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'''Arab Strap''' are a Scottish [[indie rock]] band whose core members are [[Aidan Moffat]] and [[Malcolm Middleton]].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |first=Martin C. |last=Strong |year=2000 |title=The Great Rock Discography |edition=5th |publisher=Mojo Books |location=Edinburgh |pages=28–29 |isbn=1-84195-017-3}}</ref> The band were signed to independent record label [[Chemikal Underground]], split in 2006 and reformed in 2016. The band signed to [[Rock Action Records]] in 2020.
'''Arab Strap''' are a Scottish [[indie rock]] band whose core members are [[Aidan Moffat]] and [[Malcolm Middleton]].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |first=Martin C. |last=Strong |year=2000 |title=The Great Rock Discography |edition=5th |publisher=Mojo Books |location=Edinburgh |pages=28–29 |isbn=1-84195-017-3}}</ref> The band were signed to independent record label [[Chemikal Underground]], split in 2006 and reformed in 2016. The band signed to [[Rock Action Records]] in 2020.


==History==
==Formation and early years==
{{Original research|date=October 2023}}
{{Original research|date=October 2023}}


Vocalist and drummer [[Aidan Moffat]] and multi-instrumentalist [[Malcolm Middleton]] grew up in [[Falkirk]], Scotland,<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music |The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]] |editor=Colin Larkin |editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer) |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |date=2000 |edition=First |isbn=0-7535-0427-8 |page=22}}</ref> and bonded over their mutual love for [[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]] recording artists such as [[Will Oldham]] (who at the time recorded under the name [[Palace Brothers]]) and [[Smog (band)|Smog]]. They began collaborating in 1995, and their debut album, ''[[The Week Never Starts Round Here]]'', was released the following year. At this point Gary Miller and David Gow joined the band and became the rhythm section, creating a more dynamic live experience when the band started touring.<ref name="Larkin90"/>
Vocalist and drummer [[Aidan Moffat]] and multi-instrumentalist [[Malcolm Middleton]] grew up in [[Falkirk]], Scotland,<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music |The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]] |editor=Colin Larkin |editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer) |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |date=2000 |edition=First |isbn=0-7535-0427-8 |page=22}}</ref> and bonded over their mutual love for [[Drag City (record label)|Drag City]] recording artists such as [[Will Oldham]] (who at the time recorded under the name [[Palace Brothers]]) and [[Smog (band)|Smog]]. They first collaborated in 1995, and their debut album, ''[[The Week Never Starts Round Here]]'', was released the following year. At this point Gary Miller and David Gow joined the band and became the rhythm section, creating a more dynamic live experience when the band toured.<ref name="Larkin90"/>


Over the course of their first ten-year existence, Arab Strap worked with numerous musicians, including Jenny Reeve and Stacey Sievewright, as well as Adele Bethel, who went on to form [[Sons and Daughters (band)|Sons and Daughters]]. [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]] of [[Belle & Sebastian]] featured on the album ''[[Philophobia (album)|Philophobia]]'', but the Belle & Sebastian album/song "[[The Boy with the Arab Strap]]" would later create something of a feud between Moffat and Murdoch.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
Over the course of their first ten-year existence, Arab Strap worked with numerous musicians, including Jenny Reeve and Stacey Sievewright, as well as Adele Bethel, who went on to form [[Sons and Daughters (band)|Sons and Daughters]]. [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]] of [[Belle and Sebastian]] featured on the album ''[[Philophobia (album)|Philophobia]]'', but the Belle and Sebastian album/song "[[The Boy with the Arab Strap]]" would later create something of a feud between Moffat and Murdoch.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tobin |first1=Alex |title=Interview with Arab Strap |url=https://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/arab-strap/arab-strap/351/index.html |website=Kinda Music |access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref>


