Mogwai

Mogwai is a Scottish post-rock band formed in 1995 that has become one of the most influential and best known post-rock bands. They compose lengthy instrumental guitar-based pieces in the post-rock tradition, usually focused around the ela

Mogwai is a Scottish post-rock band formed in 1995 that has become one of the most influential and best known post-rock bands. They compose lengthy instrumental guitar-based pieces in the post-rock tradition, usually focused around the elaboration of a single theme. The band were originally signed to renowned Glasgow Indie label Chemikal Underground. Their style has been influenced by such bands as The Cure, Joy Division, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, and post-rock granddaddies Slint. While Mogwai's sound bears little resemblance to punk rock, the band seem to identify closely with the punk ethic. Their self-run UK label Rock Action Records is named after Stooges drummer Scott Ashton, who had his name changed to Rock Action. Furthermore, "Punk Rock", the opening track on Mogwai's 1999 Come On Die Young, prominently features an extended sample from a 1977 interview with punk rocker Iggy Pop.

During 2004 the band were handed support slots on the tours of two of their heroes, the Pixies and The Cure. Mogwai's influence on the indie rock scene can be heard in the work of Explosions in the Sky and Italians Giardini di Miro. They are signed to Matador Records in the US but run their own label, Rock Action Records for their UK releases.