British Birds – Scary Movies (Skep Wax)
With album Murmurate, Oscillate due on 16 October Chorley-based DIY indie band British Birds has shared latest single Scary Movies, giving warm tones to the chill of watching horror films in childhood
Artist: British Birds
Track: Scary Movies
Label: Skep Wax
Release date: 8 September 2026
Find it: YouTube
In what seems to have turned out as a universal experience for those of us of a certain age British Birds latest single Scary Movies pays homage to watching cinematic horrors as part of their childhood.
For siblings Bobby and Emma Townson it was Friday nights with their Grandad, who’d stick on a frightener then follow up with jump scares round the house. Lyrically they list off the catalogue of films from Predator to Nightmare on Elm Street via Chucky and Silence of the Lambs. An intimate and fond memory, a prelude to the real darkness of modern life, and undoubtedly a way imagination was nurtured.
‘Scary movies with Grandad / Every Friday night / When the frightener finishes / He creeps off and he hides’
Of the track Bobby said, “Scary Movies is a nostalgic road trip through memories of our grandad, who recently passed away, celebrating the unconventional influence he had on us through his own unorthodox interests. It gives a gentle nod to Ty Segall’s ripping guitar riffs, Black Sabbath-esque drum fills and the hazy vocals of Tomorrow Never Knows.”
It’s the eclectic blend you’d expect from the band. Melodically this is a really warm-toned track, which as well as the influences the band cite for it passes sonically by The Breeders, The Kinks and The Sweet too. Yet even with so many touchstones it never sounds anything less than fresh and unmistakably British Birds.
The single comes with another great video from the band packed with references to the horror genre, lots of interplay between light and shadow, and droll delivery. Following on from earlier single Lie Down With Dogs, Stand Up With Fleas we’re getting a great taste on what’s to come with album Murmurate, Oscillate in October.
Scary Movies by British Birds is out digitally now. Album Murmurate, Oscillate is out on vinyl, CD and digital formats via Skep Wax Records on 16 October 2026.
Find British Birds: Bandcamp
Live dates:
- 17 October – Rough Trade West, London (acoustic)
- 24 October – Bootleg Social, Blackpool
- 11 December – Lexington, London
A headline tour of the UK is set to follow in early 2027.
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Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
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