Arab Strap's marked characteristics include sordid, personal, yet honest, lyrics – described by the ''[[NME]]'' as "fly on the duvet vignettes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com |title=Music News and Reviews, Concert Tickets, Videos, Pictures and Free MP3s |publisher=Nme.Com |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> Like fellow Scottish band [[The Proclaimers]], their lyrics are sung in their native [[Scots language|Scots tongue]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/books/archive/breakingupbritain.html |chapter-url=http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/books/archive/Breaking_up_Britain_Williamson.pdf |chapter=Language and culture in a rediscovered Scotland |title=Breaking up Britain: Four nations after a Union |editor=Mark Perryman |author=Kevin Williamson |author-link=Kevin Williamson (politician) |year=2009 |publisher=[[Lawrence and Wishart]] |page=61 |ISBN=978-1-905007-96-7 |access-date=2009-09-05}}</ref> At first essentially an electro-acoustic band with a brooding, spare sound, later albums and gigs saw them develop a fuller sound that drew deeply on both indie and dance music.
Arab Strap's marked characteristics include sordid, personal, yet honest, lyrics – described by the ''[[NME]]'' as "fly on the duvet vignettes".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com |title=Music News and Reviews, Concert Tickets, Videos, Pictures and Free MP3s |publisher=Nme.Com |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> Like fellow Scottish band [[The Proclaimers]], their lyrics are sung in their native [[Scots language|Scots tongue]].<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/books/archive/breakingupbritain.html |chapter-url=http://www.lwbooks.co.uk/books/archive/Breaking_up_Britain_Williamson.pdf |chapter=Language and culture in a rediscovered Scotland |title=Breaking up Britain: Four nations after a Union |editor=Mark Perryman |author=Kevin Williamson |author-link=Kevin Williamson (politician) |year=2009 |publisher=[[Lawrence and Wishart]] |page=61 |isbn=978-1-905007-96-7 |access-date=2009-09-05}}</ref> At first essentially an electro-acoustic band with a brooding, spare sound, later albums and gigs saw them develop a fuller sound that drew deeply on both indie and dance music.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}


Arab Strap's first two albums, ''The Week Never Starts Around Here'' (1996) and ''Philophobia'' (1998), depicted the desperate decadence of post-[[Thatcherism|Thatcherite]] Britain. The former album's "The First Big Weekend", a five-minute piece of drunken mayhem that end with a joyous singalong, "Went out for a weekend, lasted forever/Got high with our friends, it's officially summer," which was later also used as the chorus to "Hey!Fever," one of the tracks on the EP ''The Girls of Summer'' the following year. The 1999 live album, ''[[Mad for Sadness]]'', demonstrated how the sometimes spare recorded sound of their early music could lift into a celebration of a sexually empty, drug- and alcohol-dependent life. After these albums, Arab Strap's music became much more musically polished, but continued to focus on drink, drugs, and existentially bereft versions of sexuality.  
Arab Strap's first two albums, ''The Week Never Starts Around Here'' (1996) and ''Philophobia'' (1998), depicted the desperate decadence of post-[[Thatcherism|Thatcherite]] Britain. The former album's "The First Big Weekend", a five-minute piece of drunken mayhem that end with a joyous singalong, "Went out for a weekend, lasted forever/Got high with our friends, it's officially summer," which was later also used as the chorus to "Hey!Fever," one of the tracks on the EP ''The Girls of Summer'' the following year. The 1999 live album, ''[[Mad for Sadness]]'', demonstrated how the sometimes spare recorded sound of their early music could lift into a celebration of a sexually empty, drug- and alcohol-dependent life.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}} After these albums, Arab Strap's music became much more musically polished, but continued to focus on drink, drugs, and existentially bereft versions of sexuality.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}


