Fools Creation launch at Mono

Fool Creations sell-out launch - photo by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Fool Creations is a new events and promotions company set up in Glasgow, with a focus championing music and art, merging legends with rising stars. Fool Creations is run and led by young Adam Graham, who I mentioned in a January blog where I introduced his band Supersun. 

Graham has an infectious energy and a desire to make things happen. Good qualities for an event organiser and every band needs someone with that kind of drive. His Cabbage nights at The Doublet are selling out in 10-minutes and I was delighted for Adam that his launch night for Fool Creations at Mono was a sell out. Thank you to the photographers for their wonderful photos.

The step up from The Doublet to Mono is significant. From 45 to 300! Adam put together an excellent 3 band bill - The Cords, BMX Bandits (acoustic) and Supersun, also choosing super cool DJ Holly Calder to spin records before, in between and after the bands.

Supersun by Div Barrett (@div_barrett)

Supersun's debut gig at The Doublet left a very positive impression, so much that I've been checking in on their Instagram page to see what they have been up to. The band were recently down in London recording demos (in Jack's studio), which, Adam highlighted to me in a chat, have turned out to be better than demos. I look forward to hearing them. 

While their Doublet show was a stripped back affair to suit the venue, last night saw the addition of a drummer and their sound flourished with that back beat and the larger PA that Mono offers. Their sound? Two chiming and jangling 12-string guitars, effortless and gorgeous family harmonies from Adam, brother Jack and sister Julia (also playing some great keys and string effects), cool bass lines from cousin Chris (definitely some McCartney-esque stuff in there) and cool beats by Harvey Haldane to back them up.

Supersun by Div Barrett (@div_barrett)

I mentioned a couple of Liverpool bands in my January blog on Supersun, and the pop and psychedelic qualities of Shack, The Coral and Cast came to mind again at Mono. Interestingly, while speaking to friends at the show, they felt the same. I look forward to seeing them again.

 Citrus Sun sounds like a natural single, while I'm a pure sucker for a song called Shine On. All of their songs are full of melodies and harmonies. The two 12-string guitars sound heavenly together.

Supersun setlist - Forever, Cream Tangerine, Citrus Sun, Go Up, Shine On, Boy and a Girl, Coco's Song.

Keep an eye on their Instagram as they might be releasing their London recordings in the next month or so.

Photo by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Duglas T Stewart is looking well. Accompanied by a guitarist (Rory), this was a super stripped back BMX Bandits set, although Duglas was quick to assure us that they would be playing full band sets later this year. 

Whether with a full band, or stripped to the bones, Stewart's charm and his ear for melody shine. Whether thanking someone for a funky and cosy pair of knitted slippers, or introducing each song with a little story, Duglas' love for music and people brings a warm glow wherever he goes.

Duglas T Stewart by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Bandits classics like The Sailor's Songs and Serious Drugs were welcomed by the crowd, however their song Foggy was possibly my favourite in their set on the night. Hopefully this stays in their set for full band shows. I'll be catching Duglas again very soon at their FRETS show with Jonny (Norman & Euros).

Could it really be

There'll never be a we

And I'm just kidding, myself on?

The Cords have had an incredible couple of years that led to the release of their eponymous debut album in September 2025. After a run of February shows with Fatale, they then head out on tour with The Charlatans in April. A great support slot and a huge opportunity to win new fans.

The Cords by Mours (@visualsbymours)

Eva and Grace have a natural feel for music; Eva's voice is super melodic and pure, her guitar playing is pop punk - three, four or maybe five chords, finding rhythm and riffs almost by instinct. Grace's drums can be primal at times, while there are plenty of colourful rolls at others to fill out the sound. Last night was the best I have heard Grace on drums.

With loads of songs under 3-minutes long (many hovering around the 2-minute mark), The Cords can fairly zip through a set. October is actually under 2-minutes in length, and the sisters might have raced through it in record time. The thrashy 3 chord punk guitar has a lovely innocent freshness to it. 

I'm Not Sad has a beautiful vocal melody through the verses, the chorus (at first) is simple and catchy ba, ba, ba, ba's and finally the title is sung a few times towards the end. Glorious.

I think I tried

But the time went by

And I, won't remember a thing

Well done to Adam for launching Fool Creations with such a busy, buzzy and brilliant night.

