Arab Strap might have been central to the Scottish indie rock explosion of the mid-‘90s, but they cut a markedly different image to their peers like Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai and The Delgados. The duo specialised in relentlessly downbeat and confessional songs, sung by Aidan Moffat and often featuring him obsessing over drinking, drugs and sex. Initially set to Malcolm Middleton's sparse lo-fi indie folk, later records like ‘01's The Red Thread and ‘03's Monday at the Hug & Pint saw an expansion of their sound. They eventually amassed a cult following before splitting up in '06.