In keeping with the theme of [[arab strap (sexual device)|sexual allusion]], Moffat records as a solo artist under the name Lucky Pierre (later changed to L Pierre)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aidanmoffat.co.uk/ |title=Aidan Moffat |publisher=Aidan Moffat |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> – slang for the man in the middle of a gay threesome. This work is also characterised by a brooding, spare sound, but is instrumental in nature. Middleton also has a solo career under his own name, releasing two albums with [[Chemikal Underground]] and three more via Full Time Hobby Records.
In keeping with the theme of [[arab strap (sexual device)|sexual allusion]], Moffat records as a solo artist under the name Lucky Pierre (later changed to L Pierre)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aidanmoffat.co.uk/ |title=Aidan Moffat |publisher=Aidan Moffat |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> – slang for the man in the middle of a gay threesome. This work is also characterised by a brooding, spare sound, but is instrumental in nature.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}} Middleton also has a solo career under his own name, releasing two albums with [[Chemikal Underground]] and three more via Full Time Hobby Records.


On 9 September 2006, the band announced on their website that they were to split up.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} They celebrated the ten years since their first studio album with the release of a compilation record, ''Ten Years of Tears''. They went on tour in Europe for the last time at the end of the year, and played their final show at the end of a secret tour of Japan at Shibuya O-Nest on 17 December 2006.
On 9 September 2006, the band announced on their website that they were to split up.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} They celebrated the ten years since their first studio album with the release of a compilation record, ''Ten Years of Tears''. They went on tour in Europe for the last time at the end of the year, and played their final show at the end of a secret tour of Japan at Shibuya O-Nest on 17 December 2006.
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In a 2008 interview, Middleton stated: "It was a good time to call it a day. Unless there's a definite need and desire for us to play, I don't think we should ever get back together. We always said we would [collaborate again] when we split up, but I think maybe it's still too soon. Maybe in a few years when we've got time, we'll maybe try something for a laugh. Who knows?"<ref>''[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]'': Issue 39, December 2008, p. 39</ref>
In a 2008 interview, Middleton stated: "It was a good time to call it a day. Unless there's a definite need and desire for us to play, I don't think we should ever get back together. We always said we would [collaborate again] when we split up, but I think maybe it's still too soon. Maybe in a few years when we've got time, we'll maybe try something for a laugh. Who knows?"<ref>''[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]'': Issue 39, December 2008, p. 39</ref>


In December 2009, ''[[Monday at the Hug & Pint]]'', ''[[The Red Thread (Arab Strap album)|The Red Thread]]'' and ''[[The Last Romance]]'' entered ''The Skinny'''s "Scottish Albums of the Decade" list at no. 7, 12 and 25 respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/opinion/albums-of-the-year/scottish-albums-of-the-decade-12-arab-strap-the-red-thread |title=Scottish Albums of the Decade #12: Arab Strap – The Red Thread}}</ref>
In December 2009, ''[[Monday at the Hug & Pint]]'', ''[[The Red Thread (Arab Strap album)|The Red Thread]]'' and ''[[The Last Romance]]'' entered ''The Skinny'''s "Scottish Albums of the Decade" list at no. 7, 12 and 25 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/opinion/albums-of-the-year/scottish-albums-of-the-decade-12-arab-strap-the-red-thread|title=Scottish Albums of the Decade No. 12: Arab Strap - The Red Thread|website=Theskinny.co.uk|access-date=4 September 2025}}</ref>


In April 2010, the ''Scenes of a Sexual Nature'' box-set was released, featuring early albums, live recordings, and a newly recorded track. The following year Moffat and Middleton released a cover version of [[Slow Club]]'s new single, "Two Cousins", under the name "Two Cousins 1999". Moffat noted, "It's not an Arab Strap performance as such, rather it's the two guys who used to be Arab Strap recording their own, informed pastiche".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/06684-listen-aidan-moffat-malcolm-middleton-cover-slow-club |title=News &#124; Listen: Arab Strap Duo Cover Slow Club |publisher=The Quietus |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> On 17 November 2011, the band reformed for a one-off show as part of Glasgow venue Nice N Sleazy's 20th birthday celebrations.
In April 2010, the ''Scenes of a Sexual Nature'' box-set was released, featuring early albums, live recordings, and a newly recorded track. The following year Moffat and Middleton released a cover version of [[Slow Club]]'s new single, "Two Cousins", under the name "Two Cousins 1999". Moffat noted, "It's not an Arab Strap performance as such, rather it's the two guys who used to be Arab Strap recording their own, informed pastiche".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/06684-listen-aidan-moffat-malcolm-middleton-cover-slow-club |title=News &#124; Listen: Arab Strap Duo Cover Slow Club |date=2 August 2011 |publisher=The Quietus |access-date=2014-04-24}}</ref> On 17 November 2011, the band reformed for a one-off show as part of Glasgow venue Nice N Sleazy's 20th birthday celebrations.


