For the last few years, HotWax have been growing their name with near-constant touring, playing festivals, and filling support slots for the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Royal Blood, and Warmduscher. This has all been leading up to the release of their debut album, Hot Shock, which dropped last month to critical acclaim. Now, their album tour brings them to a sold-out headliner show at Sleazies.

The first support band was local punk trio The Froobz. Kicking off with Boys Get Sad Too, they sound closer to being from Aberdeen, Washington than Aberdeen, Scotland, with a distinctive riot grrrl-esque sound plus extra bass. “It wouldn’t be a Froobz gig without thanking Mum and complaining about men — we’ll thank Mum first though,” they quip, before launching into Ur Mum’s Guide To Life. It isn’t long before the complaining about men starts though, particularly on their newly released single Manchild. Like the rest of their set, it’s a highly catchy tune driven by a heavy bassline and punctuated with tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

The Pill set the tone with choreographed dancing to Scaffolding Man. “This is the furthest north we have ever been,” states the Isle of Wight band as they play their first ever show in Scotland. They are a chaotic bundle of energy, with hilarious and piercing lyrics, and riffs that race like the Ramones. As Money Mullet ends, bassist Lottie is visibly beaming. “We’ve never seen so many people singing along to our song before — we love you, Glasgow!” And the feeling is clearly mutual.

HotWax matched the opening of their album with a run of tracks from She’s Got A Problem to Dress Our Love. The venue was already a hot and sweaty packed basement, and the band were ferocious and unrelenting. Lola bounces in and out of the crowd with Tallulah snarling the lyrics — they are effortlessly cool, and the band’s obvious chemistry elevates the set from being just a good show to a truly special one. It’s telling that the mosh pit is filled with recognisable faces from some of Glasgow’s best bands.

It isn’t until Pharmacy that the crowd gets a bit of a breather, as Tallulah breaks out the acoustic guitar and Lola extols the virtues of the “Buckatini” (Sleazies’ Buckfast cocktail). The break is brief, though, as the mosh pit kicks off again with Hard Goodbye and continues right through to the riotous Rip It Out.

HotWax have played a lot of shows in the past few years, but it feels like the chance to catch them in small, intimate venues is running out fast. The success of this debut album, combined with the loyal following they’ve built from being one of the best live bands around, is paving the way for big things in the years ahead.

Article: Dale Harvey