Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
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This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past & present) and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
Regular features/playlists; Never Ending Mixtape / Cover Version of the Month/ Trust Me.
Twitter - @murrayeaston
Email - murrayeaston {AT} gmail {DOT} com
On Saturday night I put on a wee night at La Chunky Studio in The Hidden Lane, just off Argyle Street in Glasgow. In hip happening Finnieston.
I put 40 tickets on sale and within a couple of social media posts, all were bought in just a few days, even though the line-up was a secret.
There were a couple of changes to the line-up in the weeks leading up to the event and unfortunately a train strike meant a few people couldn't attend, but everything came together on the night.
I first came across La Chunky through my sister Carla's first band Futuristic Retro Champions. They recorded an EP in the studio and also played a very memorable gig outside on a glorious sunshine day for the old Hidden Lane Festival way back in 2010. I've stayed in touch with Ronan, one of the owners and was delighted when he said he'd be up for hosting a small night.
My friend Phil DJ'd before, between and after the live acts, wowing us all early on with an edit of Bowie's Young Americans. The lights were dimmed and friends started to stream in to the back room of La Chunky which had been turned into an intimate venue for the night.
Carla went on first, opening with the beautiful Dreamers On The Run and then the playful Impossible Stuff. I love the feeling of Dreamers On The Run and the line we chased down our fears with a smile, chased bad demons into exile.
Jenna always used to generate a reaction in the Futuristic Retro Champions days and it did again on Saturday night, but in a different way. The tale of friends forgetting worries for nights out sounded beautiful, stripped back to just Carla and her trusty Juno keyboard.
New song Sugar Honey Ice Tea hit a mark. Carla told of how she wrote it after being afraid to walk home alone in the dark and a few people in the crowd told me how the lyrics resonated with them. The demo is on a Fanclub CD that we've been playing in our car and the girls sing along with it as it's super catchy. Thankfully, they don't know that the lyrics have a darker edge. Sadly, one day they will. There is still so much to be done to help make women feel safer when walking alone at night.
Closing with Poster Paints Number 1 ahead of the album being released next week, Carla's voice sounded as crystal clear as I have heard it. I'm so glad Carla could play and open the night.
Then next up was my band Starboard Hazes. I think we just about passed the audition! Raw n fun indie pop. It's been such a rewarding experience to form a band. Initially it was just my friend James and I working on old songs I had written many years ago. Then, after recording an EP, we decided we wanted to play and recruited James' friends Andy on bass and Jamie on drums. We only got together for the first time on 1st September and we immediately gelled.
We played; 1. Out Of My Mind 2. Yeah! 3. Keep On Dreaming 4. Beta Band Blues (with Ronan on trombone) 5. Kicking Our Heels 6. Reflected Sunlight
I think we'd had 6 practice sessions. Maybe just 5. But we played well (a few mistakes but nothing major). We only had one very quick practice with Ronan on trombone for our song Beta Band Blues, but he was great, playing on the balcony section and jamming brilliantly (video below). We loved it and it was nice to receive some positive feedback on the EP and show.
Stephen Farrell AKA Stephen Solo has featured heavily over the course of this blog. With his band Sonny Marvello and then under his solo guise, releasing majestic DIY pop recorded on his iPhone/iPad - in his car, in his bathroom, behind his sofa, under bed sheets ... sublime dreamy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, insane imagination, all kinds of sounds and ideas.
In typical Stephen fashion, he'd spent ages working on backing tracks, beginning with him recording his worries about playing live for the first time since 2019. It broke the ice beautifully. Humour and honesty.
Suddenly Heaven soared with ease, new song Losing It Over You was super catchy and I'd forgotten how good Plastic Heart from the Pii album is. The way Stephen switched from vocal effects to the purity of his voice sounding super dreamy reminded me of Damon Albarn's work with Gorillaz.
Behind Your Eyes was one of the first iPhone recordings that Stephen sent me a number of years ago (must have been 2015) and I urged him to do more. The Albarn reference above was one that first came to me on the beautiful refrain.
Behind your eyes, I'll be waiting
It's so dreamy, you could float away with the melody. The little synth riff in the background is gorgeous. Then you have the crazy but clever verses.
Sonny Marvello's Whispering Song was utterly magical. The way Stephen pulled back from his microphone to sing from the bottom of his heart was spine tingling.