In an interview in April 2013, Middleton said that he would be open to the idea of future gigs, but cast doubt on any more Arab Strap records: "I think, with Arab Strap, it was good at the time. But we could only write songs of that ilk at a certain age. So I don't think we'll ever record again but it might be good to do a gig".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2013/04/26/malcolm-middleton-interview-8279/ |title=Malcolm Middleton on his solo debut, touring again, and Arab Strap |publisher=WOW247 |date=2013-04-26 |access-date=2014-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301201753/http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2013/04/26/malcolm-middleton-interview-8279/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In an interview in April 2013, Middleton said that he would be open to the idea of future gigs, but cast doubt on any more Arab Strap records: "I think, with Arab Strap, it was good at the time. But we could only write songs of that ilk at a certain age. So I don't think we'll ever record again but it might be good to do a gig".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2013/04/26/malcolm-middleton-interview-8279/ |title=Malcolm Middleton on his solo debut, touring again, and Arab Strap |publisher=WOW247 |date=2013-04-26 |access-date=2014-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301201753/http://www.wow247.co.uk/blog/2013/04/26/malcolm-middleton-interview-8279/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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* Released: 25 November 1996
* Released: 25 November 1996
* Label: [[Chemikal Underground]] <small>(#CHEM010)</small>
* Label: [[Chemikal Underground]] <small>(CHEM010)</small>
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* Released: 20 April 1998
* Released: 20 April 1998
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM21)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM21)</small>
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* Released: 13 September 1999
* Released: 13 September 1999
* Label: [[Go! Discs|Go! Beat]] <small>(#547805)</small>
* Label: [[Go! Discs|Go! Beat]] <small>(547805)</small>
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* Released: 26 February 2001
* Released: 26 February 2001
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM050)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM050)</small>
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* Released: 21 April 2003
* Released: 21 April 2003
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM065)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM065)</small>
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* Released: 17 October 2005
* Released: 17 October 2005
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM082)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM082)</small>
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* Released: 3 May 1999
* Released: 3 May 1999
* Label: Go! Beat <small>(#547387)</small>
* Label: Go! Beat <small>(547387)</small>
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* Released: 2003
* Released: 2003
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(#ASC001)</small>
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(ASC001)</small>
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* Released: 2005
* Released: 2005
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(#ASC002)</small>
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(ASC002)</small>
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* Released: 2020
* Released: 2020
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(no Cat#)</small>
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(no Cat ref)</small>
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* Released: 21 February 1999 <small>([[Japan]] only)</small>
* Released: 21 February 1999 <small>([[Japan]] only)</small>
* Label: Bandai Music <small>(#APCY-8473)</small>
* Label: Bandai Music <small>(APCY-8473)</small>
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* Released: 23 October 2006
* Released: 23 October 2006
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM095)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM095)</small>
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* Released: 17 April 2010
* Released: 17 April 2010
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM134)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM134)</small>
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* Released: 30 September 2016
* Released: 30 September 2016
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM244)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM244)</small>
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* Released: 1 September 1997
* Released: 1 September 1997
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM017)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM017)</small>
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* Released: April 1998
* Released: April 1998
* Label: Too Many Cooks <small>(#BROTH001)</small>
* Label: Too Many Cooks <small>(BROTH001)</small>
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* Released: 23 August 1999
* Released: 23 August 1999
* Label: Go! Beat <small>(#561263)</small>
* Label: Go! Beat <small>(561263)</small>
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! scope="row"| ''[[Fukd ID|Fukd ID #2]]''
! scope="row"| ''[[Fukd ID|Fukd ID 2]]''
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* Released: 13 November 2000
* Released: 13 November 2000
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* Released: 2002
* Released: 2002
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(#ASTRIP001)</small>
* Label: Arab Strap self-released <small>(ASTRIP001)</small>
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* Released: 12 February 2006
* Released: 12 February 2006
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(#CHEM086)</small>
* Label: Chemikal Underground <small>(CHEM086)</small>
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[[Category:Slowcore groups]]
[[Category:Slowcore groups]]
[[Category:Chemikal Underground artists]]
[[Category:Chemikal Underground artists]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Scotland]]

