Off the back of a string of raucous shows across the UK and a nomination for the prestigious Sound of Young Scotland award, Glasgow risers heavyskint release their fourth single ‘Headstone’. It’s a song about consequence, about questioning who you are and what you’ve done after it’s too late to change. There is a reflection and regret within the track that plays out over an instrumental that constantly sits on the precipice between control and chaos. This is the sound of a band that finds its strength in dark places, the sound of a band that knows who they are.
Speaking about the writing of the track singer Jacob Hunter shares:
“‘Headstone’ is inspired by experiences and stories of people who are a product of their environment. A product of violence, fear, addiction and poverty. When you are in that environment it’s difficult to recognise what you are doing and who you are becoming. Self-realisation in those cases often comes too late and that is what the song is about.”
Guitarist Jamie Kelly adds:
“It is angry yet restrained. We really wanted to capture that feeling of internalised rage, one that is kept in by reflection and the regret that often stems from that. ‘Headstone’ was also one of the first songs we rearranged in the studio, I think it feels more alive as a result. It puts the listener in the room I feel.”
Since forming last year, heavyskint have wasted no time in establishing themselves as a strong presence in Scottish music. The band have sold out every show they have played to date including turns at iconic Glasgow venues such as King Tuts and QMU and Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s. Fronted by the enigmatic Jacob Hunter, the raw, unpredictable nature of such performances has gained the band a growing, loyal following across Scotland as well as nominations for the Sound of Young Scotland award and Best Newcomer at this year’s Scottish Live Music Awards.
With a line-up completed by Jamie Kelly (guitar), Joel Walker (drums), Sean Reilly (guitar) and Maddie Thomasset (bass), heavyskint came together through the burgeoning Glasgow music scene. This acted as a unifying force, overriding the wildly different experiences and backgrounds within the group. Such diversity of identity is reflected in their audience which brings together groups of people that would never otherwise exist in the same room. A heavyskint show is a place for all ages, sexualities, genders and backgrounds to come together.
The band’s sound sources its musical strength from dark places, built from respective struggles with addiction, sexuality, religion and grief. Musically they draw upon the influences of modern alt-rock while possessing the brooding, spacious vintage of Pink Floyd and the melodic grit of 90s acts such as The Verve and Spiritualized. Moody atmosphere, big choruses, noisy guitar and high intensity is what drives them.
July 2026 saw the band’s first shows south of the border including a sold-out debut in London where they headlined the infamous Elephant’s Head in Camden. More Scottish shows then followed, including a raucous, statement set at Glasgow’s Tenement Trail festival. December 2026 will see the band play their biggest show yet, headlining Glasgow’s 500-capacity Art School.
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