Kung Fu

Trust me #85
Kung Fu by Ash

Written by 17-year old Tim Wheeler on Boxing Day 1994 and then recorded in one take the following day, Kung Fu was released by Ash as their 4th single in March 1995. 

Between those dates, on 25th January 1995 to be precise, the legendary Manchester United player Eric Cantona leapt into the crowd at Selhurst Park to confront Matthew Simmons, an absolute moron of a Crystal Palace supporter, who had been hurling abuse at Cantona as he departed the field following a red card.

Eric in full flight

Cantona was being escorted down the track, when he broke free to attack his abuser with a flying kung fu kick, before hitting Simmons with a huge right. The incident, particularly the kung fu kick, instantly became iconic, screened on a loop on Sky Sports News as the nation debated Eric's punishment. 

"My one regret, I didn't hit him hard enough." Eric Cantona

After a great deal of publicity and debate, including a point where Cantona faced 2-weeks in jail, the FA banned Cantona for 8-months. United lost the league and Cantona contemplated quitting football. Sir Alex Ferguson's wife Cathy persuaded him to fly to France to persuade Eric otherwise.

I've often thought that this is a short film in the making. Fergie flying to Paris and flying through the streets on the back of a motorbike Cantona sent to collect him. Eric had booked out an entire restaurant for the two of them to eat, drink and talk long into the night. Oh to have been a fly on the wall!

Cantona returned in September, setting up a goal for Nicky Butt and scoring a penalty (celebration photo below) in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford. The king had returned and Eric led United to a league and cup double. There were a number of 1-0 victories with Eric being the scorer, including the FA Cup final win over Liverpool.

Eric Cantona was an unbelievable football player, the catalyst for United's 1992/93 league title win, their first since 1966/67 under Sir Matt Busby. With his upturned collar, swagger, skill, passion and attitude, the Frenchman became known as Eric the King at Old Trafford. He was incredible, the perfect star for the Theatre of Dreams. The stage was his to command.

Meanwhile, Ash were a band of noisy teenagers from Northern Ireland who were picking up some attention in the music weeklies thanks to releasing brilliant punk pop singles like Jack Names The Planets. 

Back to their song Kung Fu, released in March 1995 with Eric Cantona flyng through the air as the cover. Apparently Tim Wheeler still has a fax from Eric saying 'I spit on your record' after Ash sent one asking for permission. Classic 90's memorabilia if Tim still has it!

Talk about capturing a moment in time! Kung Fu is blistering grungy teenage punk pop perfection, delivered in just 2-minutes 17 seconds, with the first 10-seconds being kung fu noise samples!

Ash absolutely tear through the song, their youthful energy and ear for catchy guitar pop is perfectly captured, all the better for being one take. The vocal melody is strong, fast-flowing and catchy. The guitars buzz and the drums pound as Tim Wheeler sings about his teenage lobotomy, moving to Hong Kong with Bruce Lee's brother and Johnny Wong!

The chorus then references Daniel San and Jackie Chan, while the second verse then mentions Mr.Miagi!

Ash have finished the second chorus by 1 minute 15 seconds, ensuring they have time for a 25-second instrumental that breaks things down before firing up for a final blitz of a verse that references movies and what was presumably Tim's local takeaway before a double chorus to finish things off.

"My best moment? I have a lot of good moments, but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan." Eric Cantona

Kung Fu is added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE 

Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

Bridge Over Troubled Water

 

Cover version of the month #104
Artetha Franklin covers Simon and Garfunkel

One day in December I was driving through the rain when Craig Charles stopped me in my tracks by playing Aretha Franklin's version of Simon & Garfunkel's classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

I was spellbound! There are covers, and then there are Aretha Franklin covers! See my May 2017 blog on her rip roaring version of Respect by Otis Redding.

Her 1971 take on Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water is a masterclass in reinterpretation—transforming an already iconic song into something deeply personal, profoundly soulful, and utterly transcendent. WOW!