The next Fool Creations night is a Vinyl Party at The Rum Shack on Friday 27th March. Spinning records are Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Holly Calder, The Cords and Adam will also be DJ-ing. TICKETS

And hot off the press, their next night at Mono has Lung Leg, with support from Homework and Angel Face. TICKETS

The Cords at Fool Creation, Mono, by Mours (@visualsbymours)

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 

Do Your Thing

Cover version of the month #98
BMX Bandits (with The Wellgreen) and Lighships cover Moondog

I had never heard of Moondog until 2022 when I caught Gerard Love playing a string of Autumn shows in and around Glasgow. Gerry introduced a cover of Do Your Thing which had had a slow, dreamy, flowing and gorgeous melody that melted hearts. It seemed to have been written for him!

I found out that Gerry released a version on the b-side to Lightships Sweetness In Her Spark single in 2012. I later learned (quite recently) that BMX Bandits had recorded a version back in 2009 with friends Marco Rea and Stu Kidd (The Wellgreen) that came out on YouTube in 2012.

Moondog's original sets his beautiful melody over some stunning piano and he delivers solid advice for just over 3-minutes over 2 verses, including;

Do your best

And opportunity will do the rest

Don't give in

Capitulation is the greatest sin

And in the second verse;

Learn to wait

And while you're waiting, learn to concentrate

Moondog's voice, melody and words feel and sound effortless. Almost like a hushed and dreamy nursery rhyme. The piano is delightfully playful and I'm guessing that (like me) you'll play this song a few times in a row. 

BMX Bandits with The Wellgreen recorded a loving cover back in 2009 (see below for an interview with Duglas T Stewart) when they had a couple of spare hours in the studio. Duglas, backed by the talent of Marco Rea and Stu Kidd, remain pretty true to the original. The fact that the trio had limited time helps create a very organic feeling, the little keyboard solo sounds beautifully lofi and pure. Stewart's voice works so well with Rea and Kidd doing backing vocals and harmonies. Kidd's military style drumming is a delight and the fact that both Stuart and Marco are exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalists means that a couple of studio hours can be extremely productive. You can hear the love for the song in this recording. I'd been planning a blog on Do Your Thing for some time, but only discovered the BMX Bandits version very recently.

Photo by Mark Gilles

Do Your Thing is already pretty dreamy, but on the Lightships cover, Love and co add a psychedelic sleeping pill to slow it down and stretch it to 5 minutes 35 seconds, replacing the piano with gentle xylophone, guitar, brush strokes on the drums. The melody really suits Gerry's voice and style. This is pure gorgeousness, beautifully hypnotic, you can get lost in the music. If the original is a dreamy nursery rhyme, Lightships version is a psychedelic lullaby. Close your eyes and drift away. The last two minutes are exquisite.

Moondog original 1978 version

BMX Bandits (featuring The Wellgreen) version 

Lightships version

The Moondog original and Lightships cover version are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below an interview with Duglas T Stewart. Search for the title or CLICK HERE

You can download the BMX Bandits version from Bandcamp

Thanks to Duglas for answering a few questions about Moondog and creating a playlist.

1. How did you discover Moondog? Did someone introduce you to his music, or did you stumble across it yourself? 

I discovered Moondog's in Japan in the early 1990s while in Tokyo with BMX Bandits. My girlfriend at the time, later my wife, Midori introduced me to lots of incredible music and she recommended that I should buy a CD that featured two of his albums, Moondog (1969) and Moondog 2 (1979). 

John Hogarty, who was playing guitar with us at that time also bought a copy. I had never heard anything like his music before. The rhythmic patterns with so quirky and brilliant. Some of it was like jazz, some of it was more like orchestral soundtrack music and then there were almost nursery rhyme like vocal rounds and songs with simple truths at the heart of them sung by Moondog and his daughter. Although I am making some comparisons there it still felt totally unique. It sounded as though it was created by an original thinker. 

2. What attracted you to cover 'Do Your Thing'? How important were The Wellgreen to the recording?

We recorded our version of Do Your Thing in just a couple of hours on June 1st 2009. I had thought for a long time that I could imagine it as a BMX Bandits track. The melody sounded like it would suit BMX bandits and I had an idea of how I wanted to approach it, a bit like a School House Rock song meets BMX Bandits (School House Rock was an American educational animated series that featured cool songs with an educational twist. Two of the most famous examples are 3 is the Magic Number and Unpack Your Adjectives). 

Marco & Stu from back in the day.

