Artist info
Genre
Indie, Rock
Sounds like
Your Mum
band members
James Samborski - Bass/Backing Vox Bobby Burgess - Lead Guitar Simon Roggio - Drums Paver - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Influences
stones, Small Faces, The Who
Unearthed artists we like
Schvendes, The Belle Ends, Crossbones, THE GLITCH, Melange, The Burton Cool Suit, SEX PANTHER, Mink Mussel Creek
Bio
The Scotch of St. James have been promising a lot since their arrival in the late Noughties. It’s clear that established artists have quite a bit of respect for the gents as they have been ably supporting a plethora of bands but have yet to hit the big league themselves. With their heavy bass lines and pounding drumming, it’s easy to see why the label of ‘stoner rock’ has been thrown on them. They are more than that though, guitarist Bobby Burgess possesses some bitchin’ guitar riffs that adds to the furious percussion played by drummer Simon Roggio. Throw in Paver Pickens’ dynamic vocal performance and James Samborski’s wild bass work and you have a show full of fun, fast, unadulterated rock. Pickens’ dedicated Cheap Shot “to the ladies in the crowd” much to the appreciation of the ‘woo girls’ in the audience. The guys show their flexibility in their arrangement too by occasionally allowing another to sing or swapping rhythm guitar and bass duties. The track 100 lapsed into absolutely primal territory which would have been good to hear more of, and hopefully the guys have some more of this on offer in future sets. Unfortunately the crowd appeared to be rather static which is surprising considering the type of music being played. Perhaps the young crowd was waiting for something else, another dimension to the band’s repertoire, but this is unfairly so. Live shows are where musicians get noticed and hopefully there were enough people on Saturday night that noticed The Scotch of St. James. Pure rock’n’roll. "Review from FasterLouder"
Featured Artist
2008
11
Dec
THE SCOTCH OF SAINT JAMES
(- Decent Gentlemen ,
- Rock'n'Roll ,
- Your Mum , ...
Perth, WA
THE SCOTCH OF SAINT JAMES were once upon a time known as The Slim Pickins. Imagine the groove of Supergrass, mixed with the dark beauty and tones of BRMC, surging with the stoner bliss of QOTSA, all smattered with the rock’n’roll dance ethic of Kasabian. Make sure to check it out at the BDO in Perth.
Tell us about your music and how you formed?
Since forming through school friends and acquaintances we started out writing fairly basic rock’n’roll. As our tastes broadened we started experimenting a lot with more dynamics, textures and tones. As we have all grown both personally and musically we are finding less inspiration from other musicians and more inspiration from each other. Our music is forming into part stoner, part 60’s psych and a whole lotta roll.
What can the audience expect from you at the Big Day Out ?
An amped and honest performance from decent chaps who love what they do and hope to do more of it…and sweat. Live we are always a more intense version of what we do/ sound like recorded. A no holds barred assault at the summit.
You used to be known as the Slim Pickins - why the name change?
Quite simply we grew out of that name as our music changed. It was a semi-concious decision to create or find a name to play under that didn’t pigeon hole us into a genre we aren’t (which was something that The Slim Pickins had done). The Scotch Of Saint James better suits who we have become and who we are continually evolving to be.
Who are you looking forward to at the festival?
Neil Young for sure. Any true great is worth the admission price and the crowds.
What's coming up in the future?
Hitting Blackbird studios with Dave Parkin in Jan 09 to startwork on a full length album which we will hopefully release mid to late 09 and plenty of shows both at home in Perth as well as a few east coast tours – first being mid March ’09 when we tour a AA side release (a little taster of the LP to come).
Australian music is?
Hard to be beat in the present day. Granted Britain had the jump during the 60’s and 70’s but since the days of Rat Cat and You Am I there has been a steady flow of top quality music stemming from Aus. (Such as The Drones, The Mess Hall etc)
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