The Tubs sound like a nervous system firing on all cylinders, wrapped in the shimmering melodicism of 80s jangle pop. There is a distinct tension between the bright, interlocking guitar lines and the heavy, often anxious weight of the lyrics. It is music that feels both vintage and immediate, drawing a line from the pastoral folk-rock of Fairport Convention to the jagged urgency of post-punk.
What truly sets them apart is the vocal delivery of Owen Williams, whose baritone provides a grounded, slightly detached counterpoint to the frantic energy of the rhythm section. The band excels at creating 'nervous jangle,' where the songs feel like they might boil over at any moment, yet are held together by incredibly tight arrangements and surprisingly lush vocal harmonies that recall the best of the C86 era.
Start with their 2023 debut Dead Meat. It is a masterclass in modern indie rock that refuses to be background music, demanding your attention with its sharp hooks and relentless pace. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who likes their pop songs with a side of existential dread.
Shares alternative rock, indie rock, post-punk (subgenres); deadpan, harmonized, nasal (vocal style)
Shares indie rock, post-punk (subgenres); restless, bittersweet, urgent (moods)
Shares indie rock, alternative rock, post-punk (subgenres); electric guitar, drums, bass (instrumentation)
Shares indie rock, post-punk, alternative rock (subgenres); live recording, analog warmth, stripped back (production style)
Shares analog warmth, dry intimate, stripped back (production style); indie rock, alternative rock (subgenres)
Shares analog warmth, dry intimate, stripped back (production style); indie rock, post-punk (subgenres)
Shares indie rock, post-punk, alternative rock (subgenres); analog warmth, dry intimate, stripped back (production style)
Shares basement show, urban night, autumn walk (atmosphere); indie rock, alternative rock (subgenres)
Shares indie rock, post-punk, alternative rock (subgenres); electric guitar, drums, bass (instrumentation)
Shares indie rock, alternative rock, folk rock (subgenres); analog warmth, stripped back, live recording (production style)
Shares post-punk, dry intimate, nasal, stripped back (subgenre)
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