Final Pilots has been the main musical outlet for Gavin Wray since 2017. He blends synths, guitars and found sounds into electronic space rock and instrumental stories.
The first album Brinkmann Flag (2017) featured a space- and time-jumping reluctant superhero with fantastic hair, fashion sense and a two-wheeled petrol monster, who protects a confused and dysfunctional Earth population.
The Cebrenia EP (2019) featured 5 tracks of space rock, electronica, cop show jazz flute and a Martian tour guide.
Gavin's lifelong obsession with music began as a teenager in Stockport, listening to Steve Lamacq and Jo Whiley on the Evening Session, Paul Jones's rhythm and blues show, and Alan Freeman's The Rock Show.
After a two-year stint as guitarist in Stockport indie band Slaphappy, he went to study at the University of Hull in 1996. There he joined The Emus, first as their drummer, then switching to lead guitar. He was a resident DJ at the university's alternative indie nights and sound engineer for the local crew. In 1998, he co-founded the Hull club night Satisfaction, playing northern soul, funk and retro pop.
He has performed with Frank Sidebottom and Rhino and the Ranters.
“Dark outlaw guitars ... glorious psychedelic keys, driving tight beats ... expanses of sonic space. Smartly produced, sonic dynamics for the soul.”
“Brinkmann Flag is a solid album. Wray is a talent and these thematic soundscapes stand on their own but if there are any filmmakers out there reading this you may want to take special interest.”