Remember Them, Alamos

A lot of bands seem to look at music like it's some sort of competition, it's not a race, first past the post or anything, it's artistic and shouldn't be looked at any other way, says Kris Keiller, Alamos' lead singer and guitarist, laughing incredulously at bands who don't take the opportunity to work with their peers.

"One of the best things about being in a band is the community that is created around it." This attitude has taken Alamos far, far from the cocksure egoism of many of their contemporaries. Yet this band, more than most, have a reason to be self assured. Maybe this is the inner peace you achieve after being on John Peel's last ever play list? "It only came to light after he'd passed away, Rob Da Bank played it on John Peel's behalf… It was pretty special." The song 'Kill Baby Kill' is regarded by the band as one of their finest - the dark scream-pop style is the perfect introduction to Alamos for any new listener.

The band have changed their bass player since releasing their first, self titled album last year, introducing long-time friend and label mate 'Uncle Fritz' or (Fraser as his mum calls him). The introduction of Fritz appears to have had something of a profound effect on the music they now write. "It's pretty different, it's heavier and more melodic," Kris muses. "We didn't make a conscious decision to move in this direction, it just happened, but I think we are all on the same wavelength now."

In March the band will be jetting off to Chicago to spend some quality and record their second album with (drum roll please) Mr Steve Albini, against the educated judgment of the Arts council. The trio (rounded out by Kris's brother Mark) will spend eight days at Electrical Audio studios. Having applied for Arts Council Funding to cover the ludicrously inexpensive rates that Albini charges for his time and equipment, they were rejected on the grounds that "they found no reason why our goals couldn't be accomplished in the UK, for less money… I found that amusing," states Kris bluntly. Controversial. Albini did do alright by some blokes called Nirvana and, more recently, some harp playing lass named Joanna Newsom, didn't he?

Marching on regardless in the face of this disappointment, the new single 'Silly Icarus, But You Can't Really Blame Him For Trying' is a shining example of the direction Alamos are headed; retaining the raw energy of their first record whilst adding shimmering harmonies and deep, thunderous bass. 'Silly Icarus...' may well be one of the more obscure titles for a single in 2007, but the lyricist would not divulge the meaning behind the track. "I always enjoyed listening to songs and applying my own interpretation to them," states Kris, not one to take an opportunity away from Alamos' accruing fanbase.

As the Dundee based group fly across to Chicago, they will be safe in the knowledge that they have the respect of many of independent music's deities with Peel, Albini and Lamacq amongst their supporters. But the outfit give the impression that the respect of the community of bands they have emerged from is what really drives them - and it is that, above all else, which is the reason for their continued success.