Long Fin Killie
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Headquarters | Scotland , United Kingdom |
| Products | Albums, EPs |
Long Fin Killie was a Scottish indie rock group active throughout the 1990s, issuing three full-length albums and multiple EPs under the British label Too Pure.
History
The principal members consisted of Luke Sutherland (handling vocals, violin, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, saxophone, hammer dulcimer, thumb piano), Colin Greig (electric and double bass), David Turner (drums and percussion), alongside Philip Cameron (electric guitar). In 1996, Kenneth McEwan joined the lineup on drums and percussion. Prior to this band, Sutherland had been part of the Glasgow-based ensemble Fenn. The band's name is inspired by a genus of ornamental freshwater fish noted for their distinctive survival and reproductive behaviors.
Their advanced musicianship allowed Long Fin Killie to produce intricate compositions featuring mesmerizing bowed string arrangements, jazz-inspired drumming patterns, and ambient soundscapes. Vocalist Sutherland delivered enigmatic, literate lyrics in a falsetto voice that blurred gender lines. Their initial EP Buttergut was released in 1994, followed by their debut album Houdini in 1995. The group drew inspiration from artists such as A.R. Kane, Can, The Fall, as well as label peers like Moonshake, Pram, and Laika.
Mark E. Smith from The Fall provided guest vocals on "The Heads of Dead Surfers," which appeared on a 1995 EP and the Houdini album. This track secured the No. 10 spot in British DJ John Peel's 1995 "Festive Fifty". In 1995, they toured the United States alongside Medicine, supported by a split EP release.
Although praised by critics, their radio exposure remained limited. They participated in the "second stage" of the 1996 Lollapalooza festival while promoting their sophomore album Valentino. Late that year, their tour bus was involved in an accident in Scandinavia; Sutherland sustained severe injuries and began composing his debut novel Jelly Roll during his recuperation. In 1997, Kenny McEwan took over drumming duties from Turner. Their final album Amelia (1998) featured shorter tracks with more traditional song structures but ultimately marked the band's dissolution later that year without significant mainstream success.
Recurring themes
Each album title was a single word paying tribute to renowned figures who passed away prematurely: escape artist Harry Houdini, silent film actor Rudolph Valentino, and aviator Amelia Earhart. Their releases consistently incorporated detailed woodcut-style artwork; notably, Valentino included woodcuts created by 16th-century printmaker Albrecht Dürer.
The lyrics on Valentino tackled subjects such as racism, sexism, and misogyny. In a 1996 interview, Luke Sutherland described the thematic thread: "Houdini focused primarily on racism and sexism, while Valentino continues to emphasize sexism."
Post-breakup work
Following the band's breakup, members engaged in various ventures. Sutherland fronted the more accessible outfit Bows, releasing albums also on Too Pure. Residing in London, he authored novels including Jelly Roll (1998), Sweetmeat (2002), and Venus As A Boy (2004), while contributing violin performances with Scottish band Mogwai. He also participated in Music A.M. and is currently involved with Rev Magnetic.
Colin Greig moved to Stockholm, where he manages the independent label Cocohippo and performs under the name Wilma Cakebread. David Turner remains based in London, producing music under the moniker Disco Haircut Astronaut.
Kenneth McEwan published his post-apocalyptic novel Ghosts of Yule (2008) and now focuses on creating solo electronic music while living in England with his family.
Albums
- Houdini (1995, Too Pure/American) (PURE 47)
- Valentino (1996, Too Pure/American/Warner Bros.) (PURE 54)
- Amelia (1997/98, Too Pure) (PURE 74)
EPs
- Buttergut EP (1994, Too Pure) (PURE 39)
- The Heads of Dead Surfers EP (1995, Too Pure) (PURE 44)
- Split EP with Medicine (1995, Too Pure/American)
- Hands And Lips EP (1996, Too Pure) (PURE 58)
- Lipstick EP (1997, Too Pure) (PURE 75)
Various-artist compilations
- The Camden Crawl (1995, Love Train) – Featuring LFK's "The Heads of Dead Surfers"
- Monsters, Robots And Bug Men: A User's Guide To The Rock Hinterland 2xCD (1996, Virgin) – Includes LFK's "(A) Man Ray"