I was at Marco Rea from the Wellgreen's studio with Stuart Kidd, who was the other half of The Wellgreen at that time, and Brian McEwan, who was one of BMX Bandits then. We were recording another song for a tribute album that was never released. I suggested since we had recorded the other track so quickly that we should have a go at Do Your Thing. I explained my concept for it and I really wanted to utilise the magical vocal blend Marco and Stuart have together. 

The original Wellgreen vocal blend and Stuart and Marco's incredible ability to work really quickly and instinctively was key to how the track turned out.

3. Are there any other songs by Moondog that you are fond of?

Moondog is a major musical figure for me and for a number of my musician friends. Bill Wells is a major Moondog fan and was meant to be collaborating with Moondog and then sadly Moondog died before it could happen. Norman from Teenage Fanclub is a fan and recorded a version of another Moondog Song (My Tiny Butterfly) with Bill Wells. The first V-Twin single, a collaboration with Bill Wells, used a sample of a Moondog rhythm as its backbone. David Scott of The Pearlfishers is also a major fan. 

David and I organised a tribute concert to Moondog featuring a set of versions of some of our favourite pieces written by him. I think The Trashcan Sinatras have covered a Moondog song in the past and Gerry Love's band Lightships also recorded a version of Do Your Thing. Gerry took the song in quite a different direction from us and it is really effective, testament to the strength of the original song. The Pastels are also Moondog fans. 

I helped put together a reissue of an album that Moondog made in 1957 with Julie Andrews. He is a unique musical figure. He was blind and lived and performed on the streets of New York dressed like a Viking playing music on his own home made instruments but found an audience for his unique music and in later life he moved to Europe. I am going to make a playlist of some of my favourite Moondog music to go along with this piece.

A taster of Moondog for your ears - by Duglas T Stewart

4. BMX Bandits have covered a number of songs over the years. Do any (apart from this one) stand out for you?

There's too many to mention but one of my personal favourites is a cover version of a song by a Hong Kong duo My Little Airport called You Don't Wanna Be My Girlfriend, Phoebe. It is such an incredible song, our version's arrangement/ instrumentation is very different from the original. It was recorded by Stuart Kidd, James McEwan and me, again  very quickly and it was also recorded in 2009. I'd like to play it live sometime. 

5. My own favourite cover version is probably Richie Havens cover of Lamont Doziers Going Back To My Roots. Could you choose a favourite (or a few if you can't narrow it down)? 

The obvious choice for me is one that you have featured on here, Harpers Bizarre's version of Jim Pepper's song Witchi Tai To (Duglas kindly answered some questions on this incredible song HERE) but I will give you another one, which is an album of cover versions by Laura Nyro and LaBelle called Gonna Take a Miracle. I know that your sister also loves that album. I think I recommended it to her. When I first saw the tracklisting of the album I thought it was crazy. It features all of these versions of classic songs that I thought had untouchable original versions . I couldn't understand anyone having the audacity to cover these classics but I decided to buy it because I was curious as well as outraged. When I listened I couldn't believe what I was hearing, it is so incredible, so life affirming from start to finish and it remains one of my ultimate favourite albums to this day.

6. Lastly, if you could choose someone to cover one of your songs, who would it be, why and what song would you like them to sing and play?

My favourite new artist to emerge this Century is a singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and arranging talent called Sofie Royer. Please check out her incredible album Harlequin if you don't already know it. Well, of course I would love for her to cover one of my songs and I would be delighted for her to make her own choice of any of my songs that I have written or co-written. That would be such a thrill but she has enough great songs of her own so that's just an idle dream. 

I love recording and playing live cover versions of songs that I love by other artists because I am a fan and also it's a great way to learn new ways of doing things that you can bring to your own music in the future.

UPDATE - on Friday 21st June Duglas watched The Cords and said; "The Cords were fantastic at the Glasgow launch for Grant McPhee's Postcards from Scotland book. I loved their whole set, which they finished with a beautiful cover of BMX Bandits I Wanna Fall In Love. I had tears in my eyes."

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

The Bellshill Beat TV Show

The Bellshill Beat, presented by Duglas T Stewart - leader of and singer for BMX Bandits, was broadcast back in 1993 when I was a mere 17 years old. It was like the programme had been made specifically for me.

30-years ago I had to rely on the NME and Melody Maker for facts, or word of mouth rumours/stories from guys a little older than me, like David Tough who was in a couple of bands himself.

All of a sudden, there was a TV show and I could hear directly from the bands themselves! BMX Bandits, Teenage Fanclub, Soup Dragons, Superstar, The Pastels and even Thurston Moore from Sonic Youth.

