Introducing Dillon Squire

The name Dillon Squire came to my attention towards the end of 2022 via a lovely guy called John McKinlay. I can't remember how John and I became friends on Facebook, but it's clear that we are both passionate about music. John is extremely knowledgeable about the Glasgow music scene and was on to Dillon before he even had a release out. John no doubt knew of Heavy Rapids, Dillon's previous band.

Now going under his own name, Squire seems to have found his look and sound. There are a lot more melodies and hooks coming to the fore and he seems to have assembled a brilliant band.

Squire's debut single, released in October 2022, was named after a visit to the Allison Arms pub in the South Side of Glasgow. The vocal melody is relaxed and quite dreamy over choppy guitars that are then fired up for the chorus. 

I hope to god this never stops

We've made it this far

I know the past made you afraid

So I'll be waiting patiently

Dillon and his band followed their debut with the song Little Birdy, released in April. There is a flowing melody through the verses, a catchy pre-chorus and then a super hooky chorus leading to a guitar solo that you may well find yourself humming without knowing.

There is a breakdown and build up after the second chorus leading to an explosive guitar boost into the final outro. It's the catchiest guitar pop song I've heard from a Glasgow band in a long time. 

Little Birdy - official video

Dillon Squire - Facebook

Ripping out your eyelashes

Playing all your broken promises

All the things that you've never, ever done

Everything that you wish that you'd become

Photo by @rosemcenroephoto

I couldn't make it along to the Saint Luke's all-dayer at the start of June, but John McKinlay was there and captured a new song by Dillon called Dark Circles on film. You'll find it if you follow Dillon on Facebook or Instagram. It sounds like it could be his breakthrough song, so catchy that the Saint Luke's audience started singing-a-long with the chorus. Dark Circles will be part of a 7-song EP being released this summer (info below).

I've been thinking about you baby, always on my mind, woah-oh

I've been thinking about you baby, always on my mind, woah-oh

The song prompted me to buy tickets for Dillon's show at The Rum Shack in August and to ping Dillon a message asking if he would mind answering a few questions for my blog.

Dillon very kindly answered and we then bumped into each other in McChuills on Sunday night. Small world! Based on what I've heard so far, Dillon is definitely one to watch. And he is tall, cool and handsome to boot! Dillon also introduced me to his super cool friend and guitarist Bo. I felt very old and uncool!

INTERVIEW

Can you remember writing your first song? What inspired you to pick up a guitar and do that?

Yeah! Seven Hours. I'm sure mother bear has it in a box somewhere. It was an obsession with time and clocks, something that still troubles me today. Maybe I'll revive the seed and let it grow someday. Believe it or not, I was more into kicking a football, then I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (probably good for the world to know that). My health took a dip and I had some bed bound days which I got stuck into learning guitar and here we are still playing the same game. Glad that happened aren't I? Maybe the song inspiration came from watching the clocks and thinking about when I'd be fit and able again?

What brought you to Glasgow? And what do you think of the music scene in the city?

I grew up outside the city and somehow the buzz of the bands (particularly Baby Strange) reached the small village I lived in, Elderslie. I was magnetised by it, so much so I'd come for a gig & spend a few days on someone's sofa. Good decision to make the move up, my spine is slowly de-curving back to its natural state. I put my body through some tough tests when I fell in love with the music coming out of Glasgow. The scene is interesting now, there's always something new happening. It's like we're all little bullets in a golden revolver, someone's just waiting to fire into the next level. Exciting!

How did you bring your band together? How quickly did you gel?

Bo and I have been at it for years, we're musically and spiritually glued. Rab and Josh complete the band, we're in our hottest form yet. On the 'gel-o-meter' it's an 11/10. All undeniably the best musicians I've ever worked with, who see the bigger picture and have extreme levels of faith. I can't forget to credit other people who have performed on the project such as Amelia, Pete, Johnny and Jamie. The helpings hands have certainly been honourable ones.

Rab rings me up sometimes and tells me how excited he is for the future and how much he believes in me. Shit like that really keeps me going.

