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Photo Cred: Courtney Hay
08 May 2020
'PLASMAS' are an aspiring 5-piece band from Dundee. They describe their style as, “dreampop”, taking much of their influence from 80s music and psychedelia.
The line-up consists of 22-year-old, Conor McBay on lead guitar/vocals, who is joined with, 23-year-old, Ross McQueen on rhythm guitar/vocals, James Swan on bass/vocals, Rory Strathie on synth and Sam Walker on drums.
Ross reveals 'PLASMAS' formed whilst he was at school beginning solely as guitar and bass: “I knew Conor from school and we went round to his house and he helped me record a couple of demos and that, and we instantly had a musical connection. I asked him if he wanted to join the band and he said yes, for whatever reason.”
At this stage, ‘PLASMAS’ were called, ‘The Yesterday’ however, Rory jokingly admits “I don’t think I’d have wanted to join ‘The Yesterday.’”
As for the rest of the members, Ross met Sam and Rory at university and previously knew James from attending open mic nights who joined last year. With all five musicians, 'PLASMAS' were now in full swing.
Photo Cred: Rohan Strathie
The name of the band came from Ross: “I was just sitting in my room thinking of names and saw my TV, which happened to be a plasma screen. 32-inch!” which has stuck ever since.
Their style comes from many different angles and artists, with Sam revealing “it just depends what everyone’s listening to at the time” and “where people’s inspiration is coming from.” Ross says their sound is often “shaped” by guitar and music effects such as reverb and delays. Now, they feel the band have come along away with “everything musically” coming together.
I asked 'PLASMAS' to list some of their favourite artists which revealed each members’ different musical tastes and influences.
(Rory): “I think 'The Drums' are probably a big influence on us, I think we follow the kind of happy, upbeat music but introspective lyrics thing a lot.”
As for Sam, he’s been recently listening to “experimental chillhop” but reveals he loves ‘do-wop” such as ‘Frankie and the Four Seasons’: “I love older stuff from the 50’s/60’s and 90’s.. there’s nothing wrong with going back the way.”
“I was just sitting in my room thinking of names and saw my TV, which happened to be a plasma screen. 32-inch!”
Ross gives special mention to another Dundee local band called ‘Peal’: “I think they’re brilliant and their last two singles, particularly the new one, are class. Dead funky, been listening to it loads.”
Conor cites synth pop style bands, ‘Black Marble’ and ‘New Order’ among his favourites and is currently, “listening to a band called ‘Gap Girls.’”
As for James, he enjoys Australian electropop band, ‘Parcels’ describing them as “Very funky” whilst listening to “a lot of funk and disco so I think I kind of come in from that angle.”
Overall, however, the band share their passion for 80s music in distinct ways. Their interests range from poppy ‘Back to the Future’ vibes to post-punk. With each band member contributing something different, they are able to provide their own unique sound.
Over the years 'PLASMAS' have played in various Scottish venues such as Le Freak Records in Dundee, King Tut’s in Glasgow and PJ Molloys in Dunfermline. Rory, however, cites the Wild Rover, now The Hunter S Thompson, in Dundee, as one of his favourites, where the “crowd’s quite on top of you there”. Playing in Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s with their record label, Juteopolis Records was also among the top.
Photo Cred: Courtney Hay
I asked the band, what their favourite Scottish music spots were, to which Conor mentions “iconic record stores”, Le Freak Records and Grouchos in Dundee. Keeping it local, The Beat Generator and Dundee Music Studios is among their list and cite, The Skinny as a, “great” company, “always promoting new music.”
Since ‘PLASMAS’ formed, they have released several singles such as ‘Next Place’, ‘Spark’, ‘Closer’ and their debut single, ‘Overblown’ which was released almost two years ago. The 5-piece band have also recently posted a cover and video of ‘The Cure’s’, ‘In Between Days’ to their Instagram.
Since the UK went into lock down, cancelling any chance of gigs; I asked PLASMAS to look back on any memorable moments.
Recording songs such as ‘Spark’ are among those that stood out for Conor, however their upcoming single, ‘Look & See’ is what Ross views as, “the most fun I’ve ever had being in a band. It was such a good experience working with someone like Kieran.”
"The Drums are probably a big influence on us, I think we follow the kind of happy, upbeat music but introspective lyrics thing a lot”
For Sam, it was their first time playing at iconic Glasgow venue, King Tut’s: “I remember looking out and seeing everyone’s pals and family absolutely fucked, jumping about loving it and it was just absolutely brilliant.”
Both Rory and Ross also point out their first time playing in Sneaky Pete’s situated in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh.
(Rory): “…we were main support and played to a packed venue where no one was really there to see us, so it was quite a novelty playing in front of a crowd with no one we knew in it.” Ross continues revealing “we actually got such a good reception after it as well.”
Plans to record new material have sadly been put on hold due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Despite this, their merchandise project is coming together and will soon be available to purchase from ‘PLASMAS’s’ Big Cartel page.
However, their upcoming single, ‘Look & See’ is what they have been busy working. The song is influenced by the era of the 80s, merging each member’s different styles together.
Photo Cred: Rohan Strathie
(Ross): “I think the guitars are quite shoegazey, even in just the chord sequences and the synth’s quite New Wave and sci-fi like. I think the drums are quite punky too, the songs got quite a lot of drive to it.”
Whilst recording the single, 'PLASMAS' were listening to much of the American rock band, ‘DIIV’ as well as Birmingham indie rock bad, ‘JAWS’ who they became inspired by. Sam enjoyed having the time to really experiment with producer, Kieran (‘Guy Galactic’), who “got what we were wanting it to sound like pretty quickly.”
(Ross): “I think ‘Look & See’ was the first time everyone came together on a song and had their own input on it.”
‘Look & See’ will be released on 29th May this year and will be available to stream online. Expect zingy electric guitar riffs, certainly keeping their cool "dreampop" and 80s styled theme. Keep a look out and continue to support your local aspiring bands.
Author: Karina Caulfield
“I think ‘Look & See’ was the first time everyone came together on a song and had their own input on it”
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