Who are you, who are you to hold me in your arms?
Crying Because, backed only by a blue ukulele was fragile and beautiful, interrupted slightly by someone having a sneezing fit.
And then we had some audience participation for Sonny Marvello's hit that never was - Made of Magic. The super catchy pop had everyone singing the chorus M - A - G - I - C what you're made of, is magic.
It was then time to dance the night away with DJ Phil Redfearn on the decks. Phil immediately kicked off with Come Together by Primal Scream. The Weatherall mix from the classic Screamadelica album. You'll see from the video below that he really got the party started!
We know that music is music, gospel, gospel, gospel
People did come together for live music and to dance. And it was brilliant. The night ended with an encore, after shouts of one more tune, of Phil playing Neneh Cherry's Buffalo Stance followed by everyone getting together to hug in groups to The Beatles All You Need Is Love.
Part 2 of 45 45's packs a lot in, so much so that I only get through 8, rather than 10.
I reminisce about managing a band, funding and releasing a 7-inch, discovering 2nd hand copies of versions of favourite songs I didn't know existed, old record shops, getting a record signed, numbered and coloured vinyl and helping to form a record label and the first release.
Young Folks - Peter, Bjorn and John
Easy Boys - Sonny Marvello
Come Together (Farley mix) - Primal Scream
Nothing But A Heartache - The Flirtations
Can't Get Out Of Bed - The Charlatans
Slight Return - The Bluetones
Free Again - Teenage Fanclub
The Ballad Of The Nearly Man - Mark W Georgsson feat. Katie McArthur
I wasn't intending to write a blog on Stephen Solo's album launch party at La Chunky Studio in the Hidden Lane. I had already waxed lyrically about Pii 2 in my previous blog. However, there was a special magic in the air of Finnieston last night and I wanted to try and capture in a blog.
The venue helped - turning off the West End of Argyle Street down a cobbled lane that leads to all kinds of independent and arty studios and offices, you go to the far left top corner and come across La Chunky Studio.
Owner Ronan Breslin has a long association with Stephen and has also worked with a number of other LNFG artists. Pii 2 is a rather unique album, so we wanted to launch it in a rather unique place, Ronan was the perfect host, La Chunky the perfect setting.
You enter through the studio control room, a huge vintage desk dominates the right hand side, a sofa, old equipment and memorabilia are on the other side. The walls are decorated with releases from all kinds of Scottish bands and artists that have worked there.
You then enter the live room, which doubled as the ticket office, cloakroom and bar (through a raffle system) and hang out area. But the coolest part of La Chunky is probably the huge back room over 2 levels. Ronan and his team had cleared amps and equipment to allow for a 50 capacity venue. So we had people sitting on stairs, watching from 2 'balconies' and people literally in front of Stephen. Old retro lamps were the stage lights, there was a nice homely and relaxed feel.
There was a mood for celebration - Stephen and LNFG had an album out - and Craig, a great friend and former band-mate of Stephen's had become a father earlier in the week.
The stage was set for a small band.....but Stephen Solo entered alone and proceeded to weave his magic over the crowd with his wonderful songs that he has recorded over the last few years.
Internet Song has been in my head all day, Freak sounded sublime, Secrets That You Keep is utterly gorgeous, Broken Record sounded insanely brilliant and made so much sense when played live. Crying Because melted hearts and Solo's between song banter ranged from In The Night Garden, to lack of sleep, to the break up of his aforementioned band and the death of David Bowie and Bruce Forsyth.
As yes Bowie, Solo played David Bowie Never Had To where he rhymes off a list of things that David Bowie Never Had To do - like take cat litter out, cancel his home entertainment package due to lack of money..... the chorus is just sublime.
It was a mesmerising solo performance with Stephen's voice rising and soaring with ease or dropping and falling - it won hearts. Impressive.
Solo then announced that his former band (Sonny Marvello) would be joining him for the second half of the show, so there was time to buy some more raffle tickets to win some more beer.
Sonny Marvello were Stephen, Mick (guitar), Craig (bass), Walker (keys) and Bryans (drums). You'll find their music on Spotify and iTunes and plenty about them in previous blogs down the years.
Last night they came together to help their friend create some of the magical songs he has created on his iPhone in a live environment. What a great job they did!
