An East Kilbride rock band born amid the pandemic is making waves across the globe after landing a Stateside record deal.
Rockabilly trio The Hurricanes have yet to play a live gig together after forming at the start of the first lockdown but their high-octane brand of 1950s rock is kicking up a storm worldwide following the release of their debut album on Missing Fink Records.
The renowned label, based in Georgia in the United States, were wowed by The Hurricanes' unique style after hearing some of their tracks and were quick to snap them up.
Drummer Derek Littlejohn said: "I was plugging our songs as we'd had no airplay or anything after starting up right at the start of the Covid outbreak.
"I approached Missing Fink who said 'this has to go out!' They didn't want anyone else to get us.
"We've released one album and two seven-inch singles and our third is getting mastered in Nashville just now due for release. We're now working on our second album - it's crazy."
Reminiscent of Eddie Cochrane and a young Stray Cats, the Hurricanes often draw comparisons to bands like the Reverend Horton Heat, the Hillbilly Hellcats and Restless.
They are Stephen Clyde (guitarist and lead vocalist), drummer Derek and David Reid (double bass).
Their distinct sound is firmly cast in 1950s rock ’n’ roll, while some tracks tend to lean towards influences from country, blues and folk music. Their own brand of rockabilly has been described as a "breath of fresh air" by fans and critics alike.
The lads' debut record, Devil’s Choice, was released on their own independent label Always a Hit Records and features 10 self-penned tracks that have gone down a storm with reviewers Slap That Bass, radio stations Rockabilly Radio, Small Town Hop, Rocking 247 Radio and Unleashed Magazine.
The anthemic Rockabilly Hair - which features the legendary bassist Johnny Hatton from the Brian Setzer Orchestra - plus drinking anthem Liquor, Beer and Wine and a cover version of the Restless classic Rockabilly Rat are already firm favourites within the rockabilly community.
Derek added: "The first album did really well in Japan, America and Russia with our first pressing selling out. We also sell a lot of stuff all over Europe and Australia.
"It was really alien putting everything together during the pandemic as we couldn't play live, we just rehearsed, recorded and wrote the album individually. It's been so strange not gigging.
"I would do the basic drum track and Steven would record his vocals and send it over. David is a wizard with notes, we'd write songs and he'd put his stamp on it adding embellishments that sounded great."
Now the band are gearing up for their first live gig at The Admiral in Glasgow on November 19, followed by Stereo in December which Derek says has been "a long time coming".
He said: "It'll be great to finally be on stage together. We're all excited and really looking forward to it.
"There is a lot of fun involved in rockabilly gigs with people dressing up and jive dancing, it's a whole community feel.
"Hopefully we can get over to Europe next year if it's a bit easier to travel and gig as much as we can."
Following a run of live shows into 2022, the band are also set to play London festivals Psychabilly Freakout and Bedlam Breakout in the new year.
Check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp.
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