A Celtic State of Mind’s Reviews – Introducing Mickey 9s

I know the nation has been worn down by politicians and political spin in recent months, but there is just one particular Party Manifesto that still stands out from the rest and deserves a bit more broadcasting time.

Ever since meeting at high school, Mickey 9s have been delivering an upbeat soundtrack to mask the malaise in mainstream UK music. Last year, the band celebrated 10 years by playing a number of gigs and festivals up and down the country.

Now, I can’t claim to have been on to the Glaswegian funk/disco showmen from the outset. Thankfully an old friend from my school days directed me to their music after he was blown away by the band’s performance at the Doune The Rabbit Hole festival a couple of years ago. A conversation with my friend led to a search on Spotify, a few songs and fifteen mesmerising minutes later I was hooked. I suppose any band that can launch into a track with a chant of “Fucking yaldy” deserves its fair share of airtime.

With hypnotic basslines and electro dance-inspired guitar riffs, the band deliver a punchy soundtrack to bounce, dance and really lose yourself to. Dipping into a wide range of musical influences, Mickey 9s transport you to the post punk electro ‘80s and early ‘90s sound with a healthy mix of Stone Roses and Daft Punk-infused tracks complemented by the gallus swagger of an Alex Harvey-style delivery by frontman / singer Dougie aka St Cool. The upbeat dance sound along with the shadowy lyrics make for a intoxicating mix

Having digested their two full albums released so far, I made the point of getting out to see and hear them live. Taking in a show at The Record Factory in Glasgow, I looked on as the band stormed through tracks from their albums including the politically charged Ammunition and Berlin, delivering a flawless performance leaving the crowd exhausted but energised for more.

So enthralled in the euphoric performance, I made another trip to catch a further set later in the year, this time at Oran Mor in Glasgow’s west end, a bigger venue with more ravers squeezed in. Folk ranging from teenagers to retired revellers from across the country energetically partied along with the band as the rattled through tracks from The Party Manifesto and most recent album Galactic Radio.

With plenty of blistering tracks on their albums, namely Find a Thing, Shark in the Water and Psycho Control, all leave you wanting more and some thought-provoking lyrics from Ghosts shows a more socially political conscious from a band who reserve the right to protest if and when required.

Dave, Ants, Ross and Dougie are off to the studio doing the hard work collaborating on their third album in 2020, hopefully this will trigger more live dates and the chance to experience exhilarating show from one of the best live acts on the scene at the moment.

Martin Donaldson