The long-awaited reissue and remaster of Rifferama by the acclaimed debut album by Glasgow indie trailblazers Thrum, is set for release this June 26th on Fire Records, celebrating one of the most revered cult records of the 1990s UK guitar scene.
Originally released to critical acclaim, Rifferama captured a moment when melody, distortion and emotional urgency collided to create something timeless. Now newly remastered from the original recordings, the album returns with enhanced depth and clarity, reaffirming its reputation as a lost classic of the era.
Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Monica Queen (also known for her work with Belle and Sebastian and Snow Patrol), Thrum’s sound blended shimmering pop hooks with driving, fuzz-laden riffs. Alongside Johnny Smillie’s distinctive guitar work, the band forged a sonic identity that stood proudly alongside the era’s most influential alternative acts.
The reissue follows renewed interest in the album, including a recent feature in the Glasgow Herald newspaper, where journalist Russell Blackstock hailed Rifferama as a “classic album” and revisited its enduring impact on Scotland’s musical landscape.
Speaking about the reissue, the band said: “Rifferama was made in a blur of noise, instinct and belief. Hearing it remastered has been emotional — it sounds like we always hoped it would. We can’t wait to play these songs again and celebrate them properly.”
Thrum will mark the re-release with a UK tour, bringing Rifferama back to stages across the country.
The band’s renewed spotlight also connects with the wider cultural recognition of the era, including the Everything Flows exhibition, which explores the story and spirit of Scotland’s independent music explosion — a scene in which Thrum played a vital and often under-acknowledged role. This culminated in a special hometown event: the “Rifferama Reimagined” concert at Airdrie Town Hall — as the centrepiece to the exhibition.
“Splendid” MOJO
07 Jul: The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, UK
08 Jul: Central Bar, Gateshead, UK
09 Jul: Lending Room, Leeds, UK
10 Jul: Just Dropped in Records, Coventry, UK
11 Jul: Betsy Trotwood, London, UK
12 Jul: The Jacaranda Club, Liverpool, UK
13 Jul: Cottiers, Glasgow, UK
