Introducing...Filthy Laugh

Filthy Laugh are loving life on the Lancaster and Morecambe music scene.

Singer-songwriter Alex Jackson (29), drummer Gavin Neil (29) and bassist Sol Grey (24) make up the band.

Formed by Alex in 2015, Filthy Laugh has been an ongoing passion project, leading to seven albums in the past five years. 

Alex moved to Lancaster to continue his studies, bringing Filthy Laugh with him after they originated at London whilst he was at university.

The band has an accomplished sound, due to the large back catalogue of music, and a folk rock style.

Listen to Alex, Solomon and Gavin discuss their album ‘Plain Clothes Clowns’, the writing process, and Lancaster’s music scene. 

The band's name Filthy Laugh originated from a lyric in the song ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’ by Belle and Sebastian.

A fan of the Beatles, Alex carefully chooses lyrics in his own songs to tell a story, with their recent album, 'Plain Clothes Clowns’ taking a lot of inspiration from Lancaster and Morecambe. 

Both Gavin and Sol are locals from Lancaster, Gavin playing drums for many bands in the past and present.

Whilst Sol is a strong guitar player originally, bass has been a new-found favourite for him in Filthy Laugh.

Once the trio was cemented together in 2024 the band hasn’t looked back since, finding great enjoyment in performing live and writing new music.

A new album and single is looking to be completed by the summer, with no confirmed date as of yet. 

Gavin hosts a monthly acoustic night, cleverly named 'Kentucky Slide Pickin’ Hot Strings', at the Golden Lion.

He aims to shine a light on acoustic guitar talent, with acts coming from all over the Lancaster and Morecambe region.

Filthy Laugh’s next gig will be at Gavin’s event on June 5. Their following gig is at Morecambe’s Winter Gardens on July 13.