The XCERTS

The XCERTS took shape in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 2001 around Murray Macleod and Jordan Smith, before stabilizing as a trio with the arrival of drummer Tom Heron after Ross McTaggart’s departure and the band’s relocation to Brighton in 2006. Initially rooted in melodic post-hardcore, The XCERTS evolved their songwriting toward a more open alternative rock—somewhere between indie rock and power pop—with songs focused on melody, clean guitars and an increasingly direct song format. After several singles released in the mid‑2000s, The XCERTS issued In the Cold Wind We Smile in 2009, then Scatterbrain in 2010, recorded with Mike Sapone. Dave Eringa also accompanied them through several stages, notably on There Is Only You (2014), an album whose sound gained breadth thanks to additional arrangements by Paul Steel, and later on Hold On to Your Heart (2018). Long established on the British live scene, The XCERTS have toured with Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Brand New, Manchester Orchestra, Taking Back Sunday and Nothing But Thieves. In 2014 Murray Macleod also appears on Architects’ track “Youth Is Wasted on the Young.”