Scots Way-Hay #62- Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers

It wasn't until last night that I realised quite how long Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers have been going. As I was making the trek up to Inverness from Glasgow, I found myself twiddling my thumbs as the power on both my laptop and phone died an hour away from my destination. So I found myself digging through an old bag that I'd brought with me for something to read, in which I found old programs from HomeGame6 and 2008's Hey You Get Off My Pavement (a mini outdoor festival that took place on the courtyard outside of Mono in Glasgow, sadly it's no more). Whilst flicking through the HYGOMP booklet I realised that was the first time that I had seen JY&TPGLP's, which I guess just goes to show how shite my memory is these days. Having emerged from the ashes of cult Scottish "doom-wop" outfit, Uncle John & Whitelock, Jacob Yates are set to release their new album 'Luck' in just under a couple of weeks. It's a cracking wee album that sounds like Nick Cave fronting an old school garage band with an extra touch of dirtiness. Anyway, that's enough of my ramblings for one day, here's Jacob to tell you a bit more about the band...


Would you care to introduce yourself?

I am Jacob Lovatt, I'm 38 and live with my family in the Trossachs.


How would you describe the music you make?

I don't really know, we make it and you listen to it so you're best placed to describe it. It's Doom Wop.


How did you come together as a band?

I asked the guys if they would help me out and add to what I could bring. They said yes and then the fun started.


How did you start out making music?

I've always pottered about from my early teens, making up really shit songs and thinking they were great. I have tape somewhere that I'm saving for if I get captured and need to commit suicide, it's so bad.


What process goes into the way you write songs?

They're pretty organic usually. I sometimes come up with a scenario and then fit it into a song that we write together. Some are made up on the spot, others kick around for ages until they find their way. None of the band try to write we just do. As the great Buddha says 'desire is the route to all suffering'


Who are your big musical influences?

Dr. Octagon, Shane MacGowan, Harry Crews, Flannery O'Connor, Carson McCullers, Albrect Durer, Ben Wallers, John Lydon, Howlin Wolf, NWA, U-Roy, Tom Waits, Bauhaus, PE, Schubert, Beethoven, Mahler, Hokusai, Hirosige and Lao Tzu.


What kind of influence do you feel that where you come from has had on the music you create?

To a degree I write about what I see and how I feel about it. It's this that I suppose is the biggest influence on what I sing about mixed with sheer fantasy.


What can people expect to see/hear from your live shows?

We don't get together as band that much so live shows are usually quite nervous affairs, like flying a jumbo jet full of passengers after reading a book about it. If we pull it off great, if we crash we try and make sure everyone crashes together.


Has there been a particular gig that has stood out for you so far (good or bad)?

The single launch for 'When you left me' stands out for some reason, probably because Ric nearly electrocuted himself. Also we played the Artschool as a three piece and were shit, got really bad review that riled me, I remember it used the word 'artifice' when talking about the name of the band. He could've just said we were shit and we had a shit name, yer writing a review for a crappy website not a fucking Phd.


What are your plans for the rest of the year and beyond? Do you have any new releases planned for any time soon?

New album 'Luck' is ready for release soon, split single with She's Hit, 'Lemonade', is out now. We play Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival 12 June. Stereo Halloween. Me and my wife are having another child in August, start work on Album 2.


Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers - The Black Dog


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Jacob Yates & the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers album, 'Luck' comes out on the 20th of June on RE:PEATER Records. Their split single with She's Hit is available to download now through Bandcamp

Weekly Round Up (10/10/10)

Monday - We had some Fresh Meat from The Darien Venture and I also had wee Peenko Exclusive with The Last Battle talking us through their cracking debut album Heart of the Land, Soul of the Sea

Tuesday - This was on of the finest days in Peenko history, s there was The Phantom Band's session for Vic G, an interview with Ed from SL Records and is if that wasn't enough I had a wee competition to win tickets to see The Unwinding Hours in Glasgow, I even managed to grab a few words with Iain from the band. If you are planning on entering this be quick as the closing date is tomorrow.
Wednesday - my Scots Way-Hay'ers for this week were none other than the truly amazing Woodenbox With A Fistful of Fivers
Thursday - The Twilight Sad's session for Marc Riley Session, plus the legendary Matthew Young told us a bit more about his inspirational Song By Toad label.
Friday - it's all about getting your hands on some Freebies
Saturday - Dananananaykroyd took on a Devo classic in We've Got It Covered


News, gigs and any other gubbins......

On Wednesday, Peenko Blog hits the grand old age of two. Yes I know it probably feels like I've been doing this for a lot longer or at least it feels as if I have. To celebrate hitting 'The Terrible Two's' (notice how I have already picked up on the parental lingo), I am going to be having a few special announcements. Some of which you might already know, others might be completely new to your ears and eyes. Let's just say that last years birthday badge give away will be somewhat over shadowed, you'll just have to wait until Wednesday for all to be revealed so to speak. Anyway onwards with the other gubbins....

The Phantom Band are having a wee shin dig this afternoon at Pollock Cricket Club, which is actually only about five minutes from my house so I think I will try and saunter along to this one. Kicking off at 2pm, it will feature DJ sets from the band, plus live music from TUT VU VU, just make sure you bring along a dish and dress neat and tidy.
PS - I know that it says that it's by invite only, but I am pretty sure that if you head along and ask nicely then they'll let you in.

If you're not brave enough to venture southside today, then there's another cracking wee gig taking place in Bloc tonight. Louis Abbott of Admiral Fallow fame is hosting and also kicking off his own night with a solo set, followed by a headlining set from Esperi. That's some line up, you have there and I haven't even told you that it's all free. Get yourself down early for an evening of some stunning intimate music.


On Wednesday night, Stanley Brinks hits Stereo in Glasgow for an evening of alt folk fun. If the name sounds familiar but you can't quite place it, it's the new identity of André Herman Düne, one of the original members of Herman Düne - who are also one of the finest live bands around. Having recorded and played shows in Europe, the UK and the US under various other names: Ben Dope, Ben Haschish, Klaus Bong, John Trawling, John Andreas, Lord Stanislas, to name just a few - man the must get pretty confusing, I wonder what his mum calls him. Tickets for the gig are on sale from monorail, tickets-scotland and ticketweb.

Also on Wednesday night, the fabulous kids of Detour return for another fun filled evening of surprises, carnage and amazing bands. As the line up is a secret I can't really give you any indication of what to expect, apart from that it will be a lot of fun and that you will most certainly need to take the next day off work. It takes place in their spiritual home of Bloc and it all kicks off at 9 through until the wee hours of the morning.


On Thursday night in Glasgow, the Variety Bar is hosting a special evening of fun and frolics in aid of charity. Featuring live sets from Holy Mountain, ProLife, Admiral Fallow, plus guest DJs: James & Johnny from the Twilight Sad and Craig from the Unwinding Hours. Tickets are only £5, which is a total bargain in my eyes.


Next Saturday the 16th, RE:PEATER RECORDS are having a wee shindig at The Captains Rest to celebrate the Split Single Launch with Jacob Yates and the Pearly Gate Lock Pickers and SHe'S HiT, plus very special guests, North American War. It's only£5, with doors at 8pm.