OK, so you take a band, and a Glasgow band at that, and change their identity into something inspired by an Australian superhero – I know Skippy was a kangaroo but the only other option would have been Crocodile Dundee – and you would get Skippy Dyes.
Skippy Dyes were formerly known as The Fiction – but you already knew that, didn't you? – and they are hewn from that that seam of Scottish music that is made from carbonised Frightened Rabbit. So, there is undeniable anguish and even a touch of anger to be found in their words which is, of course, hardly unexpected of a bunch of authentically accented chaps from this part of the world. The difference here, however, is that Skippy Dyes throwing their weight behind their songs. "Hole" could easily have tripped and fallen into self pity but instead it ventures further towards retribution territory than most of their contemporaries would ever dare. "The Stance Don't Stand" veers, if only slightly, towards a greater sentimentality while highlighting a clear understanding of the musical shades between light and dark and the most conventional song here is "Keep Safe" that easily provides evidence that comparisons with the aforementioned Frightened Rabbit are more than justified.
"We Once Were Fiction" is a more than decent first release from a band that should have little difficulty finding favour with discerning ears.