Teenage Fanclub at Kelvingrove Bandstand July 2019

pic @thesarahniblock (Insta)

It did, at least to me, feel like the start of a new chapter for Teenage Fanclub last night. It was the bands first hometown show since Gerry Love left the band following the run of Creation Records show at the end of 2018.

After a lengthy world tour the Fanclub were more than road ready to blast out tunes ranging from their debut single to their most recent with the new line-up. And we had a new tune as well, Put My Faith In You sounds like classic Fannies.

Fans of the band found themselves checking every weather forecast going as heavy rain and thunder storms were predicted. There was some torrential rain falling from the Glasgow skies as the doors of the venue opened and I really felt for support act Nile Marr (son of Johnny) and hope he comes back to Glasgow soon. Sadly he didn't play to the crowd he could have as many, including myself, bunkered down in bars near to the Bandstand hoping the rain would pass.

It was fantastic to meet fellow TFC fans in The Doublet in nearby Park Road. The old Fanclub Forum is barely used these days as social media has taken over, but the Fanclub Fanclub Facebook Page is alive and well. The Doublet was packed with fans who had travelled from near and far for the show, including someone from Japan. It takes a special band to generate such devotion.

Fanclub Fanclub pre-show meet up in The Doublet

The rain eased and stopped just before 8pm, so it was time to finish drinks and head through beautiful Kelvingrove Park to the Bandstand. 

There were some hardy souls in ponchos soaked to the skin who highlighted how brilliant Nile Marr was, although he battled against the elements at times. The pre-show DJ, Glasgow's Tam Coyle, blasted out the sunshine pop of The Byrds and the sun even offered a glimpse through the clouds and the trees and in typical no fuss manner Norman was first to walk on stage.

The band played brilliantly, playing with smiles, super tight - but lovingly loose with it. God Knows It's True was a very pleasant surprise second song in and it caused one die hard to get up and pogo and dance down the front and tempting as it was to join him, I bided my time. It sounded glorious as the guitars fizzed and the band played with huge smiles on their faces.

It was interesting to see how the band split up the setlist. Raymond and Norman had more time than we are used to and the band delighted long term fans with the inclusion of the aforementioned GKIT and blast through Catholic Education.

Raymond's Only With You is a favourite of mine and it was rather beautiful last night, coming after the warm guitars of About You which received its usual brilliant response from the crowd.

Alcoholiday brought the masses to the front where they remained for the rest of the show. What a song! We then had a new song by Norman called Put My Faith In You which was full of chiming guitars and Blake's heavenly voice.

Pic by Simon Mason

Raymond McGinley's Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From is like a fine wine, maturing beautifully with every passing year. It sounds even more perfect when enjoyed in the company of 2,000+ fellow fans.

Did I Say is a Norman Blake masterpiece, it flows so beautifully and it was played with added zip and zest last night. The band were in full flow now, Verisimilitude was sublime, I Don't Want Control Of You reached skywards, I'm In Love was a joyful romp, pure guitar pop perfection, McGinley's guitar was stunning.

The band were in great form; McGinley making it look easy as he coaxed all kinds of gorgeous sounds, Blake sounding like an angel, Dave having the time of his life on bass, Francis driving it forwards and Euros providing harmonies at times and looking at home.

Pic by Simon Mason

Raymond provided the most poignant moment of the night with a tender My Uptight Life, the band dropped towards the end as McGinley sung the refrain again and again with fans joining in, it was stunning.

Pic by Simon Mason

The Concept was the sign for even more people to pile down the front to celebrate the band, the song, friendships and the glorious chiming guitars.

The band weren't off for long and played a four song encore; McGinley's I Was Beautiful When I Was Alive veered off into the glorious outro mantra and the band sounded superb, What You Do To Me is 2-minutes of life affirming pop, there was a surprise inclusion of Don't Cry No Tears and Everything Flows to close the show caused people to hug, punch the air and sing the chorus as loudly as possible.

Teenage Fanclub are alive and very, very well. On the evidence of last night they have the bit between their teeth, are enjoying playing live and there are new songs on the horizon.

