The Uninvited are a band that have managed to stay under the radar despite winning the BBC Live Lounge competition in 2022 and playing some top tier festivals along with supporting Nova Twins. You wouldn’t even know they were from Glasgow.
Their new single ‘Snake Charmer’ is out now and we couldn’t help but give it a spin.
Opening with a chunky, jagged riff, you automatically go to bands like Kid Kapitchi, Snayx and Nova Twins… distorted bass being played like lead guitar and a lead guitar riff that dances over the top of everything with a definite flavour of the exotic. The musical phrases are toying with the boarders of stereotypes with ‘Snake Charmer’ as it’s almost that old school tune you heard in cartoons in the ’80s when you saw a man in a turban with a big flute, making a cobra dance. I do get it, though… it’s like ‘Turning Japanese’ or ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ which I still enjoy listening to, even if they haven’t aged well.
The Uninvited describe themselves as pop punk, but I wouldn’t agree with that. It’s too sharp and aggressive. I’d put them more in the alt rock bracket. Maybe that’s why they’re still under the radar despite being good? Find the right audience for this band and they’ll be filling big venues in no time – just like the aforementioned influences.
The vocals are awesome and powerful in this track. They can’t be faulted. There’s a bit of Dead Pony about them with the pre chorus and choruses, although the choruses seem to lack a good bit of instrumental backing. When everything is lead…lead bass, lead guitar, multiple lead vocals… there’s nothing behind the chorus lifting the song up. It’s screaming for some drop tuned, solid rhythm guitar or keys at the chorus so it can match the power of the intro and verses.
That being said, the intro and verses are powerful enough to carry the whole song. It just results in the chorus becoming a bit of an anti-climax. The riff and vocals are hooky and there are a few bits that will get caught in your head whether you like it or not. A tiny bit of tweaking and it could be perfect.
The Uninvited are supporting Frank Turner at the O2 in Edinburgh on 27th September 2025 and playing Burn It Down Festival 29th-30th August.
Catching Light Photography
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