Turn around any corner in Glasgow and you will find a five piece rock band. At least that was the case but, with imminent economic collapse and a paucity of decent kebab shops, such treasures are harder to find these days so it was with the hope of spiritual uplift that the play button was pressed on “Gimme Gimme Gimme” by Red Hearted Vibrations.
Red Hearted Vibrations are indeed a rock band of the Glasgow variety with a genuinely robust approach being taken on each of the four songs on this EP. Pulled from their years together, this small selection of their, no doubt beer soaked, songs provides an almost scientifically valid reason for turning up the volume and annoying your neighbours with the robust – there’s that word again – voice of Laura Nelson being the star of the show and her near volcanic approach takes “Sins of the Sister”, as an example, off for a ride in the first class compartment of the hard rock train. Then there is the cover of “Gimme Gimme Gimme”. Any song by Abba is always going to be a favourite of prosecco princesses everywhere and, for that matter, any woman who appreciates a two bottles for the price of one deal on a sunny Saturday afternoon so I must assume that there is something ironic intended with the distinctly muscular reinterpretation of this karaoke classic. I’m not sure that I liked it but it did, most certainly, make me smile.
The EP is available from Bandcamp and the usual digital places. As you by now might expect, play loud for best results.