The Finest in Scottish Mosh Pits

Name: PAWS

Where They’re From: Glasgow, Scotland

When They Started: 2009

Genre: Garage Pop Rock

Most Similar: Early Green Day, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Sounds Like: A sugar high with the sugar comedown

PAWS describe themselves as DIY-Punks, and after learning about their performance on top of a double decker bus, we believe them. The 3 piece band that started as a living room jam sesh is now pushing out its debut album, Cokefloat! on FatCatRecords.

PAWS stays true to its garage roots, with plenty of lo-fi fuzz, dirty guitar riffs and scratchy, raw vocals. But they’ve left the garage door open for a little pop to come on in, with enough memorable hooks to stage a sing-along at any of their shows. A lyric from one of Cokefloat!‘s tracks, “Jellyfish,” summarizes the band fairly well: “I ripped you apart with no intention.” Their vibrant melodic verses give off a bubbly, positive vibe, but dig a bit deeper and occasionally the lyrics unexpectedly turn darker. Stories of self-alienation, paranoia and insecurities are slipped in between the rhythmic, fast-paced energy of the Misfits.

On top of steady gigs since 2010, the band has also opened for No Age, Wavves, and the Black Lips to name a few. As mentioned on their record label’s blog, PAWS has played shows just about anywhere they can lug their instruments: a friend’s bathroom, basements, and even one windy and wet show on the roof of an open double decker. Record sessions for BBC Radio have also led to a bigger following. Currently PAWS is celebrating their album release with a UK tour that finishes up in October.

Check their video for “Jellyfish,” a mash-up of footage from the guys on the road.