rock bands

“I would recommend Oswald to anyone” - Music Investor News


"Wow really love these guys sound, its exactly what this country needs at the moment, a true voice and a true talent" Chris O'Dowd, It Crowd

What is a real rock band? Some would argue that it’s become all smoke and mirrors, plug-ins and effects. True in certain cases, but not at all for Oswald.  At the heart of every great rock band lie four essential elements: vocals, guitars, bass and drums. That, in essence, is Oswald.

Four years ago, securing a recording deal was just a dream for Tom McCreery. Having written songs since he was teenager, Tom craved to leave his day job as a graphic designer and form a full time band. Enlisting the help of his brother Ants, the band was formed. The next step was to come up with a name. “We decided on ‘Oswald' after Oswald Street in Glasgow,” explains Tom.

It was only after a chance meeting between Ants, who worked at a bank as David Ritchie’s business manager (founder of R&R Music) that the band started to get more serious. “I was talking to David when he came in for a meeting and I mentioned that I was in a band and he asked to hear a CD. I passed him a demo we’d made and he really liked it. The next thing we knew, former EMI Chairman Eric Nicoli flew up to Glasgow to see us play live. It was quite surreal,” recalls Ants.

Tom continues, “Our music and fans have always come to the forefront before we made any decision about talking to labels, so for us R & R came at the right time because we were very much thinking along the lines of, ‘We could do this on our own. But it would have taken longer and been more difficult. When R&R came into the picture, the attraction for us was that we’d be able to get our fans involved in choosing which singles they wanted us to release and as a band this was key to our final decision.”

With industry attention quickly surrounding the newly formed band, Oswald signed to R&R. Not the usual record deal of advances and royalties, but a 360 degree arrangement based on the formation of a company, R&R Music Oswald limited, which the band own 50%.   Within days of signing to R&R Music, the man who signed U2 to Island Records, Nick Stewart, agreed to mentor the band commenting, “Oswald may turn out to be the real deal. They write great songs and can really play,” says Nick.

“Having a deal with R&R is great because it gives us creative freedom as artists,” says Tom.  “We have a direct relationship with our fans and they can vote for the songs they want us to release as singles on our website. I think it really encourages fans to get involved in the story of our band. Digital releases have saved the single. People power means that they pick and choose exactly what they want to listen to and create their own playlists.”

With the future of music becoming more artist-centric, Oswald find themselves in a unique position. They have full control over their music and a mutual relationship with a label that understands where the band is coming from.  Influenced by artists including David Bowie, Simple Minds and Muse, Oswald are indeed comparable to the likes of U2 and Coldplay with anthemic melodies and catchy indie pop lyrics, songs such as ‘Home’ and ‘Flying To The Ground’ are firm favourites.

Ant adds, “We love writing songs and playing live. I’d like to think that our music is like social a commentary for the guy who walks down the street.”

‘Little Soul’ is also a stand out track, written by Tom after his wife suffered a miscarriage.

“I wrote ‘Little Soul’ hours after my wife and I lost our baby. Music is an escape for me and I just wanted to get my feelings out. Writing ‘Little Soul’ was like a release valve in order to cope with the pain and our tragic loss.”

To raise the awareness of this often-taboo subject, Tom and R&R Music have donated ‘Little Soul’ to charities that support child loss, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the charity.

“We’ve had a lot of attention from the song as anyone who has lost a child can relate to. Charities like Child, Sands and Baby Lifeline are so important and we’re big supporters of them,” Tom continues.

With ‘These Days’ set for digital release and 10 inch vinyl on 7th September, the band are set to cause waves across the airwaves having already caught the attention of Scottish radio, ‘These Days’ has been play listed on BBC Radio Scotland and Clyde 1 Radio. BBC 6 Music plays have already begun, including Chris Hawkins on the Early Breakfast show.

The future is looking bright for Oswald. With the fans in charge, expect the unexpected.

“Falsetto fuelled epic indie rock/pop Gods”, Dave Chislett, The Mail & Guardian, FHM


“A phenomenal new Scottish band”, Red Stripe, “Red Stripe Recommends”, July 2009


“A jaw-dropping fusion of Coldplay and U2”, Reveal Magazine


“We love this band”, Rock’n’Roll Dream


“Following in the footsteps of Franz Ferdinand, The Fratellis and Biffy Clyro, Oswald are the latest band set to break out of the Scottish music scene”, John Dingwall, Scottish Daily Record


“Great songs to live life to”, Pulse FM


“Oswald are the real deal", Nick “The Colonel” Stewart, Nick Stewart & Associates

 

Vote for Oswalds Next Single

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Recorded @ Konk Studios, London
Produced by Ben Mason

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This was written by Tom in the wee hours of the night, sitting on his doorstep in the middle of a rainstorm, after he was locked out. He had gone out for a "few" drinks with the band after practice one night, and lost track of time. He sang this song through the letterbox in the front door, as a plea for someone inside to unlock the door and let him come in.


