Formed in 2005, the Guns of Pig Alley were born out of a common love of music, drinking and having fun, thrown together through a mutual desire to break free from the dreary, mundane coils of the quaint little Hampshire town of Whitchurch, un-affectionately known as home. Despite their shared dedication to the sound of the 4 and 6 string, all the lads had widely varying passions and influences, ranging from ska, to punk, to indie, to Britpop, to rock and even metal, which they have blended together to create the eclectic and distinctive tones that have become their calling card. This rag-tag bunch of miscreants has since gathered pace, snowballing their way into the public consciousness, and gaining recognition from industry big-hitters. Already the band has an enviable track record, securing accolades such as supporting British pioneers The Specials, The Vibrators and Chaz and Dave, not to mention headlining the official Dirty Pretty Things after-party by special request. The live shows are legendary, and on occasion have played host to numerous industry types and celebrities - one time resulting in Chris Macormack (3 Colours Red) commandeering the D.J. booth and seizing control of the lights in an attempt to get in on the action. All these things have contributed to their ever-expanding fan-base. After the recent update of new tracks to their MySpace page the boys have already had 15,000 downloads, an impressive feat in such a short space of time just through word of mouth – and the word is spreading. With clever and quirky lyrics wrapped around a jaunty beat, each song has a story to tell and no two sound alike. Quintessentially English, the guns take you on a drink-fuelled nostalgic trip through the backstreet pubs and youthful indiscretions of their small town existences, introducing you to the characters and cautionary tales that have influenced their lives. With a dark and angry edge, the boys voice the frustrations of a broke generation, taking it on with a ‘shit happens’ attitude, while keeping a smile on your face. Flying by at break-neck speed with stomach-churning drum beats, rapid lyrics and even faster guitars, it is impossible to listen to this album and stay still. So kick back, relax, and melt into the happily twisted brain-wrong that is The Guns of Pig Alley – you won’t be disappointed.
