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Tom McGuire & the Brassholes

by Tom McGuire & the Brassholes

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1.
Get Out 06:10
Done away with the path that was gonna make my daddy proud When I said I was sure there'd be a row, he said, son! You take care of yourself by singing now Hell, I've seen you in front of a crowd, you’re alright Large medium fish in a medium fish in a medium pond Make my way to the ocean there’s sharks all around and I don’t know if I got the right gills, salty water might kill me I'll try and make a big old splash while I drown At least I’m out of that stupid ass pond And ill be doing just fine, got this killer band right behind me "Get out!" I hear a voice from somewhere say "Get the hell out!” projected from the hole in the front of my head "Get out!” boy, get out I tried, but I could never be that guy Thought the way was clear at last, the goal I sought was on that path Solution to the hole that the princess left (You ain't bad at that) But I’m good at this its where I live It’s right on the street where my house is It’s all fine and well getting out of your zone You don’t gotta make it your home Science has had its chance but my time with the slugs it hasn’t passed never stepped up to do that dance Never played a note in Spain or France never put my eggs all in that basket Its high time that I took that chance and ill scream till my lungs give out, I'm free at last, I'm free at last Ill be doing just fine see, got a real good woman beside me "Get out!” I hear a voice from somewhere say "Get the hell out!" projected from the hole in the front of my head Get out, boy! Get out I tried, but I could never be that guy The truth about d-max, the obfuscated fact The academics in scare-quote rabbits-ears cats Cos I don’t got time for it anymore, run away till my feet bleed with sores, Then I'm gonna run just a little bit more Stifled in a fog of dose volume histograms Saying I'm not right when I know I am Prepare for institutionalised yes no mam Treat me like a child, don’t you dare goddamn You don’t know what I've been through, or who I am I am the fucking man. Put the books back on the shelf, gonna be the boss of my goddamn self "Get out!” I hear a voice from somewhere say "Get the hell out!” projected from the hole in the front of my head Get out, boy, get out I tried, but I could never be that guy Boy "Get out!" I hear a voice from somewhere say "Get the hell out!" projected from the hole in the front of my head Get out, boy, get out I tried, X-ray school
2.
When I was a younger man, didn’t have a care didn’t need no plans On my face you’d never see a frown Something came death from above, strange little thing L.O.V.E E E love Like the fresh prince I was turned upside down I tell you something, ill tell you the truth; I gave a woman the last of my youth I came back a dishevelled man Cos you cant take back what you given away Got to grow it all back from scratch someday Got to do the best I can with these cans Drink em down. I lost my soul at 24, got so much longer to go Yeah you still got yours, hold on, Hold on Princess of pain the agony queen, sure knew her way around being mean Wasn’t heaven or earth if you know what I mean (One hell of a scene) Cos you cant unscramble an egg, or unring a bell Un-annihilate the soul of a man in hell You can sleep when you’re dead, And I'm feeling pretty damn tired The meaning of life is to feel alive, but when the soul is stripped and the body survives What’s the use, what’s the point, what’s that smell? When the soul strips itself of its own accord, put your clothes back on your as drunk as a lord I ask you again, what’s that smell? Stinky I lost my soul at 24, got so much longer to go Yeah you still got yours, hold on, Hold on Youth is wasted on the young, young and dumb and full of something I don’t understand anymore Youth is wasted on the young, I should know cos I used to be one 2, 3, 24 Old man, look at my life, 24 and so much more Doesn’t mean that much to me, to mean that much to you 24 he made a masterpiece At 24 I made a shatsterpeice of my life And I did get lost, rolling away from you Sink it down I lost my soul at 24, got so much longer to go Yeah you still got yours, hold on, Hold on Hey young man! How old are you? Do you still got your soul? Hey young man take care of that, It’s the only one you’ll ever know.
3.
A man loses his purpose, starts to sink in the sand Re-evaluates everything, he once held in his hands Don’t seem to have much use Don’t seem to have much power Don’t seem to hold much weight Don’t seem to have much meaning Those things that brought him joy He’s asking questions, we all do well to avoid You better leave them well alone I lost my way, Don’t know where I am, where vie been or where I'm going But I know, just how it feels To wander in the dark For one thousand days Don’t seem to have much use Don’t seem to have much power Don’t seem to hold much weight Don’t seem to have much meaning Those things that brought him joy He’s asking questions, we all do well to avoid I’m playing the guitar What’s the point? I’m singing this song What’s the point? I get out of my head What’s the point? You better leave them well alone I get out of my bed What’s the point? I open up my eyes at all What’s the point? You better leave them well alone A man loses his purpose, starts to sink in the sand
