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Showing posts with label Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5. Show all posts
The January Blues can hit pretty hard. What better way to banish them then to dance, sing, laugh and smile with the party machine that is Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five?
I've caught CMD5 a number of times over the years, but the last time was pre-pandemic at a Celtic Connections show at the Old Fruitmarket back in January 2020.
3-years on and CMD5 are as bright, colourful and inventive as ever. I had so much fun that I never counted how many people were in the band. I'm guessing 10; 3 in the horn section, drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, effects/samples plus the effervescent Fathom and the good Colonel John McMustard leading the band and crowd through a 80 minutes of partying.
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon Five win friends and hearts wherever and whenever they play. They have built a huge community from wowing people at festivals, leading to huge shows at the Barrowland and the Academy in Glasgow ... alongside trips to Korea.
Their infectious energy transfers to the audience. The cost of living crisis, the climate crisis, the energy crisis ... the Tories ... for 80-minutes yesterday afternoon people forgot about their worries.
Everyone was happy, everyone was smiling, no-one in Oran Mor was sad anymore.
And that is the beauty of Colonel Mustard, that is the power of music. What was extra special was that this was a matinee show, so it was a real family affair. The four of us went and I would love to see more matinee/family friendly shows across the city in the future.
CMD5 have built quite a selection of crowd pleasers over their 2 albums. Taking in disco, funk, pop, reggae, ska and adding a dash of Screamadelica and a sprinkling of humour while appreciating the importance of audience engagement and participation.
We crossed The road (not quite as easy as it is in a festival field, had a dance off (2 kids won inflatable trophies), batted balloons around the room, sang the praises of ginger girls, aaaarrrrggghhhhed as pirates and rrrrrroooooaaaaarrrred as dinosaurs, danced like no-one was watching, bounced like bouncy balls, had a house music rave (This Is Your House was a real favourite) and unified as one to preach peace, love and mustard.
The Colonel parted the crow like the Red Sea to let people dance down the middle
during (and for a) Dance Off
The imagination of John McMustard to write the songs, develop the concept of CMD5 and their Yellow Movement, include humour with reflection and politics, while creating a party vibe is pretty incredible. And it's ambitious. It can't be easy to keep a 10-piece band on the go! But everyone has fun and fun can keep many things going and make everything easier.
I would heartily recommend seeing CMD5 live if you can. Keep an eye on their socials for festival announcements and a Christmas show - they hinted about that on stage. Hopefully there will be a matinee show.
The pubs surrounding the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City area of Glasgow were sprinkled with yellow from around 5.30pm on Friday 17th January. There was also the odd disco ball style cap and plenty of people looking like they were dressed for a weekend at a festival rather than a Friday night out in Glasgow.
I wonder how many people have fallen for Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 (CMD5) as a result of seeing them at a festival over the last 5-years or so? Difficult to predict, but in that time the band have grown into a staple of the festive scene in Scotland and beyond.
If you have seen them, then it is easy to describe why. And that is why over 1,300 people descended on the Old Fruitmarket dressed in yellow, with painted faces, flowers in their hair, disco ball hats and looking ready for the weekend.
They came to laugh, to sing, dance, smile and forget about their worries for a few hours. And they did just that.
CMD5 are always quick to promote bands and artists they enjoy - see my previous interview with David Blair for substantial evidence. On this occasion they chose to promote my sister Carla J Easton by asking her to support.
Carla and her band played brilliantly. Wearing yellow to get into the spirit of the night, Carla played songs from her Homemade Lemonade (released under the guise of Ette) and Impossible Stuff albums, along with new material. Get Lost from the new songs is possibly my favourite song she has ever recorded. And she brought her pal Stina from Honeyblood on for guest vocals on new song Weirdo. It was a polished and confident set and I look forward to seeing what 2020 brings.
Photo by Stuart Westwood
On to the main act. I never did get round to counting how many people were on stage with CMD5. I was quite simply too busy enjoying myself.
Opening with International Sex Hero and going straight into festival favourite Dance Off, the Colonel and his merry band of yellow heroes had the place bouncing from the off. They barely let up, they seemed to just keep the beat and the groove going from start to finish.
Photo by Stuart Westwood
The band have so much positive energy it is unbelievable. New songs worked well; Disco Colin and the current single G.T. mixed well with the old classics.
Cross The Road is a FESTIVAL CLASSIC and even though it was packed we did manage to cross the road. Dance Like Nobody's Watching might be the next festival classic, while Gay Icon took the roof off the place. At some point in all of this David Blair crowdsurfed - at least twice.
Photo by Iain Cochrane
Anthems like Peace, Love and Mustard demand crowd participation, smiles, laughter, high fives .... and all round good feeling. These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For is one of my favourite songs from the last 5-years, like the Beta Band produced by Andrew Weatherall, it is so clever, so funny, so socially conscious, so bonkers brilliant.
There was time for one more, the surging pop of Ginger Girl had everyone with their hands in the air singing the chorus. The band quickly played a little bit of How Many Many's and Capturado and sent everyone off into the night with smiles. What a night!
Those with energy stayed to dance to DJ Amy Lame from 6Music.
Roll on the summer. And to Celtic Connections bookers - can you book them now to brighten next January please?! This is a special, special band who can transport you into a good place and make you forget your worries and the state of the world for a couple of hours.
David Blair, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Summer 2019
Picture by Robert Adam
In these testing times we live in there is a band that always brings a smile to my face. A band that gets me singing, dancing and putting my hands in the air. Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 have become a firm favourite in Scotland and beyond over the last decade, with legendary festival performances playing a huge role. I decided to catch up with the bundle of energy that is David John Blair, D(ij)ancer and force of nature for the band.