Everything Is Falling Apart

If it sounds like Teenage Fanclub are feeling their way into new single Everything Is Falling Apart, as they pick out some notes through the first 19- seconds, then you could take into consideration the fact that this is their first single since the departure of Gerard Love.  But don't worry, after a deep intake of Raymond McGinley's breath, they soon hit their stride.

Gerry's departure after the euphoric Creation Years shows at the end of 2018 hit fellow Fanclub fans hard, but it could have been worse, the band could have split completely. Of course I'll miss Gerry and his incredible catalogue of Fanclub songs, but on the bright side the band have continued to reach deep into their catalogue with Norman's songs coming to the fore. And news is filtering through Glasgow that Gerry is writing and recording.

Everything could have fallen apart...

As it is, the band are hard at it, Dave McGowan has switched to bass and good friend Euros Childs has joined on keyboards. The band reconvened post Creation shows to record in Hamburg and have since toured SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand over the last 3-weeks. They now play in Canada and the States and release their first post-Gerry single. Another new song has also been aired on tour and it sounds like the band have the bit between their teeth, buoyed by the outpouring of love and devotion displayed at the Creation Years shows and the demand throughout the world. After a short break they head to Europe and have a series of festivals through the summer including a return to the Kelvingrove Bandstand.

There may be an element of band humour (I hope) coming through with the title and chorus everything is falling apart (from our love), maybe even with the line relax, find love, hold on to the hand of a friend, about Euros coming in? Maybe I am reading far too much into it.

Elsewhere there is urgency and a classic flowing McGinley melody. I noted as the band blitzed their 1990's albums over 3 nights just how personal Raymond's songs are and how many begin with I ..... the only difference with his latest effort is that it takes til the second word, he then declares;

Hey, I feel

I feel something new in my life

I don't know what's real

I've only just opened my eyes

There are the harmonies and guitars that we have all come to know and love from the Fanclub. If the Creation shows told me anything, it is that I've come to appreciate their qualities and personalities even more with every year. And Raymond's qualities really shine through on this welcome new single.

On this evidence Teenage Fanclub are a band that are together, enjoying writing, recording and playing. More please.

Teenage Fanclub at CCA Glasgow

On Monday 22nd May I was supposedly having a day of not checking Facebook. Something (possibly addiction) made me log on. The top story on my news feed had been posted a few minutes earlier by my favourite band - they were playing a Primavera warm up show the following week at the the CCA (Centre for Contemporary Art) in Glasgow, tickets were on sale immediately.

The post only had a few likes and comments at that point, I acted quickly, logging on and buying 3 tickets at £20 each. It was only then (selfish I know) that I shared the information on my own Facebook page, on Twitter and on the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub page.

Things went a little crazy, the CCA website went down, their phonelines were engaged, they were receiving tweets and posts from people desperately trying to get tickets. Thankfully a lot of local Teenage Fanclub Fanclub members I know were successful, but others were not.

On to the show itself.

After dinner and some pre show beers my friends and I wandered into the CCA shortly after 8pm to make sure we caught most of the support band Elephant Stone. I wondered if they were Stone Roses fans. That remains unclear, but they are definitely fans of chiming guitars, grooves and psychedelia - they had one song that involved the lead vocalist swapping his guitar for a sitar and sitting cross legged and getting lost in a sensational groove with his band mates. The 4-piece had enough about them to make me want to check them out further and they generated a great response from the crowd - there was no polite applause here, genuine appreciation and curiosity with many craning to find out how they were creating their sounds and grooves.

Elephant Stone were then hot footing it across town to Mono to play their own headline show. They couldn't thank Teenage Fanclub enough for allowing them to support them on home turf and the Fanclub's generosity certainly won them some new fans. Check one of their tunes below;

On to the Fanclub themselves. They hadn't played live for around a couple of months, so this hastily arranged warm-up show had been booked to scrape off any rust ahead of forthcoming festival appearances. Based on the evidence of last night, there was no real need - they were far from rusty, not that anyone was complaining.