4.
Got me in that bad funk again Got my soul sunk again, oh no Gotta get so damn drunk again Got my soul sunk again, oh no Those low down, black dog, dirty skunk Laid a cloud of futile, good lord it stunk Rolled my soul in a ball and slam dunk Begone, you dirty skunks! People ask how it’s going You gotta say that it’s going, just fine But those skunk juices flowing Expelled from their black and white behinds Those low down, black dog, dirty skunk Laid a cloud of futile, good lord it stunk Rolled my soul in a ball and slam dunk Begone, you dirty skunks! Drink some water, Even those paralysed by the meaninglessness of modern life Gotta drink water from time to time You thought it was a pretty good line Ill tell you something, It wasn’t even mine Kurt Vonnegut, Palm Sunday, 1981, p109 What’s that coming over the hill? There’s a herd, or a warren or a pack I'm unsure of the correct, collective noun I know there’s a lot of em, And they’re coming to stay at my house, on my couch Those low down, black dog, dirty skunk Laid a cloud of futile, good lord it stunk Rolled my soul in a ball and slam dunk Begone, you dirty skunks!
5.
Ric Flair 04:16
Comes walking on, to thus spoke Zarathustra Pulls it of wearing alligator shoes, yeah You better beware, its a jungle in there Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the ring Mr Ric Flair I enlighten you to a little known fact Whenever Ric "WOO"s, its always B flat (Actually C sharp but who’s checkin) He even knows where the hippest note's at And get any pretty woman in the world he wants Just like that. WOO, who’s that, sitting over there WOO, sporting that pink underwear. WOO, most glorious platinum hair, All you young pretenders well you better beware. Jake the Snake, unsurprisingly had a snake. Ultimate warrior had paint on his face. Hacksaw Jim Duggan, had a 2x4. But with style like this, you don’t need no more. Got a lot of friends, got a lot of foes. They be quaking in their boots when I be bouncing off the ropes Lots of people talking, few of them know, You gotta have a tag if you wanna make that dough. WOO, who’s that, sitting over there WOO, sporting that pink underwear. WOO, most glorious platinum hair, All you young pretenders well you better beware Survived a plane crash, survived being struck by lightening, Only drives the fines cars, and dines the finest dining. People try to say that size don’t matter I wish to contravene, You can measure a man's success by the length of his limousine. WOO Rolex wearing, styling profiling, alligator booted, limousine riding, absolutely no commercial flying, all night dancing, all night loving Kiss stealin, wheeling and dealing, son of a gun Such a man there can be only one. WOO, who’s that, sitting over there WOO, sporting that pink underwear. WOO, most glorious platinum hair, All you young pretenders well you better beware Come on boys, take it on home, boys, thus spoke Zarathustra!
6.
Its only new the first time around Gonna see what’s left behind The bleached bones of experience In the desert of the jaded mind And they shine so elusively, If they shine at all One by one the suns burn out Till every single one is gone That’s how it goes, everytime you’re getting close Such is the law of diminished returns Of the law we're never free, it applies to all we see Like flesh from the bone It all falls away And I thought id be gone by now, But I persevere And I thought id be bathed in frowns But I’m smiling from ear to ear Can’t hold on to experience It ain't something you can own You got to let it happen to you And enjoy it and let it go That’s how it goes, everytime you’re getting close Such is the law of diminished returns Of the law we're never free, it applies to all we see Like flesh from the bone It all falls away Ive been saved, in the shadow of the mountain 2, 3 times before Now I wave one last time to the mountain Don’t need it anymore Oh that’s how it goes, looks like I’m getting close To defying the law of diminished returns Oh could it be, that it don’t apply to me anymore The walls of the law They all fade away
7.
I want love, but love just don’t want me I want to live, but strife is gonna take care of me I want to feel like, like I did when I was young It don’t feel right, when I’m out in the sun I always look over my shoulder towards the cave where I belong
8.
Mr So & So 03:13
