Elementary to Penitentiary - Usual Affairs

By Daffs aka @TwoDaff

Usual Affairs are a four - piece Edinburgh Indie outfit, formed in 2020. They consist of Scott Alexander (Vocals), Jack Cordery (Guitar), Calum Gray (Bass) and Ben Galligan (Drums). Previous Tracks like 'Haunted' have been given airtime on national mainstream radio such as the BBC and Amazing Radio. Other tracks include 'Settle the Score' and 'She Knows' to name but a few.

They have been played on international stations such as Sirius XM with songs from their demo EP, and have been commended on Our Sound. Their partnership with A State of Mind Media has allowed them to reach a nationwide audience.

The last year saw them go on their first tour as well as packing out numerous hometown venues with capacities upwards of 250. With summer round the corner, they are set for a busy time. Plans for Edinburgh and Glasgow headlines in iconic venues, including a huge hometown headline gig at Edinburgh’s Mash House on May 12th. On top of that they have been announced alongside some huge names for festivals such as Party At The Palace and Blam Blam Fever Ska, with more in the pipeline.

Now the band have just released their latest track ‘Elementary to Penitentiary’ and is in keeping with their story telling ethos combined with a raw yet accomplished sound that appeals to so many, they say it how it is and then some.

Bassist Calum on writing the track:

“Although I normally take the stand that a songs meaning is the interpretation of the listener, this song is one of the few occasions I would say the meaning is literal. I wrote these lyrics in my room after getting home from being out for days, and , on reflection I was probably angry at the world. I think they speak for a lot of my friends and people I know who struggle to find their own way in life with no direction or help from the people with authority and power. I was probably trying to put into words that there’s only so much to do being working class in this country and it’s easy to fall off your path by spending too much time and money trying to feel different because you’re bored. I’m proud of this one and hope it speaks to people.”

An intense political call to arms

Its an intense political call to arms, calling for the youth to stand together against the tyranny of the powers that be. Emphasised in the lyrics with lines such as “Charlatans rule the land ... so ignore their commands” And yet its more than that, it’s a depiction of the feelings emitted by the youth of today, the dead-end lives and the need to find an escape. Its storytelling put into music that will resonate with many.

Intense guitar driven anthem

Opening with a delicious pick scrape before a thump of a drum ignites the track, into an intense guitar driven anthem. Velvety bass rhythms resonate throughout backed with upbeat drum patterns creating a backdrop for the meandering melodic guitar riffs that chime and embellish the rhythms.

A powerful narrative, silky smooth but delivered with a hint of youthful angst

The vocal creates a powerful narrative, silky smooth but delivered with a hint of youthful angst, the vocals really shine, delivering the lyrics in a way that makes you sit up and listen. Each verse is broken by an instrumental, adding to the tension, but its not foreboding, there’s a sense of euphoria within the sound. It builds the track up in such a way that when played live it is sure to whip the crowd up.

An honest song for the times

The chorus is anthemic, the vocal really comes into its own, it soars and urges you to get up and shout it out loud. It’s a powerful, emotive track delivered with passion and just a bit of anger and frustration. Its an honest song for the times.

Usual Affairs have an undeniable knack for telling it how it is, there music tells a story, their lyrics are meaningful, honest and relatable. Their sound is raw but polished in typical Scottish Indie fashion. Definitely on my to see list and the track is already one of my favourite tracks this year. Brilliant.