The original version by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1970, is a shimmering melancholic folk-pop ballad. Paul Simon’s lyrics, inspired by gospel music, offer comfort and solace, while Art Garfunkel’s angelic voice delivers them with a serene purity. It’s a song that builds delicately, layering piano, strings, and harmonies until it swells into a grand crescendo. 

Listening to the song on headphone, it feels intimate, like Garfunkel is talking to you, like he empathises and cares. 

Then comes Aretha!

Recorded just a year after the original, Aretha’s rendition brings the gospel roots of the song front and centre, making it feel less like a folk-pop hymn and more like a sermon from the pulpit - the full embrace of the gospel choir, a heart-on-sleeve declaration of love and support. 

Aretha’s version begins with a soulful organ, immediately setting a richer tone. Then there’s her voice—raw, powerful, and infused with deep emotional, backed by a heavenly gospel choir. There is no rush, there is a lengthy instrumental passage from 26 seconds through to 1-minute 30 seconds, with a slow, soulful, slightly jazzy feel.  

Then, just before 2-minutes, Aretha sings;

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you

Listen to the way she sings so hard - Goosebumps! 

Aretha sings with the conviction of someone who has lived every word, every heartbreak, and every triumph that the song embodies. This is spine tingling, life affirming stuff - listen to Franklin's voice rise with ease. Listen to the section where Aretha and her choir sing see how they shine in tandem. OOOFFFTT!

And the arrangement! The backing vocals! And that voice! Aretha isn’t afraid to go big! The choir backing her feels like a congregation lifting her up, and the rhythm section injects a subtle groove that wasn’t there in the original. By the time she hits the climactic Like a bridge over troubled water, it’s no longer just a lyric—it’s a declaration, a promise shouted from the mountaintop. 

While the groove is slow and chilled and the backing vocals are arranged beautifully arranged, Aretha is on fire - wild, radiant and impossible to contain! And it is A M A Z I N G to hear. What a sound! What a voice! The closing 90-seconds are utterly sublime.

Interestingly, Paul Simon himself praised Aretha’s version, once calling it the definitive recording of the song. 

So, which version is the best? That depends on what you’re looking for. Need a quiet moment of reflection, or a need to appreciate the art of songwriting in one of its finest moments? Go with Simon & Garfunkel. Need to feel uplifted, empowered, and ready to take on the world? Turn to Aretha. Both are exceptional performances of a truly magnificent song.

When I look back at the list of 100+ cover versions that I have blogged on, this is one of the very, very best.

I do love cover versions. One of the many beautiful things about music is how songs can be reimagined, reshaped, and reborn in ways that make us fall in love with them all over again.

Bridge Over Troubled Water won 5 Grammy's in 1971. Aretha performed her version as Simon & Garfunkel collected their awards.

Both versions are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

103. The Last Time

Never Ending Mixtape part 96

Hello and welcome to the latest additions to my Never Ending Mixtape. If you are new, this is a Spotify playlist where I simply add songs that I enjoy with no thought behind the order in which I do. The complete opposite to the way I used to spend hours making a mixtape!

Speaking of which, I recently watched High Fidelity for the first time in a long time. It's such a brilliant film with a brilliant soundtrack and VERY realistic characters. Rob Gordon (the main character) talks about the art of making a mixtape a few time through the film and the importance of them. If Rob made you a mixtape, you meant something to him and he hoped the mixtape meant something to you.

I used to love spending evenings or wet/cold afternoons pouring through records and CD's to make mixtapes for people. It's a bit of a lost art. 

Anyway, in my Never Ending Mixtape ... we jump from 4,064 songs to 4,167 with the addition of Love Is Lost by David Bowie with James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem - it's a banger! There is a LOT of Bowie songs added to the mixtape due to me prepping to DJ at The Admiral Woods annual Bowie night. See previous blog for further details and a playlist of the songs I played.