Walking along on my own
Then she called me on the telephone
What the hell is wrong with you now?

Through the window the sky is grey
The wind is blowing and it's screaming at me
You can't be wrong when your Tom

I guess I'm in above my head
Or was it something I said
I guess I'm in above my head
Or was it something I said

Walking along on my own
And then she called me on the telephone
What the hell is wrong with you now?

And through the letterbox I'm screaming your name
You know I'm sorry and I feel ashamed
But I can't come in cos I'm Tom

I guess I'm in above my head
Or was it something I said
I guess I'm in above my head
Or was it something I said

Recorded @ Konk Studios, London
Produced by Ben Mason

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This song was written about a friend of a friend of the band, who died a short time after having met the guys of Oswald. The person had a lot of challenges in life and sadly lost their life because of them.


To be different in this world
Is not to fit in fit in at all
I've been striving my whole life
To become what I should have been

Social recognition and some love was all I asked
Social recognition and some love

I'm flying to the ground now
Free falling to the moonlit streets below
I'm flying to the ground now
My only want was to wanna be me

Oh don't cry for me cos I'm never coming back
Oh that shooting pain as my spine begins to crack

Here's a message to the human race
You might of liked it but it wasn't my face
I never hid it yet your eyes were deceived
And when I kissed you, you wall believed

You remember that little rhyme 'string and lace'
You remember that little rhyme

I'm flying to the ground now
Free falling to the moonlit streets below
I'm flying to the ground now
My only want was to wanna be me

Oh don't cry for me cos I'm never coming back
Oh that shooting pain as my spine begins to crack

In a kind of funny way I'm glad to be gone won't you gimme a wave
Some regrets and I'll work them out, but not right now cos I'm checking out

Oh don't cry for me cos I'm never coming back
Oh that shooting pain as my spine begins to crack

I'm flying to the ground now
Free falling to the moonlit streets below
I'm flying to the ground now
My only want was to wanna be me

Oh don't cry for me cos I'm never coming back
Oh that shooting pain as my spine begins to crack

Recorded @ Konk Studios, London
Produced by Ben Mason

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


Haha, we were sworn to secrecy as to what this song is truly about! We'll never tell! ... maybe...


I see you out there
I see you on your own
I see you out there
I can do you no harm
I don't know which way you turn
I don't know which way you run
And I don't have anymore words
I can take you to a place of safety
I can help you escape from this now

And you're bangin on those drums
And you're screaming out for something
And you're bangin on those drums
And you take it to the streets
And your bangin on those drums
You're calling out for someone
You're bangin on those drums

You held your children
Wiped their tears in the night
You lay beside them as we set the sky alight
I can take you out of this
I can take you by your hand
I can put my arms around you
Take you to this promised land
And I can make a difference

And you're bangin on those drums
And you're screaming out for something
And you're bangin on those drums
And you take it to the streets
And your bangin on those drums
You're calling out for someone
You're bangin on those drums

Yeah I coming to get you out of this
Yeah I coming to get you out

And you're bangin on those drums
And you're screaming out for something
And you're bangin on those drums
And you take it to the streets
And your bangin on those drums
You're calling out for someone
You're bangin on those drums

Recorded @ Konk Studios, London
Produced by Ben Mason

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


Basically this is about not taking your friends and family for granted, and how you don't really appreciate what you've got till it's not there. Check out the video (link to video) for this song, our video creator Serge did a spot on job capturing the meaning of the song in it.


I can't be part of this anymore

My feet are in the air and my head's pressed to this floor

And you kept me on the run

And you kept me on the run

So I'm going home

Yeah, yeah yeah I'm going home

So I'm going home

Cos I've been told what you told me was wrong

I was told not to cry it makes me strong

And you kept me on the run

And you kept me on the run

So I'm going home

Yeah, yeah yeah I'm going home

So yes I'm going home

Yeah I believe, I believe in, I believe in you

Cos I believe in you, yeah I believe

Yeah I'm going home

Cos I'm going home

I'm going home

Home, yeah

Home, yeah I'm going home

Yeah I believe, I believe in, I believe in you

Cos I believe in you, yeah I believe

I believe

Recorded @ Konk Studios, London
Produced by Ben Mason

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This is a reflection of Toms relationship with his father when he was younger. Tom always aspired to be like his father and looked upon him as his hero, and this song highlights the gratitude he has for his dad for putting up with all of his trouble and always being there for him.