The beautiful picture above, of David and his band uniting a festival, perfectly captures the energy and enthusiasm Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 generate when they play live with anthems like; Dance Off, Cross The Road, Peace Love and Mustard and the anti-drugs song These Are Not The Drugs Your Are Looking For. That song ends with the mantra everyone is happy, everyone is smiling, no-one here is sad anymore.
I look forward to seeing Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 getting the party started, celebrating the release of their new single G.T., in the beautiful surroundings of The Old Fruit Market in Glasgow on Friday 17th January. TICKETS HERE
Honestly, if you have the January blues, or if you just fancy a good night out, you won't regret it. Added bonus that my sister Carla is supporting and has some cracking new pop songs to play.
The band have just released their new single G.T. which is zooming up the alternative music charts.
I caught up with David for an extensive interview - should have done a podcast! Read on for loads of music recommendations and tonnes of positive energy.
EF - How are things with you and the band? What can we expect from your Celtic Connections show?
On a personal note, never better thanks! I started my actual Dream Job as Market and Ballroom Assistant for the Glasgow institution Margaret McIver Ltd, more famously known as The Barras Market (100 years old in 2021) and the Barrowland Ballroom AKA the Greatest Venue for Live Music in the World, on the 23rd of last month.
I've been going through an induction period of getting to know the role, buildings and area and the place is steeped in so much history it;s unreal. A truly humbling education and experience. It's genuinely my spiritual musical home and having played it five times, been to about 200+ gigs there and the band being inducted into the Hall of Fame in December 2018 makes it all the more special to now call it my place of 'work'.
Shout and MASSIVE thank you to the manager Tom Joyes for having the faith in me to offer me the job and for being such an amazing music mentor to me over the years. Tom's passion and knowledge for the business, area and music industry is unrivalled by many. What a man to learn from! As as are all The Barras Family working in there. We're really close knit, like a family. The banter is tremendous and it's great to have a laugh as much as possible in life. It's good for the soul.
CMD5 have a mass Dance Off in their favourite venue
There's a buzz around the East End Quarter at the moment and it's an honour to be spending so much time in an area so fertile with creativity. 2020 is going to be a BIG year for the East End!
As for the band, there are, as always, lots of things happening and coming together. We're busy finishing our second album, provisional working title The Difficult Number 2, with Paul 'Gal' Gallagher at Glenwood Studio in Castlemilk. It's pencilled in for release on 5th May 2020. Just in time for festival season with some new festival season anthems on it for The Dijon Family to dance like nobody is watching to!
Last Sunday (5th January) BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Amy Lame gave our new single G.T. (single and album released on Button Up Records - Garry John Kane - The Proclaimers bassist - record label) it's international radio airplay exclusive! That was after we woke up to a three page spread in the Sunday Mail interviewing the Colonel and using our new space themes photo shoot images from the incredibly talented Lee Howell Photography. We were so impressed with his photoshoot and artwork for Bombskare's last album A Million Ways To Die, that we asked him to work with us too.
EF - What were your highlights from 2019? Did any festivals stand out in particular?
Festival season is usually my go-to memory bank when I'm asked for band highlights of the year. Kelburn Garden Party was our best one yet I think. Of maybe five or so appearances. Tom McGuire and The Brassholes were on the Square Stage before us. I think they're one of the best funk and soul and party bands around and we have a lot of audience crossover so it really got the party vibe going with us dancing away in the crowd and then continuing with the Dijon party vibes straight after them.
We played our fourth year in a row at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival. The Highlands Dijon Family really, really go for it up there and we've seen our crowds go from a capacity Hothouse Stage tent (1,500 ish) to being moved up to the main Garden Stage and the numbers growing steadily to 15,000 in 2019!
This will be our fifth birthday party playing there this year. The main stage production team told us post-gig it was the largest EVER crowd they'd ever had at the main stage! Until one of Bathgate's finest exports, Lewis Capaldi, bettered that later the samenight. Fair play Lewis!
Boomtown Fair, in Winchester, is one of the biggest festivals in the UK now and one of my favourites. Their whole Movement there, philosophy (peace, love, creativity) and vibe is beautiful. Approx 70,000 mad revellers attend and the level of production is movie set material everywhere you look. The aforementioned Tom and The Brassholes played, our bezzie mates from The People's Republic of Merseyside, She DRew The Gun, were a highlight, along with an incendiary set from the Prophets of Rage to close the Town Centre stage on the Sunday. Tom Morello had a message for our Evil Empire 'leader' Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson on his guitar!
EF - The Scottish festival landscape has changes; no more T in the Park, no more Wickerman, no more Electric Fields .... you are probably more well placed than most to comment. What is working? And are there any gaps?
The festival landscape seems to always be evolving in it's own way, as you would expect. We were lucky enough to tick T in the Park off the bucket list at the last one ever at Strathallan and then DF Concert's came back with TRNSMT in our home town on Glasgow Green with no need for camping. I have had some amazing days at TRNSMT and for someone who doesn't drink alcohol (11 years aff it on 4th May 2020), I can leave the site, drive straight home and be in the shower or bed in fifteen minutes!
My heart belongs to Glasgow so I LOVE to see Glasgow's music scene thriving. TENEMENT TRAIL moving East last year was an amazing day of live music between the Barrowland Ballroom, Barras Art and Design, Saint Luke's The Winged Ox, Creative East End, Many Studios and more.
I'm always excited to play new festivals and we've announced one in the Black Isle, outside Inverness, called Woodzstock, that we've been asked to headline and are playing with our Highlands hip hop brothers and sisters, Spring Break. Their MC (The Badger Sized Rat) and DJ (Butterscotch) - both the same person - normally joins us onstage at Bella and we love them and their music.
Closer to home, I love the look of Playground Festival in Rouken Glen Park and with Underworld announced already I have a really good feeling that is going to be an incredible and not to be missed festival for the Central Belt.
EF - You have an incredible thirst for music - which artists and bands in Scotland are you particularly fond of at present?
