The Grim Northern Social
Watch Out For The Spies / Urban Pressure (self-released)
This was the final crack at glory for Lanarkshire’s most criminally underrated, now defunct group. Frontman Ewan Macfarlane grew increasingly restless with the bands continued efforts leading to many false dawns, and this single acts as the epilogue on an exciting, if brief, sojourn into notoriety.
‘Watch Out For The Spies’ perfectly portrays the Grims’ strengths; powerful guitars and Ewan’s domineering vocal always stood them apart from the mainstream, and demonstrates what could have been had the breaks fallen in their favour.
Flipside ‘Urban Pressure’ is arguably the bands finest moment. Swift, sharp lyrics sweep through to the ultimate singalong chorus, and the GNS were always about providing a memorable live set backed up with tracks like this. It could be a case of being conceived in the wrong era, maybe the raw indie sound alienated them amongst the power pop punk riffs that are flailing through the air today. Whatever happens though, there should remain a place in music somewhere for the talents of Ewan MacFarlane – he truly is a special performer.
Donny