Think Strange was all lush and warm, LocoCoco was full of melodies and invention while No Pill For What I've Got was just jaw droopingly good. What a song, what a performance! It was great to hear the songs played by a band.
The band ended (at request) by rolling out an old Sonny Marvello song - unrehearsed - Fire Went Out is a real fave of mine and the closing section was truly spine tingling. It was great to see and hear the 5 friends playing together again - magical.
A special show in a special venue by a special talent.
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.
Sonny Marvello celebrate their 10th anniversary as a band with a show at Stereo on Thursday 26th May.
Here are 10 amazing memories I have of the band as a fan, manager and friend;
1. Seeing them for the first time
Back in November 2008 I went to the aftershow party of Glasgow versus Cancer at Sloans in Glasgow City Centre. I was rather drunk and stumbled into one of the upstairs rooms where a number of bands were scheduled to play. Kassidy (who went on to be signed) were on and I was reminded of Mr Big!
I stumbled into another room where Will Sergeant from Echo and the Bunnymen was playing some cool sounds and then back to the live room to see who was on next.
The performance I witnessed may well be my favourite ever from an unsigned act in Glasgow. The five piece smashed it out the park. They had a gaggle of loyal friends and fans down the front but more importantly they got others who had never heard of them, never mind hearing their music, dancing.
They had a song that sounded a little like Girls and Boys by Blur, echoes of The Beatles and Bowie, they were sensational. They looked the part, dressed in vintage blazers and the singer had a red top hat on.
I asked the bassist between songs who the band were called but I couldn’t make it out. I think I asked him at least 3 more times including once on the stairs afterwards.
The next day I woke with a stinking hangover (although not as bad as the one my friend Wigs had when he woke up on my sofa) and I couldn’t remember the bands name, or find any trace of them in the listings for the aftershow online.
Finally I tracked them down...the band were called Sonny Marvello. And I wanted to manage them. I sent them a message on MySpace to talk about how I was blown away.
2. Meeting Stephen Farrell for the first time.....and then the rest of the band
In April 2009 I met with singer and songwriter Stephen Farrell in the 13th Note and we shared several pints of Stella to discuss music and the bands history. The band were prolific, they’d self funded a trip to New York City for a week and had an incredible time, winning best unsigned act at a prestigious festival. They’d played the popular Burlesque night Club Noir and smashed it out the park, they’d set up their own Sssshhhh club night - kidnapping people and taking them to secret locations in a bus, they’d gone close to being signed but like so many had been f**ked over by people promising them the earth and failing to deliver.
They wanted to release music. (check their BANDCAMP page as they have put up loads of old demos)
Within a couple of hours I had scribbled together a plan and we were a team.
After winning Stephen over we then arranged further beers with Mick Caldwell (guitar), Craig Douglas (bass), Mike Walker (keys and synths) and Michael Bryans (drums). We met at Bar Soba in Mitchell Lane and got quite pissed (again) before heading back to Sloans where i had invites to a showcase by a band called Sugar Crisis that producer John McLaughlin had somehow got signed!
They were terrible but I was keen to network. When I told the band where I was off to it was like a red flag to a bull. I found out that John had messed them around a little.
The band came along and waltzed into the venue. Stephen found John and called him something unprintable in this blog. As much as I respect what John has achieved in the music industry, I thought this was great - PUNK ROCK!
3. The Oxfam Basement photo shoot
First things first, I wanted to get some band promo shots done that highlighted their style and image. I knew Andrew who managed (and still does) Oxfam Music and Byres Road and I had been down into their basement and being the geeky kind of music guy I am, I thought ‘this would be great for a photo shoot’.
My friend Dave took some great shots of the band checking records and goofing around. It was my first experience of the Sonny Marvello gang mentality. They were in a different zone, bouncing off each other, ripping the piss, generally just being sound guys.
I love the photo’s. The band just looked and sounded great, I had really fallen for them.
4. The Stereo shows
The band wanted to get some money together to record with Brian O’Neill at Cava Studios in Glasgow - not cheap! I asked them how many people they could realistically get to a Glasgow show. They said 200 no bother so I went out and booked Stereo for a show in early July.
They packed the place out and we easily cleared £500 after rewarding the support acts with some good money.