It was always like friends and fellow fans of music ... we all enjoyed working together and listening to music together. Duglas

Duglas talks about ex-members of BMX Bandits going on to great things; Sean and Jim with Soup Dragons, Norman with Teenage Fanclub and Eugene with Eugenius. 

There has been a growth of grassroots honest peoples music. Gordon Lodge, Duglas' old teacher

Norman Blake talks of Bellshill being a dump, but how bonding with friends over music has transferred into bands. Everyone helps each other out.

Joe McAlinden talks movingly about the first time he met Duglas busking in Glasgow city centre over footage of Duglas, Joe & Francis MacDonald playing outside of Frasers in Buchanan Street. The song the trio are playing captivated me instantly. 

And all the pop stars stare at the length of our hair

Woah Kylie's got a crush on us

Got a crush on us (Kylie's got a crush on us)

Backing vocals, harmonies, humour and a song obviously about my own teenage (and mid 40's!) crush - Kylie Minogue. I bought the CD single and 7-inch on release day from Impulse Records in Motherwell where I was on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) after leaving school with no real direction, no idea what I was going to do with my life.

And then The Pastels kick in ...

Name? - Stephen Pastel

Band? The Pastels

Instruments played? Electric guitar, sing. My band, The Pastels formed in the black hole of the early 80's. 

Stephen goes on to talk about the importance of being independent, forming a label to release records by BMX Bandits, The Vaselines, Beat Happening and The Boy Hairdressers.

Any good form of music must have a naivety about it. It's so important that whenever you plug in your guitar, you believe anything is possible. Stephen Pastel

I adore the video of The Pastels playing the perfect guitar pop of Thank You For Being You looking incredible. Stephen's messy bowl cut playing his guitar while stomping on a Bros 7-inch, Aggie in her oversize Sonic Youth hat looking super cool on bass and Katrina looking incredibly fresh faced (she still does!) on drums, just playing music they believe in. No fuss, all heart.

Eugene Kelly talks of all his bands and how Stephen Pastel named The Vaselines.  Eugene talks movingly about his post Vaselines world and watching Teenage Fanclub playing in Glasgow. They inspired him to form Captain America for fun, but he kept it going, releasing 2 EP's including Flame On. Marvel Comics threatened to sue them because they were using the name Captain America, so they became the brilliantly named Eugenius. 

There is brilliant video footage of Sonic Youth before Thurston Moore comes in and talks his love of Scottish groups over a brilliant Pastels video of them playing in a garage singing she looked real cute in her pink spacesuit over a Velvets style drone and beat. Check the full video here or below.

All of a sudden these bands were coming to life for me. Hearing them talk about forming, making and releasing records, playing in America, getting reviews ... they all sounded just so ... natural and normal. Like they can't believe people are interested in them.

Norman talks of What You Do To Me reaching number 31 and the band were due to play Top Of The Pops but were bumped for the new Michael Jackson video. 

Eugene talks of touring with Nirvana, next thing Kurt Cobain is on the cover of the NME wearing a Captain America t-shirt and everyone wants to know about the band.

Sean Dickson talks of going from his bedroom to playing all over America because Soup Dragons Divine Thing had gone top 40.

Being successful wasn't what fuelled being in a band. Having our name known by even 5 people was as fascinating as it could be for us. That's what we're all about. Sean Dickson from Soup Dragons

I think they just represent intelligent youth culture. Thurston Moore Sonic Youth

It's been so great watching this again. You can too!

WATCH HERE or below

Tim Burgess at FRETS Strathaven Hotel

Pre-lockdown, I really enjoyed heading through to Strathaven Hotel for an intimate performance by Norman Blake and Euros Childs. Jeez, almost 2-years ago! 

The gig was one of the first to be put on by Douglas MacIntyre of FRETS Creative, also of the band Port Sulphur and Creeping Bent record label. A man with many strings to his bow.

You can read or hear about all of them in an interview and podcast that Douglas has previously helped me out with.

Douglas MacIntyre interview

Douglas MacIntyre podcast

Strathaven is a lovely little town and the hotel is stunning. I can highly recommend their pints of Moretti - beautifully chilled and refreshing! I couldn't wait to get back over for another show. Rightly or wrongly, I hadn't quite felt confident enough to go to The Bluebells back at the start of September, but now the plaster is well and truly ripped off and I am thoroughly enjoying being back at gigs. 

Friday night was my 6th in 2-months. Not bad going for someone in their mid-40's with 2 kids. I'd be quite happy to continue the 3 per month ratio!

