The Termites

The Termites were a Scottish psychobilly band from Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, who first came together in the mid-1980s. They became part of the early UK psychobilly underground, mixing punk aggression with rockabilly rhythms and a loud, chaotic live energy that quickly earned them a cult following. 

The band formed around 1985, with members who had grown up together in the New Farm Loch area of Kilmarnock. That shared background gave them a tight, almost gang-like feel, which really showed in their shows. The original lineup included Kenny “The Duke” Mitchell on vocals, Scott Ballantyne on guitar, Ewin Murray on drums and Gerry Doyle on bass. From the start, they stood out for being rough, fast and unapologetically raw. 

Their first recordings appeared in the late 1980s, including the track “Devil Call” on the Fury Records compilation 'Gypsy Girl' in 1987. Not long after, they released a four-track EP on Raucous Records, which helped spread their name further within the psychobilly scene. In 1989 they released their debut album, 'Overload', on Link Records as part of the "Chuck Flintstone Presents" series. The album captured their no-frills sound perfectly and has since become a cult favourite among psychobilly fans.

 
Like many bands from the scene, The Termites had a turbulent run. Line-up changes and internal problems eventually took their toll, and after their final gig in 1991 the band split up, with Kenny Mitchell being the only remaining original member by the end. 

The story didn’t end there, though. In 2005, The Termites reunited with Mitchell, Ballantyne and Murray back on board. They added an upright bass player, Matt Black, and later fiddle player Johnny “Johnny Fiddles” Grant, giving the band a slightly broader sound while keeping their edge. In 2008 they released the album 'Kicked in the Teeth' on the German label Crazy Love Records, marking a solid comeback and reintroducing them to a new generation of fans. 

In later years the band remained active off and on, with reissues, new recordings and occasional live appearances. Sadly, original bassist Gerry Doyle passed away in January 2021 due to COVID-19. Despite that loss, The Termites’ influence on the Scottish psychobilly scene remains strong, and they’re still remembered for their fierce energy, rough-and-ready sound and their place in the early UK psychobilly movement.