Paws, Bungalows and Bears

Glasgow punk outfit Paws released their debut LP ‘Cokefloat’ in 2012, following a series of cassette singles and their EP ‘Mermaid’. Their style is refreshingly frenetic;  and they style themselves as a noise-filled antidote to beige folk melodies.  They fill each of their 3-minute bursts of garage rock with catchy hooks and pop-tinged choruses, with room to spare for punchy guitars and upbeat rhythms.
Their lyrics are unassuming but with cynical wit and insight, a perfect accompaniment to their no-nonsense approach to their sound. Support comes firstly from Nai Harvest, a Sheffield-based duo billed as ‘emo rock’. Not the most credible-sounding start to the night, but thankfully we’re talking spiky punk melodies and coarse vocals with a soft inner centre rather than pretentious teen rock. They are followed up by Virals, a new venture by the former LOVVERS frontman. Melodic guitars, summery vocal harmonies and upbeat grunge-pop rhythms fill the intimate venue, easing the growing audience into what promises to be a night of fresh and eager acts.

By the time the trio take to the stage, aptly adorned with tartan bunting, Bungalows and Bears is heaving with an excited crowd. It’s a well-deserved turn out, more than respectable for 11pm on a Tuesday. Their relentless energy takes the audience through an hour-long set, featuring fan favourites ‘Jellyfish’ and ‘Bloodline’, with barely a pause for breath.  Their sound is a combination of classic US punk-pop and lo-fi garage grunge, and is reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr or Violent Femmes era yet retains a thorough vibe of originality.

Midway through their show, Paws proclaim themselves to be a ‘professional rock band’; an assertion which after seeing their set it would be impossible to dispute. They are grateful for the captive audience, and whizz through their headline slot with expertise, even squeezing in a swift attempt at covering Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’.  The band are moving from fledgling talent to an established name, as demonstrated by the sizable crowd gathered for tonight’s performance, achieved through hard work and great songs which are putting them firmly on the map. A live performance from Paws truly delivers, and after seeing them perform it’s clear where the buzz surrounding them has emerged from. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see these true professionals at work, they won’t disappoint.

Tuesday 19th February @ Bungalows and Bears