Hollywood, Hold On
SONGPHONIC

Another slice of anthemic indie rock from Jyrojets, HOLLYWOOD, HOLD ON is the latest indication that this Inverness four piece is headed for very big things.
Perhaps a little more subdued and steeped in restraint that previous efforts, HOLLYWOOD, HOLD ON instead finds Jyrojets delivering a more considered and mature sounding lesson in songwriting. The quieter, more melodramatic moments leading into bursts of explosive grandeur, Colin Ferguson snarling the anthemic choruses against shotgun blast guitar and drum combinations that hit home with military precision.
Continuing to stand on the precipice of bigger things, HOLLYWOOD, HOLD ON finds Jyrojets edging tantalisingly closer to that promise.

“Noel Gallagher would love to be writing tunes like this” Daily Record
Jyrojets, previously known as Spindrift, have only been together since March 2004 but have already released an EP, received airplay on Radio 1 and Radio Scotland, headlined the BBC stage at the Belladrum Music Festival, supported The Kaiser Chiefs, had a track on Channel 4’s Make Tracks CD and toured the UK to promote it, played gigs and a live radio show in Moscow, were mobbed at a festival in Spain and have just made history by becoming the first band from Inverness ever to sign a major record deal!
The band was formed by Martin Stewart and Colin Fraser, who have been playing and writing songs together since they were 14. They hooked up with guitarist Chris Bain after seeing him play at a party, but their search for a drummer proved very difficult, until one day:
“We were just wandering round Culloden and through an open window we heard someone banging a drum kit really loudly in the middle of the estate. So we went up and knocked on the door, and Veeb answered. We asked him if he wanted to join the band and he just said “Aye” and they set about rehearsing seven nights a week.
They describe their sound as a heavy kick of Nirvana with Simon Garfunkel harmonies, Beatles melodies and plenty of attitude. After just a month of rehearsing, they recorded a demo and entered a competition for a chance to play at T in the Park. They were chosen to appear at King Tuts for the T-break heats – not bad for their first gig. They didn’t realise the T-break organisers had sent their demo to Radio 1, so it was a shock to hear themselves on the air. Chris Bain had just arrived at Colin’s house to pick him up for rehearsals when it was played, and he shouted out to Colin “Quick, we’re on Radio 1!!” Colin thought he was messing around, so just laughed. By the time he got into the car he’d missed it.
Next they won the Inverness Battle of the Bands, winning free recording studio time and the chance to open the Belladrum Festival.. The boys went down a storm and were offered their first headline slot in Inverness:
“melt them, make them laugh, make them pogo their sweat all over the floor,…make their guts yours. Jyrojets do all that.” Highland News
Soon afterwards they released their debut EP through HMV and MVC. It quickly sold out and received rave reviews:
“WHOAH,… boy did I get a kicking when I listened…..these five songs are fantastic! Noel Gallagher would love to be writing tunes like this. It’s vintage Oasis (you know, when they were good). it’s the swagger that make Jyrojets so exciting. I loved the up yours lyrics from I Just Wrote to Tell You…..They provide the best British lyrics since Oasis’ Supersonic. This Inverness band have the fun and the attitude to go all the way” Daily Record
Next they were invited to play a festival in Spain where they went down so well they were mobbed by the crowd. It was an incredible experience, not least because it was the first time Veeb had ever left Scotland. Their next gig was in Moscow! While there they also played an acoustic live radio session, with 7 million Russians tuning in.
Their big break came early in 2005 when a demo track was chosen for inclusion on a CD featuring unsigned bands from Scotland, and distributed with the trade mag Music Week. Songphonic Records liked what they heard and asked for more material. Blown away by the demos, they flew up to Inverness to see a gig. The band then travelled south for a meeting at the record company’s office and jammed in their studios. A four-album deal was struck over dinner that night.. When Chris B, always the joker, was asked how he would like his steak cooked he replied
“Oh, I dunno. Have you got a microwave? That’ll do”.
The band were always told they would never get a deal unless they moved out of the Highlands, but they have proved anything is possible if you have enough talent. The band are now able to focus on music full time and plan to release their debut album early next year.
“for stirring up an already mad-for-it crowd into a dangerously pogoing wall, you can look no further at the moment than the bullet train speeding to national recognition with the five members of Spindrift, the city’s favourites.” Highland Freetime

Colin Fraser>vocals/guitar
Martin Stewart>keyboards/vocals
Chris Bain>guitar/vocals
Dougie Edwards>bass
Veeb>drums

DEAD ON ARRIVAL (Songphonic>2006)
Dead On Arrival
All The Rage
I Had Something Wonderful

FAVOURITE THING ABOUT JANE (Songphonic>2007)
Favourite Thing About Jane
Favourite Thing About Jane (Radio Mix)
I Don’t Think You Hurt

HOLLYWOOD, HOLD ON (Songphonic>2007)
Hollywood, Hold On

Jyrojets>www.jyrojets.com

Oasis
The View
U2