Dictator - Taped Up

Dictator are a four piece Indie band, and are the latest offering from the burgeoning West Lothian conveyor belt. The band are Michael Campbell (vocals), Zach Tarimo (guitar), Joe Murty (bass) and Allan Ramsay (drums).

They are equally at ease with heartbreaking ballads or stomping Indie bangers, their musical influences include bands like Primal Scream, Gorillaz but also a nod to electronica with bands like Massive Attack and Groove Armada.

Their latest single Taped Up was released on 21 February.

The song in the bands words is about the thin line between selfishness and self improvement and was originally written for one of their friends boxing podcasts, but has now been transformed into an absolute cracking single.

The single lasts just under 4 minutes has a slow paced melody, with moody powerful lyrics and is clearly about the struggle a person has in pushing their own boundaries for improvement whilst fighting against being selfish on their pursuit of perfection. This is summed up by the underlying lyric “you know my beat, it’s concrete, just breathe, stay on your feet”.

I absolutely loved this track, so much that I ended up playing it on repeat for a good half hour.

Give it a listen now:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4cbguuIpFfawb4OduIvxKF?si=UEy_f5shSXyQr9kP65rFYw

Dictator have upcoming gigs on:

28 February - Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh (headliners)

13 March - Head of Steam, Newcastle (supporting Mark Sharp)

19 March - Yes Basement, Manchester (supporting Sour Honey)

The band can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.