A BARRHEAD schoolboy has set his sights on music stardom after his band released their debut single. 

When 17-year-old Kyle McFie isn’t busy studying at Barrhead High, he can be found honing his skills on bass guitar as part of The Barely Responsible.

And as the band’s first ever release, Boundaries, brings them to the attention of a new audience, he explained how the coronavirus pandemic has turned out to be the ideal time to make music.

Kyle told the Barrhead News: “I’m not really fixated on not being able to play live at the moment. I have kind of accepted that it’s out of our control.

“It’s a very good time to write music, though, because everyone is feeling the same way.”

The Barely Responsible are a young indie/alternative trio featuring Kyle on bass and backing vocals, Sam Craig on drums and Voice Kids UK semi-finalist Blair Gilmour on guitar and lead vocals.

They are influenced by a variety of musical styles, including rock and electronica.

Boundaries was written a year ago, with Kyle and Blair using lockdown to pull the finished track together from their respective small home studios.

Sixth year student Kyle, who used his self-taught skills to mix and master the track, is delighted with the initial response.

“Through social media, we’ve had really good feedback,” he said. “It’s just lovely.”

Kyle also revealed he gets his talent from parents Joe and Ilona, both accomplished musicians.

“My dad was in a band and my mum played the flute and clarinet,” he said. “I used to play violin but I didn’t really like it.

“It was the song Stressed Out, by Twenty One Pilots, that made me notice the power of music.

“I found it doesn’t need to be this instrument I have to practice every day, it can be something to express how I’m feeling.”

With the debut single now launched, Kyle is looking ahead to the future with optimism.

“I’ve played The Barrowlands and the Hard Rock Café with past bands and then the Classic Grand with The Barely Responsible,” he said.

“Blair and I have other songs written from years ago but now is probably the time to record them and get them ready.

“I just hope the band keeps getting bigger and we will have more opportunities to get out there and play.”

Boundaries can be heard on Soundcloud, Spotify, Bandcamp, iTunes or Amazon.

For more information on the band, visit thebarelyresponsible.com