The love flows so effortlessly through the night
And I feel alive when I see you look at me and smile
Sunrise, the birds begin to sing, on no

Did you get enough of me now?
I've danced around, danced around in your

Shadows, your shadows
I've danced around in your shadows
Shadows, your shadows, oh no

The pain you feel is something that I cannot see
But I know you'll crawl back to me on your knees
Sunrise, the birds begin to sing, on no

Did you get enough of me now?
I've danced around, danced around in your

Shadows, your shadows
I've danced around in your shadows
Shadows, your shadows, oh no

Your Shadows, your shadows
I've danced around in your shadows
Your Shadows, your shadows
I've danced around in your shadows

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


It's about balance in a relationship - about realising that it's about two people, not just one. Whilst you both want the same outcome and happiness, each has to respect that they each have different desires and personal dreams, otherwise it can't work


Too much, yeah I've had too much time on my own
I've been here before and I'll be here again
I need the same things that you need, maybe some more
There's only so much that I can take

Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away
It's you that I want now
Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away

I want the same things that you want in a different way
We've been here before and we'll be here again
And I love the same things that you love, it's just not as much
There's only so much that I can take

Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away
It's you that I want now
Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away

Don't push me too far, you push me too far
Tonight, there's only so much that I can take

Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away
It's you that I want now
Love, don't you turn away, don't you walk away

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald

What you looking at me for? Fire in the eyes of lonely face

Why did you come over if you didn't like me in the first bloody place?

I loved your reaction the way you took your hand across my face

I could see you were raging your ego boiled over and flooded this place

For me it's over, over, over now

I can't wait much longer, longer, longer, I'm on my own

I know that I've been lied to, lied to, lied to by a devious girl

You gimme fake attentions pretend that you listen to the things I say

Seems you got no intentions of looking at me in a different way

All the defamations, caricatures and the lies and tears

I'm walking away now, I still got your voice ringing in my ears

For me it's over, over, over now

I can't wait much longer, longer, longer, I'm on my own

I know that I've been lied to, lied to, lied to by a devious girl

For me it's over, over, over now

I can't wait much longer, longer, longer, I'm on my own

I know that I've been lied to, lied to, lied to by a devious girl

What you looking at me for? Fire in the eyes of lonely face

Why did you come over if you didn't like me in the first bloody place?

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This song is about global warming. It's about a guy (Tom is the guy in the song, but not in real life) who was on a mission to save the planet, recycle, and change our ways of life due to global warming, and he actually ends up hurting the planet. He then has a dream one night where mankind is chasing him, and he sees two suns in the picture. He's sitting next to an angel who tells him that the other sun is actually the Earth and it was he who destroyed it and turned it into a fiery sun.


I have to go, I had to go

Run after me, chase after me

I hear your voice, I hear your voice

Open your eyes, open your eyes

Tell me what you think as you fly around

Tell me what you think of those people on the ground

Tell me all those things that you hide away

Tell me about those secrets that have made you today

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked at my hands I was old

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked to earth it was gold

I Asked the angel next to me

She said it was all down to you, yeah she said it was all down to me

Yeah she said it was all down to me

Get off of me, get off of me

You had to know, you had to know

Im out of this, Im out of this

So cover your face, cover your face

Tell me what you think as you fly around

Tell me what you think of those people on the ground

Tell me all those things that you hide away

Tell me about those secrets that have made you today

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked at my hands I was old

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked to earth it was gold

I Asked the angel next to me

She said it was all down to you, yeah she said it was all down to me

Yeah she said it was all down to me

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked at my hands I was old

I had a dream of a double sun

When I looked to earth it was gold

Asked the angel next to me

She said it was all down to you, yeah she said it was all down to me

Yeah she said it was all down to me

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This is basically about the blindness of people to what's going on around them on the planet, and how the media misleads them. And even though some of us try to speak up and make people aware, they still cry at a wounded puppy on TV while not even flinching when it's announced that actual people died in conflicts.