The CCA capacity is only 250, so it was a real thrill to see the band in such an intimate venue and an added bonus that we were right down the front to experience it.

There was no need for fancy lights or any kind of intro, this was Teenage Fanclub plugging in and playing - Blake, Love, McGinley, MacDonald and McGowan; 2 guitars, bass, drums and keys. They sounded absolutely sublime.

Start Again got things off to a flyer, but it was Gerry's Sometimes I Don't Need To Believe In Anything that was an early highlight - being so close to the stage meant that you could see, hear and feel everything and it was Francis' drumming that caught the ear and the eye, he was in simply sensational form, all over his kit and knocking seven shades of sh** out of it. Gerry was laid back, creating bass grooves and painting a picture of an autumn sunset.

Norman was his usual cheerful self, talking of his need for a haircut, jet lag and how this was the bands 76th show since November last year, prompting one die hard next to me to say 'yeah but what about the 5-year gap?' It was all good natured, but hopefully it won't be so long before the band record and tour again. Norman's voice gets better every time I hear it - angelic.

The setlist was largely the one that had been used for the majority of the aformentioned tour dates; new songs from the Here album sat easily alongside bonafide Fanclub classics. Hold On, Thin Air, Darkest Part Of The Night, a rip roaring I'm In Love and I Was Beautiful were the chosen ones from the latest LP.

There was one false start, but apart from that this was a cracking Fanclub set in a relaxed and friendly environment; Norman sang like an angel as always, Gerry was laid back cool, Raymond fired off riffs and solos for fun, it was a delight to watch Francis drum up close and Dave McGowan holds and boosts it all whether on keys or guitar.

Don't Look Back received a great reception, one of Gerry's masterpieces; but then messrs Blake, Love and McGinley have so many. From the power pop of About You, to the euphoric chorus of Ain't That Enough, to the blast of pop brilliance that is Sparky's Dream, the Fanclub ticked all the boxes and more last night.

The Concept was particularly glorious, the second section took me somewhere; the guitars chimed and combined and the bands voices sound sublime, it was glorious.

Star Sign and Everything Flows continued in that vein, the guitars sounded rich and true and even in a tightly packed venue there was room for a few of us to pogo down the front.

Teenage Fanclub are a special band, it was great to see them kick up a storm by announcing a show at short notice in such an intimate venue and a genuine pleasure to see and hear them at such close quarters. Their last show is currently scheduled for 21st July - it would be amazing if they could squeeze in another few summer shows.

Teenage Fanclub at ABC Glasgow

I wasn't going to write a live review on last night's Teenage Fanclub show. After Saturday night at the Barrowland (see previous blog)  I thought it would be largely the same set with just a few changes - kind of like they had been doing for the whole tour. The Fanclub geek in me had kept an eye on the setlist's that fellow fans posted on social media throughout the last two months.Thankfully, I was wrong.

My reward for going 2-nights running (as if there was every any doubt I wouldn't) was a fantastic show. A very confident and relaxed band completely changed the set around, bringing in gems from Songs From Northern Britain; Planets - sheer beauty, Speed Of Light - uplifting and magical, Can't Feel My Soul - Eight Miles High style guitar, and Take The Long Way Round - euphoric. There was also an outing for Radio from Thirteen and it was joyful, the band romped through it.

Photo by Alan Clarke

The Go-Between's cover from Saturday night was replaced with a glorious cover version of He'd Be A Diamond by The Bevis Frond. The Fanclub version, originally found on the b-side of I Don't Want Control Of You, remains true to the original but with just that special dash of Fanclub zip. Blake and Love sung beautifully together.

We were standing two rows from the front and the whole show was just a joy to watch and listen to. Norman was in top form between songs with the recurring joke of 'We've not played this for a while. Oh I shouldn't have said that' becoming funnier as the night went on. The whole band were smiling and at times they seemed moved by the response to the songs.

The closing instrumental section of The Concept with Blake and Love on angelic harmonising duties was particularly special last night. The guitars were warm and loud, the combination with the harmonies sounded sublime.