What can you tell me about your forthcoming EP? Your song Dark Circles generated an incredible response at your recent Saint Lukes show. It's super catchy! 

There's 7 tracks on it, it's coming out mid-August and it's full of bangers that come from the bottom of my heart. Somewhere I never dig but I'm so glad I have. Yes, Dark Circles will be on there and it's annoyingly catchy, infectious to the ears some say. Beware. When everyone screamed it back at us during the St Luke's show, I knew it was the one.

Are you writing a lot? Can we expect further releases in 2023? 

All the time, depends what you define as writing. I scribble silly little ideas down all day and spit random lines into my voice memos all day long. So I guess I'm writing on the daily? I do feel my writing is the best it's ever been, but I'm still young and learning all the time. Excited to see where it's at in the next few years.

What music are you listening to at present? 

Arlo Parks, Bowie, Turnstile, Inhaler and Tupac are at the top of Spotify currently, that's gotta be anyone's most honest answer... All of them mesmerise me on the daily.

You can check some tunes that Dillon enjoys by visiting

Dillon's Digital Disc #1

Dillon's Digital Disc #2

Dillon's Digital Disc #3

Introducing - Brontës

 

Kristen AM Brodie Photography

Back at the start of July my friend Steven posted a video on his Facebook page saying that his daughter Eva had formed a band. Steven has impeccable taste in music (a real mod and northern soul fanatic) so I clicked to watch the video (see end of blog) he had linked.

And I was impressed! Brontës looked great and sounded superb, playing two original songs; First Hand Arrogance and Down To You, sandwiching a cover version of Shakira's SheWolf in between!

I found myself replaying the performance a couple of times, realising how much I was missing getting out and about in Glasgow to hear guitars and watch cool young bands. They just looked in the zone, locked into grooves, cool vocals, but also having that edge of this - this is us. They weren't trying too hard, like many bands do.

First Hand Arrogance has real tight groove, allowing the two guitars to drive things along over the top of it, in a kind of punk Chic style, going all rock for the chorus in a quite delicious way over a come and get it, first hand arrogance hook.

Down To You starts of really playful; musically and melodically, reminding me a little bit of early Vampire Weekend, but the vocals are just beautifully dreamy, the duelling guitars work so well - one all scratchy punk funk, the other picking out a kind of dancey riff. 

I thought I'd find out a little more ahead of their first ever gig, taking place at King Tuts this Thursday with Spyres - who I also intend to feature in a future blog.

How did the band form? How did you get to know each other?

Yana and Amelia started the band after finishing college in 2019. Erin, Jon and Eva joined a little bit later. We're from different places out and around Glasgow and we met through college / university / going out.

How did you start creating music? Does anyone take lead on writing? Or do you jam ideas?

We all study music and wanted to be in a band. We take turns writing lyrics but jam the music together.

Kristen AM Brodie Photography

Do you take influences from any bands? What do you all listen to?

We get a lot of influences spanning different genres, including Foals, Bombay Bicycle Club, Donna Summer, Mazzy Star, James Brown, Massive Attack and our all time favourite - Pitbull.

You're about to play King Tuts, is this your first ever gig? How are you feeling about it?

Yeah, it's out first gig as a band and we're really excited and a bit nervous to play to a crowd, but we can't wait to get out there and cut our teeth.

You launched Brontës with a recording of a live session performance. What gave you that idea?

We share a studio with Weekend Debt and Stoned Immaculate and Crowded Flat use the space to record their sessions. We were asked to record one and thought it was a different way to launch our sound and see the reaction we got ... which was overwhelmingly positive.

And this prompted Last Night From Glasgow to sign you up. Will you be releasing anything soon?

It was a total shock to be signed as quick as we were and we're so thankful to LNFG for picking us up and giving us the opportunity. We're in the studio soon and should hopefully have a single out in the near future.

So much is changing, but do you have any more shows planned? Or anything else for the rest of the year.

We have a couple of shows coming up towards the end of the year, so keep an eye out and make sure to come along. We'll be spending a lot of time in the studio writing new material and recording.

CLICK HERE to watch the Brontës Crowded Flat session if you don't see the video below.