We rebooked Stereo for September and all of a sudden the band had more than £1,000 in their account to head into Cava. I think it was at the second show that a fellow Castlemilk band called The Cinnamons (led by Gerry Cinnamon) supported. The atmosphere was incredible, everyone was totally up for it, it was a celebration of music and art from Castlemilk.
The area of the city has a rough reputation. Through Sonny Marvello I have met some amazing people, all based around Castlemilk Youth Complex - an amazing facility that offers kids in the area an opportunity into the arts.
Sonny Marvello were super tight; Stephen patrolled the stage, hit all the notes and gave it 100%, Mick Caldwell was the best guitarist I had (and have) ever seen on the unsigned band circuit, Craig Douglas held it all together with funky bass and amazing harmonies, Michael Bryans created beautiful beats and Mike Walker played keys and synths to lift things even higher,
5. Easy Boys/We’re All Cruel 7-inch single
A fan of the band ran a blog called Bluesbunny and wanted to start a label. He liked the recordings from Cava and so pressed up some delicious 7-inch singles on gatefold vinyl.
The feeling I had of getting the test pressing and then the final copies was incredible. Easy Boys was the song I thought sounded like Blur. It was total euphoric pop.
We’re All Cruel was epic (and the band went on to make it even better) later in life for their Sparks to Fire album.
6. The Pull Me Up EP
The next release was the Pull Me Up EP. The review above captures it pretty perfectly. Then there was time for another photo shoot with Dave, this time in a field on the outskirts of my hometown of Carluke. It was another great day with the band....being a band and we had a great time.
7. Charlie Sheen
Stephen is writing songs and coming up with ideas all the time. In an ideal world he would be a songwriter based in New York or London.
Around the time of Charlie Sheen’s meltdown with drugs and orgies I sent Stephen a text and set him the challenge of writing a song called Charlie Sheen - You’re Living My Dream
Stephen responded the next day and published a film of him, Craig and Mick singing it acoustically into an inflatable crayon!
The lyrics were clever and playful, I particularly like;
I saw you once in my hometown, scoring some Charlie
8. The 100 club - Fire Went Out and the Ruby Tuesday’s Vintage Store secret show
I was keen to keep momentum going and came up with the idea of a fanclub to raise funds. For £10, people would get a mini acoustic album (on a CD that looked like vinyl), a badge and access to a secret gig. Early crowdfunding!
So another £1,000 was raised.
The mini-acoustic album was recorded in just one day and features my favourite Sonny Marvello song, the absolutely stunning Fire Went Out. The closing section still sends shivers down my spine. I think it shows just how close they are as a band and friends and how supremely talented they are.
The secret show mentioned as part of the 100 club was to be held at a vintage clothes store above a tea room in Bath Street following a talk and performance at the Apple Store surrounding the use of Apple products at Rocket Science studios and for filming the above Fire Went Out video.
Everyone invited followed me up Buchanan Street and along Bath Street to the ‘secret’ location. It was hilarious. Federico (who owned the now closed store) was the perfect host. We got in loads of booze and the band played an acoustic set. Kevin Harper, friend and fan of the band, also ended up playing an impromptu set from the roof outside the shop!
Good, good times with good, good people.
9. The Loch Lomond Festival
The band were keen to keep things going and I was also keen to make sure the band were a little different. Rather incredibly (considering their songs and ability) they were overlooked for festivals in favour of bands deemed a little cooler.
Being the creative and determined guy that I am, I thought ‘I’ll organise our own festival’, so I did!
My original idea of booking a campsite was cancelled as I worried about the weather and the logistics involved. Instead Craig and I drove up to a youth hostel on the banks of Loch Lomond to meet the manager and agreed to book out the whole hostel for a Saturday night in October for a festival.
Tickets were £40. For that you got a roof over your head, Sonny Marvello, Model Jet Pilot, Kevin Harper and entertainment by rising magician Ryan Davidson. Oh and i DJ’d long into the night.
What a day and night it was! Check in was at 2pm and drinks were flowing shortly after. Someone took a dip in the loch at midnight, there was the mystery of the dump in the sink (don’t ask!), Sonny Marvello somehow blagged a laser light show and smoke machine, Kevin Harper was sensational and we had a great laugh talking music and film, Model Jet Pilot rocked and everyone had an amazing time.
