New Blood: Sucioperro

2007 promises to be a big year for Scottish music. With Idlewild releasing a new long player this month, Biffy Clyro with one in the pipeline, Alamos teaming up with legendary producer Steve Albini and fellow Dundonians The View being tipped from all quarters for world domination, the future, it would seem, is most certainly tartan. But is there room for one more Scottish rock band to muscle in for a slice of the cake? 2006 saw Ayrshire outfit Sucioperro throw their hat into the ring with debut album 'Random Acts of Intimacy'. The Skinny caught up with drummer Fergus Munro to find out just how credible a challenge they can muster.

Last year couldn't be viewed as anything but a success. The inclusion of the opening track from 'Random Acts…' on Kerrang's New Breed release may have come as a surprise to some, but not to Fergus. "The year went pretty much as expected. We got some good reviews, some bad. The highlight was probably the Kerrang one, but I can't say we were shocked."

Typifying their style is no easy task. It's been roughly classed as alternative rock. Some have, rather lazily, tagged it EMO ("I don't see that. To me EMO is about nice hairdos and eye make-up, not us"). But from certain quarters it's been more overtly described as "Jimmy Eat World given life lessons from Motorhead," - their sound touches on many different influences before coming home to roost. Sucioperro, though, are flattered by such distinctions.

"Well, I would take it as a compliment. Lemmy is obviously a rock n roll legend, and most of the band are fans of Jimmy Eat World." Comparisons with Neil Finn and Crowded House's melodic streak draw similar nods of approval from Munro. The most obvious connection, though, is of course with old pals and one time collaborators, Biffy Clyro. Seemingly a mention of Sucio' is inescapably followed by a nod to Biffy in the same breath. Does that grate with the band?

"Naw, I wouldn't say that. They are mates of ours from Ayrshire and of course we have worked together on Marmaduke Duke, so sometimes it's inevitable. What does get annoying is when people automatically assume we are the same band and make that preconception without even listening to the album. That can be frustrating. But Biffy are a great band and even if we weren't mates, it's an honour to be compared with them."

The Marmaduke Duke alliance is one that attracted mixed reviews, but one which both parties unquestionably relished. So, in an ideal world, who else would the boys like to team up with? "Hmm, that is tough. There are so many. If you're talking ANYONE… then Pearl Jam. Without doubt. So if you're reading Eddie..." Hmm. How about closer to home? "Maybe bands like Snow Patrol and Idlewild. We're fans of both." But does Munro see any correlation between much of Sucioperro in the aforementioned duo?

"Maybe their earlier stuff. Both bands seem to have started out with an edgier sound, which we can relate to more, but seem to have mellowed out over time." The sound engendered on their debut is anything but mellow. They do seem to have developed an ear for a soft/loud intonation that has gone down so well with Joe Public of late. So what advice would Fergus offer up and coming Scottish bands? "Stay in Scotland. So many young bands go off to London or other big cities and nothing ever comes of it. I wouldn't recommend that." So there you are kids. To see if they really are onto a winning formula, look out for Sucioperro's follow up LP in '07.