Introducing Dead Pony

BBC Scotland has recently stepped up a gear in terms of promoting new young bands / artists. Their TUNE programme on iPlayer and TV channel has introduced me to a number of acts that I'll feature on the blog. 

Dead Pony filmed a performance by the docks in Greenock. I was immediately taken by singer Anna Shields crystal clear voice and melodies, almost in complete contrast to the grungey riffs and noise being created behind her.

Yet somehow it works ... it works well.

Dead Pony - Anna Shields & Blair Crichton

Shields used to busk regularly on Buchanan Street in Glasgow (I'm pretty sure I have a CD somewhere) before going on to form Crystal and then changing their name to Dead Pony.

While (being honest) I much prefer the name Crystal, I imagine there might have been a number of bands across the world stumbling across that name. I'm not sure there will be another Dead Pony, it does stand out!

So does their music. It's almost like Courtney Love fronting Nirvana. Think of Love's poppier songs and melodies, like Malibu or Celebrity Skin and then add in the energy and riffs spilling from Nirvana between Bleach and Nevermind, and you're probably not a million miles from where Dead Pony are. Shields cites her love of pop in interviews, including the likes of the wonderful Dua Lipa (one of my favourite albums from 2020).

Elsewhere Crichton (who wears a Nirvana t-shirt in the Tune episode) shares his influences through the riffs and noises he generates from his guitar. 

Sharp Tongues, their September 2020 single is under 3-minutes of ferocious punk grunge pop, it doesn't let up and I'd love to hear and see them rip through it in a live environment. The hooks come thick and fast.

I've had a little taste of something I cannot forget

I know you're a little bit easy

This was swiftly followed by another single 23 Never Me in November 2020. Shields and Crichton create a glorious blitz as vocals and guitars collide to create a brilliant buzz of energy. The chorus is a frantic blur before things stop almost completely to allow melodies to come pouring through. 

Can't save me from another problem

Never let your feelings show

Crichton then attacks his guitar as if his life depends on it before the band tear though the chorus at breakneck speed for the final time.

Shields demonstrated her commitment by getting the title tattoo'd on her arm.

Dead Pony sounds like they are ready for the next stage - whatever that might be for them. I can imagine they must be chomping at the bit to play live. I'm not sure who has produced them to date - they've done a grand job, but I wonder what a future producer(s) could do with Shields voice, lyrics, melodies and hooks over cool noisy riffs and beats. There is a lot to work with if they get enough time in the studio.

That could well happen. Dead Pony already have the backing of LAB Records who have established a fantastic track record of being a stepping stone for young bands going on to bigger things. In addition, they have management and a booking agent.

One to look out for on the Glasgow scene and way beyond once live shows resume.

Website

Sharp Tongues video

TUNE - BBC Scotland feature

Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 at Celtic Connections

 Photo by Bazza Mills

The pubs surrounding the Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant City area of Glasgow were sprinkled with yellow from around 5.30pm on Friday 17th January. There was also the odd disco ball style cap and plenty of people looking like they were dressed for a weekend at a festival rather than a Friday night out in Glasgow.

I wonder how many people have fallen for Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 (CMD5) as a result of seeing them at a festival over the last 5-years or so? Difficult to predict, but in that time the band have grown into a staple of the festive scene in Scotland and beyond.

If you have seen them, then it is easy to describe why. And that is why over 1,300 people descended on the Old Fruitmarket dressed in yellow, with painted faces, flowers in their hair, disco ball hats and looking ready for the weekend.

They came to laugh, to sing, dance, smile and forget about their worries for a few hours. And they did just that.

CMD5 are always quick to promote bands and artists they enjoy - see my previous interview with David Blair for substantial evidence. On this occasion they chose to promote my sister Carla J Easton by asking her to support.

Carla and her band played brilliantly. Wearing yellow to get into the spirit of the night, Carla played songs from her Homemade Lemonade (released under the guise of Ette) and Impossible Stuff albums, along with new material. Get Lost from the new songs is possibly my favourite song she has ever recorded. And she brought her pal Stina from Honeyblood on for guest vocals on new song Weirdo. It was a polished and confident set and I look forward to seeing what 2020 brings.

