How rock band Vukovi are embracing their Scottish working-class roots in Ayrshire

Vukovi head out on the second leg of their album tour early in 2026 armed with 15 years of growth and a very Scottish ability to disarm audiences.

Originally a four-piece, Vukovi now comprises frontwoman Janine Shilstone and guitarist Hamish Reilly. They will be joined by touring drummer Martin Sharples-Johnston to travel around the UK in January and February.

It's a struggle to neatly encapsulate their sound. Their latest album, My God Has Got A Gun, was dark and synthy in parts, heavy and catchy in others.

The lyrics are intense and unflinching on mental health struggles and toxic relationships. There are crunchy guitars, interesting melodies, faint nu-metal nostalgia and pop elements to their music. It doesn't really fit into a genre.

When they played Radar Festival in Manchester this summer on a bill packed full of metalcore, the act stood out.

MGHGAG was the fourth studio album for a band formed in Ayrshire all the way back in 2010.

Reilly is from Troon and Shilstone hails from Kilwinning. She describes her hometown as a “bit of a ****hole”, but does so with relative affection.

"I guess growing up in a sort of working-class town, there's not a lot of opportunities, there's not a lot of funding in the arts," she said.

"You have to be a bit more creative. And I think that is a sad thing, because there'll be so many talented people in these, you know, small, small, working-class towns, and sometimes they'll never, ever leave.

“I don't think I've let it get in the way, though. I went to uni in Glasgow and stuff did all that off my own back, but it's hard.

“You definitely do a wee bit more groundwork. But I'm proud of where I'm from. I guess I hope it's inspiring. It's my place."

In Manchester earlier this year, between songs Shilstone admitted her cardio was in need of improvement. When a front rower yelled out that the beer the singer was clutching was a product of their native country, her response was a sardonic “well done”.

The patter is all delivered in a broad Ayrshire accent, subconsciously weaponising her Scottishness to engage and harness audiences.

"That's a good point, because I do notice that when I play live there's people that have maybe liked us for years, and they're like ‘I had no idea you were Scottish’," she said.

"And it's disarming, because it's all a bit of a laugh on stage, and then between the songs I get, I guess that wee bit of a respite.

“Disarming's probably a good word, because they're like, 'oh ****, I didn't know they were pure Scottish’.

"Me, Martin and Hamish are from a very, very broad accent part of the country. When you go to places like America or Europe, and I talk sometimes, I'm looking at the crowd and I'll say 'you have no idea what I'm talking about right now, do you?' They're like 'no, but we like you’.”

During songs she's a captivating picture of empowerment, roaming around like she owns the place. She says she's more anxious in 'real life' than on stage, when she feels seen and accepted.

Singing deeply personal and painful lyrics to a crowd having a good time is a form of catharsis, she insists. And if the Scottishness is a weapon she was born with, performance has been something she's developed.

"I know myself more, and I don't really have any of those self doubts anymore about whether I should be on the stage, or whether people care," she said. "But I just think now that's what I love to do.

“I think I'm definitely a different performer. I wouldn't say completely different, I just think I'm a bit more fearless. If you don't like it, you don't like it.

“But people have paid a lot of money to come and see us, and I get that in itself. We want to give the best show we can, because times are tough right now, and tours aren't selling great as well.

“It feels like I want to prove something when I do go on that stage, to be like ‘you've spent your money well’, like we want to make sure you leave being like that was worth every penny."

Catchy, relatable songs and stage presence can take you so far, but Vukovi's long-lived existence in the alternative scene has been built on hard work.

They have gathered a community of fans, hundreds of whom interact and form bonds on a Discord server. If they're enjoying a moment right now it has had to be earned.

"I feel grateful that we've actually been doing this for a while and built up a nice fan base," said Shilstone. "Starting a band right now, in this day and age, seems like an impossible task, especially if you're from working-class backgrounds.

“That's something I'm really grateful for, having those years to build up a really beautiful community and fan base. It's a very uncertain industry, and I guess the only thing we try and stick to is just being ourselves and doing things that we love.

"Some guy I knew asked me this a few weeks ago. He was like ‘how did you get this big?’ I don't know. I don't have a formula mate.

“There's no formula. Put graft in. We've done the toilet tours. We've done all the mental having no money and just living day by day on the road and having to save up to record. And we're so thankful now that we've got a lot of support from SharpTone and LAB Records, our management 5B and an incredible fan base that want to support you."