Latest revision as of 01:56, 14 November 2025

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Arab Strap are a Scottish indie rock band whose core members are Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton.[1] The band were signed to independent record label Chemikal Underground, split in 2006 and reformed in 2016. The band signed to Rock Action Records in 2020.

Formation and early years

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Vocalist and drummer Aidan Moffat and multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton grew up in Falkirk, Scotland,[2] and bonded over their mutual love for Drag City recording artists such as Will Oldham (who at the time recorded under the name Palace Brothers) and Smog. They first collaborated in 1995, and their debut album, The Week Never Starts Round Here, was released the following year. At this point Gary Miller and David Gow joined the band and became the rhythm section, creating a more dynamic live experience when the band toured.[2]

Over the course of their first ten-year existence, Arab Strap worked with numerous musicians, including Jenny Reeve and Stacey Sievewright, as well as Adele Bethel, who went on to form Sons and Daughters. Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian featured on the album Philophobia, but the Belle and Sebastian album/song "The Boy with the Arab Strap" would later create something of a feud between Moffat and Murdoch.[3]

Arab Strap's marked characteristics include sordid, personal, yet honest, lyrics – described by the NME as "fly on the duvet vignettes".[4] Like fellow Scottish band The Proclaimers, their lyrics are sung in their native Scots tongue.[5] At first essentially an electro-acoustic band with a brooding, spare sound, later albums and gigs saw them develop a fuller sound that drew deeply on both indie and dance music.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Arab Strap's first two albums, The Week Never Starts Around Here (1996) and Philophobia (1998), depicted the desperate decadence of post-Thatcherite Britain. The former album's "The First Big Weekend", a five-minute piece of drunken mayhem that end with a joyous singalong, "Went out for a weekend, lasted forever/Got high with our friends, it's officially summer," which was later also used as the chorus to "Hey!Fever," one of the tracks on the EP The Girls of Summer the following year. The 1999 live album, Mad for Sadness, demonstrated how the sometimes spare recorded sound of their early music could lift into a celebration of a sexually empty, drug- and alcohol-dependent life.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". After these albums, Arab Strap's music became much more musically polished, but continued to focus on drink, drugs, and existentially bereft versions of sexuality.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

In keeping with the theme of sexual allusion, Moffat records as a solo artist under the name Lucky Pierre (later changed to L Pierre)[6] – slang for the man in the middle of a gay threesome. This work is also characterised by a brooding, spare sound, but is instrumental in nature.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Middleton also has a solo career under his own name, releasing two albums with Chemikal Underground and three more via Full Time Hobby Records.

On 9 September 2006, the band announced on their website that they were to split up.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". They celebrated the ten years since their first studio album with the release of a compilation record, Ten Years of Tears. They went on tour in Europe for the last time at the end of the year, and played their final show at the end of a secret tour of Japan at Shibuya O-Nest on 17 December 2006.

