Spawny Buggers

Sons And Daughters have just survived the choppiest of ferry crossings. “My stomach was going all over the place,” says a rather green-tinged Scott Paterson, clearly relieved to be in the calmer surroundings of The Ambassador Theatre’s dressing room. “Never again,” he says, “or at least not until the way back!”

Members of fellow Scots Idlewild, whom Sons And Daughters will support tonight, are floating in and out of the room. The atmosphere is jovial. It’s clear both bands have been enjoying each other’s company. “Ah, this has been a great tour,” says Paterson, “I’m nearly sad that we’re coming to an end.”
A Glasgow based four-piece, Sons And Daughters comprise two girls and two fellas, with singer/guitarist Patterson sharing song-writing duties with fellow vocalist Adele Bethel. Their often dark and twisted lyrics, combined with a brutal, unpolished sound, won them a deal with Domino Records, who last year released their pre-recorded mini album, Love The Cup. Much critical acclaim followed, though Love The Cup serves as only a taster for what is to come on their full length debut. Due for release in June, Repulsion Box is a short, sharp and addictive piece of work. Dark subject matters (dysfunctional relationships and murder) dominate, as does the dirty, often bluesy, but always poppy, sound.
“Well, we’ve always written kind of dark songs,” says Patterson, “but we really love bands like The Smiths and The Velvet Underground who often disguised dark subject matter by this kind of poppier, catchier-sounding music. We just love that, so we sort of went for it, with the aim to keep the songs short, punchy and to the point, sort of like The Ramones.”
What’s most impressive about Repulsion Box is the time in which it was completed. “We recorded it over two and a half weeks in February just gone by, then mastered it and we’ve just finished up approving the final artwork today actually,” notes Adele. “It’s sort of nice to have such a short space between recording it and getting it out, because if you sit around for months you start to think about things too much and begin to change songs around and tinker with the structure. Because we recorded live as well, it’s more in tune with how we perform.”
And indeed Sons And Daughter do excel live, the chemistry between Patterson and Bethel at times sexual and often explosive. This chemistry enhances the material on Repulsion Box. “As long as it gets a response from people then that’s sort of the aim,” says Bethel. “I do think though we’re worth seeing live. I think we quietly, or loudly as the case may be, impress.”

Repulsion Box is out on Domino on June 10. Sons And Daughters support British Sea Power at The Village (June 7) as part of the BudRising Festival.