Tim Burgess, Mark Collins, David Scott, Stuart Kidd & Duglas T Stewart

I was particularly looking forward to Tim Burgess, Norman Blake and Duglas T Stewart playing together. 3 singer-songwriters and band leaders that I have followed and admired for 30-years.

Sadly, as a stark reminder that the pandemic isn't over, Norman had to pull out of the show after testing positive. Duglas kindly updated us to say that Norman is doing well and on the mend.

The FRETS shows do start early and unfortunately we missed the first BMX Bandits song - Duglas with his friends David Scott and Stuart Kidd. But we were in luck, there were a few seats in the 2nd row, so we settled in for the rest of a lovely soulful set.

Duglas was his warm, charming and passionate self. Dedicating the song Jean by Rod McKuan to his late Mum, telling us of how his Dad used to sing it across the kitchen table to the love of his life. 

Duglas spoke about how much this song means to him in a podcast we recorded way back in 2016 that you can check here Other highlights included A Missing Front Tooth from the recently released My Chain album was a melodic delight, Foggy from the Bee Stings album was beautiful and a pleasant surprise.

After a short interval, David Scott was back on with Stuart Kidd to perform as The Pearlfishers. I have to confess to not being incredibly knowledgeable about their back catalogue. Highlights were a couple of songs from their 2007 album Up With The Larks. Guitars and voices entwined, beautiful harmonies and melodies.

Just after 9pm Tim Burgess walked from a side door and up on to the stage. Wearing a long overcoat, plain white t-shirt, faded jeans and classic Reeboks, Tim picked up his guitar and took a seat to a huge ovation.

Highlighting that this was his first ever solo acoustic show, Tim did seem as nervous as he said he was, however he still had the confidence to begin with a brand new song called Here Comes The Weekend. Beautifully melodic, telling the tale of a romance across the seas involving calls and messages, it sounded super cool. 

Watching Tim playing acoustic up close was a real treat. His songs were stripped right back, highlighting how strong his vocal melodies and song structures are. The Charlatans Trouble Understanding got an early outing alongside solo material from 2020 releases. A handful of songs from I Love The New Sky and the beautiful Yours To Be from the Ascent of the Ascended EP. The latter has become a real favourite of mine and I really appreciated seeing and hearing Tim playing it in this way.

I thought I liked you, but I love you

That's how things can go

I may seem distant, but I heard you

Playing on the radio

Tim then shouted for his friend and band mate Mark Collins to come on stage to a large cheer. Mark looking super cool in desert boots, jeans, mod jacket and haircut. 

After playing Different Days and Emilie, Stuart Kidd came back on stage for the 3rd time to add harmonies and percussion on a trio of Charlatans classics. Hearing The Only One I Know stripped back to the bones was remarkable, the way Mark and Stuart played/jammed it was brilliant. The crowd sang along heartily. Then .... we had Then. Another song I didn't anticipate hearing in acoustic form. And it worked.

Photo by Ross Sinclair

North Country Boy was a delight, the melody changed to suit. Tim didn't play Doors of Then or White when I saw him recently at King Tuts, so it was fantastic to hear them.

The laid back friendly nature of FRETS and the evening was highlighted and underlined when Duglas and Davie came back on to the stage to play BMX Bandits seminal Serious Drugs. Duglas and Tim traded verses and I think everyone's heart felt warmer afterwards. 

Tim then sent his love to Norman and said that the best way to do it would be to play a song called Norman .... Norman 3. After a false start, the makeshift band played it superbly, another real heartwarmer with everyone in the room singing the Yeah, I'm in love with you refrain.

Just to turn the feel good atmosphere up a further notch, Tim invited a young boy in the front row up to play keyboards and we were treated to a 1-minute performance of the theme from Halloween. (I think!) It was a lovely moment, as was Tim singing to Douglas' daughter. From our position across the aisle we could see just what it meant to her.

There was more to come. Impossible brought a half dozen people waltzing down the aisle, singing a-long and punching the air, causing smiles in the crowd and onstage. Here Comes A Soul Saver and Just When You're Thinking Things Over caused a few more people to get up and dance at the end. 

Afterwards it was so good to speak to friends I haven't seen for a while. Everyone was basking in the warmth generated by the show.

It's so good to see Tim so busy and buzzing with his solo album and with The Charlatans recent A Head Full Of Ideas boxset/best of. He has the best of both worlds - small, laid back and intimate shows in King Tuts and the Strathaven Hotel and then back in Glasgow in December at the Academy.