Photo by Stuart Westwood

On to the main act. I never did get round to counting how many people were on stage with CMD5. I was quite simply too busy enjoying myself.

Opening with International Sex Hero and going straight into festival favourite Dance Off, the Colonel and his merry band of yellow heroes had the place bouncing from the off. They barely let up, they seemed to just keep the beat and the groove going from start to finish.

Photo by Stuart Westwood

The band have so much positive energy it is unbelievable. New songs worked well; Disco Colin and the current single G.T. mixed well with the old classics.

Cross The Road is a FESTIVAL CLASSIC and even though it was packed we did manage to cross the road.  Dance Like Nobody's Watching might be the next festival classic, while Gay Icon took the roof off the place. At some point in all of this David Blair crowdsurfed - at least twice.

Photo by Iain Cochrane

Anthems like Peace, Love and Mustard demand crowd participation, smiles, laughter, high fives .... and all round good feeling. These Are Not The Drugs You Are Looking For is one of my favourite songs from the last 5-years, like the Beta Band produced by Andrew Weatherall, it is so clever, so funny, so socially conscious, so bonkers brilliant. 

There was time for one more, the surging pop of Ginger Girl had everyone with their hands in the air singing the chorus. The band quickly played a little bit of How Many Many's and Capturado and sent everyone off into the night with smiles. What a night!

Those with energy stayed to dance to DJ Amy Lame from 6Music.

Roll on the summer. And to Celtic Connections bookers - can you book them now to brighten next January please?! This is a special, special band who can transport you into a good place and make you forget your worries and the state of the world for a couple of hours.

Photo by Iain Cochrane

Carla J Easton at Celtic Connections

I really shouldn't be surprised any more. But my wee sister has a habit of pulling things out the bag that do surprise her biggest fans and her family. Her determination and artistic development is always a pleasure to experience.

This was her debut show as a solo artist under her own name, after albums with her band TeenCanteen and under the guise of Ette. Both released albums in 2016.

2017 saw Carla accepted on to a prestigious songwriting residency at the Banff Arts Centre in Canada. She had 2-weeks with her own studio overlooking snowy mountains to focus on writing and recording. It proved to be a life changing couple of weeks, new friendships were made, new confidence was discovered and the songs flowed. Part of the confidence came from people like Howard Billerman (Arcade Fire) and nashville award winning songwriters telling Carla how talented she was and how much they loved her songs.

Filled with enthusiasm, Carla booked to return to Canada in September to work with Howard to produce an album. So she scrimped and saved, then received confirmation that she had a Creative Scotland grant just before she left, so she could record an album with her new friends.

It's an incredible album that she is sitting on, and the songs keep coming! She is in a rich vein of form and it is so pleasing to see. I look forward to it coming out when the time is right.

Carla's friends from Canada were invited over for some shows at Celtic Connections, Neu! Reeky, in Manchester, a 6Music session and in London. Amazingly they all made it over!

They arrived on Sunday, she of them ended up playing Janice Forsyth's show on Monday, then there was lots of rehearsals and catching up. So much so that by yesterday afternoon Carla could barely speak!

I met her in the Hug and Pint and she was drinking warm whiskey but she couldn't talk! The claivar I bought her must have helped!

Taking to the stage with Kev (drums), Laura (synths and b vox), Jessie (bass and b vox), Brett (guitar) from Canada and with friends Amanda (guitar and sometime TeenCanteen) and Paul (synth and Ette) it was quite a feat that they could all fit on stage! They all played and combined exceptionally well - especially considering they had never all met until Tuesday!

Carla caused laughter by admitting (and you could hear it) that she had almost lost her voice but then produced an astonishing performance. Quite where she found it from I will never know, I'm not sure she will either! Sheer determination, will-power and adrenaline got her through along with lots of support on stage and in the audience.

The sound in the Hug and Pint was top class. The band were brilliant, looking great, sounding even better. The new songs build on everything that Carla has produced and highlighted through her work to date - melodies flow, stories are told, there are hooks galore and even the odd knock our uppercut, and choruses to sing on first listen.