Each year I think our music community gets stronger and the talent within it even better! I don't see 2020 being any different. I am particularly looking forward to the Return of The Odd, being Stanley Odd - one of my favourite bands EVER and MC Solareye AKA Dave Hook AKA Dr Hip Hop, one of the soundest folk in the music community at the ever excellent Neu! Reekie! night organised by Michael Pederson and Kevin Williamson for Burns and Beyond on 25th January in the Freemasons Hall in Edinburgh.
Medicine Men have a new album coming out I'm looking forward to. The level of creative talent coming out of Glasgow's Last Night From Glasgow record label is outstanding and I doff my disco cap to Ian Smith and everyone involved there. Keep an eye on everything coming out of Chris Blackmore's excellent Holy Smokes Records - The Hoojamamas, Awkward Family Portraits, Quiche and more.
Ones to watch our for this year are The Rain Experiment - like a cross between Catfish and The Bottlemen, Blossoms and Sam Fender. Have a watch of the Be My Angel video.
Have Mercy Las Vegas, Bombskare, Yoko Kwono, Feet of Clay's debut album, your sister Carla J Easton (our Celtic Connections gig Special Guest), Scotland's most talented teenagers Connor Fyfe, Robin Ashcroft and Emi V, Free Love, Stara Zagora, DopeSickFly, Flew The Arrow, Deni, Zoe Graham, Freakwace, Vanlves, Megan Airlie, kitti, Cara Rose, Zoe Bestel, BLair Coron, hip hop from the aforementioned Spring Break, Steg G and The Freestyle Master, Loki, Kayce One, GASP, Shotgun, Physiks, Kamihamiha! Mosta Bohze, Empress, Delivery Room, The Twistettes, Mickey 9's, Melisa Kelly and The Smokin' Crows and so many more! So many sources of inspiration around us.
Last year I started 23 Music Management and Promotions with Andy Anderson and with help from his brother Frankie roo and the first artist I am managing is the outstanding John Rush. Check him out, he really is amazing. Solo, singer-songwriter, acoustic guitar, stomp box, harmonica and incredibly soulful voice with a Scottish brogue. He's been drawing comparisons somewhere in between Ray LaMontagne and David Gray.
One of, and possibly my favourite band right now are HENGE. A four piece (three of whom are intergalactic aliens and one Homo Sapien) who are on a Universal mission called The Cosmic Dross Experiment to spread peace, love and music - from prog rock to techno and cosmic gestures unknown to us Ravelings here on Planet Earth.
EF - We entered 2020 with right wing leadership, climate emergencies and the threat of war. What gives you hope?
What gives me hope in these mad, bad, crazy times? Us. Power to The People. It's ALL happening on OUR watch so the only people that can do anything about it is ... US! From a creative standpoint I am very much inspired by the Dadaists response to the horrors of WW1. We need to continue and increase the use of arts to imagine, create and inspire. We need more civil disobedience and mobilising the masses to, borrow some Primal Scream lyrics, come together as ONE, to agitate, protest and resist the Evil Empires, corporations and backed by right-wing billionaire owned gutter press/propoganda. We need system change.
And that means facing up to capitalism and it's greedy illusion of perpetual growth/GDP on a finite planet. We don't inherit the planet from our parents, we borrow it from our children. In the immortal words of Zack de la Rocha, 'Anger is a gift' and we DO need to get angry at what's happening and channel that into positive non-violent direct action to affect, demand and make positive change.
Rage Against The Machine are hitting the comeback trail again this year, it is very timely and much needed. To use their lyrics from Take The Power Back
The Movement's in motion with mass militant poetry
The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
Youa re the witness of change and to counteract
We gotta take the power back
EF - Post Celtic-Connections, what does the rest of the year have in store for you?
The new album on 5th May 2020. Festival season. Announced so far for us are Woodzstock Festival, Speyfest and Bella. More to follow ... Getting out and about and playing more of the new album and old songs, spreading the peace, love and Mustard and partying with the Dijon Family again. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Idles and their album title Joy As An Act Of Resistance is like a mantra to me.
EF - Any New Year Resolutions?
I don't really go for anything too specific. Every day is the start of the rest of your life. Focus on the positive changes we can make in our Eternal Nows. For myself, I hope each year is a healthy, happy and prosperous one filled with peace, love and music and those are the main things I wish for all my family, friends and all the world really.
Even for those stuck in bad ruts, negative feedback lopps, misguided, hurting themselves and others. Just stop being a c**t to yourself and others and then maybe the world will be as One
On Sunday night, performing under the shadow of the famous People Make Glasgow sign in George Square in the very heart of the city, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 put on a party to emphasise just how true and how important that phrase/mantra is.
The band turned the city centre yellow and the famous square reverberated to the sounds of people chanting PEACE, LOVE AND MUSTARD, alongside a dance off and people crossing the road. People do indeed make Glasgow and the passion, energy, creative and co-operative spirit that Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 have displayed over the years has brought smiles, joy and friendship for many people. On Sunday night they deservedly brought their colourful and euphoric show to the city centre.
Glasgow has been showing off this week. The European Championships have come to town and they have given the city the opportunity and excuse to use its wonderful space, facilities and atmosphere to full effect. Glasgow wouldn't be Glasgow if it didn't extend a warm welcome to those visiting, whilst also giving the locals a chance to party as well.
George Square has become a festival village, with the BBC parking their studio directly across from The Counting House pub, overlooking a stage and a big screen broadcasting all kinds of sports from the Championships.
A wide range of acts, including Orbital, have been booked to perform on the stage and on Sunday at 7pm it was the turn of Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 (CMD5) to bring the yellow movement to the party.
And my oh my do CMD5 know how to get a party started! 2,500 people packed into the festival area and there were plenty of yellow CMD5 t-shirts and hoodies in the crowd. On the surface CMD5 may be a pure fun party band, but dig into their songs and you'll find that they are packed with social and political commentary.
