Closer — Official Band Bio
Genre: Alt-Rock / Grunge
Origin: Glasgow, Scotland
For Fans Of: Jimmy Eat World, the Ataris, idlewild, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Weezer, The Smashing Pumpkins
Bio
Closer are a powerhouse alt-rock trio hailing from Glasgow, known for delivering emotionally charged riffs, punchy choruses, and a live show that doesn’t just play — it detonates. Formed in 1999 by long-time collaborators Mills (drums) and David Wason (vocals/guitar), the band came to life in the post-grunge haze of the late '90s, taking their name from Nine Inch Nails’ infamous track “Closer.”
The original lineup saw the band emerging with a gritty grunge sound, until the arrival of bassist Nigel Dunn in 2001 gave rise to a more melodic, power-pop-infused direction. Their debut album Rules for a Normal Life (2003), produced with help from Belle and Sebastian’s studio team and released under Adorno Records, earned critical attention and launched a 23-date UK tour, including head-turning shows at London’s Barfly and Glasgow’s iconic King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.
After a string of setbacks and a turbulent fallout with management, Closer went dark — but not silent. A brief rebranding as Invited to Go in 2008 couldn’t keep fans from demanding the original name. With renewed energy and a harder, heavier sound, Closer returned to their roots and haven’t let up since.
Now regulars on the Scottish underground scene, the band brings high-octane sets to local scene venues, cementing a loyal following. Their tracks have also found a home in extreme sports culture — featured in RatRod Studio’s hit games Snowboard Party and Skateboard Party.
With two full-length albums, three EPs, and a sound shaped by icons like Jimmy Eat World, Idlewild, The Ataris, Nirvana, Weezer, and The Smashing Pumpkins, Closer continues to evolve without losing their edge. Whether on stage or in the studio, they deliver a sound that’s unfiltered, unafraid, and unmistakably their own.
New Single "Int'u" 23.05.25
Alt-Rock Outfit Closer Returns with Nostalgic New Single “Int’u” – Out May 23rd
Scottish-based Closer are back with their first single in three years, Int’u. The track offers a wistful glance in the rearview mirror — a love letter to late-night drives, worn-out vans, and the kind of bond only built on the road.
With a sound that nods to Jimmy Eat World and early-era Death Cab for Cutie, Closer continues to evolve while staying grounded in the intimate, emotionally charged storytelling that’s earned them a devoted following.
Serving as the lead single from their upcoming third album, “Glimpses” (out June 2025), Int’u blends layered guitars, echo-laced vocals, and raw lyricism that hits like a memory you didn’t know you missed.
Frontman David Wason wrote the track after rediscovering old band photos — “I started thinking about who we were back then, how fast it all went, and how beautiful it was in its chaos.”
Reviews
"Having spent years being “an unintentional embodiment of the Smashing Pumpkins gone country”, Closer now make the sort of emo-pop that would fit neatly onto, say, an American Pie soundtrack, without resorting to sort of whiny, nasal vocals that you’d cartwheel on hot coals in order to avoid. Rather, David Wason has the sort of tone reminiscent of BRMC’s Robert Turner in more melodic mode, along with the breathlessness of that fellow out of Easyworld.
So they’ve got some dubious lyrics (“I’m so happy ‘cos you’re so sad / I’m so horny and you’re so bad” from ‘Clever’ being particularly cringeworthy), but they are duly saved by big guitars backing bigger choruses. It also helps that they got a handful of decent tunes – ‘Gossip’ sounds like ‘baggy’ in rock mode, ‘I Am Geronimo’ prompts the biggest Spartacus-esque sing-along since ‘Miss Black America’, and ‘Speak, Or Be Spoken For' raises anticipation of the quiet/loud bit by initially resisting it, which should frustrate any mosh-happy kids at gigs. It’s angst, but fun angst."
"OK, I confess, I'm normally a pure pop fan but this album intrigued me. The band played the region as part of their tour in January this year and this is their new album. It was due to be released last year but was it worth the wait?
The title could easily be Rules For An Angst-Filled Life as most of the songs are mainly about love, friends and loss.
Poppy but mainly rocky in places, the album is very radio-friendly.
The strangest thing about the songs is that their titles seem to bear little resemblance to the actual songs.
I particularly liked Price of Fame, Several Light Years Ago and The Opposite.
B4 is another interesting track, which has romantic lyrics set against loud thrashing guitars.
Much of the CD seems to contain filler tracks, such as I Am Geronimo. However, speaking as someone who doesn't normally like rockier tunes, I have to admit I found myself humming along with most of it.
A music fan could do worse than discovering this."