Milk and Honey opened proceedings with Carla playing theremin and looking like she was having the time of her life. As were her incredible band. Smiles were on stage and off. Meet Me In Paris was glorious and then there was a few songs from her recent past. Bird In The Sky is my favourite Ette song but it was speeded up and psychedelicised (is that a word?!) last night. Attack Of The Glam Soul Cheerleaders was ace - total Spector meets Motown in London in 1967, before a run through of TeenCanteen's Honey prompted Carla to invite another friend on stage with Sita P from TeenCanteen helping on the beautiful layered harmonies.

New single Lights In The Dark is stunning and it gets better with every listen, it has been stuck in my head all day. Strangely all of Carla's new stuff made much more sense after seeing it live with her friends and her band.

Wanting What I Can't Have was a highlight. Coming across like a Screamadelica era Primal Scream with great beats, synths and a soaring chorus that goes on an on mantra style at the end.

Lullaby was beautiful. Slowly easing into itself before building into a stunning Harrison-esque instrumental with fantastic guitar leading back to vocals.

I can read your face even if with my eyes shut tight

In depths of darkest night

I feel you out and see the light

Carla had to get the band to introduce themselves as she couldn't talk - yet somehow she could sing and her vocals on Lullaby were exceptional.

The night concluded with Carla introducing the song Impossible Stuff, asking the audience to just go with them at the end. The band took the audience on a real trip, the start is Disney-esque, so playful and melodic and then the chorus just soars and soars. There is then a delicious spine tingling breakdown before everything builds and goes gloriously crazy - brilliant fun was had on stage.

Check this version that Carla recorded with the Scottish Opera just 2-days after returning from Canada last September!

Find out more at www.carlajennifereaston.com or Facebook or @carlajeaston 

Nick Cave at the Glasgow Hydro

At the end of September my social media feeds were awash with reports of Nick Cave giving an exceptional performance in Glasgow. I posted and tweeted that I'd be happy to accept a guest review and John Welsh kindly responded...only I didn't notice the email until much later!

Sorry for the delay John, but this is a great blog and you are very welcome to write for Everything Flows again in the future.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Glasgow Hydro 27 September 2017

Photo by Rachel McLean

Let’s cut to the chase. A substandard Nick Cave gig is as rare as hen’s teeth and on this effort the prodigious Antipodean certainly didn’t disappoint.  

Kicking off with a trio of songs from the most recent studio album, Skeleton Tree, it was an understated beginning to the gig, the melodies of Anthrocene, Jesus Alone and Magneto almost muted and ethereal in their delivery.

Any question marks about how the Bad Seeds intricate sound would come across in the huge arena environment were quickly dispelled form the start. Indeed, the wider space and scope worked well, with multi instrumentalist and Cave’s partner in crime, Warren Ellis driving the band forward to increasing heights of musical ingenuity.

Higgs Bosom Blues and From Her To Eternity saw the band and Cave break out, the latter cinematic in its elegance, and at times violently brutal in its delivery. The band approached each song with equal measures of venom and subtlety, resulting in a mesmerising soundscape of riffs and soaring melodies from perhaps the world’s finest (rock) lounge band.

Red Right Hand, against a sleazy, crimson backdrop which wouldn’t have looked out of place in an episode of Twin Peaks was well received, guitarist George Vjestica sliding rhythms shining through. The hunched, menacing spectre of Cave’s lithe shadow, seemingly snaking up and around the Hydro walls merely added to the thrill.

Throughout, Cave was on fine form with quite a bit of humour evident. Leaning into the crowd at one point he commented “this is sexual harassment” as perhaps someone grabbed a bit more than was expected.  

The Weeping Song kicked off the encore, Cave wading through the crowd to deliver his sermon atop a camera gantry, before leading fans to the stage for a tumultuous Stagger Lee and the set closer Push The Sky Away.  

   

A triumph.

