B-Side Guys

Parenthood has a way of reordering priorities with ruthless efficiency. What seemed important evaporates; what truly matters crystallizes with startling clarity. On their third album “A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be,” Glasgow’s Tom McGuire & the Brassholes harness this transformative experience into their most emotionally sophisticated work yet—47 minutes of groove-heavy soul-searching that proves growing up doesn’t require growing staid.

The album opens with “Introduction,” which functions as both musical statement and thematic thesis. Over a bed of rich brass and pocket-deep rhythm section work, frontman Tom McGuire establishes the collection’s central premise: examining adulthood’s complexities without abandoning the joy that makes enduring them worthwhile. The production immediately showcases the band’s evolution since their viral “Ric Flair” days—these eight musicians have clearly spent their touring years learning how each instrument can serve both individual expression and collective power.

“Deamons” [sic] follows with the kind of groove that made Bristol World describe their live shows as “glorious, unashamed funk.” The deliberate misspelling suggests internal struggles that refuse neat categorization, while the arrangement creates perfect tension between vulnerability and strength. McGuire’s vocals navigate emotional terrain with increasing confidence, demonstrating how fatherhood has deepened rather than diminished his artistic voice. The brass section—tight enough to make HiFi Pig Magazine compare them to “an Aberdonian in a cost-of-living crisis”—provides both harmonic foundation and melodic counterpoint.

“Take My Money” introduces sharper social commentary, examining capitalism’s psychological toll through funk’s rhythmic prism. The track demonstrates why Glide Magazine praised their “dynamic expertise only a veteran live band can pull off”—each section builds organically while maintaining groove integrity that lesser bands sacrifice for dramatic effect. McGuire’s lyrics balance personal observation with broader cultural critique, creating specificity that resonates universally.

“Depth Perception” and “Fun” form complementary pair exploring different aspects of maturity. The former examines how perspective shifts with age and responsibility, its nuanced arrangement reflecting the complexity of adult emotional life. The latter serves as necessary reminder that growth doesn’t require abandoning pleasure—a philosophy the band embodies through infectious rhythms that invite movement while addressing weighty themes.

Mid-album highlight “4th Floor” showcases the band’s storytelling sophistication, its narrative unfolding through verses that build toward choruses designed for the kind of crowd participation that sold out Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom. The production creates spatial depth that mirrors the lyrics’ psychological exploration, with each instrumental voice occupying distinct territory while contributing to unified vision.

“The Tooth” provides necessary sonic variety, its unconventional title matched by arrangement that incorporates elements outside traditional funk vocabulary without abandoning genre foundations. This willingness to experiment while honoring core identity explains why the band continues earning Spotify editorial playlist placement while maintaining credibility with funk purists.

“Why So Serious?” directly addresses the album’s central tension between responsibility and joy. McGuire’s delivery balances earnestness with playfulness, embodying the question rather than merely asking it. The rhythm section locks into groove that feels both relaxed and urgent—perfect metaphor for parenting itself.

“Infinity” and “Dad’s Guitar” form the album’s emotional core, both tracks grappling with legacy and inheritance from different angles. The former examines endless nature of parental love and worry, while the latter explicitly addresses musical heritage—both the burden and gift of following in creative footsteps. These songs showcase McGuire’s growth as songwriter, moving beyond clever wordplay toward genuine emotional revelation.

“Not Where I Belong” explores displacement and searching with horn arrangements that recall classic soul while maintaining contemporary edge. The track’s restless energy reflects the universal experience of questioning life choices, particularly resonant for anyone who’s wondered whether they’re living the right life.

The album concludes with connected pieces “SickWell Intro” and “SickWell,” creating suite structure that mirrors mental health’s cyclical nature. The transition between tracks demonstrates sophisticated compositional thinking, with musical elements bleeding across boundaries to create seamless emotional journey from struggle toward resolution.

Throughout “A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be,” Tom McGuire & the Brassholes prove that artistic maturity enhances rather than constrains their creative power. The band that once went viral with party anthems has evolved into sophisticated musical storytellers without sacrificing the groove that made them unmissable live act. Their upcoming UK tour—spanning Aberdeen to London between September and November—promises to translate these complex studio arrangements into the kind of explosive live experience that left Mill Magazine describing audiences exiting “with their soul inflated and the spirit of funk putting a considerable pep in their step.”

For bands navigating the transition from viral sensation to lasting artistic statement, Tom McGuire & the Brassholes offer compelling template. They’ve honored their funk foundations while expanding their emotional range, creating music that works equally well in headphones and festival settings. “A Name For Everything I’ll Ever Be” confirms their position as one of the UK’s most vital live acts while establishing them as serious album artists capable of sustained artistic vision.

As McGuire himself explains, “Life is confusing and hard, but music is fun and great, so let’s talk about it whilst at the same time, getting down.” This philosophy permeates every track, creating collection that faces adult complexities head-on while never forgetting that joy remains both possible and necessary.