10. Rocket Science and the Sparks To Fire album
All the momentum and all the fun we had was incredible. It really was a great time. After all the fun there was a different kind of momentum as the band got down to the serious business of recording an album at Rocket Science studios with Ross Hamilton and Michael Bannister.
It took a while! But the results were incredible.
Time moved on and I suggested (foolishly looking back) that perhaps a change in band name would be good for the band. So the band name changed to Flash Talk for the Sparks to Fire album.
The album is incredible! It really is; check it here - now newly (and rightly) available as Sonny Marvello.
Going into Rocket Science Studios to hear the songs being played back was a different kind of excitement and fun. They were f**king good. Tiny Little Sparks was played on Radio 1 only days after being completed.
Check the videos for Miracle and Run to the Horizon below. I/We should have done more with them.
Life kind of caught up with the dream of being a band - quite a lot of crazy stuff happened around that time. I still hope that this album will be picked up in some shape or form one day. Ripe for TV, film and advertising.
Making friends
My best memory though is of making friends. I had some great nights out; Stephen and Hayley’s wedding, Beatles guitar band, the Buff Club, various bars and venues, the Complex for Craig’s 30th and I still play 7-a-sides most weeks with Craig and Walker. All of the band (and I) have experienced and shared highs and devastating lows in our time as friends. That’s life I guess...and it is a little easier to get by with a little help from your friends.
Sonny Marvello may have a new album out next year. Stephen has also recorded some solo stuff under the guise of...Stephen Solo and I’ll be blogging about that in the very near future.
It’s been great looking back at some of the achievements, the music and thinking about what could have been, what should have been.
The band play Stereo on Thursday 26th May.
Be great to see you there.
The band are also looking to the future and should have a new album out next year. The first side was recorded over 3-days at a rented house in the countryside, the second side is being recorded at present.
Quite a few of my recent blogs have been decidedly retro - anniversaries of classic albums or shows. I am extremely fortunate that many of the bands and artists I got into in my teens and early 20's are still around and I do enjoy looking back at their classic albums and blogging about their current activities. However I want to ensure that my blog allocates space to plenty of new bands and artists that I enjoy and also some of the issues they face.
So I thought I would write a blog about a recent (indeed a current) experience I have had with my sisters band TeenCanteen - one that should be of interest to a lot of DIY/unsigned bands.
The experience involved the crowd funding platform Pledge Music and I have to say that it has been extremely positive -so read on if you want to find out more...I hope this may help some bands or artists in the future.
The cost of being in a band
Some people really have no idea how much money you need to be in a band, even a relatively small one - equipment, rehearsal studios, travelling to gigs/touring, recording - studio time, production, mixing, videos, releasing..... believe me, it can all add up...especially if things start to get serious.
Most bands will put in their own money and any money they make from gigs, PRS or self releases then goes straight back into doing it all again. Unless you have a (major or large indie) label, sponsor, backer or you make some serious money from a song or release, then money is a constant worry.
Funding a serious start-up or DIY band is a serious issue.
Crowd-funding and Pledge Music
I first came across Pledge Music a few years ago when I was managing the Vigo Thieves. Pledge were very interested in capitalising on the interest Vigo Thieves were generating through their use of Social Media. Engagement with fans is something that singer Stevie Jukes is something of a specialist in - in person and online. To this day I remember Stevie hand delivering me Vigo Thieves first EP with a ticket for their show at Sleazys. Online - competitions, asking fans for their opinion, pics, updates, videos...it all helps. Social Media is essential for crowdfunding.
Vigo Thieves at King Tut's
Like a record label - Pledge have an A and R team, so, like a record label - Pledge need to find bands to make money. They get a commission, so it is in their interests to take on bands that will achieve their target and hopefully smash it.
Pledge Music was and is, an interesting, yet extremely simple concept - fan funding, or crowd funding. It is now part of common culture. People interested in a project help to fund it - simple!
So if you are in a band, Pledge Music have the format, skills, knowledge and experience to help you set up a fundraising project; for the vast majority of bands this is to raise funds to record an album. Not cheap!
