Here’s a duo that totally passed me by until earlier this year. F.O. Machete – previously known as Fuck Off Machete – and consisting of Natasha Noramly (bass, vocals) and Paul Mellon (guitar, vocals), formed in Glasgow back in 2003, and debut album My First Machete was released on Lost Dog Recordings the following year. There would be one further album and a couple of EPs before what is now described as a hiatus (not a break-up) from Natasha moving to the USA in 2011.
The onset of the COVID pandemic led to Natasha returning to Glasgow in 2020, and in the fullness of time she reconnected with Paul. A couple of years back, Last Night From Glasgow had made contact to seek out the possibility of releasing the back catalogue on vinyl (it had previously only been issued on CD). Those at the label were delighted to be told that Natasha and Paul had been working on new material, and so the plans for the reissue were put on the back burner and resources instead put towards recording and releasing the new songs.
The album Mother Of A Thousand came out back in February, and it is only down to the fact I knew they were due up in this long-running series that has stopped me mentioning it until now. There are a few reviews out there online, all of them fulsome in their praise for the album, and I make no apologies for quoting Neil Hodge (aka The Ginger Quiff), someone whose finger is always on the pulse of Scottish music, and who is one of our best writers:-
“That second album from the band with perhaps the most Glaswegian name ever is the triumphant Mother of a Thousand, featuring ten masterpieces of no wave alt-rock genius that scythe through the competition with their unique flair and preposterously addictive catchiness. The machete have taken the loud-quiet-loud blueprint that marked out the Pixies from their competition and have made it all their own, with songs that move from quiet almost whispered quirkiness all the way through a gamut of many textured sounds to some gargantuan fuck off riffs…..”
He has absolutely nailed it.
mp3: F.O.Machete – Confetti Clown
Hooks and riffs abound, and it is the sort of album which seems to throw up something fresh and different with each and every listen. I’m certain it’ll be one that will make a few end-of-the-year lists, and not just round these parts.
JC
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 