Wasted Radio

Jun 18 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser
A HAMILTON rock ’n’ roll band are planning to re-release their first album after the record sold all of its original copies.
Three-piece outfit Wasted Radio released the album Transmission back in January this year, celebrating with a launch party at Glasgow’s ABC2 and a performance that was well-received by the national press.
Lead singer and guitarist Kristofer Rae told the Advertiser that the band now plan to repackage the record in the hope of shifting more copies before their Edinburgh Fringe appearance later this year.
The 24-year-old said: “The gig itself was really good and got good reviews, saying we were ones to watch for 2009. But, of course, you have to take these things with a pinch of salt.
“I wouldn't like to try and describe our sound; it’s obviously rock ’n’ roll, but with a bit of something else. Lyrically, it is really quite honest.
“There's a definite Scottish twang to it. My parents are both folk musicians, so that is where I get a lot of my influences from. It’s good having that in your life but it can sometimes drag you back to the folk thing.”
Kristofer began to play in bands when he was just 15-years-old, joining a band with fellow members Ally McDowell (25), on drums and 27-year-old bassist Gary McDowall. All are from Hamilton.
The singer said: “I knew Ally from Earnock High, and he was a bit of a madman! One day I was walking down the road, and he came up behind me and asked if I liked the Beatles. I said I did and within three hours we were practising together.
“We later joined a band with Gary, who attended John Ogilvie High. The current line-up was set up last year. It was a bit strange because I used to be a bassist but I’ve become a singer-songwriter. We all changed roles. I now play lead guitar, sing and play piano. Gary plays the bass guitar but we kind of swap roles at times.”
Wasted Radio play tomorrow (Friday) night at the Captain’s Rest in Glasgow – but Kristofer admitted he is often careful about playing with other bands in town.
He explained: “To be honest the Glasgow music scene is really rich with good bands. But the problem with having so many good bands is that you get a thousand bad bands with it. That’s something that has really frustrated us, so now when we’re doing gigs we make sure we are playing with good local bands, such as the Black Rats and the Raw Kings – guys from Hamilton that we know are great.”
When asked if he thought Wasted Radio had what it takes to be successful, Kristofer played it cool, saying: “It’s hard to determine what is successful, especially these days. You could be the new Led Zepplin and not be noticed. It’s all about marketing these days, a corporate approach.
“We’re currently working on new material. The stuff we've been gigging with at the moment is a bit more political, something which I think record companies tend to shy away from.
“However, we don't really want to play to a market.
“We just want to play good music.”
For more information on Wasted Radio, visit www.myspace.com/wastedradioscotland - Hamilton Advertiser

"The launch of the Glasgow trio's debut album First Transmission saw them blaze through their lively set like rock veterans. You Are The Sun was a high point and driven by the venue's pristine sound and a good turn out, the group showed off their solid collection of songs. They are one to watch this year."

Leo Forde
- Sunday Mail 11/1/09