Music: The Xcerts

The Xcerts insert various influences into new album

Murray Macleod, Jordan Smith and Tom Heron make up this energetic three-piece who originally hailed from Aberdeen before making their way to Brighton in 2006.

The Xcerts then went on to release two singles through One Records in Glasgow, followed by two further singles on Sam Duckworth’s (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) label Mannequin Republic.

Their debut album In The Cold Wind We Smile was produced by Dave Eringa and released on Xtra Mile Recordings, establishing their reputation as one of the UK’s finest indie rock exponents, albeit with a heavy Stateside influence form the likes of Jimmy Eat World. Indeed, their recent second album, Scatterbrain, was recorded in America with Mike Sapone, and again it highlights the melodic undertow of this visceral band.

“There are certain records that we’re all really into that have a similar sound – a balance of raw emotion and good production,” says singer and guitarist Murray Macleod. “‘In Utero’ by Nirvana, ‘Pinkerton’ by Weezer, ‘Either/Or’ by Elliot Smith, ‘The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me’ by Brand New, ‘Nebraska’ by Bruce Springsteen and ‘For Emma Forever Ago’ by Bon Iver. That’s pretty much exactly how we wanted this record to sound.

“There’s a lot of experimentation on this album,” continues Macleod, who credits Sapone for encouraging and cultivating the creative process.

Murray sums up the record as, ‘the sweet sound of a young man losing his mind’. It’s a bit overwhelming at times for those not versed in The Xcerts. “This is an album lover’s album for the fans of the band. It’s not about a particular track or single and should be listened to as an entire body of work with an open mind.

Tues 17 Jan, The Haunt, 7.30pm, £6