Post-breakup and 2016 reunion

In a 2008 interview, Middleton stated: "It was a good time to call it a day. Unless there's a definite need and desire for us to play, I don't think we should ever get back together. We always said we would [collaborate again] when we split up, but I think maybe it's still too soon. Maybe in a few years when we've got time, we'll maybe try something for a laugh. Who knows?"[7]

In December 2009, Monday at the Hug & Pint, The Red Thread and The Last Romance entered The Skinny's "Scottish Albums of the Decade" list at no. 7, 12 and 25 respectively.[8]

In April 2010, the Scenes of a Sexual Nature box-set was released, featuring early albums, live recordings, and a newly recorded track. The following year Moffat and Middleton released a cover version of Slow Club's new single, "Two Cousins", under the name "Two Cousins 1999". Moffat noted, "It's not an Arab Strap performance as such, rather it's the two guys who used to be Arab Strap recording their own, informed pastiche".[9] On 17 November 2011, the band reformed for a one-off show as part of Glasgow venue Nice N Sleazy's 20th birthday celebrations.

In an interview in April 2013, Middleton said that he would be open to the idea of future gigs, but cast doubt on any more Arab Strap records: "I think, with Arab Strap, it was good at the time. But we could only write songs of that ilk at a certain age. So I don't think we'll ever record again but it might be good to do a gig".[10]

On 11 June 2016, a new website for the band was revealed with a countdown and a lone statement, "Hello Again", teasing a reformation. Arab Strap confirmed on 15 June that they had reformed for three shows at London's Electric Brixton, Manchester's O2 Ritz and Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom, all scheduled for October 2016, marking the band's 20th anniversary. With this announcement, the band released a new version of their debut single, titled "The First Big Weekend of 2016", as remixed by Miaoux Miaoux. They later added a second date in Glasgow (after the first one sold out in under half an hour) and a warm-up date in Newcastle. A string of festival dates in 2017 followed.

Return to full-time band

In August 2019, ahead of the release of his third studio album, Human Don't Be Angry, Middleton's website updated to state that they "[were] currently working on a new album for release in 2020".[11] On 1 September 2020, the band issued their first new material in 15 years, with the release of the single "The Turning of Our Bones", which was reported to be the A-side of an upcoming 7", with the B-side of the single being "The Jumper".

On 24 November 2020, the band announced their seventh album, As Days Get Dark – their first in 16 years – would be released on Rock Action.

In February 2021, Arab Strap released the music video for "Here Comes Comus!". The controversial music video was directed by Bryan M. Ferguson.[12]

As Days Get Dark was released on 5 March 2021.[13] They have continued to gig since, both as a full band and as an acoustic duo featuring Moffat and Midddleton. Middleton also started a new band with musician Joel Harries called Lichen Slow, who released their debut album in March 2023.

In September 2022, the song "The Turning of Our Bones" was used over the opening credits for the TV series Karen Pirie.[14]

In March 2023, Arab Strap announced a string of acoustic gigs to mark the 25th anniversary of Philophobia, touring in late 2023 until January 2024.[15]

In January 2024, the band announced their eighth studio album, I'm Totally Fine with It Don't Give a Fuck Anymore, with the first single "Bliss". The album was released on Rock Action on 10 May 2024.[16]

