Pinact

The Scottish duo Pinact may be deeply in debt to the noisy guitar rock of the '90s, but that doesn't stop them from sounding great in 2015. A quick look at the record collection of singer/guitarist Corrie Gillies and drummer Chris McCrory would no doubt uncover many Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Teenage Fanclub, and Vaselines titles, probably some Hüsker Dü and Pixies, too. That's true of a lot of bands, most of whom can't quite seem to escape the thrall of their heroes and create something new and/or lively out of the sounds they love so dearly. Pinact are an exception and Stand Still and Rot is a bracing blast of noise and energy that's full of emotion and sports some super catchy songs. Will it make anyone forget Nirvana? No, but it will give fans of the band and the sound something new to add to their collection. Even if old timers aren't into it, at least Pinact give newfound fans of the '90s a band to champion as their own flannel flag bearers. Songs like the throat-shredding "Negative Thoughts and Jealous" and the breathless "Brew" are little fireballs of sound and motion, introspective tracks like "Limbs" or the poppy "Up and Down" provide a nice soundtrack for bummer afternoons, and just about every song is built for singing along to in some fashion. Pair the snappy songs with a ferocious sound where both guys sound like they won't stop until every last bit of usefulness is wrung out of their gear, and Pinact have delivered an impressive debut album. A little more variation in sound from song to song, or more songs like "Novembore" that stretch out and breathe a little, or a couple more absolute gems like "Anxiety," and the album would have been close to brilliant. As it is now, it tops out at great, which is a fine way to kick things off. - All Music

Glasgow's Pinact make a far great racket than their number of members should allow, the guitar/drums duo riffing and crashing their way through noise pop in fuzzy, melodic style. Comparisons to PAWS and No Age are likely and fair, but these are far from rip-off merchants. A split release alongside fellow noise-makers Radstewart, Joey Fourr and Poledo jointly through indie labels Art is Hard and Reeks of Effort sits just around the corner. - NME

“An accessible entry point into Glasgow's thriving punk scene, Pinact channel their aggression into a melodic but heavy sound”-NME
“Sugary pop songs played like fast, shambolic punk songs.” -Brooklyn Vegan “Full of fuzz and abrasive guitar riffs, Glasgow, Scotland duo Pinact are ready to turn
the volume up on music with their debut album” -My Old Kentucky Blog
“Their chaotic dynamic carries with it so much ease, exuding fuzz at every turn.” -The 405
“It’s noisy, it’s punk, it’s reverb drenched and fuzz soaked,
but beneath that is the beating heart of pop melodies and lyrics...” -Amazing Radio
“The music itself feels like a refresher of the best of what punk music has given us over the past decade and a half” -Subba-Cultcha
“The energy and passion is already abundantly present on these studio recordings, but on stage, in front of some equally pumped music fans is where these songs and this band truly belong.” -Scottish Fiction
“Pinact are one such pair of musicians that are smashing through the sound barrier as they rampage with barricades with guitars made of solid steel.” -Ransom Note
“The Glasgow duo have built upon their incendiary and granular DIY approach to the craft of pop songwriting by blending scuzzy vocals and unwholesomely fuzzed guitars into a sonic barrage of hooks and cadences that
indubitably put them above the rest.” -Wax Music
“The Glasgow-based, experimental, melodic loud pop/rock duo
has a chaotic sound with soft edges.” -Culture Collide
“Corrie Gillies (guitar/vocals) and Chris McCrory (drums) aren’t rip-off merchants but have taken their time in creating their own take on melodic guitar music...the two have moulded a high-energy fuzz-filled sound - complete
with slick pop melodies.” –Noisey on ‘Up or Down’
“Brazen in its ceaseless stride, the track tears through its two-and-a-half minutes, a restless swarm of guitar- and-drum instrumentation and a Corrie Giles infectious voice which drags itself through a series of confessional
diatribes that act as the tracks wheezy but strengthened heart.” -Gold Flake Paint on ‘Anxiety’ “Stuff this good tends to stick” –The 405 on ‘Scars’
“In capturing the spirit of their live shows, ‘Stand Still...’ is stripped down to the bare minimum in its production to match only what the band requires.” -Subba Cultcha
“The record itself is bursting with noisy energy.
It’s playful, packed with tunes and not afraid to rock.” -Overblown Zine UK
"Scotland's brightest hope for music
amid the indie scene rest firmly upon Pinact’s shoulders.” -Wax Music - Kanine Records

Having recently signed to New York label Kanine Records, Glasgow fuzz-pop duo Pinact released their debut album Stand Still And Rot on Monday 18th May amidst much anticipation. The band are already a favourite here at Amazing Radio, and on the basis of this captivating debut that’s not likely to change anytime soon.

kr131-Pinact-Stand-Still-and-Rot
Sometimes debut albums can match expectations or not based on the comparisons that are thrown at artists based on the handful of tracks we get to hear before digesting their full body of work. In Pinact‘s case that list of references included Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Teenage Fanclub amongst others, so to say the bar is already pretty high is an understatement.

