SHAMBOLICS placed ill-fated love in the firing line as they unveiled their explosive new single this month.

Delving into the twilight of a doomed relationship, Love Collides is the latest track from the burgeoning Fife quartet.

It tells the story of a relationship on the brink – one that is "forever going wrong".

The song was previously released as a demo before being reworked at Dunfermline's Eggman Studios. The newer version is more polished, with a lot more depth, and should end the informal fan campaign to have the song put out as a single.

"People have been dying to hear it," Shambolics' co-singer and guitarist tells The Weekender. "It's definitely the song that kicks everything off when we play it live. The crowd goes mad for it.

"It's an older song and we had it for a wee while. We released a demo of it, and it went down well.

"People have been waiting a while for this song to be released properly – it's a much-better version. I reckon it's going to go off.

"I think it's a good move to re-release this track, because people have been wanting to hear it again for a while. And if we were to bring out anything new then we'd really want to tour on it."

Expectation has been steadily growing for Shambolics before lockdown with the band, signed by Alan McGee to his Creation 23 label last summer, releasing well-received singles in Chasing a Disaster and Sandra Speed.

They then sold out 600-cap St Luke's in Glasgow and were preparing for a number of huge gigs in 2020, including key festival dates.

Despite the groundswell of popularity, the band insist they will continue to do things their own way.

Forbes continues: "We're not the kind of band that would change our sound to fit the radio or anything like that. I mean, I would be happy if it got some radio or on some Spotify playlists, but I just want folk to enjoy it.

"All that matters is our fans; I just hope our fans get something out of this new version, and that we maybe get some new fans as well.

"We had a lot on this year," Forbes reflects. "Had it not been for lockdown, we would have been on tour by now and we would have played TRNSMT.

"We all thought it would kick off for us after the St Luke's gig – that's what it felt like walking on stage that night. It was amazing. We've played gigs that size before but that was all our own crowd there.

"To sell out that kind of capacity in Glasgow was mental. It felt like that was going to be it for us but was just a bit unlucky with the timing of it.

"I'm sure we'll get back to that, though. We should be able to announce a few dates soon, so it's all going to be good."

The band has slowly began to carve out an identity for itself. They are known for their dual lead singers as well, though Forbes insists they have a hidden vocal gem up their sleeve.

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He says: "It works well with me and Lewis [McDonald] doing lead, but our drummer Jake [Bain] has been doing backing vocals as well and he's probably the best singer in the Shams – he's a better singer than the two singers.

"We've not got him singing lead on any songs just yet; we'll need to write one for him. But he's got an amazing voice – he's like a one-man-band. We're pretty lucky.

"It's part of our sound now, having those harmonies. We're inspired by The Beatles and The Eagles and all the harmonies they had."

Other Shambolics trademarks include the non-traditional stage set-up with both singers in the wings and bass player Jordan McHatton tearing up the middle ground.

"That was actually accidental," Forbes recalls. "We were playing one night in Manchester, and the stage was set-up for a three-piece band and we just jumped on it like that.

"A guy who came to see us then was saying that we should set up like that all the time – it was different and a wee bit like The Beatles.

"It works for us. Jordan, our bass player, he doesn't sing but he does a lot of movement and dances about, so he's perfect to be out there in front."

Despite 2020 robbing the band of so much, they are still hugely optimistic for the future. A new track is in the works and will most likely be released in the spring.

Singles may prove to be the way ahead for the time being, though that is not to say the quartet are devoid of ambition.

In fact, a full-length Shambolics album is on the cards – but patience will be critical.

Forbes continues: "When we do an album, I want it to stand the test of time. I want it to be massive and I don't think we're at the stage to release one just yet.

"You see bands releasing an album pretty early on but are still playing the same venues we are. I would rather be playing the Barrowlands before we release our album. That's the goal.

"We've already got enough material to release an album or two but we're not ready yet. I want to be playing 1000-cap venues by the time we are touring our album."

  • Love Collides is available now on all streaming platforms.