The Girobabies

The Girobabies

The Girobabies are a Glasgow-based group. They form around lead vocalist Mark McGhee and a friend who start the band after finding themselves out of work. The name comes from “giro”, a British government payment for unemployed people, and reflects that background.

Releases and recording

The band makes early material available as free downloads, including The Broken Home Sessions EP and songs from Sack The Unemployed, which they give out at gigs in June 2009. They then record in a proper studio for the Social Not Working album, which includes the tracks “Stalker Drama” and “Jeremy Kyle (Fucked My Wife)”. The album is promoted for a May release before appearing in August 2010 on Traffic Cone Records. In 2012 they release Bus Stop Apocalypse.

Activity and recognition

The Girobabies spend a year gigging across Scotland and aim to take their music further afield, including England and Amsterdam. They support Proud Mary, who are founded by Noel Gallagher, and receive airplay on the BBC. They also attract celebrity attention, including support from Rhys Ifans, and build an underground following.

Members

The group’s listed members are M. McGhee, J. Hayes, M. Yuen, S. Andrews, R. Gunn and J. Hopkins.