Fife-formed indie band Shambolics have put tickets on sale for their biggest festive fundraising gig yet to raise money for Kirkcaldy Foodbank.
The gig at PJ Molloys, Dunfermline, on December 23, has been announced just days after the band signed a two-album contract with Manchester indie label Scruff of the Neck records.
Glasgow-based Shambolics guitarist and singer Darren Forbes, a former pupil of Kirkcaldy High School, told The Courier that ideally the fundraiser would be in Kirkcaldy.
However, the advantage of PJ Molloys was the larger 350 capacity and the fact that every time they’ve played sold out gigs there, they’ve always had a great night.
“It’s a tough time for everyone with the cost of living crisis,” said Darren.
“There’s going to be a lot of people affected by the cost of living, so the more we can do to help Kirkcaldy Foodbank, the better.”
Concern about food poverty
The Courier told previously how Shambolics first did a charity gig for Kirkcaldy Foodbank in 2019.
At the height of Covid-19 ahead of Christmas 2020, they streamed a second foodbank gig at the Caves in Edinburgh supported by their good friend Kyle Falconer of The View and James Allan of Glasvegas.
A third fundraiser was due to take place at Kirkcaldy High School last Christmas.
However, when that had to be cancelled due to a surge in Covid-19 cases, it was re-arranged for pupils and staff before the end of the summer 2022 term.
As well as being an important fundraiser for Kirkcaldy Foodbank, it was a fitting way to mark the retiral of Kirkcaldy High School rector Derek Allan.
Appreciation from foodbank
Ian Campbell, chairperson of Kirkcaldy Foodbank, said they “really appreciate” the efforts of Shambolics during these tough times.
Ian told The Courier: “Shambolics have supported the foodbank over the last few years and have come in to visit us and see how things are on the ground many times.
“We really appreciate them doing this and I echo Darren’s observation that many people are finding life difficult with the sharp rise in cost of living and huge hike in food prices.
“We really appreciate the fact that such a talented bunch of local musicians take the time to do this.
“This includes their fans who also support and donate to the foodbank.
“It makes a real local difference and hopefully everyone will support this much-needed fundraiser.”
‘Exciting time’ for Shambolics
With Shambolics signing a two-album record deal with Scruff of the Neck records in Manchester last Friday, Darren says it’s an exciting time for the band – and he’s looking forward to a “great year”.
“It’s been a long time coming!” he said of the new record deal.
NEW SIGNING! Very excited about this one… welcome Shambolics from Glasgow/Fife to the Scruff of the Neck Records roster!
Buzzing to work with the legends at Creation Management Jamie Kelly and Alan McGee 💪
The new music is honestly unbelievable 💪 https://t.co/NRfmy8dlcq
— Scruff of the Neck (@scruffoftheneck) October 21, 2022
“Scruff of the Neck records are a newish indie label in Manchester but it looks like they’ve got a lot of potential.
“The offices are great. They are all young and hungry for it and they’ve got a bit of funding behind them. It’s going to be so good.
“The first ever album they did charted in the top 10 – a band called The Reytons.
“They seem to be doing the damage.”
Support of Alan McGee
In 2019, Shambolics signed with Creation23 – a side project by Creation Records legend Alan McGee, the man who discovered Oasis, who has supported the band since through his Creation management company.
During Covid-19, the band “did their own thing” to “be more creative”.
While the band are not publishing on the Creation23 label, Darren says it was an “important stepping stone”, and they still have the backing of McGee, who helps oversee their decisions with long-time manager Jamie Kelly.
Darren added: “One thing that Scruff of the Neck founder Mark Lippman said to me was you can put loads of money into a band and there can be lots of smoke screens and mirrors, but people turning up at gigs and going absolutely mental – you just can’t fake that.
“That’s what kind of got them involved.
“They’d heard a few tunes but then when we did the sold out SW3G gig in Glasgow, that swung it for them.
“We kind of built the whole live thing up on our own.
“Sometimes I think to myself, I wish it had happened earlier.
“But we’re obviously working a lot harder and taking it a lot more seriously now.
“It’s going to be a really good year coming up!”
How to get tickets for PJ Molloys gig
Pre-sale tickets for the PJ Molloys foodbank gig on December 23 are available from 10am on Thursday October 27.
General sale is from Friday October 28 at 10am.
Shambolics, who were recently writing songs in Spain with Kyle Falconer, are also looking forward to supporting Dundee band The View at sold out gigs at O2 Academy, Glasgow in mid-December.
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