I got them pills and e-numbers and I keep them in a sack I hide my china dog in a chocolate frog and I painted it all but black And if you keep me out drinking, ill fall on the one And if I make it past midnight, I climb walls just for fun But if I’m riding high on Tuesday morning I tell you a gratis fact You better slap my face and get my coat and tell me Hit the road jack, hit the road jack Drinking in with my friends on top of a hill When I was just in my teens Grabbing chocolate bars dream of flying to mars Dreaming about mashed potato and baked beans Well miles got old and Coltrane got dead But playing em don’t make the bread You want to stay cool wear some funky shades But that don’t get you fed Well I've grown up now I’m taller, I’ve even cut my hair Ain’t got no superman symbol In my underwear, in my underwear Ain’t got no leather jacket And I know how to play I might look stupid, but I am And I ain’t got nothing to say Singing aiko aiko in my Toyota Aygo And the parking’s always free Ain’t got no motor to brag about And it don’t even belong to me I don’t want to write a banger For hipsters in a pub I’d rather sit on a goldmine Or overdose in a grubby tub And join the 27 club
9.
Spruce Moose 05:35
I heard just the other day Friend’s old doggy up and ran away That’s what the do sometimes they say, when they’re dying Run down to a peaceful place Happy valley in the snowy glades That’s where he chose to go and there was found lying He chose to go to die alone Found his peace out in the snow Embrace the solitude that we'll all know when we're dying My friend wasn’t even in town Couldn’t believe when I heard what went down His old man had just passed away he was flying home On his return could have used his pal no denyin' (Otis indecipherable) He’s a bona fide stone cold killing, mountain man And if you ever see him, gotta shake his hand Bad luck on a good guy, don’t understand Life of late done dealt him a bad hand I heard the news too late Wishes to my friend delayed And I live so damn far away from the mountain I wish I was the toasting spruce up on the mountain If it happened to me don’t know what id do But the mojo is strong and the love is too You’ll be just fine with the folks that love you in the mountains So from across the sea ill sing a song Raise a glass to old spruce and bid so long Joy that someone is where they belong in the mountains That’s right where you belong, up in the mountains He’s a bona fide stone cold killing, mountain man He’ll drink you under the table and play in the band I got some red-hot tips man, from the mojo hand Feels real good to count him as a friend. Try to think that he had to go, Found his peace out in the snow Embrace the solitude that we'll all know when were dying When the light flickers gentle and then is gone We all will be completely alone Nothing to fear when the darkness comes if you’ve lived enough He lived well, you’re living well, I’m trying real hard to live well
10.
Just out of jail after 3 years inside, cant wait to get up on the mic Spat some raps about bitches and crack, sad tale of rags to other rags I have to admit it wasn’t so bad, dropped a couple lines that hit pretty hard, man Just rapping bout the no good low down life that sick boy's had Fresh taste of freedom washed down with beer, plus anyone else’s drinks I see lying round here Don’t want to wait for the boys to set up the gear, or any other people to appear This is my stage and my moment, wait and you here Sick boy's on the mic, a said have no fear, I’m gonna rain hell fire, I’ve been waiting all these years Spit hell fire, sick boy Go on and spit hell fire, sick boy Would love to stay out of trouble but the thing about trouble is that trouble, loves you more Shoulda spit hell fire and up the road, but freedom seems such a heavy load Would love to stay out of trouble but the thing about trouble is that trouble, loves you more Moment's come and the moment's gone, three years to spit fire and then it’s done Hits the street, bums rushed out, threatened the bouncer with a shotgun and it all went south. Coulda made a new start, made a new friend, stead he starts a fight with the big doormen, man Fore you can say ingrained incarceration, he got himself the jail again. Spit hell fire, sick boy Go on and spit hell fire, sick boy Would love to stay out of trouble but the thing about trouble is that trouble, loves you more Shoulda spit hell fire and home to bed Now he's sleeping in a cell again Would love to stay out of trouble but the thing about trouble is that trouble, loves you more Spit hell fire, sick boy.
11.
Old man on the subway, drinking all the wine He sure looks like he’s having himself a pretty goddamn good time, I know I got it good, I got it all right, But there’s something just underneath I cant deny Perverse desire, to be just like, The old man on the subway, drinking all the wine I got this friend in medical school, he’s got the smarts he ain’t no fool He told me a recenently, he got the same temptation as me Liberation of throwing it all away, Sitting on a bench blasting through a bag of super-t Something about it really appeals to me Old man on the subway, drinking all the wine He sure looks like he’s having himself a pretty goddamn good time, I know I got it good, I got it alright, But there's something just underneath I cant deny Perverse desire, to be just like, The old man on the