This week's BotW is the Glasgow based Futuro. Three of the nicest men I have ever met. I know that’s not very rock & roll but what’s wrong with being nice? They are funny, intelligent and talented. They drove forty miles to see me so I wouldn’t get lost in Glasgow and even bought me a cup of coffee at our interview.
This three-piece rock band consists of: Frontman and music/lyric writing master Jon McKellan; his brother, Graeme McKellan, a Physics Teacher on bass and backing vocals; and life long friend Omar Kahn, a sound engineer and University Lecturer (professor) on drums. These guys are not your typical rock band – i.e. shagging and drinking their way around Britain and calling it a “tour.” I think it is safe to say the most rock & roll thing about these boys is Graeme looks suspiciously like Sting.
Jon, a sometime graphic designer, handles all design and PR with the help of his partner Lee. Omar, the sound engineer, ensures their production is of the highest quality. While Graeme makes sure everything obeys the laws of physics(?). Together they are a self sufficient rock band.
They're also nice to their fans. Giving their music away on their website and asking for only a donation. And it’s working! Of course the biggest reason it’s working is these guys are more than just nice, they’re very talented. Jon’s uncomplicated arrangements sum up all that is good about the Glasgow music scene.
Their music could easily be described as Franz Ferdinand (minus the pretentiousness) meets We Are Scientists and then have a threesome with Audioslave. They combine traditional pop-rock guitar riffs with short, spiky production, creating a very cutting edge sound. This alone wouldn’t be enough if they didn’t also have Jon’s unexpectedly deep, creamy, rich voice and short punchy songwriting which compliments their production style.
Graeme and Omar seem to have a symbiotic relationship when playing together, the effect being they sound like they are playing as one person. This creates a sound that is accomplished and effortless, very swish. And it's even more impressive when you find out Futuro have only been together (as Futuro) for six months!
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