A lot of British guitar bands these days are just so bait,” says The Magic Gang bassist Gus Taylor (it means ‘obvious’, for anyone over the age of 30). “They may throw in a massive riff, but what they’re doing isn’t very – what’s the word? – tasteful. Ten years ago we had a really good indie scene in the UK, but there hasn’t been much that’s mattered since then.”
The Magic Gang aim to change that. Since getting together in Brighton and releasing their first single ‘No Fun’ in 2015, the four-piece have built a reputation as one of Britain’s most inventive new bands. Their brand of smart, ear-catching indie has made fans out of musical heroes such as Johnny Marr, taken them to Jamaica to record with reggae legends Sly & Robbie and seen them sell-out headline shows across the country at venues including London’s Scala. Former Maccabees guitarist Felix White released their third EP on his new label Yala! Records at the end of March, featuring the band’s distinctly British take on the slacker pop sound of the likes of Mac DeMarco, Weezer and Pavement.
The Collected Works of Kevin EG Perry 