subway, drinking all the wine Well oblivion takes courage to pursue, who can know what the boy's been through He’s abandoned everything he’s even knew He’s got a strategy, I’ve gotta find one too Sitting on a bench blasting through a bag of super-t Something about it really appeals to me Old man on the subway, drinking all the wine He sure looks like he’s having himself a pretty goddamn good time, I know I got it good, I got it alright, But there’s something just underneath I cant deny Perverse desire, to be just like, The old man on the subway, drinking all the wine People grumble and mutter, give him a pretty hard time But you cant say what life holds for you down the line You’re lucky if you have some grasp of your mind He’s found a way to cope with life I’ve still to find mine Old man on the subway, drinking all the wine He sure looks like he’s having himself a pretty goddamn good time, I know I got it good, I got it alright, But there’s something just underneath I cant deny Perverse desire, to be just like, Cos it might be you someday So spare a little thought today The old man on the subway, drinking all the wine
12.
Plane Crash 07:35
Now I’m back to the start After a little too long in the dark Think of the shape of my shattered heart, now its whole And I love you so I used to gamble on 23 There was an easy joy that I never thought id see again Now red 30 is the bet for me, I’m clearing up. The house won’t win tonight I opened up my eyes and I say I know what it is that I got to do Got one last thing to cling on to And ill dedicate myself through and through To being kind to you Gonna be kind to you girl, gonna be kind Every time I used to fly, Some part of me would will the plane to fall from the sky Just to see what it was like, now I don’t I want my life. No I don’t wanna die I wanna see what you and me growing old is like I want to sleep next to you at least 21000 more time Till life takes me in its own time I opened up my eyes and I say I know what it is that I got to do Got one last thing to cling on to And ill dedicate myself through and through To being kind to you Gonna be kind to you girl, gonna be kind I’m gonna be kind to you girl, I’m gonna be kind You’re gonna be kind to me to, together we'll find Something to hold on to in this thing called life, And even if there ain’t nothing at all, well I don’t mind anymore I’m gonna be fine, I’m gonna be alright, cause I got you I know exactly what it is a gotta do I’m gonna let that aeroplane fly. Done what I never thought id do Put a ring on the third finger of you Not much I know to be true, But I know, that I’m in love with you.
13.
14.
You got the story, now, Depicted in some words and sounds It’s kinda funny, and kinda sad. The journey that the caveman had. Exchanged a purpose for a cloud of pain A surfeit of skunks they came and did the same Searching for meaning in a world devoid Try salvation with books and getting gainfully employed I lost my mojo, I got of track But I’ll be goddamned if it didn’t come back Stop right there, and listen to me I was trapped in a cave but I got myself free. Stop right there and listen to me Something real heavy been lifted from me Seismic weight of being where you ain’t supposed to be December 7th '17 My mojo came back to me These slugs on fire, now! There’s filfy fire all around The blow your brains away And scoop em up and blow em all again Butcher wears the boots, ye Biscuit wears the shades The other M.J got gospel licks for days Head slug with the smart, be writing all the charts Timmy in the corner, got a nord and the chops SDMC souls straight outta New Orleans Rest of his body's from Newton Mearns Stop right there, listen what I say, Rock the coin into the slot and choose us to play Stop right there and listen to me I ain’t never going back to x-ray school Already on my radar is record number 2 I’m finally where I ought to be My mojo came back to me Thank you very much indeed, c’mon boys one last time, show em that sexy ass steez You all have been part of something special, you all have played a part We all have been part of something special, we all have played a part Alright I got something to say over here but really you should be listening to MIKEY BUTCHER SLAYING IN THE LEFT CHANNEL if you look hard enough at anything you will find it means nothing and nothing matters but ladies and gentlemen the trick is to realise that THAT DOES NOT MATTER don’t you dare let questions about meaning take one ounce of power from the things that give you a little bit of joy in this life, its all you can hope to comprehend in a universe in which you are infinitesimally small, if you feel something it is real and contains all the meaning you can hope to achieve in itself, and be sure, to experience in that moment with all your will because it is only that moment, a memory is NOT THE SAME, its this instant NOW, inherent in the moment is the meaning you seek, this is living, come on Tim show em how it sounds (Tim finishes the album by crushing all matter into a black hole on the keys)