Thank you so much if you are one of the 361 people following the playlist. 3 new followers since last month :-) 

Thanks also if you dive in now and again. As always, I hope you discover an incredible song you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite you haven't heard in some time. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK HERE

Here are a few of the latest additions;

Recent discoveries

Sound & Vision - Matthew Dear

Golden Years - Yam Who?

Visions Of You - Jah Wobbles Invaders Of The Heart

Backlash Blues - Nina Simone

Into My Arms - Nell Smith w/ The Flaming Lips

New releases

Bring An End - Butler, Blake and Grant

Knowledge - Edwyn Collins

i'm in love - Andy Bell w/ Dot Allison

Old favourites

Sleep On The Left Side (Les Rythmes Digital mix) - Cornershop

Rose Rouge - Saint Germain

Stop the Clocks - Miaoux Miaoux

Winter Hill - Doves

Fire and Rain - The Isley Brothers

All Right Now - Free

Hush - Deep Purple

A celebration of Bowie - DJ set

In early 2024 my great friend Phil and I danced the night away at The Admiral Woods annual celebration of the late great David Bowie. DJ's played hits, album tracks and songs by Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Marc Bolan and Mott the Hoople - peers and friends of Bowie. We left the night feeling elated by the music, community and atmosphere, vowing to return in 2025.

We both bagged (FREE) tickets for 11/01/25 as soon as the night was announced. Then, Dave Ross, owner of the bar and the organiser of the night, contacted me to ask if I would be up for doing the opening 45-minute slot. Ummmmmmmm - absolutely! I'd be playing with Dave, Gerry Lyons who I put on the Uddingston Indie Forever nights with and the lovely Robert and Hugh from Simply Thrilled.

I tend to go with the flow when I DJ, that is part of the fun after all, responding to the crowd, choosing what songs might get/keep people on the dancefloor, but in this case, I wanted to pretty much nail what I wanted to play to ensure I made the most of my 45-minutes.

Conscious that the hits should be saved for later in the night, I set about digging deep into Bowie's extensive discography to see what I could find.

A few choice album cuts immediately sprang to mind, a theme of space developed, I discovered some cool cover versions and remixes that I hadn't heard before and a set began to develop. 

I Dig Everything was in and out of the set as I couldn't quite make it fit, then I decided it was super cool and would play it as the opening song to highlight the start of Bowie's career and the development of his sound. 

Matthew Dear's sublime cover of Sound and Vision was my opening song until last minute, then I decided it would fit better mid set. Blue Jean was dropped, should I play the house mix of Fame from 1990 or leave it in case someone was playing it later? Would anyone mind if it was played twice anyway, as it is fab?! 

Should I play Arcade Fire's Reflektor with Bowie guesting on backing vocals? Will I have time to play Speed of Life if I fade some songs out and others in?

Anyway, here is a playlist of the setlist I created.

NOTE - On the night I had to leave Hello Spaceboy out for Robert and Hugh to play later in the night (we have VERY similar taste), but it did mean that I could play Speed of Life instead and I also managed to squeeze in Blue Jean at the end. But I have left the playlist as I intended. 

There was a wonderful friendly atmosphere in The Admiral Woods and it was tremendous to hear Bowie blasting out of the fantastic sound system in the pub. Absolute Beginners sounded sublime, while Starman had hands in the air and everyone singing let the children boogie ... and we did!

Next year will be the tenth anniversary of Bowie's passing. I would highly recommend getting tickets for this night. You'll meet a lovely community of music and Bowie fans, ensure you have a January night out, get a night in a cool bar and dance the night away.

Enjoy this playlist!

All songs performed by David Bowie unless stated;

45-minute set

Well you know what, this has been an incredible pleasure .. Bowie talking

I Dig Everything

Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere

V-2 Schneider 

Dancing Out In Space

The Stars (Are Out Tonight)

A New Career in a New Town

Sound & Vision - Matthew Dear

I Took A Trip On A Gemini Spaceship

Hello Spaceboy (Moonage Daydream remix) - David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys

Golden Years - Yam Who?