David Blair from the band wasn't afraid to display his political leaning by jumping down from the stage as the band were setting up to tie a Palestine keffiyeh around the Israeli flag that was lined up alongside the other nations performing in the Championships. Security wisely decided to just remove all of the flags.
After an exciting swimming race finished on the big screen, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 took to the stage and blasted out snippets of Limmy's techno kid mash of 1-2 buckle my shoe and ring-o-roses.
The Colonel then joined his band and got things moving. Before long the Square was bouncing to euphoric catchy pop in the shape of International Sex Hero before being led to Cross the Road - or George Square. The way the whole crowd joined in was testament to how good the band are, how accessible their music is and how quickly people fell under their spell and charm.
Zoe knocking it out the park during the dance off
Fresh from playing to 11,000 people at Belladrum and another summer of regular festivals, Colonel John McMustard and his sensational band hooked the crowd, reeled them in and then released them for more fun. They played superbly, encouraging their audience to sing, dance and get involved.
Ginger Girl was bonkers yet it tugged on the heart strings, the Dance Off was great fun with everyone copying the moves of driving in the car, knocking it out the park, disco-ing, jumping and fist pumping and These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For was an utter joy - a mix of the Beta Band crossed with Primal Scream being mixed by Andy Weatherall, the guest MC's took the song higher and the closing mantra felt so good, so right and so important.
Everyone's happy, everyone is smiling, no-one here is sad anymore
For a brief moment in time the above was true for everyone in George Square, it was mission accomplished. You looked around and everyone was happy and smiling, forgetting about all the craziness going on across the world at present.
The closing anthem of Peace, Love and Mustard was utterly euphoric, the verses talk of meditation, pacification, loneliness, hurting - then the chorus screams for peace, love and mustard.
On the train home my eldest daughter asked what it was all about, I asked if she was happy, she was, and I said it just all makes sense.
Do yourself a favour and go and see this band live. You will not be disappointed.
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 play Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom on 22nd December. TICKETS HERE Make it a yellow Christmas! Over 14's. Check Dance Off from their last Christmas show at the Barrowland a couple of years ago.
I first heard of the band named Dead Man Fall a few years ago when they somehow managed to get their song Bang Your Drum involved in a big way on the Craig Ferguson Show in America. The results (noted in the interview below) were nothing short of staggering for a young unsigned/DIY band from Scotland.
That success is only part of their story. Like every band or artist I am friends with or have spoken to; there are challenges, frustrations and thankfully moments where you are reminded why you do it.
Despite hearing about them back in 2014 I never managed to see them live until May when they supported their friends Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 at their Academy show. I was thoroughly impressed and said as much in blog review.
I dug deeper and what I have heard mixes a celtic melancholy with euphoria, heart and soul with hope and dreams. They are impressive. I should have checked them before now!
The band have released a string of singles over the last few years, check this Spotify playlist;
I got in touch with the band to find out more about their history, what makes them tick and to find out what else they have planned ahead of their headline show at the wonderful St Lukes in Glasgow on Saturday 5th August. TICKETS HERE
Check their most recent video below for What's The Point which, for me, mixes Doves with Hot Chip.
1. How did Dead Man Fall form? Where and when?
DES: I intially started DMF in my own bedroom in Cumbernauld. I was drumming in another band called Odeon Beatclub and was writing tunes in the background. Once that all came to an end in 2013 I started pushing forward with the songs on my own. I had recorded a few songs to get things going then gradually got the guys involved by letting them hear the recordings and the kind of sound I was pursuing. We all went to school together and had been in many other bands, but never in the same one. The name Dead Man Fall comes from a game we used to play out in the street, sometimes I think it makes us sound a bit darker, almost like a goth or metal band but It's grown into itself. 2. Did you have a sound in mind when you formed, songs written?
DES: In the early days the sound was very electronic based. I would program beats, synths and all that then start to put real instruments and vocals over the top of that. It started to go in the way of the bands I had grown up listening to such as Joy Division and New Order as one of my older brothers always blasted that out when we shared a room, combined with the bands I was starting to listen to round that time such as The Rapture and Hot Chip. I had about five songs written before anybody else joined. Nowadays songs come from myself in the same way, but also from jamming as a band in the Studio. That's exactly how Bang Your Drum came about so it's helped to add a different element to our sound.
3. You received some incredible exposure in America, how did that come about?
VINNIE: It all started from me sending Craig Ferguson a tweet with our video for Bang Your Drum which I just hoped he would retweet to his 2 million followers.He then set up his own tweet saying “another great band from Glasgow” which included our video.Then about 5 minutes laterhe followed us and sent us a DM asking us to come over and play on the Late Late Show. I nearly passed out when that came through.My hands were shaking when I was trying to phone the guys.Anyway to cut a long story short we never got the Visa but he then asked if he could use our song for his final episode. We of course said yes.When we seen how it was used it blew our mind.He had all these A-List celebrities lip synching to our song and then a live performance in the studio after that with guys like Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols on guitar.It was mad.Then about two days later we went to number 1 on the American iTunes Rock Chart, number 1 on US Amazon digital downloads, number 2 in Canada and around number 25 in the uk.Our social media exploded.
4. Was it frustrating not to be able to get over there afterwards?
VINNIE:Like you wouldn’t believe. A lot of time and money was wasted to not even get a sniff.It took up so much of the band’s time so we looked as if we were doing nothing for a while.We also couldn’t get a Visa this year to go over and play the Firefly Festival in Delaware.The whole American visa process is a farce.It’s just a big money making industry in it’s own right.
