Glasgow-based post-punk six-piece San Jose share the sprawling new single ‘Dirty Linen’. Often described as “one of the best live bands in Scotland”, the band quickly gained traction for their one-off performances which blend energetic live musicianship with theatrical performance art. Accompanied by a mini-orchestral backing, the band have sold out iconic venues such as King Tuts (a show which included the crucifying of a man in a bear costume) and played multiple headline UK shows.
San Jose’s ideology, that every show must be bigger and more rambunctious than the last and that the line between stage and crowd must be extinguished gives them a strikingly unique flair which is carried into their recordings. Merging visceral punk energy with moments of grandiose orchestration. Satirical, yet rooted in thoughtful, complex musicality and pointed social commentary, the band capture something strikingly unique and exciting.
Bringing together elements of folk with raw and expressive post-punk energy, the Christopher McCrory (Walt Disco, Catholic Action, Joy Hotel, Flat Party) produced new single ‘Dirty Linen’ takes listeners on a journey through stark lyrical imagery, addressing disillusionment and societal decay through a raw, unflinching lens. A sound palette of guitars, violin, buoyant brass, warming bass and punching drums sees the band capture a sound comparable to Black Country New Road and Cabbage, capturing a chaotic intensity, the track flits between abrasive, overbearing punk rhythms and opulent, fanfare-like moments.
Speaking about the new single, the band explains:
“The song stems from a conversation with a bigot. We spoke about purity and race. Eventually the bigot returned to the empty glass in front of him, and I went home. But born was the idea that no one is truly “pure”. We are all from somewhere, a rehash of a rehash of a rehash. We have all been through the washing machine and tumbledryer and we all will return there again. That bigot, will be reborn, in his mind “stained” by the marvels of multiculturalism and immigration, but in my mind he has been fulfilled, like a colouring-in page receiving it’s last crayon mark. We are what surrounds us, and if anyone considers it “dirty” then let it be so. We’d all rather play in the “mud”, than let our clothes keep us captive.
We styled the song to that of a musical, adding different elements and sounds to create a crazy circus like sound that can also make you feel slightly uneasy. We aimed to fully embrace this balance of joviality and wrongness to try and create something new and unique. Which can be hard when the easiest route is to redo the same tired formula.
Recording ‘Dirty Linen’ was a euphoric experience. Chris McCrory is a joy to work with and he understands us completely, he helped us shape or mental ideas to create a sonic piece we are all proud of. We hope people enjoy the song as much as we enjoyed recording it.”
San Jose’s ascent has been swift, with their unique sound and explosive stage presence capturing attention. The band has also graced stages alongside top names in the UK music scene, having opened for the likes of Gallus, Courting, Hotel Lux, and headlined Tenement Trail and selling out headlines across Glasgow including a stand out sell out at the iconic King Tuts. The band’s restless pursuit of musical experimentalism as seen them build a reputation as one to watch.
San Jose Live Dates
November
9 – Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow
30 – Post Bar, Tottenham, London
For more information on San Jose please check their facebook and instagram.
