Since their formation in 1995, The Six have been self-propelled and ceaselessly active as one of the most inventive and prolific underground rock bands in the UK. Noted for their aggressive live act and their flamboyant and theatrical songs, their independent business practices and active promotion of other artists has seen them hailed as “the closest we’ll see to a British answer to Fugazi”
“We operate in landscape, not portrait. Our sound can be very widescreen. Each song is like a short film” states singer/guitarist Paul Morricone. With a blend of music influences as wide ranging as Tony Bennett & Scott Walker to Stranglers & Cardiacs, their genre has been described as cinematic punk. They make loud, adventurous alternative pop music, angular but melodic and often at the same time.
The group is led by brothers Paul and Steven Morricone. Steve chooses the bass as his instrument of torture, creating a sound somewhere between JJ Burnel and Stephen Hanley. Paul wields the guitar and they both take turns on the lead vocals – ranging from a croon to a screech. Julia Arnez adds an icy layer of guitar and voice and the current line-up is completed by insistent drummer Gareth Champion.
Live, the band play pretty much like their lives depend on it. As a four-piece, The Scaramanga Six present an angular slab of guitars with a rhythm section of fury. Paul’s ‘orchestra in a box’ gets plugged in and then whistles and bells are added to the overall melee. Ferocious and anthemic in equal measure, you are met with a barrage of harmonics from the front three who have been singing together since they were in the school choir. And if you’re lucky they may take pity on you and allow you to sing along.
Over the years, The Scaramanga Six have amassed an impressive back catalogue of 10 studio albums, notably working with Cardiacs’ maestro Tim Smith (Cabin Fever, 2004 and The Dance of Death, 2007), Steve Albini at Chicago Audio (Phantom Head, 2013), and more recently a slew of records with Sheffield legend Alan Smyth (Cursed, 2011, The Terrifying Dream, 2015, Chronica, 2017 and Worthless Music, 2021).
Growing up in the Somerset seaside town of Weston-super-Mare, twin brothers Paul and Steve only had to look across the water to where their mum and much of their family hailed from in South Wales. “We would go to visit, go to family dos and everyone would be singing passionately, even those who couldn’t sing!” Paul says. To this day, the brothers seem to attribute their love of singing to the working men’s clubs of The Valleys. “You learn how to hold a room with your voice, even without any music”
For Steven and Paul, life as primary school kids were a little different to many others. The home would be strewn with punk, new wave, dub and early electro records of their older brothers. They didn’t understand why the other 8-year-olds at school didn’t know ‘Shot By Both Sides’ by Magazine. This left an indelible mark, and the punk ethos of having a go remains. Through an early love of Madness, both Paul and Steve took up saxophone at school, trained classically, then ditched the sheet music for an array of self-taught instruments in a band together to this very day.
Right now, careering into their 30th year of existence, The Six are working simultaneously on albums number 11 and 12. Paul is also enjoying a parallel output as a solo artist with his crooning electro dark dance shows. And if you’re patient, they might be appearing near you. “When we play, we slay” quips Steve, and he’s right.
Press plaudits from most recent album ‘Worthless Music’:
JOYZINE – “There is no-one quite like them. They take an idea and clothe it in so many other ideas that it almost topples under the weight…. a national treasure”
GOD IS IN THE TV – “Rock music, for all its repeated cliches can offer something fresh and and daring without being pretentious, nor succumbing to novelty. Plenty of other acts should be taking note that this is how to do it”
THE GINGER QUIFF – “If I started to list the highlights of the album, I’d end up just starting to list all fourteen songs on the album.”
CLASSIC ROCK – “The Scaramanga Six (all four of ‘em) make a convincing case for your affections.”
“The Scaramanga Six make music to make mind movies to, and long may they continue. ” – THE QUIETUS
Other Press plaudits from the past history of yesteryear:
“Soulful and subtle, yet also adventurous and abrasive, The Scaramanga Six possess all the makings of a classic band.” KKKK – KERRANG!
“Rarely does such disregard for the basic principles of songwriting provide such exhilarating results” – ROCK SOUND
“As we tiptoe graciously through all the wannabe Libertines and second-rate U2s to find something genuinely original, unique and inspiring, it seems dear old Leeds has come up with the goods again – the intense-yet-aloof rock operas of The Scaramanga Six could be its most omnipotent discovery yet.” – DROWNED IN SOUND
“The Scaramanga Six exist in a weird sort of twighlight zone in the music spectrum, where the more experimental end of Ginger Wildheart’s catalogue rubs shoulders with The Cardiacs and The Fall, while Nick Cave looks on morosely” – PURE RAWK
“A cult phenomenon of a band known for their thunderous flamboyant style of rock; and a relentless presence in the Leeds rock scene since the mid 90s” – DROWNED IN SOUND
“Another great album from a band that really deserve a much bigger audience” – THE QUITEUS
“The guitars are tight, the melodies are memorable and effective and the production is spot on” – LOUDER THAN WAR
SUPPORT comes from Otley's favourite sons... Hidden Caves
a Yorkshire-based alternative rock band known for their powerful guitar sound and original music, having previously been known as Fauns. They released their album "Faunography" in 2024, which is available on streaming platforms and at Jumbo Records in Leeds. The band performs in various Yorkshire towns, including Leeds, Harrogate, York, and Bradford.
