The North Of The Border series of features focuses on Scottish DIY Punk, and this month it’s an introduction to The Walking Targets. Ruaridh (drums/vocals), Max (guitar/vocals) and Alex (bass) make up the melodic punk three-piece, for fans of The Lawrence Arms, Hot Water Music and The Menzingers.
The Walking Target’s roots are familiar to most of us, as Ruaridh explains: “I think collectively our gateway band into punk music was through Green Day and then even more through Rancid, as it is for loads of people.” This makes complete sense on first listen to their debut EP, ‘Controlling The Motions’, with fast-paced punk rock backed up by full-bodied guitar and infectious bass hooks.
If you have a look back at the other NOTB columns it becomes pretty evident that I gush over the amount of talent that the Scottish music scene seems to leak out of its every pore. These guys are no exception – they’re young, all of them around 20. That shouldn’t be a surprise but lyrically speaking, these songs are poignant and mature.
“In terms of actually writing the lyrics I tend to just write about what’s going on in my life and in my head. It’s very much a venting process for me.”, Explains Ruaridh. “Max writes in a similar way but in general seems to rationalize his thoughts more and think in a more optimistic way. I think that creates quite a cool dynamic across our songs lyrically.”
For a band which started out when they were 13, these guys have to get along – touring across the UK and Scotland can take its toll – and the chemistry between them comes across in person. Ruaridh goes into this further: “Having known each other for so long definitely means we know how to make each other tick! But at the same time it means we have a pretty strong understanding of each others personalities and so can sustain a good dynamic even when we’re in each others faces.” They’re solid live as well, managing to add a another layer of energy and grit to their recordings.
“At the end of January this year we recorded our debut album with James Bragg at Middle Farm Studios which was an amazing experience. We are all itching to release it but really want to take our time to get all the plans worked out. Our self imposed deadline is to release it in June ’cause we’re in the embryo stages of planing a UK tour to promote it. We also are incredibly excited to be playing this years FEST in Gainesville, Florida! Other than that we just want to continue to write and play music and I guess just see what happens!”
It’s evident that the future’s bright for The Walking Targets then. It’s fitting really, as the whole Scottish music scene is thriving right now. The Scottish DIY Punk scene is full of active people with talent and initiative and this is yet another awesome product of that combination. Clearly the band agree, saying that “[the community] is bloody lovely! We were introduced to it in late 2012 through meeting Boab (Punk Rock Rammy) and Raph from Walk The Plank Promotions”
They first played the aforementioned Book Yer Ane Fest in 2012 which can only be described as an amazing three-day rammy (read: party) in Dundee; Ruaridh goes on to explain how inclusive and friendly the community up here really is: “We met a whole cast of awesome people! It really is a thriving community of honest and talented people and we are really chuffed to be considered a part of it. And the quality of bands is really really good – The Murderburgers, The Kimberly Steaks, Billy Liar, Uniforms, Get it Together, Cleavers (RIP), Andy Chainsaw, Lachance and tons of others. We have definitely been inspired to make the best music we can with these folk as our peers!”
SAMARTH KANAL