BMX Bandits in Bellshill

"I create beauty out of pain." Duglas T Stewart

Last night (Friday 30th May), Duglas T Stewart and his beloved BMX Bandits made a triumphant return to Bellshill, marking Stewart’s first hometown show in over 30 years.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Duglas perform over the years. There have been memorable gigs of all shapes and sizes—from intimate shows in bars like The Lismore to festival slots at T in the Park and Wickerman, and headline sets at venues like King Tut’s and Oran Mor. But (and maybe it’s just because it’s so fresh in my memory), last night might just have been the best of them all.

Photo by Paul Quinn

Why?

Well, I could put it down to the venue, location and significance. Bellshill Cultural Centre is tucked away just a 2-minute walk from the station. Duglas mentioned how he was born and raised in Bellshill, how he lived just a few streets away, formed BMX Bandits 40-years ago in 1985 and wrote many, many songs nearby. His friend Paul Quinn, formerly of Teenage Fanclub, was promoting the show. The Bellshill connection brought out the best in Stewart and subsequently his band. 

"There was a bunch of us in Bellshill with the same dreams." Duglas T Stewart

Speaking of which, is this the best BMX Bandits band?! How about that for a pub debate among fans?! Andrew Pattie (guitar), Amanda Nizic (bass) and Liam Chapman (drums) are super tight and totally get Duglas in 2025 and Duglas from 1985. Of course, not to do past members a dis-service, that could be said for all previous participants in Stewart's vision for his music. But I was exceptionally impressed last night.

"You never really leave the band completely." Norman Blake

"Being in BMX Bandits is like being wrapped in your favourite chocolate bar with everybody you love all around you hugging you at the same time." Sean Dickson

BMX Bandits family tree (from circa 2011)

Maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder. I missed the last couple of Bandits shows in Glasgow. And with Duglas now living out on the west coast, they don't come around as frequently as they once did. It had been a while since I basked in the warmth of Stewart's songs and charm. I still have a Readybrek glow from the show.

Of course, the wonderful songs were central to last night. Opener Setting Sun set the tone for a night of melodic, heartfelt and soulful pop music. Then we had an incredible trilogy of The Sailor's Song, Little Hands and Serious Drugs. Three absolute classics! We were being spoiled.

"My favourite Bandits composition has to be The Sailor's Song. In a little over 3.5 minutes it unravels like a movie in minature. Love conquers all." Sushil K Dade

Duglas and the Bandits played songs from across the Bandits 40-years. The aforementioned Setting Sun opens most recent album Dreamers On The Run,  Time To Get Away is also taken from that LP and it is a real gem. I appreciate it all the more after the introduction Duglas made at the start regarding how he wrote it for a friend he was concerned about. 

Stewart told a number of stories, of writing songs with his great friend Norman at 3am. Of seeing a shop called Razorblades & Honey while in Berlin and then writing and recording a song of the same name with Anton Newcombe in his studio in the city. That was one of many highlights, the dirty groove is delicious.

Amanda sang a glorious I Wanna Fall In Love, Foggy was absolutely beautiful, Disco Girl was super fun and an acapella Your Class had us all clapping and singing, the melody lifting and carrying us all.

And what you do, what you do

Is breaking my heart in two

And I'll never get too tired of you 

Duglas told of Dan Treacy of Television Personalities sending him a cassette of Girl At The Bus Stop with instructions to destruct the tape after recording a Bandits version - Mission Impossible style. As Duglas said, it is possibly more BMX Bandits than any song he has written!

Beloved debut single E102 might run that close, with the glorious refrain of I'm so happy, that love has come around being sung wholeheartedly on stage and off. 

Closing with the gorgeous Spinning Through Time from their Music for the Film "Dreaded Light" album, this was a truly wonderful and heartwarming show.

Support on the night was by The Cords who I first blogged about HERE. The sisters must have blitzed through a dozen songs in a 30-minute set that bodes well for their debut album, due out later this year via the excellent Slumberland Records. Eva's vocals are naturally melodic and beautiful, her guitar playing is feisty and firesome, and her songwriting feels unforced and pure. I can't wait to hear the album and look forward to them playing some launch shows later in the year.

"If I could be in any other band, it would be BMX Bandits." Kurt Cobain

Check a couple of old blogs below, including a podcast I recorded with Duglas on the 30th anniversary of BMX Bandits.

10 from BMX Bandits

30th anniversary podcast