The band that started out first as just Scott, then with brother Grant joining him on drums, before adding in Billy Kennedy and Andy Monaghan, may finally be complete.

Former Carson, Make Model and Tommy Reilly band member Gordon was recruited in October, so there's every chance we're seeing the whole Rabbit family.

Scott admitted earlier this month that five and multiples of five are the numbers he is happiest with - so maybe that's it.

Scott said: "Five is a good number and Gordon is a great person to have around with us.

"I think we first met him when we were on tour and he needed a lift to London. Then he helped us out a bit and was around for the fun of it. When you're looking for someone else, you want a decent guy, someone we can get on with and someone who's a great musician.

"And with his experience, Gordon's done all these places five times. He's a decent guy and fun to have around. He's playing a bit of guitar, mandolin and a big drum and had just a couple of weeks to learn all the songs before we went off to do some dates with Gomez. But he doesn't need to be told anything - he's got his own intuition, so it's been really easy for us."

It's good timing.

There's the current Tune Up tour across Scotland with The Phantom Band and that is swiftly followed by a support slot on tour with Modest Mouse.

And things have not been slow on the recording front either.

This week, single Swim Until You Can't See Land was released on 7-inch and on download.

And in the spring, album three - The Winter Of Mixed Drinks will be with us - to take up where second album, 2008's The Midnight Organ Fight left off.

Or not, most probably. Scott revealed there may be a brightening in the third slice of the dark material fans have come to love.

"It's unavoidably more positive - there's no escaping the fact I enjoy the darker aspects of life no matter whether I'm waiting for disaster or trying to make it happen," laughed Scott.

Going on what sounds almost like a retreat on his own seems to have shifted the mood of the songwriter.

Frightened Rabbit.

"For the writing of this one, I went to Craill," he revealed. "One of my pals had a house there and it was empty and I got a nice feeling about it.

"It's very isolated and hard to get to for me without a bus journey from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

"So Craill definitely had an influence on the album and the subject matter. I'd take my walks to Anstruther and my days were pretty relaxing.

"I was my own boss."

It was also a chance for Scott to recharge his batteries after a busy time for Frightened Rabbit.

"In the month and a half I was there I got back some of the physical health I'd lost after a year and a half of touring," said Scott.

When we speak, Scott is giving his interview answers as he strolls along on a mission in Brighton, while the seagulls shriek in the background.

"I'm going to celebrate the fact our single Swim Until You Can't Stand by going and buying a copy.

"I always like to do that.

"It still makes me feel good when I see something we've done.

"And I like to remind myself that not everyone gets to release a record and hold a copy of it in their hands. I do the artwork for the records and it's nice to see the whole thing coming together.

"It's making a song complete."

* Frightened Rabbit with The Phantom Band join forces on the Tune Up tour that includes dates in Fort William's BA Club tomorrow (Friday) and on Sunday at the Ironworks, Inverness.

entertainment@highland-news.co.uk

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