Funnilly enough I did something on a much smaller scale with the band Sonny Marvello when I managed them. We raised some decent money through shows at Stereo in Glasgow, but also set up a Fanclub - the 100 club. Only 100 members and you got a mini-acoustic album, access to a secret show at a vintage clothes shop in Glasgow (what a night that was!) and a badge. It sold out in a few days and raised £1,000 for the band. Crowd funding - it works if you offer the right event/product/project, promote it correctly, deliver and thank.
Good studios like Tape in Edinburgh, Rocket Science, Cava or Gorbals Sound in Glasgow can cost £400+ per day. Smaller studios like the brilliant La Chunky or Green Door in Glasgow are around £200 per day. So if you're laying down 10-tracks and recording everything separately - you need a good number of days. (please correct me if I am wrong on any prices)
So for recording, mixing and production of an album, you can be looking at a fairly considerable sum. Not the kind of money most bands have lying around.
Cava Sound
Vigo Thieves decided against Pledge Music in the end, largely because at the time it was pretty untried and untested. In 2015 it is fast becoming one of the best ways for small and also for large bands to engage with fans and to fund projects; The Libertines are one of the biggest bands to currently be using Pledge. Cast, Marillion, Reverend and the Makers are others. Do The Libertines need a record label in this day and age when they already have a huge fanbase?
In Scotland, Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire are a band who have embraced crowd funding and Gerry Cinnamon is an emerging artist who has smashed his Pledge Music target to fund his debut album. Gerry is an artist who wants complete control, no compromise- he has it.
Gerry Cinnamon
My sister Carla has a band - TeenCanteen - and she asked me if I could help her raise the remaining funds required to complete their debut album that they are working on at Tape Studios in Edinburgh. They had found the right studio and producer, recorded 4-songs (in Mono), but needed a cash injection to complete the album.
I spoke with Pledge, they liked the band, their engagement via Social Media was strong (despite the fact they maybe didn't have the follows or likes of other bands), they had good songs and videos, good support from the likes of 6music and they also liked the fact that as well as being a music fan, I am a fundraiser by profession.
I worked with my sister and the band on setting up the Pledge project. We set up a range of ways that fans could get involved to help the band complete their album..... Stripped back home sets, a live album, limited artwork, TeenCanteen cover versions, appear in a video, do handclaps on the album, a Skype harmony lesson, handwritten lyrics....something for everyone ranging from £10 to £350 with loads in between.
We couldn't believe what happened next.... but before that, check the video below....
22/09
TeenCanteen launched their Pledge Music campaign, spending a small amount on Facebook advertising and sending an e-newsletter to fans.
23/09
The campaign is almost at 50% within 24-hours with pledges towards TeenCanteen doing cover versions and a stripped back home concert helping with a large percentage of that total. Cover versions were £50 and a home show was £350.
In Fundraising Terms people pledging for a home concert are like your major donors - pledging a substantial amount and really making a difference.
But like fundraising - for a crowd-funding project to really work - you need a variety of income streams. Look at Comic/Sports Relief for example, they have big shows, big challenges, people holding events for them, but they also need people texting at £5, £25 or going online and donating whatever they can.
They are also great with the films they make, highlighting the difference you can make. So the video above definitely helped.
24/09
Carla posts a short Thank You video on Facebook as the campaign reaches 54%. Within a few hours this leads to cover versions and home concerts selling out and an increase towards other pledges; including the Skype harmony lesson.
In fundraising - thanking your donors properly is of paramount importance. It strengthens relationships.
24/09
The campaign reaches 94% and Carla posts a video of an excited Chloe running around the pub they are in - leading to the campaign breaking 100%.
Another great example of thanking and showing how much it meant to the band.
25/09
The campaign breaks 100% and Carla posts a thumbs up thank you picture leading to more pledges.
27/09
A further thanks and a reminder that there are still loads of things like handclaps on the album available.
The campaign remains open and pledges are still coming in, even though the band are concentrating on communicating with pledgers rather than promoting the project.
We are now in the process of sorting out everything that needs to be done - communicating with fans, timelines for recording covers, letting fans know recording dates for handclaps, letting people know when they will be sent things, working out availability for home concerts..... I guess this is when a manager comes in handy - or someone like me who can help.
What is really interesting is that it is truly fans that have embraced the Pledge campaign. 98% of the pledgers are non family/close friends. They are proper fans who have read about the band, or heard them on 6Music or caught them at a festival or supporting someone.