Fame 90 - House Mix

Jump They Say

Queen Bitch

In reserve

Blue Jean 

Speed of Life

Words of Wisdom and Hope

Back in 2002 Teenage Fanclub & Jad Fair released the Words of Wisdom and Hope album on Stephen Pastel's Geographic label. 

In a classic Fanclub tale, Fair stayed with Norman and his family in Glasgow and it was over a game of scrabble and a glass of wine that they got talking about making an album together. 

Within days, a studio in France had been rented and once they got over, Jad and the Fanclub recorded 16-songs together in just 2-days, all improvised, often with the band switching instruments and with Fair recording all his lyrics in one take.

"We recorded about 16 tracks over two days and had the album. Everything was completely improvised. It was very liberating to do something so quickly." Norman Blake

As a result, there is a raw charm across the 12-songs, with plenty of moments that are almost guaranteed to warm your heart and make you smile. If not, you might want to visit your doctor.

Fair improvises over Teenage Fanclub instrumentals that range from fuzzy and scuzzy garage guitar pop, to gentler and tender moments that follow on from the Howdy! album in 2000.

Norman went on to record with Jad a couple of times; releasing the Yes album in 2015 (check the gorgeous Add Your Name) and Raindrops with Jad and Tenniscoats in 2017. I also have a Japanese import called How Many Glasgow that I got in 2015. You can read an old blog on that album HERE

But back to Words of Wisdom and Hope.

Jad Fair oozes love, hope and positivity in his lyrics, while his voice is all warm and gooey in just the right way. Like a marshmallow toasted on a campfire. He brings out a side of the Fanclub that I'd love to hear more of, particularly with Euros now being on board. Euros strikes me as a musician who can create something from thin air. Could Norman invite Jad back over for another game of scrabble and book a few days in a wee studio like La Chunky or Green Door and knock something out?

Fair is a romantic and soul and that comes out in every single song. Given the spontaneous nature of the album, some are stronger than others. My favourites include;

Behold The Miracle which opens the album, the Fanclub work up a cool garage groove on top of a 3 note keyboard riff, that allows Jad to wax lyrically over the top.

The wondrous wonder of your smile

There is wonder in your eyes

Behold the miracle

Near To You rides in on a riff that sounds very Gerry Love, chiming melodic rushes that create beautiful urgency.

Jad keeps coming back to the song title on Crush On You and after every time he says it he goes on to clarify exactly why and what that feels like. The Fanclub rock out at times, the guitar is gorgeously fuzzy and the band sound loose but also locked in the groove. 

I am certain of our fate

I am certain of our future

Sunshine knocking at our front door

You Rock is slow, dreamy and beautiful;

Love's taken over, taken over my life

And I'm glad

The Good Thing is a tender acoustic album closer with Katrina Mitchell from The Pastels on backing vocals, while Jad sings about not giving up.

Those that dig deep into the Teenage Fanclub discography, beyond the albums and the singles off them, are richly rewarded. Here are a few other releases to check out;

• Ballad of John & Yoko - 7-inch only, released in October 1990 on Paperhouse Records. Limited to 5,000 copies, b-side features etchings of the bands signatures. Recorded in Fun City Studio NYC and released on John's birthday.
• The Peel Sessions EP - released in 1992 on Strange Fruit, a record label run with love from someone's shed. Includes a glorious live version of Alcoholiday.
• Free Again - 7-inch only, released in May 1992. I remember stumbling across this in the old Virgin Records on Argyle Street. A rip roaring cover of the Alex Chilton song. A real favourite of mine.
• Mine Exclusively / Patti Girl - Ltd 7-inch released with NME. This is Teenage Fanclub playing and recording with Alex Chilton. I recently picked up this gem from eBay.  Check them playing together on this Scottish Tee Vee footage. There is also a bootleg of their show at 13th Note HERE.
• Teenage Fanclub Have Lost It - EP released at the end of 1995 (peak Britpop). See my feature length blog HERE.
• Association - Teenage Fanclub covered their friends International Airport (led by Tom Crossley of The Pastels/Lightships) for the b-side of their gorgeous song Association. Look out for a blog on this in the near future.