Check the FRETS website for future gigs and sign up to their newsletter.

Interview - Douglas MacIntyre - FRETS

In my 5th January blog on things I'm looking forward to in the Scottish Music Scene in 2021, I mentioned the FRETS Creative nights in Strathaven, run by Douglas MacIntyre.

In another world, next month I'd be heading along to Strathaven Hotel to catch 3 musical heroes; Tim Burgess, Norman Blake & Duglas T Stewart playing an intimate seated show. The gig has now been rescheduled to October. Surely we'll be in a position where gigs can go ahead then?

Or will we? Now more than ever we live in an ever changing world, dealing with a pandemic that is mutating and new variants seem to spread more easily. 

What a state the country is in. What a state the world is in. In the UK we have the worst possible people in charge at the worst possible time. Johnson and his Tory cronies are ridiculously out of touch, oblivious to reality, lacking empathy, blundering from week to week.

Marcus Rashford is showing them up on a daily/weekly basis. I admire his non-political stance, he simply focuses on a problem and works to solutions. How I wish politics could be banished to have intelligent and empathetic people, blessed with common sense in charge of sorting the country out.

I hope that Scotland's size works in our favour, that we can get the virus back under control and role out the vaccine. We should be maximising our testing capacity as well. 

Excuse the sidestep into politics. Lets get back to music, lets get back to positivity, to creativity, to bringing people together for a good time.

Lets say thanks to Douglas MacIntyre who runs FRETS Creative and FRETS Concerts. Without people like Douglas, someone bursting with ideas and the skills to bring them to life, life would be a lot duller.

After all, attracting artists of the calibre mentioned above (plus more mentioned below) to Strathaven (lovely as it is) can't be that easy. It's not even that easy to get to!

But that is part of Strathaven's charm. It's a beautiful old village with cobbled streets, a stunning park, cool cafes and independent shops (when restrictions allow), set in the beautiful Lanarkshire countryside. Only 15/20 minutes from Hamilton, 35 minutes from Glasgow, but feeling much further, perhaps due to the lack of a train station, probably just because it is so wonderfully detached, whereas much of Glasgow and Lanarkshire merge into each other.

I decided to ping Douglas a few questions to learn more about FRETS, the challenges he is facing in the current climate and his plans for the future. I'd like to thank him for his answers and wish him and the FRETS team all the very best for the future. I sincerely hope to be making regular trips to Strathaven in the not too distant future. Maybe see you there?

Read on for the interview;

1.      What inspired you to start FRETS?

 I decided to start FRETS as an umbrella organisation to provide an arts outlet for South Lanarkshire. I started doing the FRETS Concerts on 4th October 2019 with Lloyd Cole being the first acoustic show. Lloyd was embarking on a world tour, accompanied with Neil Clark from the Commotions on guitar, it tickled me that Lloyd’s world tour started in Strathaven!

I also set up premises in Strathaven, FRETS Creative, along with local photographer Les Hoggan. FRETS Creative is a space for arts organisations to utilise, and a local organisation, Creative Strathaven, have set up a retail and arts workshop in the space, which has being going great. We also have a creative writing outlet, FRETS Words, which is run by my wife Katy Lironi, who was also singer with Fizzbombs / The Secret Goldfish.  

2.  How important is Strathaven as a base and location?

I was brought up in the Strathaven area, I lived in a nearby village (Glassford) until I was 20 before I moved to Glasgow in 1983. I returned to live in the Strathaven area with my family in 2002, sometimes it takes leaving somewhere to appreciate it. Strathaven does have an interesting music history, with Harry Lauder living in the village, through to Orange Juice recording the first Postcard single, Falling and Laughing, in Strathaven at Emblem Sound studio. I recorded my first single in Emblem Sound when I was 18, my group was called Article 58, our single was produced by Postcard’s Alan Horne and Malcolm Ross and released on Josef K manager Allan Campbell’s label, Rational Records.

3.      How supportive has the community been to your ideas?

 The community in Strathaven has been extremely supportive of all the strands of FRETS, which is something we are hoping to build on. We intend setting up some workshops to engage younger people in Strathaven in the arts, that is one of our primary aims for the future.

The Strathaven Hotel is a stunning venue. Were they surprised at how well your shows performed in terms of ticket sales?