5. What else have the band achieved to date? What has been your favourite live show to date? DES: A highlight was playing the Tbreak stage at the first time T in The Park headed to Strathallan. I would't say that was my own personal live favourite. We played The Record Factory and King Tuts within about two months of each other, and both of them were rammed, hot and sweaty. It was also the first gigs were we had people singing the lyrics back to the tunes. Our recent support slot with Colonel Mustard at the O2 was a brilliant show although we had a few stressful technical difficulties up on stage. Gareth our Drummer loved that one! Mainly because the audience were great but also he thought it was a buzz wondering what was going to go wrong next....My Bass decided to cut out mid song(s), My acoustic guitar slipped out of tune with new strings the day before. Gareth's bass drum beater also flew off mid song, he had to run and grab another kick pedal and screw it on before the beat was supposed to come back in. He managed to do it though!
6. What have you been up to most recently?
VINNIE: We’re just back from Amsterdam last weekend after going over to film our video for our next single Andy Warhol.We filmed it all ourselves and got a lot of good footage.We were all dressed as Andy Warhol although we could have easily been mistaken for Tim Burgess.It got a bit messy later on.I lost my mind then lost my phone.Luckily most of the footage was on Gareth’s phone. It was only minimal footage on mine although some of it would’ve been good stuff. It was a great trip though.By that I mean the trip to Amsterdam.
7. What have you got planned?
DES: We really need to hit the festivals next year. We're playing a brand new scottish festival 'Argyll Gathering' down in Helensburgh in August. It's a cracking line up with Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5, The Lafontaines, Mickey 9's and Bwani Junction playing too. We're also playing a Musicians against Homelessness show in the Drygate in September but after that we're going to be applying for every festival we can. When we play to a new crowd more often than not we really win them over. I would like to think that the set we can blast out is more than deserving and suitable for a number of festival stages.
8. What music are you all listening to at present?
VINNIE:I’ve become slightly obsessed with Arcade Fire of present.I had been wanting to see them for years and got to see them at the Corn Exchange only last month.It blew me away.Now I’m just watching clips of them on Youtube and stuff like a little teenage girl. It’s not healthy. The past few weeks I’ve been jumping between them, LCD Soundsystem, Nick Cave, Radiohead and Coldplay….and I don’t care who knows that, I love them.
Gareth’s just been listening to the song Everything Now by Arcade Fire, Kev has been listening to Suuns.
DES: I probably don't listen to as much new music at the moment. Today I had on AM by the Arctic Monkeys. It's one of the rare albums I never ever skip a song on. The other day I was delving back into The Prodigy reliving the glory days. Sometimes I'll stick on older stuff like Marlena Shaw and Motown stuff, Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell must be one of my favourite tunes ever.
Last night Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 turned the O2 Academy in Glasgow into a wonderful sea of smiles, dancing, singing and yellow.
A 13-piece (plus guests!) band won hearts and mind with good time songs like Cross The Road, Dance Off, Ginger Girl, How Many Many's?These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For, International Sex Hero and Gay Icon.
Pic by Tracey McGuiness
Led by the bundle of energy that is the Colonel (John McAlinden) his band of merry men and girls created an atmosphere that was part rave, part Alice in Wonderland and 100% joyful and uplifting.
There was still time for politics - something that the band bring into their songs and videos; be that Freedom For The Children,Junkie Breakfast or a song that slammed the Tory Government and rhymed Tory with Jackanory. The Colonel and his Lieutenant David Blair (the Djancer) left no-one in any doubt that they should use their forthcoming vote to remove the Tories. The crowd went wild applauded.
The Dijon 5 are a wonderful band, 2 energetic female vocalists back up the Colonel, there are drums, keys/synths, guitars, bass, percussion and a fantastic horn section that can just lift the songs. Somehow, it all comes together in a quite glorious manner.
Pic by Linda Carter
There were no boundaries between the band and their fans - evident from the off when we arrived in time to see opening band Esperanza get the party started with their infectious upbeat ska. The Colonel and his band were in the crowd watching and greeting family, friends and fans. Everyone was made to feel welcome and this created a brilliant friendly atmosphere.
Dead Man Fall were second support and they blew me away and I kicked myself for not seeing them before. I'll definitely be going to see them again when they next play in Glasgow. Their singer played a couple of drums with a maraca and a tambourine to add a real Doves-y feel to come songs and a horn section created some beautiful vibes. Closer Bang Your Drum was sublime.
View from the stage as Dead Man Fall win some new fans
Pic courtesy of Dead Man Fall's twitter
And then it was on to the main event - bounding on stage to Crosstown Traffic, Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 were in the mood to party......and they did!
Last night was a wild celebration of the band and their yellow movement with loads of dancing onstage and in the crowd. As the gig peaked more and more guests joined the band on stage to create a real old school rave atmosphere. Band and audience were as one. The band are all about fun but they are seriously talented and created a real melting pot of sounds that created huge grins as wide as the Clyde across the venue.
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 tap into your endorphins, mix them around for a bit and then make them explode. The Colonel led the crowd 'across the road' on a segway, got us to dance through a mixture of moves like - drive your car, disco disco disco, first pump, speed bump..... and the Dancer got down into the crowd to lead a dance off and then crowd surfed on an inflatable unicorn!
Pic by Dan Reardon
Their Peace, Love and Mustard anthem was euphoric, as was an incredible These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For. The band are playing loads of festivals across the summer - go and see them if you can, or ensure you grab a ticket for their next Glasgow show.
Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 are unique, brilliant, uplifting, fun, brilliant musicians and very friendly and genuine people.
Earlier on this week I had the pleasure of spending some time in the company of the 2 front men from Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 - a band who have snowballed in the last few years, winning friends and fans wherever and whenever they play, selling out the Barrowland Ballroom and the ABC - unsigned and self managed.
John McMustard (McAlinden) and David Blair have had a ball and their good vibes and fun times have transferred to their audience. People dance, people smile, people have a great time and leave wanting to tell others to go and see them next time they play.
The band have just released the single Cross The Road b/w Freedom for the Children digitally (8th May) and on ltd yellow 7-inch vinyl via their website and Love Music in Glasgow.
