Billy Liar
What are your top five albums that were released in 2021? (In order 1-5)
- The Wildhearts - 21st Century Love Songs
- Sincere Engineer - Bless My Psyche
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - Carnage
- Teethgrynder - Hostages
- Dreamwell - Modern Grotesque
What band did you discover in 2021 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
One of my closest friends (and sometime guitar player), Dave got me into Soul Asylum over the past year, and that's a band I'd heard a little of, but not a lot, and I can safely say they have written and recorded some of my favourite songs ever at this point. In terms of what made them significant, I would guess it's just somewhere between the lyrical content, and the songwriting, I mean there's just something about those songs. There's some special sauce in there!
How will you remember 2021? (In terms of music)
In terms of music, I've written a ton of songs and listened to a lot. I've listened to a lot of punk (sure, yeah yeah no surprise there), and also a lot of garage and rock 'n' roll, along with some more classic songwriting stuff and some noisy as fuck stuff too of course. My favourite records take a while to hit me so I have been really enjoying a lot of releases from 2020 too, like The Bombpops, Homeless Gospel Choir, Bad Cop/Bad Cop and a whole bunch more. Also those bands haven't toured their most recent records much so they're still fresh.
What can we look forward to from you in 2022?
I will be touring a lot. My record, Some Legacy, came out in 2019, and most of my touring for it was shelved due to the pandemic so I will be touring a lot with that but almost all of it is to be announced, so keep an eye on my socials or the Red Scare site. No spoilers here!
What records are you looking forward to most in 2022?
There is a lot to be announced so it's hard to say but out of what I know is coming for sure...
- Dan Andriano & The Bygones - Dear Darkness
- Pinegrove - 11:11
- Frank Turner - FTHC
- Hot Water Music - Feel The Void
- Gregor Barnett - Don't Go Throwing Roses In My Grave
What went through your head the first time you played live in 2021 after the delay? (If you haven’t -- what do you anticipate when you hit that point?)
The first time I played live in 2021 was the first of a few shows with The Undertones, and it was a hometown gig (Edinburgh, Scotland).
Hometown gigs always have an extra weight of expectation to be honest, and that coupled with the fact it was my first live gig back after the lockdown and with a legendary band like The Undertones meant it was a little more intense than usual. But to be honest, I just absolutely fucking loved it. I can't wait to play more. Tour dates will be announced soon for next year -- come see me -- let's hang out!!
Billy Liar – social media links
- Twitter: @thebillyliar
- Instagram: @officialbillyliar