The Strathaven Hotel is a fantastic venue with a great atmosphere, it is perfect for our seated acoustic concerts. When I met the owner for the first time to explain the FRETS Concerts concept, I’m not sure he totally bought into my vision!! However, after the first concert with Lloyd Cole selling out so quickly, he totally got was I was trying to do with FRETS Concerts and has been incredibly accommodating and supportive.

5.      What was the most challenging thing you experienced while trying to get up and running?

In the run up to the first concert with Lloyd Cole, it was really a learning experience for me. In recent years I’ve been in groups like The Nectarine No9, Sexual Objects, The Secret Goldfish, and my own project, Port Sulphur, so I’ve had an understanding how concerts work from an artist’s perspective. However being a promoter is a completely different discipline, and whilst I felt comfortable coming up with the vision and aesthetic of FRETS Concerts, I quickly realised I needed experienced people around me to make the shows work. Wesley Cameron came on board as production manager with David Henderson dealing with sound, both of whom are really amazing to work with.

6.      What has been your highlight so far?

We’ve only been able to do shows with Lloyd Cole, James Grant, Norman Blake and Euros Childs so far, all have been sold out. It has been fantastic working with each of them, the concerts have been great. The initial ethos and idea of FRETS Concerts was based on the early 1970s BBC2 In Concert television shows, especially Neil Young. I guess Norman and Euros was a bit special, Katy and I got married to Norman’s version of Only With You whilst our eldest son Dugald was born at home while Gorky’s albums played on a loop.

How frustrating has life been for you as a promoter over the last year? You had some incredible shows lined up?

It has been incredibly frustrating as a promoter over the past year, starting when we had to postpone The Bluebells in March 2020 days before the concert. FRETS Concerts only promotes monthly at the moment, so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for bigger promoters.

And how difficult is it to plan future shows?

It has been incredibly difficult to plan future shows, it’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle involving artists, managers, agents, and venue availability. I take the view it is important to remain positive and optimistic, live music will return at some point and I think we’ll all appreciate it all the more when it does. 

9.      When do you think live shows will be back and what artists have you pencilled in?

We have some great shows lined up at FRETS; Tim Burgess, Norman Blake & David Scott, Duglas T.Stewart, The Bluebells, The Skinner Songbook, JJ Gilmour, Roddy Woomble, King Creosote, Robyn Hitchcock, Robert Forster, Grant-Lee Phillips, with others in the pipeline. The best way to find out about future acoustic FRETS concerts at the Strathaven Hotel is to go to www.fretscreative.com and scroll down until you come to the BLOG subscription - just leave your email address there and you’ll hear first about future FRETS concerts. We also have the following social media pages

https://www.facebook.com/fretsconcerts

https://twitter.com/FRETSCONCERTS

 Lastly, if you could book any artist for a FRETS show, who would you book and why?

It would have to be Neil Young performing two acoustic sets of my favourite albums, first Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere followed by On The Beach, both in their entirety. Other than that impossible dream, further pipe dreams would include acoustic concerts by Bill Callahan, Bobbie Gentry, Jonathan Richman, Al Green, John Cale, Edwyn Collins & Roddy Frame,… that kinda thing !!

10 from BMX Bandits

Ahead of a Record Store Day re-issue of their C86 album, I thought I would blog on my top 10 favourite BMX Bandits songs. Adding to previous blogs on 10 favourites from;

• The Vaselines
• The Lemonheads
• The Pastels
• Primal Scream

My love for the BMX Bandits goes back to 1991 when I was in 5th year at school. It was a time and age when a crowd of people (myself included) started to get passionately into bands, records, the NME, Melody Maker and mixtapes. What a time to discover bands like the Roses, Charlatans, Fanclub, Nirvana, James and R.E.M.  And there were a few who despite being 15 got into the rave and dance culture that was exploding.

So many (if not all) of the aforementioned bands were quick to highlight their friends and influences. So from Teenage Fanclub I was introduced to the Bandits, The Vaselines and The Pastels. A guy a few years above us was in a local band and he made mix tapes for my friend Grant. So his taste kind of got passed down to a few of us in 5th year.

It's funny how I now know many of the people who are in the bands mentioned above. I still find it weird that they know my name!

BMX Bandits have released some incredible music over the years and I don't think they necessarily receive the credit they deserve. Duglas' songwriting has developed beautifully over the years and he has surrounded himself with loyal friends and brilliant musicians to achieve the sounds in his head.