This is something that has given my sister a huge confidence boost - the fact that the songs she has been writing in her bedroom and creating with her friends is generating real love and people want to help her make the album.
Music fans - supporting a band to create music = is it really that simple?!
The second Everything Shakes night at The Admiral was held last night. DJ's played vinyl only and two of the best bands around were invited to play live.
The Insomniac Project were on first; a 6-piece from the outskirts of Glasgow - they soon won some new fans with their electro/disco infused tunes. Vocals were shared between Andrew, Mikey and Deborah - with Deborah's vocals absolutely soaring and generating conversation amongst the crowd. The first song was a standout, another song that may or may not be called No Smoke Without Fire was also brilliant, flowing superbly and Mikey did his best with the small space he had on stage to dance and get the crowd going.
The band played a full 40-minute set with their songs flowing well, saving debut single In And Out (Of My Head) to last - blogged about previously HERE - is an absolute belter. Euphoric electro disco pop.
This was only their fifth gig and they displayed enough in their 40th minute set to show that they have bags of potential and they are bound to generate some interest. They have clearly spent a good bit of time developing their sound - crisp and clean - with the ability to soar.
Sonny Marvello had brought a good crowd with them - this was their first show in Glasgow in a few years. The band had gone off the radar to record an album which they released under the guise of Flash Talk. It is a synth pop rock masterpiece, check my review HERE
The band have gone back to a more organic approach and decided to go back to the original name of Sonny Marvello. They opened with a quartet of new songs; Follow The Yellow King had echoes of The Flaming Lips while The Book Of Rays had echoes of Macca in his Wings days.
Mysteries in Motion was the song that generated the best response from the crowd. It is exceptional - full of hooks, a superb breakdown and a chorus you will be singing a-long to on first listen. I can't wait to hear this recorded.
The band then blasted out a couple of Flash Talk numbers; the powerful Tiny Little Sparks and the Bowie meets Kraftwerk Synthesise to the delight of their fans.
Then it was back to old school Sonny Marvello with the closing double header of Pull Me Up, 3 minutes of pure guitar pop and then Made of Magic with the false ending and again it is a song that has the ability to get people singing on first listen.
Sonny Marvello are made of magic; brilliant musicians led by a singer with songs pouring out of him, it is great to have them back.
An exhausted but happy sister at The Girl Effect #1
watching Stanley Odd cover her song 'Honey'
Earlier on this year my sister Carla decided to do something rather special to mark her 30th birthday.
In actual fact it was truly special - Carla curated a night to raise funds and awareness for Scottish Women's Aid with a whole heap of bands and artists covering girl group songs from the 1950's through to present day.
The event at Summerhall in Edinburgh sold out and raised almost £3,500. Artists including Eugene Kelly (The Vaselines), Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits), Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Broken Records, The Spook School, Machines In Heaven, Flash Talk, Stanley Odd and of course Carla's band TeenCanteen covered artists ranging from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas through to The Sugababes with Betty Boo, Destiny's Child, All Saints and TLC in between. A full list of artists and the songs they covered is available HERE
Scottish Women's Aid were so delighted with the awareness and funds raised that they asked Carla if she could do a second night to mark Glasgow taking part in 16 days of action this November.
Emma Davies from Scottish Women's Aid explained; "The 16 days take place every year between November 25th - the International Day of No Violence Against Women, and December 10th - Human Rights Day. The global campaign sees communities, NGO's and charities hold events aimed at raising awareness of violence against women, and trying to influence behaviour and secure political commitment to ending it. Every year as a different theme and 2015 is about the links between militarism and the right to education - both in conflict and in peace. The most recent estimates suggest that, worldwide, 31 million girls at primary level and 34 million at lower secondary level are not enrolled in school. Scottish Women's Aid has used the 16 Days Campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence and to push for changes that make women and children safer."
It is 2015. Lets make a difference.
So here is the line-up for The Girl Effect #2 taking place at Mono in Glasgow on Thursday 26th November. All the artists, the production crew (La Chunky Studios) and the venue are giving their services for free!
Please spread the word and I hope to see you there! Who will SAY Award winner Kathryn Joseph cover? And will anyone cover 'Trouble' by Shampoo?! You'll need to attend to find out.
