult French duo usually require little introduction. Thunderous drumming and jaw dropping bass-lines make the noise of twice as many lesser musicians. Their contribution is taken from their fourth album, recorded by Ted Nicely, also the man behind the desk for DIY godfathers Fugazi.

Vakunoht – From the ashes of Senator and the legendary Macrocosmica, these three gents make a mammoth progressive racket, with hints of stoner rock and metal to boot. There’s a debut album already in the bag, try to catch them live and remember to marvel at their gloriously indulgent drum-kit.

Loss Leader – This solo, electro-doom machine is usually spotted as the manic frontman for Take A Worm For A Walk Week. Lifted from his eponymous debut, this tune is a collision of Joy Division and Big Black, while recent live shows have yielded some stunning expansive new material.

Holy Mountain – Originally a power-duo, these guys have delivered some of the most talked about shows in recent Glaswegian memory, including one in the back of a moving transit van en route between two other gigs. Allan Stewart (of Desalvo/Idlewild fame) has also recently been drafted in on four strings.

Hey Enemy – Surely raised on a nasty diet of reptilian post-punk favourites like Jesus Lizard and Hot Snakes, it's not uncommon for Hey Enemy gigs to end in smashed pint glasses, police involvement and didgeridoo solos. A collaboration with Rolf Harris is in the post.

Citizens – From their background in punk and hardcore, Citizens' devotion to DIY gig-swapping has brought numerous great European underground acts to Glasgow. Their sound builds on those volatile roots and branches off in fascinating, inventive directions, encompassing the progressive instincts of many Dischord luminaries.

Stomachs – Vibrant art-punk depicting the collision of former members of Glasgow-based post-punkers Plaaydoh and Hyena. Each live show is different, in typical unfussy style. Loud, catchy and clearly a lot of fun for both band and audience. Their recent album on Winning Sperm Party comes highly recommended.

Olympic Swimmers – Comprising some of the most highly regarded musicians on the contemporary Glasgow scene, as well as some gorgeously understated songwriting sensibilities, their debut Chem19-produced single promises much for future releases. Expect a busy live schedule in the next 12 months.

Thews – The glorious union of three of Dundee's finest exports: Alamos, Avast! and Laeto, whose collective time served on the UK live circuit is huge. Tayside Story simultaneously exhibits their pop addiction, Van Halen fixation and hardcore roots. The forthcoming mini-album is a beast too.

Laeto – Yes they are still alive. More than ten years on, Dundonian cult heroes Laeto have finally finished a new album and advance snippets, including Ecuador, sound incredible. Past tour supports with Idlewild and Snow Patrol have seen them cast as the nearly-men of the Scottish scene. Hopefully not for much longer.

Your Loyal Subjects – This dynamic Edinburgh duo have more riffs than a stadium full of Jack Whites. Having recorded with little-known Steve Albini in previous incarnations, the new album sees singer Doug MacDonald writing his best stuff yet. It’s a simple recipe, cooked to perfection.

Marvin – Surely one of the hardest working bands in Europe, this French three-piece are seemingly perpetually on the road blowing people's minds with danceable, electro-infused post-punk. Not only revered musically, they've become something of a standard bearer for independent touring acts.

Chick Peas – With a glowing reputation in their homeland of France, this mob's twin-bass attack makes for a huge live sound. They've shared bills with almost every other talked about band on the French underground and their recent eponymous debut album marks a justifiable push for the same kind of prestige.

Boutros Bubba – Another band with an idiosyncratic take on the noise genre, this pioneering Dutch group twist and contort their structures as much as they do the notes within. As deceptively loose as the music sounds, it’s performed with pin-point accuracy live.

Mr Protector – This bass-less French trio utilise chunky guitar tones to both intermittently lurch and stampede their way through five minutes of highly intelligent, experimental hardcore. Past trips to our shores garnered rave reviews and recent album Petrole is a great introduction for the uninitiated.

Other People – Relative newcomers to the Scottish scene, this quartet have made an unprecedented impact with their hook-driven alternative pop. Threads of Pavement and other 90s U.S indie are neatly interwoven with more typical Scottish pop influences. Given half a chance stardom surely beckons.

Titus Gein – A familiar name to anyone involved in Glasgow's alternative scene, these guys have been refining their catalogue for a long time and are only now working on their debut full length album. Here's what they do best: a massive electro-prog anthem with more catchy bits than a Velcro catsuit.