Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers is a strong contender for band name of the year (a contest I just declared, in my usual backhanded fashion, here on When You Motor Away). Happily, the music lives up to the name. The sound is an intriguing mix of rough and tumble Glasgow, swampy American roots, blues and garage rock that the band calls Doom Wop. Although I think their take on the elements is unique enough to call their own, there are reminders of Long John Baldry (probably a lost reference to many of the young readers), Tom Waits, The Kinks and bit of Northern Soul. In addition to some of those artists, the band includes in its influences Nick Cave, The Monks and American bluesmen Junior Kimborough, RL Burnside, and Bo Diddly.
"Lemonade" was released earlier this year on Re: Peater Records as a split 7" with SHe'S HiT's "Shimmer Shimmer".
Jacob Yates' real name is Jacob Lovatt, but the band is identified on Facebook as "Jacob Yates, Jamie Yates, Rick Yates and Michael Yates", so I'm not going to dig further into the names. Jacob is the former frontman for defunct Uncle John & Whitelock, which was known for their live performances. I don't have the opportunity to see them live, but based on recording and other reviews, they can rockabilly stomp and sing a boozy ballad with the best of them.
The band is releasing an album entitled Luck and the end of the month, also on Re: Peater Records. If I can get a hold of a copy, I'll review it for you on these pages.
A clip of Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers live:
"Can't Stop" is another split with the SHe'S HiT lads.
The following two songs comprised a 2010 release by the band.
Although we usually put two or three bands in our New Sounds of Scotland series, we're going to give the entire stage to Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers today.
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Thanks very much, hope you like the album.
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