String Driven Thing: The Pioneers of Scottish Folk-Rock

String Driven Thing is a Scottish folk-rock band known for its unique fusion of orchestral strings with driving rock rhythms. Formed in Glasgow in the late 1960s, the group achieved critical acclaim and a cult following, particularly for their ambitious 1973 concept album The Machine That Cried.

Early career

The band was formed in 1967 by the husband-and-wife duo of Chris and Pauline Adams on violin and vocals, respectively. Initially performing as an acoustic folk ensemble, they built a strong live reputation in Scotland before signing with the independent Regal Zonophone label, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1970.

Breakthrough

String Driven Thing's breakthrough arrived in 1972 after signing with the prestigious Charisma Records, home to Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator. Their second album, String Driven Thing (1972), and its follow-up, The Machine That Cried (1973), produced by the legendary Shel Talmy, garnered substantial radio play and established their signature dramatic sound.

Key tracks

Circus — This powerful, cello-driven single from their second album became their most recognizable track and a staple of progressive rock radio.

The Machine That Cried — The epic title track showcased their conceptual ambition, blending social commentary with complex, orchestral rock arrangements.

It's a Game — A later single that highlighted their knack for crafting intelligent, melodic pop-rock with Pauline Adams' distinctive vocal delivery.

Heartfeeder — This track from their debut album exemplified their early, intricate folk style before their rock evolution.

The band underwent several lineup changes, with the Adams duo remaining the core. After the mid-70s, they pursued other projects but reunited periodically, recording new material like 1997's Keep Yer 'And On It and performing for dedicated fans. Their influence has been acknowledged by artists like The Waterboys and Marillion.

If you enjoy the intricate storytelling and folk-rock fusion of String Driven Thing, you might also appreciate The Waterboys for their similar blend of rock energy with folk instrumentation. Explore Fairport Convention for foundational British folk-rock. The progressive song structures can be found in the work of Van der Graaf Generator, their former labelmates. For another Scottish act with a bold, orchestral approach, try The Blue Nile.

The dynamic folk-rock catalog of String Driven Thing maintains a steady presence on specialized radio formats. Their songs are regularly featured on classic rock FM stations with a progressive bent, alternative rock radio stations exploring 70s gems, and dedicated online rock radio streams that celebrate cult classics and innovative album tracks.

You can hear the pioneering music of String Driven Thing on various radio stations featured on our website. Discover their influential sound by tuning into the classic rock and specialist album-oriented stations available on onairium.com.