The legendary Jad Fair

2025 Scottish music scene

Happy New Year everyone

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to visit. I hope my blog (there are well over 1,000 of them!) turns you on to some music you have never heard before, or you read something that encourages you to revisit a favourite song or album you haven't listened to in ages. 

Every January I take a little time to look ahead to gigs, festivals and albums that I am looking forward to over the course of the year. The Scottish music scene is ever evolving; new artists are breaking through, festivals like Tenement Trail are growing in size and reputation, favourite bands are still producing the goods and our appetite for live music shows no boundaries and we are blessed with incredible venues of all sizes in which to experience it.  

2025 is already shaping up to be a cracker. There seems to be more gigs and concerts on than I can ever remember. I have often wondered when the bubble is going to burst - but in these strange and often dark times we live in, music and the escapism offered by gigs, concerts and festivals, is more important than ever.

Here is a glimpse into some artists, albums, show and events that I am looking forward to.

4 New and emerging artists

Yes And Maybe

The buzz around this band at Tenement Trail was incredible. Yes And Maybe more than justified it with an impeccable performance of guitar and synth pop that reminded me of The Strokes crossed with Phoenix. The duo (expanded to a 5-piece live) met online during lockdown and hit it off ... big time! 

I can't wait to see them again live and hear what they choose to release as their debut single. That could be any song from their debut album that is already recorded and resulted in a string of offers from record companies, desperate to sign them up. Ones to watch for sure.

Kerr Mercer

OK, I mentioned young Kerr Mercer in my blog last January and he went on to have an incredible 2024, selling out headline shows at The Poetry Club, King Tuts and Saint Lukes, while also playing TRNSMT and countless support slots. Kerr reckons he is the youngest person to have played the Barrowland so many times. Hopefully, once Mercer releases some music and maybe he'll be one of the youngest to headline the legendary venue!

I'm highlighting Kerr again as his debut single is imminent, possibly around a March tour that includes a Glasgow show at The Garage, and he returns to TRNSMT in the summer. Kerr is writing continuously and building up an impressive collection of songs. Once Mercer starts releasing songs, he might not stop! Wait until you hear this guys voice! Throw in his writing skills, ability to play guitar and piano plus the added fact that his people skills are exceptional! 2024 laid very solid foundations for this young man to build upon.

The Cords

I also mentioned The Cords in my January 2024 blog, but they feature again after a storming 2024 where they released debut single Bo's Haircut / Rather Not Stay, recorded a 6Music session with Marc Riley, supported loads of their favourite bands (including Belle and Sebastian at SWG3) and ended it with a sublime Christmas single.

Eva and Grace have been recording their debut album with Simon Liddell (Frightened Rabbit) and Johnny Scott (Chvrches) and have super cool indie label ready to release it. Expect a couple more singles before then. 

Still teenagers, there is no rush for the sisters, but there is so much support for this band from the Glasgow music community (Monorail have been brilliant, really taking them under their wing) that an album, even at this early stage, seems like a great idea. A document of their time and progression.

Dallas Love Field

Another band I caught at Tenement Trail, their glorious psychedelic shoegaze sound filled BAaD and they seem like they are ready to take a big step forward in 2025. Dallas Love Field released debut single Drowned Out in the summer of 2024 and should be releasing a follow up by Spring 2025. 

The band have been working with Jason Shaw, who has previously worked with Ride. It will be interesting to see if they are working towards an album, or if they are just concentrating on producing as many brilliant songs as they can. That policy certainly worked for the aforementioned Ride who released  string of EP's early on. The band play The Hug & Pint on Jan.uary 11th

4 gigs I already have tickets for

Norman Blake at The Alex James

A hometown gig for Norman! I think the capacity is only around 100. I expected another night (or two) to be added, so the fact this is a one-off only adds to the sense that it should be a really special gig.