They then play the Academy on Saturday 13th May with support from friends Dead Man Fall and Esperanza. It's been an amazing journey for them - get along to see them if you can, it will be amazing.
Check out this special podcast with tunes from Colonel Mustard themselves, 2 of their favourite bands from in and around Glasgow and an all-time fave in the shape of Primal Scream.
It's a fascinating discussion taking in all night acoustic jam sessions in disused mental hospitals, nursery rhymes, hymns, Screamadelica, Primal Scream's rider, festivals, South Korea, going from pubs to the Academy, running a 13 piece band, the yellow movement, Eddy Grant I Don't Wanna Dance and Adam Ant's Prince Charming, the 6th Dijon, writing with a 4-year old, the second album, dreams of playing the Hydro and much, much more....
Cross The Road - Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 Bang The Drum - Dead Man Fall Movin' On Up - Primal Scream Freedom for the Children - Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 Galactic Radio - The Mickey 9's
To celebrate 10-years of Everything Flows Glasgow I will be publishing a series of blogs - 10 bands, 10 albums, 10 songs, 10 shows....
We'll start with 10 bands on the DIY/unsigned scene that I fell for; read on for memories, videos and music. A further blog will follow in the near future with links to loads of old blogs on DIY bands on the scene over the last 10-years.
Who are/were they?
My sister Carla's (keys, synths and vocals) first band with Edinburgh Art School buddies Sita (vocals), Harry (guitar, vocals, effects and beats) and Cecilia (Ceal) (bass and vocals) in their final line-up. Additional help from Dan on trumpet, Luke on bass (before Ceal joined) and Adam on shouty vocals at first. What do/did they sound like?
I have a clipping of Malcolm Jack writing in The Metro describing them as a bunch of kids who had stumbled across Fisher Price instruments whilst overdosing on Sunny D - or words to that effect. Most of the songs were recorded in bedrooms/living rooms in Edinburgh/Glasgow. It was MySpace/laptop/DIY fun. The tender Isn't It Lovely remains a favourite, while the riotous pop of Jenna still brings a smile to my face. Why did I fall for them?
Infectious pop music that I found myself singing after 1 or 2 listens. What do I remember?
Packed shows at 13th Note, Captain's Rest, The Wee Red Bar, self releasing EP's, an incredible show at Mono with Martin Creed and Samba Ya Bamba and my all-time favourite show was at the Hidden Lane Festival in front of La Chunky in glorious sunshine.
In 2017
Carla leads TeenCanteen and Sita plays bass. Carla also has her Ette solo/collaborative project - both are doing well after albums released in 2016. TeenCanteen have an EP out in April and Carla is also going to to the prestigious Banff Arts Centre in Canada on a songwriting workshop. Ceal has guested with Errors, Adam makes videos and the rest are all doing other things.
2. Sonny Marvello
Who are/were they?
A 5-piece from Castlemilk fronted by Stephen Farrell with Mick Caldwell on lead guitar, Craig Douglas on bass, Mike Walker on keys and Michael Bryans on drums. What do/did they sound like?
Very influenced by The Beatles with a nod to Blur, Bowie and Queen. Lots of classics. Superb players.
Why did I fall for them?
I stumbled across them at a charity aftershow in Sloans ballroom. They looked amazing in old blazers, suits, hats....they romped through songs like Easy Girls, My Lover and played a blistering song called We're All Cruel that seemed to good to be true with a closing section that stopped me in my tracks. I asked their bass player Craig their name and if they had a manager. Then woke up and I could't remember their name! Fast forward a few months and I found them again and managed them through; selling out Stereo, putting out a 7-inch, organising our own festival at a youth hostel, being ahead of the game and crowdfunding through the 100 club, lots of Sailor Jerry's and some incredible songs. Great, great people and I still play football with Craig and Mike every Wednesday. Incredibly talented musicians and Stephen still has songs and melodies pouring out of him.
What do I remember?
Everything - it was a rollercoaster ride. They'd been f**ked about a bit and I remember Stephen going up to a certain Glaswegian producer and telling him he was a c**t to his face. This was on the second time I had met Stephen! I thought this was great - punk. Prior to meeting them they had run secret shows, been to NYC and were generally playing to no-ones rules but their own. The 100 club mini-album was a highlight, pulling that off along with organising our own festival on the banks of Loch Lomond was quite a feat. They were not interested in any scenes, they just wanted to create music. Photo shoots, videos, a crazy night at Pin Ups.....just great, great times.
In 2017
Sonny Marvello are over, they brought out an incredible album under the guise of Flash Talk and then changed back. Sparks To Fire is a gem, recorded with the producer who is now gaining recognition under the guise of KVASIR. Ultimate Toppers is a collection of demos and the 100 club album is an acoustic album recorded in a day that contains the beautiful Fire Went Out. Stephen now records under the guise of Stephen solo and released an incredible album Pii via Last Night From Glasgow in 2016 on a USB credit card that he recorded on an iPhone! Craig is beginning to demo some recordings and I hope Mick returns to playing guitar as he remains the best guitarist I have seen in Glasgow.
Who are/were they?
Producer, songwriter Julian Corrie is Miaoux Miaoux. Julian played solo for a number of years before adding a couple of friends to his live line-up.
What do/did they sound like?
Glorious, inventive electronic pop.
Why did I fall for them?
See above! I caught posters around town for the Blooms EP and show at the 13th Note. I attended and was blown away. Julian's has an incredible ability to take the listener on a journey, to allow him and them to get lost in riffs, grooves and beats. Snow from the aforementioned EP has such a beautiful, dreamy and flowing guitar riff, I loved to watch Julian play this live. The early live shows would see Julian bound between keyboards, synths and all kinds of gadgets with his plectrum in his mouth, sing like no-one else I had seen before or since in Glasgow - like a choir boy in rave - and then go all My Bloody Valentine on guitar. It was special.
