Future Sound: Cowboy Hunters
Our column celebrating new music to watch continues with electro punk duo Cowboy Hunters. Desmond Johnston and Megan Pollock share their eclectic thoughts with Fiona Shepherd on fun park rides, OnlyFans ambitions and selling themselves to the highest bidder
‘There are enough serious bands,’ reckons Desmond Johnston of riotous Glasgow outfit Cowboy Hunters, currently tearing up a venue near you in nosebleed shouty lo-fi jubilation. ‘The answers to all the problems are so obvious that what’s the point in hammering them home?’ His co-conspirator Megan Pollock agrees: ‘it’s clear what we’re saying but don’t want to get into it… have a drink instead.’
Cowboy Hunters have doubled down by actually releasing a song called ‘Have A Pint’ on their current EPeepee EP (resplendent with Trainspotting-esque cover) and sponsoring their own beer, Chunters Cherry Brew. Which they would not recommend. ‘Terrible,’ says Johnston. ‘We were really trying to get a Tennent’s sponsorship.’ Elsewhere in their arsenal are songs both direct (such as ‘Money For Drugs’: ‘a ploy to get drugs at shows,’ deadpans Pollock) and oblique (such as current single ‘Shag Slags Not Flags’). ‘That one is supposed to unite the world,’ insists Johnston. ‘Flag being a gender-neutral term and shagging being an everyone-neutral activity. I feel that’s a message everyone can get behind.’
Alex Kapranos is certainly on board. Cowboy Hunters supported Franz Ferdinand last year after ambushing their frontman at a gig and have since racked up dates with Sleaford Mods and Bob Vylan. Their first headline tour made enough money for the duo to splash out on a day at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach. There is a brief sidebar while they debate the relative merits of the famous amusement park’s rides: Pollock is partial to Valhalla, Johnston less so. ‘Fuck Valhalla,’ he says. ‘I want it on record. It’s a jumped-up log flume and it’s the worst thing that you’ll ever do with your time at the Pleasure Beach. You get soaked. And you don’t even go backwards.’
Johnston and Pollock first met on Napier University’s music course. Both had previous in samba and doom metal bands and formed the group during lockdown. ‘It was a good time to work out how to be a two-piece,’ says Pollock. ‘The sound has formed because it’s the only thing we can sound like with the equipment and skills available,’ reckons Johnston. ‘Filling in the spaces that an extra person would make using shitty Logic synths: that’s the sound right there.’
Cowboy Hunters may be self-deprecating but that doesn’t mean they are not ambitious. Their next step is to set up an OnlyFans page to coincide with the release of ‘Shag Slags Not Flags’. ‘We’re very much for sale if you know anyone who can offer a million-pound album deal,’ says Johnston. ‘Don’t ask don’t get is our ethos.’ ‘And we’re very much asking,’ adds Pollock. With their EP now out, Cowboy Hunters are facing a summer of festival appearances around Europe including a side trip to Disneyland Paris. Inevitably, they have earmarked the Indiana Jones ride. ‘Lots of cowboys,’ notes Pollock. ‘And it goes upside down. That’s what we’re looking for as a band: to go upside down.’
Cowboy Hunters are touring the UK until Saturday 3 October; their self-released EPeepee EP is out now.