As they gear up to release their highly anticipated debut album, Dreams, Schemes & Young Teams, this Friday (pre-order here), Shambolics, Fife’s indie rock darlings, have dropped a fresh music video for their single ‘Universal Credit’. The video, a nod to the iconic Trainspotting film, offers a glimpse into the band’s battles with the universal credit system, all set to the backdrop of their defiant anthem.
The video stars Darren Forbes and Lewis McDonald of Shambolics in a scene reminiscent of Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, portraying the friction between pursuing music and the pressures of the universal credit system. With the band’s lively spirit, it’s a humorous yet poignant look at their journey, underscored by the rallying cry, “I don’t need no money, I want to be happier than you.”
Darren Forbes shared insights into the song’s origins, revealing real-life frustrations that inspired it with the dole office while the band was on the brink of completing their album. Written as a tongue-in-cheek commentary, ‘Universal Credit’ evolved from a potential bonus track to a central piece of their debut, reflecting Shambolics’ commitment to authenticity over industry standards.
In addition to ‘Universal Credit’, Shambolics have teased fans with another Trainspotting-styled visual, ‘Choose Shambolics’, ahead of their album release. This teaser (below) embraces the band’s journey, from hopeful gigs to the dream of industry recognition, all while promoting their upcoming album, available in various formats, including a unique football shirt/album bundle that supports the Kirkcaldy Foodbank.
Shambolics are set to celebrate their album launch with a series of sold-out shows in Scotland, followed by a special appearance in Glasgow alongside Cast and a headlining tour across England in April. Their schedule is packed, highlighting key performances from Manchester to Newcastle and showcasing the band’s dynamic live presence and growing fanbase.
Catch Shambolics live on their upcoming tour dates, and see here for remaining tickets:
February 2024 Shows:
- 16th Glasgow, Assai Records
- 17th Dunfermline, PJ Molloys (SOLD OUT)
- 18th Dundee & Edinburgh, Assai Records
- 19th Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s (SOLD OUT)
- 22nd Glasgow, McChuills (SOLD OUT)
March 2024:
- 11th Glasgow, SWG3 (special guests to Cast)
April 2024 England Tour:
- 11th Manchester, Lion’s Den
- 12th Sheffield, Sidney & Matilda
- 13th Liverpool, Future Yard
- 18th Leeds, Lending Room
- 19th London, Two Palms
- 20th Newcastle, Xerox
Keep up to date with the best in UK music by following us on Instagram: @whynowworld and on Twitter/X: @whynowworld
