This fine three-piece from South Shields call their music “loser-rock”, but they’re winners where it matters – right in the centre of my heart.

When you hear the phrase “loser-rock” what do you picture? Something that is kinda low slung? Something that is kinda lo-fi? Something that is kinda world-weary, but, nevertheless, replete with the kinda charm that you can’t help but warm to? American Wrestling has all this and more. Tracks such as ‘They only come around when the lights are low’ unfurl melodically and rather delightfully over college rock-like riffs and the kind of slacker-ish vocal that rings all my bells. The trio – Martin Francis Trollope (guitar/vocals), Glenn Coyne (bass) and Grant Lagan (drums) – have played together, and separately in a bunch of bands, for around 20 years now, but this is something new for them. And if you’re in thrall to that US indie sound of yore (think: Pavement, Pixies, R.E.M. etc) then you’re going to go a bundle for American Wrestling. DP

Seek: linktr.ee/americanwrestlingmusic