Hinds at Saint Lukes

I loved the Hinds album released in 2024, describing it as dreamy, trashy, thrashy, brashy garage pop with dashes of shoegaze and psychedelia. I think I'll appreciate it all the more after seeing them live.

Brian Jonestown Massacre at Barrowland 

I've never seen the Brian Jonestown Massacre live, despite the fact that their February date at the Barrowland will be their 9th visit to Glasgow since they played King Tuts in 2004! Who knows what mood Anton Newcombe will be in, but you can be guaranteed he'll want to play a rip roaring rock n roll show with his current band.

Oasis at Murrayfield

While I am still very much on the fence about the Oasis reunion, to the extent that I used my pre-sale code to get tickets for friends and not myself, I did then take my brother up on his offer of a ticket. Probably quite apt for Oasis! I imagine that Noel and Liam will travel separately, possibly stay in different hotels and only get together for the shows. Quite sad, but if that's what they have got to do ....

I just hope that they create some magic, that they make people happy and that their anthemic songs are belted out once more. I also hope that they properly kiss and make up, treat us to some hilarious interviews and remind everyone what a brilliant band they were.

3 albums I am looking forward to

Gerard Love & The Magic Influence

Gerry Love is kicking off 2025 with a show down in Liverpool on 28th February. I hope a Glasgow show isn't too far behind. Likewise, I hope we get some news about his long awaited new album. 

Nell Smith

I recently discovered Nell Smith's album of Nick Cave cover versions that she recorded with The Flaming Lips as her band. Sadly, very tragically, Nell died in a care crash last year at the age of just 17. Bella Union will be releasing the album that she recorded before her death. 

Butler, Blake & Grant

Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant were brought together by Douglas McIntyre to play a FRETS show at Celtic Connections in 2022. The trio clearly enjoyed the experience and have got back together to tour around the UK. A recent Uncut article told of how they jammed, wrote and recorded an album around the log fire at  Norman's home in the Clyde Valley. Sounds blissful! I'm expecting lots of warm acoustic guitars and harmonies.

4 festivals / events

King Tuts Wah Wah Hut is 35

King Tuts is 35! It's not traditionally a big anniversary, but hey, in Glasgow we don't need that much of an excuse to put on an event or party! Expect some big shows and some secret shows in the legendary venue.

Here is a blog I wrote on the 25th anniversary, reminiscing about 25 incredible gigs I attended in a venue that was my local for a decade when I worked across the road! Good times!

Summer Nights at Kelvingrove Bandstand

Summer Nights has announced a series of shows in Queens Park for next summer. Del Amitri, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Saw Doctors and Ocean Colour Scene are booked in. The line-up for Kelvingrove Bandstand has yet to be announced. I'd love to see The Charlatans on the bill. There is so much love for the band in Scotland and I am sure Tim and co would play a blinder in such a stunning setting. There are whispers that one of my favourite bands could be playing ...

Tenement Trail 2025

Tenement Trail is back on 12th October and if we're not doing anything for the school holiday, I'll be at this wonderful little festival set in and around the Barrowland, Saint Luke's and BAaD (Dallas Love Field pictured above). Expect surprise acoustic shows in pubs, sublime street food, cool vibes and some of Scotland's hottest up and coming bands and artists getting the opportunity to play to larger audiences than normal. The last 2 Tenement Trail festivals have seen the aforementioned Kerr Mercer and Yes And Maybe play early sets. Who will Tenement Trail be tipping for stardom in 2025?

Uddingston Musicfest Mainstage (part of The Bothwell Scarecrow Festival)

Returning after a year off, Musicfest Mainstage (part of the Bothwell Scarecrow Festival) is back with an eclectic bill of Echobelly and The Singing Kettle announced so far. Expect a couple of big announcements in the next month. I'm extremely lucky that this festival takes place a 10-minute walk from our house and a mere stones throw from my Mum's flat! Handy for a cuppa!