So it’s important to state at the very beginning that yes fans of those bands mentioned above will find a lot to like in Stand Still And Rot, but far from being a copycat effort Pinact‘s debut album takes those influences and uses them as fuel for their own teenage-angst filled, fuzz covered concoction.

Opening with an onslaught of feedback the title track sees lead singer Corrie Gillies repeat the album mantra – “if we stand still we’re gonna rot”. And then it’s straight into a double blow of Anxiety and Scars – both tracks that have had airplay here on Amazing Radio – which sees the album strike a heavy blow in less than five minutes listening time.


“Force myself out of the front door” wails Corrie over pulse racing drumming and exhilarating guitars as he seeks to overcome the aforementioned anxiety. The track is as strong as it was when it first surfaced, displaying a nod of the hat to Bleach-era Nirvana but proudly with the beating heart of a pop song.

There’s a barrel load of reverb soaked guitars as well as intensely tight drumming, courtesy of Chris McCrory, on tracks such as Brew, Terrapin, and the incredible Up or Down. Production duties for the album were handed to MJ from Hookworms, who has succeeded in not completely shrouding Corrie’s visceral vocals, but maintaining enough raw edge to capture the duo’s raucous live energy. Elsewhere it’s tracks such as Limbs and closer Novembore allow the album to breathe, offering a softer, bittersweet side to Pinact‘s music.


What sets Pinact apart from some of their contemporaries are two things. Firstly, the honesty with which Corrie sets out his stall. There’s the expected theme of relationships and teenage growing up but Corrie’s lyrics also delve into mental health and depression. It’s marked how open and forthright he is with his lyrics, almost like we are being trusted to read open exerts from his diary. Secondly, though is the band’s delight in actually penning songs with tunes and pop sensibilities. Many other artists go for noise first, but with Pinact you get the impression they know how important it is to craft a song that will stick. - Amazing Radio UK

New artist to watch, Corrie Gillies (guitar/vocals) and Chris McCrory (drums) make up the fuzz rock two-piece, Pinact. With a similar sound to Nirvana and Sonic Youth, the Glasglow-based, experimental, melodic loud pop/rock duo has a chaotic sound with soft edges. Pinact's debut album, Stand Still and Rot, produced by MJ of Hookworms, will be released on May 19 by Kanine Records.

“Anxiety" is the first single from Stand Still and Rot, which we guarantee will make you do anything but. The new video for the single was directed and filmed by Paul McConnach (Iron Giraffe) and perfectly reflects Pinact's loud and uncompromising, yet sweet sound. Sit back and enjoy the video premiere below and check out up-coming tour dates for Pinact. - Culture Collide

Glassgow duo Pinact have been making anthemic fuzz rock for a few years now, and they recently signed to Kanine Records for their new album Stand Still and Rot, which comes out next week (5/19). It was produced by MJ of Hookworms and, like their previous material, it's in the same realm as PAWS and Japandroids -- sugary pop songs played like fast, shambolic punk songs. A full stream of the album premieres below. - Brooklyn Vegan

Pinact is a duo consisting of Corrie Gillies and Chris McCrory. They’re signed to New York label Kanine Records who released their debut album ‘Stand Still and Rot’ at the end of May.

Their latest release is the inclusion of ‘Everybody Says’ on a split EP, featuring Halfrican , SHARPTOOTH and Poor Things from Edinburgh’s Gerry Loves Records [available as a 7” vinyl or a download].

The band has played everywhere from The Great Escape Festival to DIY house gigs and CMJ Music Marathon in America. Their sound is both melodic and loud; ultra-catchy, unashamedly grunge-rock-pop songs with plenty of bite.

Pinact play the BBC Introducing stage at T In The Park on Saturday and tour the UK with fellow label signings, Eternal Summers in September. - Scotland on Sunday

As a young band it must really suck (not to mention, pile on a bunch of pressure) when you are compared to your idols just because your music sounds slightly similar. Take Pinact, a Glasgow two-piece who have already had the names Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr. and No Age thrown at them before their debut has even been released.

Luckily Corrie Gillies (guitar/vocals) and Chris McCrory (drums) aren’t rip-off merchants but have taken their time in creating their own take on melodic guitar music. With the help of MJ from Leeds psych lords Hookworms (who produced their upcoming debut LP Stand Still and Rot), the two have moulded a high-energy fuzz-filled sound - complete with slick pop melodies.

We premiere the album’s new single “Up Or Down” and speak to Corrie about the process behind the single and debut album.

Noisey: Is "Up or Down" a good representation of the album?
Corry Gillies: You know what, it probably isn't. I actually wrote this song a few days before we went to Leeds to record. We were still tying it all together in the studio and I think it's probably a better indication of where the sound of the band might be going for the next record. In comparison to the other tracks on the record I think it definitely has a slightly different vibe. - Noisey

Oh noise, you beautiful bastard. Here you come again, flaring your nostrils, puffing your chest out and flooding our veins with some unknown substance that makes us feel restless, angry, joyful and pretty badass, all at the same time.