What do I remember?
I remember of picking Julian up from Glasgow Airport and driving like a maniac to get to the Wickerman Festival. I think he had been recording with friends in Sweden and his flight was late and some of his equipment hadn't turned up! A few phone calls to friends at Wickerman ensured he had enough to perform. We literally arrived at the festival and Julian was on in 10-minutes. Shortly after that he played a rave in a backstage caravan for Detour. I got rather excited and sprayed beer and you can hear Julian shout my name in the video - sorry Julian!
And I remember just feeling kind of blessed to be close to such a talent and to try and help him. Julian had a little studio in the Hidden Lane at the time and I was working at Charing Cross, so I would pop by and listen to what he had been up to. He had a white board up with the working album title Arcs of Brilliance (which would go on to be Light of the North) and song titles. He played me the bones of Stop The Clocks, this gentle acoustic riff and hushed vocals. I sat amazed as it morphed into huge pulsating riffs, beats and white noise. It is my favourite Miaoux Miaoux song - simply stunning.
In 2017
Miaoux Miaoux has released 2 albums via Chemikal Underground and remixed the likes of Chvrches, Belle and Sebastian and Arab Strap. Could be some interesting news coming from him in the near future.
4. Nevada Base
Who are/were they?
Albert, Calum, Gus, Andy and James
What do/did they sound like?
Like 4 guys from Glasgow stumbling into a New York loft apartment party hosted by James Murphy and picking up his instruments to see what they could create.
Why did I fall for them?
They were different. Albert (singer and guitar) was super cool and had a huge afro, their songs were mature beyond the bands tender years. People danced! I mean really danced. I put them on at 13th Note before I managed them and they absolutely blew me (and everyone else) away. Free CD's were handed out at shows, they had a clear vision of what they wanted to do.
What do I remember?
Dancing and getting lost in the music. A Tenement Trail show in a basement bar was a real highlight when everything all seemed to just come together at once. A little frustration at not getting a string of singles/EP's or an album or two out. Things just didn't work out as I hoped or planned in that sense - I'm sure the band would say the same. But great memories, a Tenement Trail show in a basement bar was a real highlight - again....people danced.
In 2017
Watch this space - likely to be announcing a new band at some point.
Who are/were they?
Stevie (vocals and guitar), Barry (guitar), Gordon (bass), Gorman (keys), Al (drums) and joined by Chris (sax) on various occasions
What do/did they sound like?
Kids from Wishaw who discovered Simple Minds Greatest Hits, a bit of Springsteen and The Killers debut album all at once. Big on ambition, songs, choruses and attitude. They didn't just want to dream about it, they wanted the taste, feel and sensation.
Why did I fall for them?
They had something, they really had something, they worked their socks off, were good fun and had a pile of great songs. Songs like Forever and Believe should have been huge all across the land. Stevie Jukes was charming, positive and aiming for the stars. There wasn't anyone else like them and they took a whole heap of people along for the ride. Live shows became a celebration and a giant sing song.
I fell so hard that I started co-managing the band with Stevie and had a great time dreaming and scheming with him and the band. And anyone would fall for Gordon Phipps if they spent a night out with him. What a gem of a guy.
What do I remember?
Glowsticks at Sleazys, selling out 2-nights at Tut's, T in the Park, London, Jager Bombs, the mess of Gorman's studio, the Arches, Wickerman, the ABC, supporting The View at the Academy, The Fratellis at the Barrowland....daily phone calls with Stevie, the EP's, promises of tattoo's if they got a deal....it was quite a ride. Good, good times and I really thought they were going to go all the way.
In 2017
Stevie and Al are doing really well as Saint PHNX and may well make the step that the Vigo's so narrowly failed to make. Vigo Thieves have released an album that you can check below and have confirmed a show at King Tut's on 23rd December. Tickets HERE
Who were/are they?
James Barker formerly of Juno! on vocals and guitar, with his friend and brother-in-law Mark on bass and a variety of drummers. Ace City Racers were all art pop.
What did/do they sound like?
They were/are very influenced by Modern Life Is Rubbish era Blur. They had some promise and asked me to help out. At the time I was managing a few bands and said that while I couldn't manage them I would help out. We sent some demos to Blur producer Stephen Street and to our amazement he said he would love to work with the band!
First single Waiting was produced by Stephen Street and released via Fred Perry. There were some cracking early shows but the momentum never really got going. Stephen Street isn't cheap!
Why did I fall for them?
I have known James for a while, so our friendship helped. The fact that he was so passionate and hard working was also infectious. James is a HUGE music fan and worked hard on songs and with contacts to try and get things going for the band. Mark is one of the most positive people I have ever met and someone I could totally imagine being an indie pop star. Like a lot of the bands I love and all the bands on here, it was the people as well as the music that I fell for.
What do I remember?
My close links with Ace City Racers were all over in a bit of a Blur (pardon the pun). They played some good shows, got some good press but (no offence to James or Mark) possibly peaked a little too early with the Stephen Street and Fred Perry single. So I remember how buzzed James was to be working with a real hero of is, how excited I was that Stephen Street might introduce them to people and how much effort James put into the band.
In 2017?
James is still in Ace City Racers and has a couple of little side projects on the go. I would never bet against James coming up with something incredible.
7. Seventeenth Century
Who are/were they?
Mark Brendan Farmer, Ryan Jospeh Burns, Andrew Arthur Truscott, Michael Wilson Truscott, Nicholas John Grant
What do/did they sound like?
Mark Brendan Farmer possessed a truly unique and powerful voice, the sight and sound of him in full flight was mesmerising to watch and listen to. He combined this with an outrageous haircut and also played violin with such ferocity that he would sometimes rip his bow to shreds.