The band have been working hard to promote their latest album Here and it is a cracker. Songs like The Darkest Part Of The Night, Thin Air and First Sight are up there with the bands best. They fairly sped through the gorgeous I'm In Love last night.

The promotion continues into 2017 with a London date, several European dates and then trips to Japan and Australia already in the calendar. I hope there will be a triumphant return to Glasgow or a Scottish festival in the pipeline.

And although Here is one of my albums of the year, I can't help but dream of some special 20th anniversary shows for Songs From Northern Britain - an album that the band have played more songs from on this tour than any other.

The two Glasgow shows have only strengthened my love and appreciation for this truly special band. And I'm going to see them again on Wednesday thanks to my friend Lorna who got two tickets in the BBC ballot. and also thanks to my very understanding wife!

Photo by Eric Wilson

Teenage Fanclub at Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom

Well that was quite special. Teenage Fanclub, my favourite band, playing on a Saturday night in the world famous Barrowland Ballroom, my favourite venue.

I hadn't been so excited before a gig in years. It felt like everything was gearing up towards a real celebration of the band and their music. It was!

This was highlighted when the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub arranged a meet up in McChuill's on High Street beforehand. Fans from Scotland mixed and mingled with fans from Norway, Sweden, Italy, America, Canada, Slovenia......and even England! There was talk of gigs gone by, of dearly departed fans, of rarities, b-sides, t-shirts, favourite songs, mugs, umbrellas.....and there was plenty of beer. It was a fantastic 3 hours in great company.

Duglas T Stewart from BMX Bandits is in the Fanclub Fanclub and there was a lovely moment when we left McChuill's and a guy came up to Duglas and have him a big hug and thanked him for his music.

On to the Barrowland Ballroom around the corner.

The merriment on offer at McChuill's meant that we missed Spinning Coin as support, something I intend to rectify when I head out to the ABC tonight. So there was just time to stick our jackets in, grab a beer and find a good spot relatively near the front.

The band came on at 9pm sharp to a rapturous roar. There were several classic Barrowland roars throughout the night, greeting songs like long lost friends and almost giving the band a warning not to leave it so long the next time.

The sound was perfect and the band were in top form, as you would expect after 3-months of touring. Raymond's guitar playing was exceptional, Norman was beaming and grinning at all his band mates, the crowd and those in the wings - his voice sounded better than ever, a guy next to me shouted several times that 'Gerry Love has the voice of an angel' and no-one disagreed, Francis' drumming was top drawer and he also added harmonies to several songs, while Dave yet again showcased how integral he has become to the Fanclub.

Picture by Eric Wilson

New songs mixed effortlessly with old classics; Norman's loving Baby Lee ran into Gerry's Thin Air which was full of zippy zest, while Verisimilitude received a glorious ovation. The guitars sounded incredible, Raymond was on fire, Norman and Gerry's voices combined with ease.

The setlist almost speaks for itself, it was one gem after another. As the songs and beers flowed a few people were encouraged into the middle of the front for a bounce and pogo, myself included. Those that did put their arms around strangers shoulders and jumped in time to I Don't Want Control Of You and punched the air in delight to Ain't That Enough. In between there were smiles all round for Norman's traditional glockenspiel turn during Raymon's stunning Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From.

Photo by Solange La Rose

There was another huge Barrowland roar to greet the opening riff of Sparky's Dream and a whole host of people decided to relive their youth by creating a mini mosh pit down the front which was great fun. Smiles all round. Then it was arms aloft for The Concept. 3 guitars chiming and glorious harmonies on stage, a few bum notes in the crowd ;-)

Starsign kick started the encore and my only constructive criticism of the night was that this could have been followed by Raymond's Can't Feel My Soul rather than With You. It brought the pace down a little after more pogo-ing down the front.

Guitars chimed and sounded sublime for a cover of The Go-Betweens Easy Come, Easy Go before the traditional closer of Everything Flows causing mass pogo-ing and another huge Barrowland roar of approval, thanks and recognition. Someone even crowd surfed right at the end!