about

Tom McGuire and the Brassholes make music which takes inspiration from classic 70s funk and soul, and proponents of the modern funk movement such as Vulfpeck and Snarky Puppy. It is however so much more that simple revivalism. It combines strong musicianship, musicality and groove with thoughtful meaningful songcraft. “Funk” is often (perhaps fairly) considered as music which provides a distinct stylistic texture and a platform for strong musicianship, but no real substance. Similarly, music in which musicianship is at the forefront can be exclusive and alienating, holding appeal to fellow musos only, to the lament of those who look for more. Tom McGuire and the Brassholes provide more. There are grooves here, there is filthy get-down debt-to-James-Brown funk here, there is frivolous good-time dancing music here, but there is also a man's soul and story, laid bare, heart on sleeve themes that have relatable emotional power for those who wish to dig into it. There are no blatant cliches here about dancing or getting it on or being in clubs. Instead there is clever lyricism and heartbroken storytelling in the vein of Tom Waits or Nick Cave.
The band consists of some of the greatest young talents of the glasgow scene and the musicianship is indeed strong. The grooves are supplemented by top of the game arrangements. Collaboratively written, they put a spotlight on the individual players, allowing their characteristics and personalities to shine through. This is not simply a faceless band backing up a singer, all elements are integral.
There is thematic consistency and a broad narrative that runs through the record. At its most lofty, it tells a story of being lost in a world devoid of meaning and eventual convalescence through love and realisation of what it means to live in the moment; an exploration of what it is to be alive. The vehicle for this is the visceral, unintelectulaisable power of the groove and the pure unadulterated honest direct delivery of soul. It stands as a cohesive whole, but also as a variety of exciting individual pieces of filthy barnstorming funk from hell.
A terrifying, radical leap of a life decision precipitated the making of this album. I abandoned the significantly more sensible and secure path I had set out for myself in order to finally dedicate all of my energies to my own music. Very aware of what I have sacrificed to be able to do it, I have made every possible effort to ensure that it is the best that it can be. For once I find myself where I'm supposed to be. What a soul singer must do is absolutely channel every bit of his life and experience into his voice and the song and that's what I have done here. This record has substance in that it is not simply a recording of songs, but also a version of myself, from a time that can not be repeated.

credits

released January 18, 2019

All music and lyrics written by Tom McGuire unless otherwise stated

Vocal/Guitar- Tom McGuire
Liam Shortall- Trombone, Tuba
Michael Butcher- Saxophone
Mateusz sobieski- Saxophone
Tim Brough- Keys
Micah Johnston- Drums
Scott McPherson

Anoushka Nanguy, Nadia Maheb Carveth, Micah Johston and Florence Quaye-Sowah sang backing vocals
Craig McMahon played some percussion on What's the Point and Diminished Returns.
Andy McMillan played triangle and some tambourine.

Simon Posluns is an absolute motherfucker slide guitar player and lovely guy available for remote session work (he sent his parts from Canada). Simonposlunsmusic@gmail.com
Lawrence O'Brien is an absolute motherfucker from Glasgow who can shred on all of your shit. He even shredded a sick shred solo during the first dance at my wedding which was "We're Going to Ibiza" by the Vengaboys. Lawrenceobrienmusic@gmail.com

Johnny Woodham is an absolute motherfucker on the trumpet and can spew filf all over everything. johnnywoodham@gmail.com

The field recording at the end of Plane crash was made shortly after Tom's proposal to Maggie in Paris and features 2 amazing musicians called Adrian (Delmer) and Duved. phocinarian@gmail.com

Very special thanks to 2 very important people, Michael McGee, who has been a great friend to the band and played drums on "spruce moose", and Katie Doyle, who smashed backing vocals and takes care of all the boys as our valued manager.

Recorded and Mixed by Gus Stirrat at Solas Sound studios in Glasgow
Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper at Turtletone Studio in New York.

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