mclusky

mclusky are a Cardiff, United Kingdom group active from 1996 to 2005, with a later return to recording and touring activity. They are associated with art punk, indie rock, noise rock, post-hardcore and sasscore, and are known for combining punk energy with shifting dynamics and black humour in their lyrics.

History

The group forms in Cardiff in 1996. Andy Falkous and Matthew Harding meet at the Blackwood Miners' Institute, a venue in their home town, and both are ejected for dressing as miners. They later meet Jon Chapple at Reading Festival, after catching him urinating on their tent late at night. The band begins under the name Best, taken from early Beatles drummer Pete Best, before changing to mclusky in 1999 and adopting a strictly lower-case style for the band name, album titles and song titles.

Line-up

The line-up includes Andy Falkous, also known as Falco, on vocals and guitar; Jon Chapple on bass and vocals; Matthew Harding on drums; and, after Harding leaves in 2003, Jack Egglestone as drummer. The verified membership also includes Jon Chapple, Jack Egglestone, Andy Falkous and Matthew Harding.

Recordings and labels

mclusky sign to the London label Seriously Groovy and release their debut record, the three-track single Huwuno. Their first album, My Pain and Sadness is More Sad and Painful than Yours, appears in 2000 on Fuzzbox. They then move to Too Pure and release mclusky Do Dallas in 2002, which brings them critical acclaim and wider international attention. Their third album, The Difference Between Me and You Is That I'm Not On Fire, follows in 2004 and receives generally positive reviews. The second and third albums are recorded by Steve Albini, whose work is reflected in the band’s dense, raw sound.

Split and later activity

The group disbands in 2005. After the split, the compilation mcluskyism is released, including both a single-CD edition and a limited triple-CD version with a-sides, b-sides, demos, rarities and a live recording from their last headline show at ULU in London. In 2023 they release the four-track EP Unpopular Parts Of A Pig, followed by the studio album Lonely People With Power in February 2025. A tour is also announced to mark the 20th anniversary of mclusky Do Dallas, though it is postponed to 2024.

Associated projects

After the split, Jon Chapple forms Shooting at Unarmed Men. Andy Falkous and Jack Egglestone later join former members of Jarcrew to form Future of the Left.