I’ll admit that the debut album from Glasgow rockers TIJUANA BIBLES has been playing on repeat for the past few days at musomuso towers so it was only polite that we reach out to the band and pose some questions to them, read on to see how we got on….

You're riding your motorbike on a sunny day, your visor's up, the winds blowing in your face. What is the track you're listening to? 

James had a motorbike before it got nicked, so he’d be better placed to answer this… 

We’ll stick with the motorcycle theme and go with BRMC - Stop.

How did you first come across the erotic comics from which you've taken your name?

I just heard the term mentioned and it stuck out. We had been discussing band names for a while and I really liked the juxtaposition of both words. The connotations of ‘Tijuana’ being chaotic and wild, and ‘Bibles’… that’s probably even more chaotic, but you know what I’m getting at…. 

What were your musical influences as a child growing up?

We’re all fans of The Strokes, and Oasis were probably the first ‘big’ band I recall going to see, at Murrayfield - and the whole spectacle was awesome. My uncle Johnny (Daniel’s uncle too of course) always slipped us the likes of Rage Against the Machine and The Prodigy when we were probably too young to listen to it. My mum and dad are into a lot of Motown and soul music and I can distinctly remember listening to Barry White on a Walkman and thinking it was the best thing ever - I’ve yet to find something that makes me disagree with my younger self. 

You (Tony) and your brother Daniel Costello are both in the band, there's so many Scottish brothers in bands - Biffy Clyro / The Proclaimers, The Jesus and Mary Chain et al, why is that?

I suppose it just stems from having similar interests. Kick the same football, fight over the same PlayStation, like the same tunes. 

The head of our label is actually the bass player in The Proclaimers, and his brothers are in Hue and Cry. I’ll ask him what he thinks of this question!

What's your writing process and does it vary from track to track?

At times I’ll sit and ponder over an idea or just sort of feel that ‘lightning bolt’ of being hit with a song - often when I just wake up, and then I’ll need to get out of my bed, at stupid o’clock, sing into my phone and scribble some lyrics down. From there I’ll work on it to a point where I’m able to go into the studio with the guys and explain a rough composition. I’ll usually always have a melody and do my best not to tinker with the original lyrics too much. I’ll often have a hook and a general idea of the rhythm too, and then the rest of the guys will really bring it to life. On the flip side of that, there’s times when we’ll be in the studio and James, Mikey and Daniel will just really click over an idea or a hook one of them has, and I’m able to just kick back and listen to it take shape. They won’t mind me saying, they’re all super talented, and as musicians they have a real alchemy. It’s a buzz to be able to sing while that is going on and see if we can catch the moment right there and then. 

Fantasy line up - which bands - dead or alive - would you most like to share a stage with and at which venue?

The Doors - Hollywood Bowl. 

I would’ve loved to have been around in that time and place, and extremely confident I could drink Jim Morrison under the table afterwards. 

Three words to describe your music?

• Glasgow

• Celtic

• Champions 

Having named your album 'Free Milk', were you ever worried younger fans would miss the sociopolitical reference?

I don’t think so, even now people have to ask for milk vouchers. We’re living in Tory Britain, it’s crippling in many ways for a lot of people and the residual effect of (Margaret) Thatcher is still ongoing and further compounded by Brexit, particularly being Scottish and being dragged out of Europe against your wishes. Maggie Thatcher the milk snatcher is still a well known ghost story.  

You've been described as "relentlessly authentic and should be lauded for it", is this honest and personal approach to songwriting good or bad for your mental wellbeing?

In one sense, songwriting is a very cathartic process and it’s something I’m grateful I pursued. However, like all art, you should feel like you’re giving part of yourself to the person you are trying to connect with. It can be taxing at times but I have a predisposition to do it anyway. It would be nice to schedule when the ‘writing process’ takes place, but I get more out of it than I put it.

What are your favourite tracks off the album?

I don’t have any favourites but I would say the one thing we all agreed on is that ‘Stateless’ should be the opening track of the album. There’s a statement and a visceral energy which probably tees up the rest of the album. My favourite is whatever feels good on the night.

What does 2024 hold in store for Tijuana Bibles?

We want to get out and play live as much as we can. Back in the van - to break down in a Lithuanian forest, en route to playing a motorcycle club in Estonia. Sunstroke in Texas after gigging out the back of some cowboy bar. Just going back into the unknown and playing to anyone and everyone that wants to listen.

We’d like to thank the guys for sparing their time to chat to us and we look forward to seeing them on the live circuit (hopefully soon) in 2024. Their debut album ‘Free Milk’ is available NOW - BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT

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