This time around, the noise is brought to us by Pinact; a Glasgow-based duo who channel the likes of No Age and Male Bonding to create something brilliantly raucous and heart-thumpingly raw. A three track EP/’Zine was released earlier this year, but it’s reassuring to discover that their new tracks, featured on a rather brilliant split release with Min Diesel on new Aberdeen-based label Cool Your Jets, are by far their best work yet.

Beauty Freak is a short-sharp blast of heartfelt, just-about-contained emotion that rips through it’s two-and-a-half minutes in blistering fashion, while Yusef delivers something spikier; the big slacker vibes of the verses smashed to pieces by the tracks growling chorus that barely lets up. Our new favourite band? Absolutely. Stream the two tracks below and find much more over their Bandcamp page. - Gold Flake Paint

Last month, I saw Glasgow duo Pinact perform as a support band and immediately had the thought, 'these guys should be headlining'. Their chaotic dynamic carries with it so much ease, exuding fuzz at every turn.

Today we're premiering 'Scars' - a new track from their debut album Stand Still and Riot. Produced by MJ of Hookworms, it's a debut that's likely to capture the attention of many. The catchy lyrics and heavy distortion of 'Scars' won't be leaving your mind anytime soon. Stuff this good tends to stick.

To celebrate the release of their debut album we're giving away three tickets to their album launch at The Shacklewell Arms on Saturday 16th May. To win the tickets, along with some Pinact merch, simply join the Postcards mailing list here. - The 405

The more sleuth-like among you will notice that there are in fact five songs available to listen to above. We’re concentrating on the first one, the tumbledown youth hostel of scabby noise Pinact called ‘Into The One’.

Pinact are from Glasgow and they, like their peers Paws, China Rats and Playlounge (and the overlords of this youthful baggy t-shirted crop of bands, Bos Angeles), squeeze noise, melody and choruses into impressive, muscular tunes tailor made for bored kids on drab days. The loud bits are the best.

For more information (and to download ‘Spill Out Your Guts, Let Out Some Noise’ in full) go to pinact.bandcamp.com You can find Pinact on TWITTER too. - The Fly

Pinact are a guitar/drum duo from Glasgow that play lo-fi, anthemic rock that might remind you of a certain guitar/drum duo from Vancouver who play lo-fi, anthemic rock. They also might remind you of another Canadian duo Solids or their own Glasgow neighbors PAWS. If you like all those bands, I'm almost positive you'll like Pinact too. Their new single for Art Is Hard Records, "Brew," has all the right ingredients for this kind of stuff: down-strummy guitar, drums you can pound along to at home, and vocal "AHHHHHHS." Not long before that, they put out a split with Min Diesel with four songs that are just as good, if not a little heavier, with some punk screaming. Check out their side of that 7" and the "Brew" single below. - Brooklyn Vegan

We've uploaded another demo to our Soundcloud page - "Into the One" by Pinact, a spiky, brash two-piece based in (yep!) Glasgow. The band are made up of high school friends Corrie Gillies (guitar and vocals) and Lewis Reynolds (drums). Corrie's wearing a PAWS t-shirt in that photo, so they're alright by us already.

They released an EP called "Spill Your Guts, Let Out Some Noise" in early September and have recently supported FatCat's own PAWS among others. - FatCat Records

Glasgow fuzz rock duo Pinact, who we profiled last year around the time they released their ripper of a single "Brew" (via Art Is Hard Records), are back with a new cut, "Guillotine." This one calms things down in comparison to "Brew," keeping things fuzzy and distorted, but heading more into mid-tempo alternative rock territory as opposed to Japandroids-style power punk. The song is from an upcoming compilation that Art Is Hard is co-releasing with the Reeks of Effort label (run by some of the Joanna Gruesome guys) appropriately titled Art Reeks. In addition to Pinact, the comp features tracks by Radstewart, Joey Fourr, and Poledo. It'll be out on March 3 but you can pre-order it now. - Brooklyn Vegan

Ahead of their expedition across the pond to play next month’s SXSW festival, Glasgow’s Pinact have unveiled a brand new video for ‘Up Or Down‘ as well as a slew of tour dates to greet them back home. Starting in Leeds on April 20th and finishing up in Aberdeen ten days later.

Directed by Ryan Daglish, the band’s new video takes one of the stand-out moments from last years super good ‘Stand Still And Rot‘ LP and throws it in to a nocturnal world, the band freeze-framed within a monochromatic world as the song rips through its three-minutes. Led by one of Corrie Gillie’s most endearing lead vocals, the track is the epitome of the band’s fervent nature, the whole thing building in to something both heartening and suitably brash. Watch the new video below and then head a little further south to check-out the full set of tour dates. - GoldFlakePaint