Primes are a band that have generated a lot of buzz around the central belt in the past year or so, gigging consistently across various towns and cities, as well as their hometown of Falkirk. For those as yet uninitiated, new single ‘Don’t Forget Your Memories’ is an ideal chance to get to know their musical stylings.
The single starts out slow, with just lead singer Ollie Kitchen’s voice alone with some ethereal synth, driven on with intent by the bassline. Before long we are thrown into the full crescendo of the chorus, a thumping drum beat, rhythmic overdriven guitars. Harmonies and counter-melodies soar atop the instrumentation and around the main vocal hook; all band mates singing at once makes for a fantastic addition to this down right great piece of alt rock. You can imagine this song being sung by a field full of people at TRNSMT for example. A real summer anthem.
The band’s power-pop songwriting and the epic scale of their recordings have drawn comparisons to Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic. They have the same Scottish-ness in their voices, and give the same rock and roll attitude in their music.
If you haven’t heard of Primes, give this single a spin, and get acquainted with an exciting emerging act from right on your doorstep. For a little more insight into the band and their writing process, we fired a few questions to lead singer Ollie Kitchen...
How long have you been making music?
As a band we’ve been writing together for a year. Individually we’ve been writing a lot longer. Both Ollie and Sarah have been writing for 10 years and Reece has been playing since he could hold a stick.
What was the main inspiration for your new single ‘Don’t Forget Your
Memories’?
Our new single is really a story about the work/life balance which people struggle to find. It’s about following your dreams but having your feet firmly set in the reality of the everyday mundane. Strive for more but not letting life pass you by either.
Musically, who inspires you most?
I think we’ve all got different musical inspirations but for me (Ollie) it has to be the classics; Elvis, Stones, Beatles, Bowie and from modern music it has to be the Foo Fighters.
If you could collaborate with anyone on a song, who would it be and why?
I think following on from the last question it would have to be Dave Grohl. It would be amazing to meet him, hear his stories and I think we would collaborate quite well. Or Simon Neil cause Biffy are the tits.
You’ve been compared to bands like Biffy Clyro and Twin Atlantic, how does that make you feel?
Think it’s an amazing comparison and one we’re very proud that it’s been made. We’ve idolised those bands for years and just to be mentioned in the same breath is a dream come true.
And finally, if you were stuck on a desert island, what is the one thing you
would make sure you had on you?
If I was stuck on a desert island I’d have to bring sun screen cause I’m ginger.
Check out the new single on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play