Discography

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Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
SCO
[17] 		EUR
[18] 		FRA
[19] 		UK
[17] 		UK
Indie
[20]
The Week Never Starts Round Here — — — — —
Philophobia
  • Released: 20 April 1998
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM21)
 34 92 — 37 3
Elephant Shoe
  • Released: 13 September 1999
  • Label: Go! Beat (547805)
 59 — — 79 —
The Red Thread
  • Released: 26 February 2001
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM050)
 86 — 77 125 16
Monday at the Hug & Pint
  • Released: 21 April 2003
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM065)
 43 — 150 120 12
The Last Romance
  • Released: 17 October 2005
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM082)
 68 — — 199 22
As Days Get Dark 1 — — 14 3
I'm Totally Fine with It Don't Give a Fuck Anymore
  • Released: 10 May 2024
  • Label: Rock Action
 2 — — 65 —
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Live albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
SCO
[21] 		UK
[17]
Mad for Sadness
  • Released: 3 May 1999
  • Label: Go! Beat (547387)
 96 138
The Cunted Circus
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Arab Strap self-released (ASC001)
 — —
Acoustic Request Show
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Arab Strap self-released (ASC002)
 — —
Primavera Sound: Live in Barcelona
  • Released: 2020
  • Label: Arab Strap self-released (no Cat ref)
 — —
Philophobia Dissected
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: Arab Strap self-released (ASP001CD)
 — —
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
SCO
[22] 		UK
Indie
[23]
Singles by Arab Strap
  • Released: 21 February 1999 (Japan only)
  • Label: Bandai Music (APCY-8473)
 — —
Ten Years of Tears
  • Released: 23 October 2006
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM095)
 — 29
Scenes of a Sexual Nature
  • Released: 17 April 2010
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM134)
 — —
Arab Strap
  • Released: 30 September 2016
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM244)
 89 —
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Extended plays

Title EP details Peak chart positions
SCO
Albums
[24] 		SCO
Singles
[25] 		UK
Albums
[17] 		UK
Budget
Albums
[17] 		UK
Indie
Albums
[26] 		UK
Indie
Singles
[27] 		UK
Singles
[17]
The Girls of Summer
  • Released: 1 September 1997
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM017)
 — 43 — — — — 74
Live
  • Released: April 1998
  • Label: Too Many Cooks (BROTH001)
 — — — — — — —
Cherubs
  • Released: 23 August 1999
  • Label: Go! Beat (561263)
 58 — — 5 — — —
Fukd ID 2
  • Released: 13 November 2000
  • Label: Chemikal Underground
 — — 163 — — — —
Quiet Violence
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: Arab Strap self-released (ASTRIP001)
 — — — — — — —
The Shy Retirer
  • Released: 15 September 2003
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM067)
 — — — 25 34 — —
Speed-Date
  • Released: 12 February 2006
  • Label: Chemikal Underground (CHEM086)
 — 92 — — — 46 —
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
SCO
[28] 		UK
[17] 		UK
Indie
[29]
"The First Big Weekend" 1996 — — — The Week Never Starts Round Here
"The Clearing" 1997 100 184 —
"The Smell of Outdoor Cooking" — — — Template:Non-album single
"Here We Go/Trippy" 1998 32 48 5 Philophobia
"(Afternoon) Soaps" 48 74 11
"To All a Good Night" 2000 — — — Template:Non-album single
"Love Detective" 2001 65 66 14 The Red Thread
"Turbulence" (mixes) 92 81 16
"Dream Sequence" 2005 90 — — The Last Romance
"There Is No Ending" 2006 — — —
"The Turning of Our Bones" 2020 12Template:Efn. — — As Days Get Dark
"Here Comes Comus!" 2021 — — —
"Fable of the Urban Fox" — — —
"Aphelion" 2022 — — — Template:Non-album single
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Template:Notelist-ua

References

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  7. ↑ The Skinny: Issue 39, December 2008, p. 39
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  17. ↑ a b c d e f g UK chart peaks:
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  18. ↑ European studio albums chart peaks:
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  20. ↑ UK independent album chart peaks:
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  21. ↑ Scottish live albums chart peaks:
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  22. ↑ Scottish studio albums chart peaks:
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  23. ↑ UK independent album chart peaks:
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  24. ↑ Scottish albums extended plays chart peaks:
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  25. ↑ Scottish singles extended plays chart peaks:
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  26. ↑ UK independent albums extended plays chart peaks:
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  27. ↑ UK independent albums extended plays chart peaks:
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  28. ↑ Scottish singles chart peaks:
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  29. ↑ UK independent singles chart peaks:
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External links

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