Formed in Glasgow in 2018, DRAGGED UP channel off-kilter art punk through a fuzzed-out psych garage lens. Led by Eva Gnatiuk, with Simon Shaw, Lauren Peters and Stephen Mors, they’ve drawn comparisons to The Velvet Underground, Dead Moon, Death Valley Girls, Spacemen 3, and C86, while carving a sound all their own.
Their debut D/U (2020) and Hex Domestic EP (2023) gained praise from Louder Than War, The Wire, Moof Mag and Record Collector. 2024’s album, High On Ripple, was critically acclaimed, earning airplay on Freakzone on BBC 6 Music, WFMU, and Louder Than War Radio. They have garnered admiration from the likes of Jon Dieterich (Deerhoof), Emmett Kelly (The Hard Quartet/Ty Segall/Bonnie Prince Billy) and Jim Smith of The Nightingales.
They’ve supported acts like The Vaselines, Acid Mothers Temple, Objections, The Bevis Frond and Bo Ningen. Their new singles Blake’s Tape and Clachan Dubh were released in May 2025 (Rare Vitamin Records) before they embarked on an EU/UK tour with The Hard Quartet in June. They have more UK tour dates lined up for August, with a new album on the horizon.
“When the band hits their stride, they’re unstoppable...’ - SNACK mag Scotland
“My fave parts display a noisy free rock edge, even as the mood and approach shift around so much, it's not easy to keep up. Just try.’ - Byron Coley, The Wire
ALEX REX, the project of acclaimed musician and former Trembling Bells bandleader Alex Neilson, is set to release his fourth and final studio album, The National Trust, on March 28th. Written in the wake of the sudden death of his younger brother, Alastair, the album is a poignant reflection on loss, love, and renewal, deeply rooted in the landscape of Carbeth—a cabin community in the Scottish countryside that Alastair called home. For Neilson, the cabin became both a physical and emotional project, a symbol of restoration and reconnection.
With The National Trust, Neilson closes a significant chapter of his career, blending masterful musicianship with deeply personal storytelling. Known for his collaborations with artists such as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Shirley Collins, and Current 93, as well as his decade-long tenure leading the psych-folk outfit Trembling Bells, Neilson has long been celebrated for his eclectic and uncompromising vision. This final album serves as a fitting culmination of his journey as Alex Rex, capturing the essence of his artistry while offering a profound exploration of loss, renewal, and the enduring power of love. The National Trust will be released on March 28th via The Barne Society.
“Superb” The Times
“Irreverent and playful” MOJO
“...an utterly distinctive, mental world.” The Financial Times
“There’s a buoyancy to even the most lacerating lines now, a liberating relief in pressing on” Uncut
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