Trookers’ radio success

The group released the catchy tune earlier this month, with new Scottish music buff Jim Gellatly giving it a spin, as well as being played on local radio.

Expanding from a duo into a four piece, with the addition of Chris Cope on bass and Erik Peterson on drums, the group set about recording with Stevie Hook in his studio last year, as well as at Mareel.

Guitarists and singers Chris Thomson and Robert Balfour said the plan was to record an album, though Thomson explains they have now decided to release a song once its finished, with a view to recording an EP of new material in future.

Doubling the size of the band has made the songs sound better, said Balfour and everyone chips in with ideas.

Denis Blackham has mastered the track. He has a vast portfolio of artistes, including Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin and The Unthanks to name a few.

Peterson has made the decision to move south, though the band set up in Burra Hall recently to jam and forge new ideas.

“It’s the first time that the four of us have sat down and come up with something all together and it’s something we should’ve done a while ago,” said Balfour.

Thomson said they recorded the session and are hopeful of pulling together an EP’s worth of material.

“We were recording in Burra Hall and had Erik not been leaving we probably would have been following this model; where we set up in the hall as a band and jam ideas that Rob has come up with and see where they went.

“It’s much more representative of us as a band,” he said.

“We hope to release that as an EP next year.”

“It’s quite varied stuff,” added Cope.

“I think Rob channeled his inner ‘metal head’, there’s heavy jams and stuff.”

“I don’t think we ever sat down and said ‘this is the genre and the kind of idea we’re going to go for’,” said Balfour.

There was free rein, he explained – and port.

“If anything that’s going to be the focus for the next wee while; to get that done as an EP because that’s the most representative of all four of us, definitely,” Thomson said.