First off kudos must go to a quite truly wonderful title. It wouldn't have the same twang to it if he stuck with Marion Morrison but heck it would have been just as intriguing. Now Twin Atlantic are quite far removed from John Wayne in pretty much every way really. They don't have girls names for a start (Sam does not count), to my knowledge they have been in no Westerns, and they don't walk like they have a ten ton cock between their legs (again to the best of my knowledge). But this track isn't really about John Wayne or any other such thing. It seems to me that Twin Atlantic are singing about all those phonies that after 10 minutes at JFK airport have the American drawl down-pat and are walking grabbing their crotch with tons of food pouring out of their mouths. Of course this is a generalised stereotype of America seen by people outside of it so please don't be offended my American chums.
A band from England or Scotland or even Uganda for that matter should not be singing songs in a faux American accent. It's not genuine and is gratingly unimpressive and Twin Atlantic have hit on this fact for 'You're Turning Into John Wayne' which is why we get Sam McTrusty's eh trusty Scottish accent ripping through it as he spits out lines like "Why do we imitate what we love to hate", "All cultures spread and then they pollute", and "I know I'm contradicting / everything I own is made in the USA". It's actually quite articulate for what is essentially a straight ahead, almost punk rock track that's full of vibrant riffs and rock breakdowns.
Twin Atlantic are coming from the wonderful lineage that includes Biffy Clyro and judging by what Biffy Clyro next have in store for us I think it's safe to assume that there is a place just vacated in Scotland called 'next best underground rock band from Scotland to eviscerate the charts'. It's a long title but one we do well, and I can quite easily see Twin Atlantic filling that void comfortably.
Twin Atlantic UK Tour dates
11 Sep 2009 Ironworks Inverness
12 Sep 2009 Moshulu Aberdeen
13 Sep 2009 Fat Sams Dundee
17 Sep 2009 Fibbers York
18 Sep 2009 Sugarmill Stoke
19 Sep 2009 Korova Liverpool
20 Sep 2009 Bodega Nottingham 21 Sep 2009 Hare & Hounds Birmingham
24 Sep 2009 Brickyard Carlisle
25 Sep 2009 Lamp Hull
26 Sep 2009 Joiners Southampton
27 Sep 2009 Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff
29 Sep 2009 The Old Blue Last London
30 Sep 2009 Garage supporting The Joy Formidable London
1 Oct 2009 Bullingdon Arms Oxford
2 Oct 2009 Studio 24 Edinburgh
4 Oct 2009 Auntie Annie's Belfast
5 Oct 2009 Roisin Dubh Galway
6 Oct 2009 Academy 2 Dublin 7 Oct 2009 Old Oak Cork