This was a special show by a special band. I can't really put into words how much I enjoyed the whole day and night with family, friends and my favourite band. They played a blinder and I now have the pleasure of seeing them again tonight!

Fanclub's Fanclub meet up

Teenage Fanclub at Islington Academy

Considering their lack of game/stage time over the last few years, it hasn't taken long for Teenage Fanclub to get ring ready again. Last night, in the beautiful setting of the intimate Islington Assembly Halls, they delivered a blistering set of old faves mixed in with some choice cuts from their new album Here, out on Friday and reviewed HERE.

Start Again got things flowing, Don't Look Back was dropped in early to a great reception, the band were gelling, smiling and having fun....as were the audience.

The setlist was fantastic; Norman, Gerry and Raymond taking it in turns to sing one of their songs like they were almost trying to top trump each other. About You was as glorious as ever, so simple, so pure. I Don't Want Control Of You brought a tear to my eyes as I thought of my daughters back home.

Every day I look at a different face

This feelings getting stronger with every embrace

The new songs held up well, slotting in with ease. Raymond's Hold On and Norman's Darkest Part Of The Night sounded fantastic.

Ain't That Enough generated a huge reception, arms were aloft and the chorus was being bellowed back at the band. It was fantastic to see the band away from home and to witness the response they were receiving from adoring fans. There were people with their kids, it was great to see.

Thin Air and I'm In Love sounded sublime and Raymond's Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From just gets better with each and every passing year. Some of the songs are like warm blankets, comforting and soothing.

Sparky's Dream had an urgency to it while The Concept was glorious. Dave McGowan was behind keys/hammond most of the night but when he came down to join Norman, Gerry and Raymond he helped to create a wonderful 3 pronged guitar sound.

Watching and listening to Norman and Gerry singing together, Raymond stretching and bending notes, listening to the extended harmonious outro, I felt a sense of pride in my favourite band, the boys from Bellshill coming down and smashing London, Everything I love and have loved about Teenage Fanclub was on display and the new songs only deepen the love. 25-years and counting.

ENCORE- I Need Direction, a fast flowing Can't Feel My Soul with Dave taking centre stage as Norman went to play keys and then of course, the incredible Everything Flows.

If you're going to Edinburgh or Manchester this week then you are in for a treat. If you don't have a ticket for the winter tour yet, then get one.

Special thanks to Terje, Ruthy, Denver and team - fellow Teenage Fanclub Fanclub members, for their company and stories. See you at the Barrowland Ballroom and the ABC!

INTERVIEW - Dave McGowan

Imagine being in one of Scotland’s best bands; loads of quality songs, known, loved and appreciated throughout the world, devoted fans.....Imagine being in two of them!!!

Dave McGowan is lucky enough to be in Teenage Fanclub and Belle and Sebastian!

2016 is shaping up to be a big year for both, with Belle and Sebastian celebrating a landmark 20th anniversary and Teenage Fanclub gearing up to release a new album.

Ahead of Belle and Sebastian’s 20th anniversary shows at the Royal Albert Hall (and just after a heap of activity in the West End of Glasgow), I caught up with Dave to ask him a few questions.

What comes across in the interview is that Dave is just as big a fan of the two bands as me and everyone else out there. He is living our dreams.

Read on for details about original copies of Tigermilk being used as frisbees following the launch party!!!@!

EF - Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you from and when did you first get into music, what kind of bands were you into?

Dave - I’ve always lived in Glasgow, loved The Beatles and soul music as a kid. By my teenage years I was lapping up the guitar groups of the time - My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Pavement, Sonic Youth etc (some better than others). I played in a few groups here and there, broadening the musical spectrum as I got older - kids can be such music snobs!

EF - How did you get involved in the Glasgow music scene? Were there any important bands, people or venues?

Dave - Just being a fan really, hardly a week went by when I wasn’t at the Barrowlands or the Mayfair or the Plaza. Oh God, I sound like a Grandad! It’s all a bit hazy.....Where’s my pills?

EF - What instruments do you play? Do you have a preference?