The last 4 albums; My Chain (2006), Bee Stings (2007), BMX Bandits In Space (2012) and BMX Bandits Forever (2017) - have really seen BMX Bandits flourish. Rachel Allison and Chloe Philip have helped Duglas write for female vocalists, while Stewart has also co-written and worked with with Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, Anton Newcombe, Plectrum and Cineplexx, also (to my great delight) recording Fireworks which was written by my sister.

As much as I love early BMX Bandits, I think this run of albums and the songs included in them is the most interesting period of the bands career. Listening back to My Chain and Bee Stings was a delight, the songs have aged beautifully, I appreciate them more. You just don't know what they will do next.

I have had to leave out early favourites like Kylie's Got A Crush On Us, Little Hands and Gettin' Dirty and more recent songs like Dot To Dot, To A Flame, Take Me To Heaven and I Wanna Fall In Love.

But my top 10 favourite BMX Bandits songs is pretty evenly balanced from across their career, taking in their debut single, b-sides and some of their most recent material.

If you are new to the Bandits you'll discover love, heartbreak, hope and humour in these songs. I hope you find something you enjoy.

Your Class
Oh what a gem of a song from the aforementioned C86 album. The first time I ever heard this was at a live show when it was built around a bass riff, and little else. The vocal melody, lyrics, flow and feel pull the listener in to hear what is going on in Duglas T Stewart's heart and mind.

What you do, what you do

Is breaking my heart in two

But I'll never get too tired of you

Don't say we're through, don't say we're through

The Unforgiven
This song gets me every time. I love the feel of it and it is my favourite vocal from Duglas. I remember speaking to him about the song once and he said he recorded it while he had a cold. I think it was one take and Duglas talked of how he didn't like to record more than two takes, so he kept a natural feel and captured something. I think Duglas and his BMX Bandits captured something very special with this song.

The Sailor's Song
I listened back to this song for the first time in a while as I started writing this blog and found myself listening to it a dozen times over the next day.

Lyrically and melodically brilliant, I also love the way the there is almost an extra line in the verse, in the one noted below, Duglas adds inside and then another line to rhyme with it.

The song ends with the super romantic I could watch you dancing all night

Sometime the medicine don't seem to help

Only your sweet love could bring me back to health

I don't wanna put any pressure you

You could make me feel so good, inside

I want you beside me

You could heal me

Make me feel better

Make me feel better than I did today

You could heal me

Make me feel wanted

Make me feel wanted in a special way

I could watch you dancing all night

Next Girl
The b-side to Kylie's Got A Crush On Us. When I was a teenager I once made a 4-track demo of original songs I had written on side A and cover versions I would perform on side B. This song was included.

I think it's a real perfect guitar pop song. I love the flow and the chorus, especially when it is sung twice in a row, leading to a cracking guitar solo.

Did you ever look back when you'd stopped crying

If you ever said no, would you be lying?

If you ever said so, would you be trying for me?

Witchi Tai To
I try to concentrate on original songs when I write about my top 10 favourites from a band, but I really have to include this cover version that was tucked away on a 4-track CD single.

I have blogged on this song before HERE where you can also find an interview with Duglas.

What more can I say? This is simply stunning. I love when BMX Bandits play it live. You can check a version from their Oran Mor 25th anniversary show HERE

Come Clean
Brilliant guitar pop that builds to the refrain I love you so much inside. I love the lyrics. They are simple, yet clever.

Sometimes you feel so self conscious

And embarrassed by the way that you look

But girl I don't just love your cover

I'm in love with the whole of your book

And It's You
What a gorgeous playful melody, I love when the band just let it flow. It's like a little lullaby.

And it's you

And it's me

It's a complicated story like the best ones can be

Razorblades and Honey
What a dirty groove! Recorded with Anton Newcombe from Brian Jonestown Massacre. I hope Duglas and Anton get together again as this is sensational.

Right now you think you're something

Pretty soon you're gonna be nothing

Serious Drugs
What a stunning song. Sung by Joe McAlinden originally and then Norman Blake on the single, this is the kind of song that led to Stewart being labelled a bedsit Bacharach. Melodic, melancholic, reflective and beautiful with real depth, covering depression with someone longing for love.

I've included the demo version below.

I said I don't think I can take it much longer

She said maybe your tablet should be stronger

Get some serious drugs

E102
The debut single by BMX Bandits is glorious uplifting ramshackle pop.

Check out a live version from the BBC Quay sessions in 2018.

I'm so happy that love has come around for Duglas.

I'm so happy that love has come around

I'm so happy about the girl I've found

I feel like someone's favourite meal

No sweetener, no additives, the flavour is real