Backed by friends that played trumpet, drums, bass and guitar (among other things), Seventeenth Century created a sound that was all their own. Mark's melodies were sometimes as unique as his voice and the band really did create a special sound and feeling when they were on top of their game.
Why did I fall for them?
I returned from travelling around the world in June 2008 and was walking down Sauchiehall Street when I hears this great song being played. Outside Marks and Spencers was group of young lads that looked like they were a real band/gang. It turned out to be a cover version of Beruit's Postcard's From Italy and upon making a donation and asking their name I found out that they were playing Bar Brel that very night. So my wife (fiance at the time) went along and immediately fell for them for all the reasons mentioned above. Turns out that they were all super nice guys as well.
What do I remember?
I followed Seventeenth Century very closely and caught them live on many occasions and in many settings; ranging from Rock Ness to many a basement bar in Glasgow. Many fellow bloggers and people associated with the music scene thought they had everything to take things forwards and get a record deal. I'm not really sure what happened, they seemed to fizzle out a little bit which was a real shame. Traffic (video above) is one of my favourite songs that a young Glasgow band have released.
In 2017
Ryan is still playing and releasing music, I bump into Mark now and again around town, but it seems that the band are over. Would love to hear Mark singing again.
Who are/were they?
Tino (vocals and guitar), Sean (vocals and guitar), Mark (vocals and bass) and Michael (drums)
What do/did they sound like?
A punk pop Clash that each take 4 sugars in their tea. Super charged power melodies.
Why did I fall for them?
Songs, charm and beers. I was invited to their 2nd ever show and to motivate me I was promised 4 vouchers for beer! I get a lot of requests for reviews but I had never been motivated by beers! I wouldn't have gone if I didn't like the band though - I liked their name and the brilliant video they had shot for Rock N Roll Is Dead from their first ever show in the basement of Blackfriars that they charged a mere £1 for people to get into. I also liked the friendly but confident tone of their short email.
I went to the show, had my beers, met the band and was blown away by their performance. They had a briliant set of punk pop tunes, full of hooks and melodies. Their on stage presence was excellent, they bounced off each other, they could play and they looked brilliant.
What do I remember?
I caught the band a few times and met bass player Mark. I thought they were going to get signed, they went on a long European tour with The View, supported The Charlatans at Delamere Forest and were doing all the right things in all the right places. They all shared a flat like The Beatles in Help!
In 2017
Sean is studying in Aberdeen, Tino and Michael are in The Bar Dogs who are doing quite well and Mark has released a solo album under the guise Mark W Georgsson which is leading the way for my album of 2017.
Who are/were they?
Joe Kane and Stu Kidd; multi-instrumentalists, incredible musicians and very talented guys What do/did they sound like?
Psychedelic pop kids. Capable of moments of sublime guitar pop, dreamy psychedelic genius and the odd barking mad fun track.
They described themselves as; Disappointing Todd Rundgren gigs, Tascam 4 track cassette recorders, animal oddities, The Monkees, cider, children's TV shows from the 80's and sci-fi movies (good and bad) are all the ingredients to the sounds of Dr Cosmos Tape Lab. Why did I fall for them?
Within a week 3 people I know had asked me if I had heard them. I loved their name and when I heard The Secret Of The Tibetean Grapefruit I knew that I would love the band. The second side of their debut album is incredible and it was recorded on a Tascam 4-track studio! Return to Nineteen Canteen is pure Macca.
The follow up album Beyond The Silver Sea was my album of the year in 2015. A concept album with spoken word tales of surreal escapism (to Camden in 1966 via a time machine) and thoughts in between some incredible songs. You can read my review of the album HERE and listen and buy HERE What do I remember?
I never caught them live! They didn't play much but when they did I always seemed to be away with work or have something on I couldn't change!
So I remember the band for their vision, for being so different and for producing exceptional music.
In 2017
Joe and Stu remain incredibly active across the Glasgow and Scottish scene (and beyond). Joe plays in and produced the Ette album, has produced and mastered for a number of other acts and continues to write regularly. Stu has released his own album and is heavily involved with the forthcoming BMX Bandits album. Hopefully we'll get another Dr Como's album.
Who are/were they?
The Colonel John McMustard and his dancing friend David Blair (the Djancer) have let their imagination run wild to create an epic band that can include up to 20 members - conjuring up a euphoric and fun mix of music that is guaranteed to make you smile and dance.
Their vision, work ethic and exceptional live shows/performances have led to them being a must see act at festivals throughout the UK and beyond; selling out the ABC and the Barrowland in Glasgow.
What do/did they sound like?
In their own words (and I agree);
Imagine Primal Scream and Happy Mondays had children genetically fused with the DNA of Frank Zappa, Bob Marley, James Brown and Neil Diamond. Our live shows have included crowdsailing in rubber dinghies, crowdsurfing on inflatable alligators, laughter yoga, hig-offs, dance-offs in a giant hay bird nest, singalongs about dancing in gay discos and being heartbroken by ginger people, line dancing and high 5ing to the beats. Always expect the unexpected when The Dijon 5 come to town!
Why did I fall for them?
I missed them for ages. The and and their fans were everywhere at Wickerman a few years ago and I missed them! Everyone said they were the band of the weekend.
They brought out These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For and I was hooked. Cracking video, brilliant song, funny and making a point.
Then I finally saw them live and it all made sense. They are just full of the joys of life and have a lot of love to give and they
What do I remember?
Being blown away by the feel good atmosphere they created at Electric Fields last summer. And I saw them hanging around the VIP area at T in the Park just looking like they were taking it over. The Yellow Movement is growing all the time. Anyone that sees this band will become a fan. Lovely guys as well - I hope to be bringing back podcasts in the near future and David Blair is top of my list for an interview.
In 2017
They are playing all kinds of festivals this summer and I expect another big end of year show. Colourful, imaginative and innovative - great fun.