Dave - In Teenage Fanclub I’m mainly on keyboards, with Belle and Sebastian I’m primarily on bass. But both groups usually like to switch instruments a bit on stage depending on the song, so sometimes I’ll end up on accordion or something, wondering ‘how did this happen?’.....

Guitar, bass, keys, accordion.....all round good guy

EF - Who did you start playing with first? How did you get involved? When did you ‘officially’ become a member of each band?

Dave - Teenage Fanclub first, back in 2004 I think. I’m not ‘officially’ a member of either group - I’m the eternal helper-outer....

EF - It’s the 20th anniversary of Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister for Belle and Sebastian. Did these albums leave a mark on you in your younger days? What is it like revisiting them with the band?

Dave - Yes, they did, absolutely - especially Tigermilk. I remember being at the launch party at the old Cava studio. By the time they were halfway through The State I Am In my jaw was on the floor. They were giving away copies of the LP that night - I still have mine. Although I remember some were being used as frisbees outside afterwards. Disrespectful fools!

EF - Are there any songs from that period in Belle and Sebastian’s history that you are particularly fond of or enjoy playing? 

Dave - There are so many....I mean The State I Am In is about as perfect a song as you’ll ever hear. My Wandering Days Are Over is another favourite.... It’s been a real thrill for me rehearsing all these early songs. Some of the deeper cuts like Mary Jo, I Could Be Dreaming, Put The Book On The Shelf...such great songs.

The State I Am In - ‘about as perfect a song as you’ll ever hear’.

EF - The band were pretty prolific in that period, releasing a number of albums and EP’s. As you revisit the songs (although many have never been far away from set lists), what is it that you think makes them so special?

Dave - I think it was just a magical combination of genius songwriting and being something completely different at the time. Remember this was the mid-90’s, everything was in-your-face and brash and laddish and, well, kind of boring....Here was a group playing amazingly accomplished music with pianos and recorders and orchestral flourishes and they didn’t even appear in their own promo shots! Nobody knew who they were! Brilliant!

EF - On to Teenage Fanclub. You have a new album Here coming out and the band seemed geared up to hit the road and go for it. What is the mood like in the camp at present?

Dave - It’s always exciting when there is a new Fanclub album on the way. I guess they always take a while to appear...I think everyone’s looking forward to playing some shows.

EF - As with the Belle’s question; were you a fan of Teenage Fanclub, are there any albums or songs that you were/are particularly fond of?

Dave - Oh totally! I played all their records to death, even The King! (rare and deleted TFC album) Had their posters on my wall, the whole bit. Again, there’s an embarrassment of riches there - Star Sign always puts me right back in the time and place I first heard it, same goes for everything on Bandwagonesque. There are many I love playing; Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From, I Need Direction, Everything Flows, My Uptight Life, Did I Say....I could go on....

EF - How was that incredible set at Kelvingrove Bandstand back in 2014 (the last time I saw the band) for you on stage?

Dave - I had a great time at Kelvingrove, such a fun show. And crucially, it didn’t rain!

EF - Norman, Gerry and Raymond - 3 fantastic songwriters. When of you first get to hear the songs, are hey in demo form or knocked into shape? 

Dave - They don’t tend to do demos these days. We’ll just head into the rehearsal room and kick them around a bit, or in some cases they don’t start taking shape until we’re actually recording them.

EF - Absence makes the heart grow fonder. How do you feel about doing a ‘weekender’ (TFC play the Barrowland Ballroom and the ABC the first weekend in December) in Glasgow at the end of the year? Are all of the band aware of how fond their fans are of them?

Dave - Probably not, they’re very humble...but that’s why we love ‘em, right?!

TOTALLY 

EF - Outside of TFC and the Belle’s you are also a member of Snowgoose. Do you have any other musical activities or releases in the pipeline?

Actually I’m no longer involved with Snowgoose, but they’ve been cracking on without me. I believe they have a new LP finished and ready to go. I’ve heard a couple of snippets, it’s sounding fantastic. Nothing else in the pipeline for me right now, not really had the time....

THANKS DAVE