Bass player and song writer with the Dead Shadows. Most music on here will be for my own enjoyment and just ideas or covers.

Daring, dynamic and devastating–West Lothian’s Dictator aren’t here to mess about, at least when it comes to creating non-stop indie-pop anthems anyway. Stepping out of their shell with a substantial stomp in their stride, the four-piece–consisting of vocalist Micheal Campbell, guitarist Zach Tarimo Goodhur, bassist Joe Murty, and drummer Allan Ramsay–refuse to be pigeonholed, as they emphatically strut through a sonic landscape of inventive indie licks, electrifying electronics, and perfectly prodigious pop grooves. 

Forming as a group of musicians from similar circuits simply seeking solace in jam sessions, what first blossomed in a small studio room represented recreational creative release, before blooming into a band of boundary-bulldozers producing colossal sing-alongs for the masses.With inspiration drawn from fellow genre-defiers Gorrilaz, Glass Animals and Alt-J among others,Dictator’s musical boundaries know no limits–instead conveying their collectively charismatic personalities via the medium of originality and experimentation and channelled through a series of sumptuous synths, bone-shaking basslines, brash beats and playful-cum-tender lyricism.Make no mistake, everything you hear is intentional, dictating notes to their needs purposefully to deliver euphoric, upbeat choruses with just a dollop of heartbreak in between.

Such is their bold and audacious style, they’ve caught the ear of many, growing a loyal, loving fanbase on their journey, and gaining celebrity endorsement too, with A-list actor Robert Carlyle, bestselling author Ian Rankin, and former Radio 1 DJ Phil Taggart all showing some love for the boys. Since their formation, the heights continue to get more and more dizzying for the quartet –from supporting Scottish icons, The Fratelli's, Glasvegas and The Reytons to bringing home accolades such as Best Rock/Alternative Band at the SAMA (Scottish Alternative Music Awards), The Weekender Magazine's Song of the Year in both 2020 and 2021 and reaching the final four of BBC Introducing's prestigious Scottish Act of the Year. Needless to say, Dictator are band with a big future and an open road paved in gold. 

Now, having signed to Edinburgh - based indie label Blackhall Records in 2021 and spent the best part of multiple lockdowns shut away at 7West Studios alongside producers Jamie Holmes (Gerry Cinnamon, The Lapelles and Declan Welsh & The Decadent West) and Johnny Madden(Gallus, Spyres, The Dunts) to record their latest set of bangers, the band gear up to release their dazzling debut EP Rubik’s Cube in September 2022, where they will truly stand tall to rule over the Scottish and UK music scene once and for all.


Contact: dictvtor@outlook.com

Raymond Argo is following