American Clay

American Clay are in an embryonic form in many ways. Despite their lack of released music, they have already supported some of the bands that were fundamental to their inception, be it CHEATAHS, Krill or Total Babes (featuring Cloud Nothings’ Jayson Gercyz). The bands tenth show, and their first of 2016, was in Edinburgh’s Liquid Rooms, supporting Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü/ Sugar). American Clay started out as a bedroom project for Martin Johnston. It then turned into a university assignment, then a fully fledged live band. These are the first set of songs that Johnston (22) has written, subsequently the first set of American Clay recordings feature Martin on every instrument, resulting in welcome comparisons to Dave Grohl’s role in the first Foo Fighters album. Similar to the aforementioned album, musicianship is not compromised on these recordings. Their first single, “Talk”, although an early representation of American Clay, still demonstrates the quartets love for guitar shackled dissonant pop, thundering drums and distant yet hooky vocals. This is the first time Johnston has swapped sitting behind the drums and adopted the unfamiliar role of a frontman. The transition to the stage has been helped along by his three bandmates, Chris McKeown (Drums- 27), William Clapperton (Bass-22), & Ross Stewart (Guitar- 24).


Their debut single, ‘Talk’ was released exclusively as a 7” through Northern Irish label Smalltown America. The track has since been included on London label Killing Moon’s most recent compilation “New Moons: Vol V Part II”. Killing Moon had this to say about the band: “There is literally nothing about this band that falls below the “really fucking into it” level of our own personal joygasmeter.”. The band have garnered radio play everywhere from BBC Radio Scotland to Seattle’s KEXP, earning them a place on Vic Galloway’s ones to watch list for 2016. American Clay’s fifth show was in Derry, at Smalltown America’s all-dayer event. BBC Radio Foyle DJ Stephen McCauley was immediately won over by the band: “…for all of us that night it was our first experience of the band, and the reaction to the set was nothing short of phenomenal.” Martin is currently in the studio working on the next release. They have a number of shows booked for 2016, including some festival appearances. Judging on the impact that American Clay have made in such a short space of time is testament to why they are one of Scotland’s most exciting musical prospects. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MNAS2Ytbqto