So, so you think you got hope
Yeah you think you can cope with what you've got
Well let me tell you, I'll help you I'll make you feel alright
I'll help you feel alright

So, so you think you can walk
To heaven through hell and cross a great divide
Well let me tell you, I'll take you to the other side
I'll show the other side

So why am I standing here on my own
With nothing left to give
So what am I fighting for
There's nothing left to give, I got nothing left to win

So, so you had time to think
Maybe too much to drink, you were sitting on your own
Well let me tell you, I'll help you, help you see the light
I'll make you see the light

So why am I standing here on my own
With nothing left to give
So what am I fighting for
There's nothing left to give, I got nothing left to win

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This song is about someone that Tom knows who's missus left him and took his kids - and how he tried his best to become what she wanted. The line "all those times you call my name you were calling someone else" highlights his want to be what he thought his wife wanted, and that it wasn't truly who he was. It was all an act.


All those times you call my name

You're calling someone else

Was I to blame ?

Or was it someone else

Was it someone else

s

I can be, I can try

And this all comes tumbling down

And this all comes tumbling down

All those times I see your face

Was a face I've never know

Such a long way to go

For solace in this world

For peace on earth

I can be, I can try

And this all comes tumbling down

And this all comes tumbling down

And this all comes tumbling down on me and you now

And this all comes tumbling down

And this all comes tumbling down

Im not so sure now, Im not so sure now

I got a different opinion

I got a different point of view

I didn't mean to think

Didn't mean to work things out

I didn't mean to cry

No I didn't mean pry

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald


This is a very emotional and shocking song, based on a true story of a girl who was adopted at a young age. After several years of living with her new family and accepting them as her own, they decide they do not want her anymore and kicked her out. This song is about her kicking back at life, after life kicked her while she was down in life and facing huge struggles.


You thought you had it made

Thought you had a place to stay

You thought you had it made

Thought you had it all worked out

I saw your tears roll down your face

Now you know the truth

It's time for you to push

It's time for you to kick back

So kick back

Kick back

If you had a little time

Some time to work things out

If you had a little time

You'll fit right in

So now you know the truth

It's time for you to push

It's time for you to kick back

It's time for you

So where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go?

So where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go?

Do you have a little space

Some kind of family tree to trace

Have you had a little thought

About what you haven't got?

Now you know the truth

It's time for you to push

It's time for you to kick back

It's time for you to kick back

Where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go?

So where you gonna go?

So where you gonna go?

So where you gonna go?

Where you gonna go...?

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald

Last night I walked back home embarrassed by a TV show

Mind open, my eyes are open

I see you look at me, I see you gaze at me

Crowd in silence, it's almost violence

What am I supposed to do?

Oh oh oh oh I give up

Oh oh oh no I give up

I won't walk away I won't turn my back

No matter what you say I'll keep coming back now

Walk away I won't turn my back oh no

What's in my mind is what you said

You'd no I'd rather wind up dead

Took a chance that I didn't want to take yeah

Oh oh oh oh I give up

Oh oh oh no I give up

I won't walk away I won't turn my back

No matter what you say I'll keep coming back now

Walk away I won't turn my back oh no

Oh oh oh oh I give up

Oh oh oh no I give up

I won't walk away I won't turn my back

No matter what you say I'll keep coming back now

Walk away I won't turn my back oh no

Oh oh oh no Oh no no no no

This is the end, this the end for you and me

This is what we were meant to be and this is what has become of us

You and I we turned to dust and this is what was meant for us

Oh this is the end, yeah this the end, oh this end

This is the end for you and me oh no...

Recorded live at A-Side, Glasgow

Lyrics: Tom, Music: Oswald

Rolled the dice, as cold as ice

I see you smiling, I see you smiling

I've watched you fall down to your knees

I hear you crying, crying to sleep

Yeah I hear you crying to sleep

Yeah I hear you crying

I don't really want to know

What you think about me

And I don't really want to hear

What you got to say about me

Yeah about me tonight

You called me up and you messed me up

I know you're thinking, dirty thinking

You took my hand and you kissed my cheek

I saw you running, running through the streets

Yeah I saw you running away

Yeah I see you running

I don't really want to know

What you think about me

And I don't really want to hear

What you got to say about me

Oh, oh no

I don't really want to know

What you think about me

I don't really want to know

What you think about me

I don't really want to hear

What you got to say about me

Oh, oh no

I don't really want to know

What you think about me

Don't really want to know

Don't really want to know

Don't really want to know...

Here are the current standings based on votes from the fans.
  • 1.     Home
  • 2.     Shadows
  • 3.     Bangin On Those Drums
  • 4.     Double Sun
  • 5.     Love
  • 6.     Something I Said
  • 7.     Devious Girl
  • 8.     Nothing Left To Win
  • 9.     Kick Back
  • 10.   Give Up
  • 11.   Tumbling Down

Click here to vote now!
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