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The Spook School

From Alfawiki
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article The Spook School, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
The Spook School
Company typeIndie pop band
IndustryMusic
Founded2011
Headquarters
Edinburgh
,
Scotland, United Kingdom
ProductsAlbums, EPs, singles

The Spook School was a Scottish indie pop quartet from Edinburgh. Over their career, they issued three albums through independent record labels: Dress Up (2013), Try to Be Hopeful (2015), and Could It Be Different? (2018).

History

In 2011, while studying at the University of Edinburgh, brothers Nye and Adam Todd connected with AC Cory and Niall McCamley via the university's comedy society, leading to the band's formation. Several members had experience performing live comedy, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their initial rehearsals were held in the basement of the Forest Café. The band’s name is a nod to a nickname associated with the Glasgow School. Their first live performance took place at Henry's Cellar Bar in Edinburgh.

Following a self-issued CD-R single featuring "History" and "Hallam", they released an EP on cassette in 2012 through Scottish label Soft Power Records, entitled I Don't Know, You Don't Know, We All Don't Know the Spook School. This was succeeded by a single released via Cloudberry Records.

After their 2012 appearance at the Indietracks Festival, Fortuna Pop! owner Sean Price signed the group. They continued releasing material on Fortuna Pop! until the label ceased operations in 2017, after which they joined Alcopop! Records. Their debut album, Dress Up, was launched in 2013. In 2014, they performed at N.Y.C. Popfest and composed original music for the second season of BBC Three's Badults.

Their sophomore album, Try to Be Hopeful, came out in October 2015 under Fortuna Pop! and U.S. label Slumberland Records. Additionally, they participated in the split LP Continental Drift, alongside Mercury Girls, Wildhoney, and Tigercats.

After releasing a holiday single with Alcopop! in 2017, their third studio album, Could It Be Different?, was issued in early 2018.

In March 2019, The Spook School announced their disbandment due to constraints on dedicating sufficient time to the project. They completed a farewell tour culminating in a final concert at The Art School in Glasgow.

On 22 May 2023, the band revealed plans for two live shows in Glasgow and London celebrating the tenth anniversary of their debut album’s release.

Musical style

Their sound is frequently likened to bands featured on the C86 compilation, including The Shop Assistants and The Buzzcocks. The group also acknowledges David Bowie as an inspiration. Their songwriting addresses topics related to "gender, sexuality and queer issues," emphasizing themes such as "fluidity and rejecting a strict binary view of gender."

Critical reception

The band's first album, Dress Up (2013), thematically explores gender as a societal construct and was met with acclaim from publications like Loud and Quiet, Under the Radar, and The Skinny.

Their second release, Try to Be Hopeful (2015), received similarly positive reviews, with critics praising its energetic and contemporary approach to gender identity and sexual fluidity.

Released in January 2018 ahead of a U.S. tour supporting pop-punk act Diet Cig, their third album, Could It Be Different?, was hailed as a "defining statement" and "life-affirming return," positioning the band "on the verge of greatness." According to Clash, it ranked among "the most significant albums of 2018." The album was also long-listed for that year’s Scottish Album of the Year Award.

Other endeavors

Niall McCamley serves as the frontman for the group Squiggles. AC Cory previously played with the London-based trio The Whooperups, alongside Healey Becks (known for Wolf Girl and Fightmilk) and Camille Fry (from Charla Fantasma), and currently collaborates with Picture Round, a band based in Glasgow. Adam Todd is part of the synth-pop pair Get Wrong, which includes Naomi Griffin from the County Durham punk outfit Martha.

Albums

Extended plays

  • I Don't Know, You Don't Know, We All Don't Know The Spook School - Soft Power Records, Cassette EP and MP3 release (2012)

Singles

  • "History" / "Hallam" - Self-released CD Single and MP3 (2011)
  • "Here We Go" / "Cameraman" - Cloudberry Records, 7" Single and MP3 (2012)
  • "I'll Be Honest" / "Will You Always Be My Friend?" - Fortuna Pop!, 7" Single and MP3 (2013)
  • "Binary" / "David Bowie Songs" - Fortuna Pop!, 7" Single and MP3 (2016)
  • "Someone to Spend Christmas With" - Alcopop! Records, MP3 only (2017)
  • "Still Alive" - Alcopop! Records, MP3 only (2017)
  • "Less Than Perfect" - Alcopop! Records, MP3 only (2017)
  • "Body" - Alcopop! Records, MP3 only (2018)
  • "Keep In Touch" - Alcopop! Records, MP3 only (2019)

Split releases

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