ESCAPE GOATS latest single Rompecabezas is an absolute cracker of a find; it’s riff-heavy, Glaswegian sort of pop-punk influenced math rock at its finest.
The opening riff immediately pushes the chin-strokers and head-bobbers to the back of the room to make way for the moshers. After a jaunty and almost uncomfortable verse follows a dreamy and soaring chorus fit for swaying or shouting back at the stage, if you so wish. These are three guys who are dead lucky to have found each other. Each a master of their own instrument and clearly acutely focused on making something new, while still reminiscent of great Scottish rock bands, but above all, it must be brilliant.
I’m reminded of Dananananaykroyd, who I’ve been desperate to hear from for years, but ESCAPE GOATS have finally quenched that thirst. I think, maybe because of the energy more than anything, I reckon they are probably fans, but they have created a whole new beast, which I suppose helps place them in the box with Dananananaykroyd. They, too, are a totally unique beast. They will fit nicely on a playlist with Xcerts, We Are Scientists and Futureheads.
After falling in love with Rompecabezas, I dove right into everything else I could find. They seven or eight songs on the streamers, all of which wacky, wonderful, and worth checking out. Plus, some tasty grainy live videos from gigs and one from the practice studio.
ESCAPE GOATS are loud, wild, and wilfully off-kilter. Their lyrics have that tongue-in-cheek surrealism you find from Biffy, but if possible, more random. I’d love to describe their style to you, but I just can’t. Their vocal melodies seem to stick two fingers up to the concept of writing melodies in the best way. It’s like they couldn’t care less whether you like them or not because they are great, and if you disagree, you can go to the karaoke next door.
I am desperate to see ESCAPE GOATS live, and you should be too.
