Getting To Know: Full Fat

Full Fat, described as "having Elvis reincarnated" with their electrifying track "Doctor Longhair," this band is taking the UK blues scene by storm. With their raw energy, attitude, and a fresh take on 50s rockabilly and rock and roll, they’re quickly becoming a standout act. Praised for their honest sound and potential, they're a band on the rise, catching the attention of radio DJs and critics alike. If you haven't heard of them yet, now's the time to tune in—these guys are definitely worth checking out.

Speaking about their latest album they shared "The album Live in Leith is our wee collection of stories we have curated, from our own experiences and the experiences of others we have encountered. These stories are aimed at helping to reconcile with life and its dark realities, with focus on depression, suicide and abuse. These songs do this by exploring the joy, beauty and love that can be found amongst other human beings and within ourselves."

This is a beautifully written song, simple in structure and harmony but really making use of the slow build, exploring the dynamic range of the instruments and this skill of the musicians recording it. Such a perfect example of a heartbreak song, using the metaphor of addiction to exactly convey the feeling of hurt and not being able to do without this other person who is gone. Songs like this inspire tracks like “Young Pretender”, our 3rd single from the album. They give me as a songwriter hope that there is still a place for a song which gives the listener quiet and space, songs that are not afraid of the silence.

1. Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington & Bill Withers

Bill Withers is one of my favourite songwriters of all time and the earnest lyrics and soulful vibe of Just the Two of us directly inspired the track “Atmosphere” on the album. Just a cool chord progression that you can have fun with and a vocal line which lends itself to both simplicity and exploration. Such a great wee phrase to build a song around too, “Just the two of us, we can make it if we try”, so earnest and full of hope.

3. Love Doctor – Bridget Kearney

Bridget Kearney is both an excellent songwriter and musician and has a career and portfolio which greatly I envy. Love Doctor is guitar riff driven with simple yet effective production and sparing but superb use of harmonies and extra instrumentation. Love a slow build song and the vivid vocal imagery. A memorable earworm chorus too.

4. When My Train Pulls In (Live) – Gary Clark Junior 

It was a close call between this and “La Grange” by ZZ Top, or indeed any live track by Rory Gallagher as all 3 acts are huge influences on both the songwriting and the performing style of Full Fat. But, I’ve been listening to a lot of Gary Clark Junior lately so he gets the win. 

Any excellent example of a very high quality live recorded track, performed excellently, capturing the showmanship and energy of the performance at which it was taken. This kind of recording style, when it is done well, is so damn nice to listen to, and this is part of what inspired us to record Live in Leith, live.

5.Harder to Breathe – Maroon 5

Maroon 5 used to write such great songs! Harder to breathe is exactly the kind of hard hitting blend of funk riff and guitar driving rock that we aspire to in our songs like “Purple Honey”. To me if feels like an inherently sexy and attractive song, about what might not be a great relationship. But then I think to myself, “we’ve all been there” and that’s why it’s a great song.