The Sunset Spirit are releasing their debut album, From The Top, with a gig in Kirkcaldy on Friday night. 

The five-piece, who hail from Cowdenbeath, Lochore and Dunfermline, have put together 12 uplifting tracks as a follow up to their successful About Time EP last year. 

And fans can hear the songs at the Windsor Hotel from 8pm, with support from The Ellies, Gentlemen Jackals and The Decrees. 

The Sunset Spirit have a keyboard-driven sound and are made up of Stuart Shields (lead vocals and guitar), Shaun Sneddon (guitar and harmonica), John Fraser (bass and percussion), Johnny Kidd (keyboard) and James Jack (drums).

Stuart said: “All of our fans have been so patient waiting for the songs to be recorded and brought out as an album. 

“We originally went into Eggman Studios in Dunfermline with the idea of recording one song but we ended up doing three. 

“We practised like mad after that and we booked a full day in the studio and we said to the guys there that we were aiming for another seven. 

“They said that was a bit ambitious but believe it or not we cracked out all seven in the one day. 

“It was probably a 12-hour shift in total! 

“This album isn’t even out yet and we’re already three or four into the next one! 

“We had some ideas for songs; I had one, John had one and Shaun had one. We all had these ideas.

“I was then working in London and I had written three songs just by recording clips on my phone with all the lyrics and melodies. 

“When I got back up the road we all thought they sounded amazing so we're not slowing down any time soon!”

The band formed after John, Johnny and Shaun left another group, Wolfmonkey. John and Shaun attended a Complete Stone Roses set, with Stuart’s vocals grabbing their attention. 

Stuart continued: “We had a few rehearsals and we were liking where things were going. 

“I had my notice in with them (Complete Stone Roses) at the time, so I thought we could maybe do it as a hobby. 

“We then got together at mine one night and did a couple of songs and decided we could make a real go at things. 

“From there, we added James and Johnny and we’ve been sticking with it ever since.

“We’ve gone from having these plinky-plonk songs in my living room to having an album about to be released – it’s brilliant to be able to say that. 

“First and foremost, though, it’s about giving back to all our fans, friends and family for turning out to our gigs and supporting us leaving for practice and everything that comes with being in a band. 

“It’s a great feeling to now be able show off what we’ve been working on all this time."

The album was officially released on June 2 and contains the first two songs Stuart wrote when he picked up the guitar for the first time in 2014. 

“I was self-taught. The minute I could play three chords I was writing tunes with three chords. 

“I never expected the first songs I wrote to actually become anything but when the rest of the band got involved it really grew and they found their place on the album. 

“I’ve always loved the guitar and guitar music but one day it hit me that I had been standing beside guitarists for about 10 years and I had never watched to see what they were doing! 

“I then decided to just knuckle down and try it. I printed off chord sheets and taught myself.”

And he continued: “It’s funny as John came round to mine and he couldn’t believe how quickly I picked it up. 

“The next night I told him I had already written a song and he couldn’t believe that either.”

Stuart now leads the way on the mic and with a guitar in hand, on an album that contains a wide variety of tracks.

The Sunset Spirit combine 60s era and elements of indie pop thrown in for good measure.

“All the songs are quite different. There’s no real overriding theme like love, peace and war. 

“We tend to stay away from going too political, as folk will either love it or hate it. 

“We didn’t want to pigeonhole it. We make tunes for the barbecue! 

“It’s upbeat and in a weird way, it really ties in with our name. 

“The album would be a hell of a lot different if we were called The Darkness Spirit! 

“We’re not in your face. 

“You could sit with a pint in hand and listen to us all night!" 

Ahead of Friday's gig, he said: “I’m quite proud of the line-up for the night, as all three bands are great live. 

“We were given a great bunch of tickets and we’ve sold them all. 

“We’re all buzzing for it. 

“It’s great that more and more people are getting out there and supporting local bands and becoming part of it. 

“There’s loads of different sounds and styles right now, and you just hope that it doesn’t die down or venues close, as we’re already down to the bare bones as it is in terms of venues bands can get out to and play.”

Tickets for the Kirkcaldy gig cost £5.95 and are available from any band member or you can purchase them online at: www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/the-sunset-spirit-tickets/276635.