JOHN WELSH

@welshjb 

Photo by Rachel McLean

Introducing Sun Rose

Sun Rose - great name, positive and warm - Everything Flows

Maximalist melodramatic funk-pop outfit from Glasgow - band description on Facebook

We like to take our time - Gus Wemyss, Sun Rose

For fans of Todd Terje, ESG etc - Maioux Miaoux

Sun Rose are a brand new band signed to Last Night From Glasgow (LNFG) who have just released their debut single Smirk ahead of their debut album later this year. Check the video below or head to iTunes to download or Spotify to stream.

Inspired by the likes of Talking Heads, Daft Punk, ESG and Kraftwerk, Calum Muir and Albert Kawmi began writing the songs which would form the basis of the Sun Rose debut album over the winter of 2013/14.

The friends had previously in a band together - Nevada Base - but then life got in the way. Things stalled a little until Gus Wemyss (also a previous member of Nevada Base) got involved in 2015 and by late 2016 Julian Corrie (Miaoux Miaoux and now Franz Ferdinand) was involved with production and mixing.

The completed album is an absolute gem - techno, electro, melodic, funky, disco, harmonies.... I'll be blogging about that nearer the time of release.

One of the beautiful thing about this band is that their only ambition was to release it on vinyl and play a couple of shows! It is all about the music - so much so that they have only recently set up a Facebook page. And the band name was only confirmed shortly before the release!

Smirk is fantastic - the guitar playing, vocals and changes in pace mean that there is an edge throughout. The piano break is sublime and then the synths and beat take things higher. The final 30-seconds take things even higher and leave you wishing for an extended mix. I can't wait to see and hear them play it live.

The Brian Sweeney produced promo video features members of the band and members of the LNFG label in a kaleidoscope style effect - keeping with the flow and changes of the song.

Check it out below.

Introducing - Radiophonic Tuckshop

Do you fancy discovering a band full of melodies, hook, humour, invention and a touch of psychedelia who sometimes record on an old Tascam Cassette Recorder? A band that are still evolving and haven't even played a handful of shows yet but have an EP coming out?

A band who describe themselves on Facebook as wonky pop, looney tunes and merry melodies, all swimming in nutty effects with a rich Beatleish undercurrent, clattering along like Supergrass doing Badfinger by way of an XTC Bond theme, all compressed vocals, ringing and lightly toasted guitars, stop/start riffs and a brilliant rhythm section. Extradordinary - slightly psychedelic and Super Furry super-tuneful!

I hope so!

Well look no further than Radiophonic Tuckshop, the new band formed by Joe Kane, the effervescent fizzbomb who has been in (and still is in) a number of other bands including my personal favourite Dr Cosmos Tape Lab. If you haven't read any of my previous blogs on them then check them out HERE Their Beyond The Silver Sea LP was my album of 2015.

Joe has recently contributed to the latest BMX Bandits album that you can read about in last months blogs, produced the Ette Homemade Lemonade album (and played on it and co-wrote the brilliant Heaven Knows) and still travels the world playing in Beatles tribute bands, including the famous Them Beatles - not a bad way to make a living and one that indicates his talent.

That talent has transferred to his recent project - Radiophonic Tuckshop who I caught at Nice n Sleazys back in April when they supported TeenCanteen. They played brilliantly and sounded superb and from a chat with Joe it all sounded very spontaneous and exciting - so I thought I would email him some questions to find out more.

You can read the interview below and look out for their debut EP coming out via Last Night From Glasgow in July with a launch show at the Hug and Pint. Excuse the cut and paste format, something went wrong when copying Joe's answers - hope you think it looks cool!

1. How did the Radiophonic Tuck Shop form?

I'd been toying with the idea of a new project for the best part of last year but wasn't keen on making it the ONLY JOE KANE solo ego-fest type thing again. I fancied more of a fake band ethos and Radiophonic Tuckshop was one of the names I had floating around that I was quite keen on. I started working on new songs and recordings at the end of last summer but was getting a bit fed up with me playing everything. It can get a bit hard to surprise yourself musically doing all the instruments.

The guys from Freckfest contacted me around March and asked if I fancied supporting BMX Bandits which I thought sounded fun but I didn't have a band and told them to leave it with me. I contacted a bunch of my longtime friends (who mostly happen to be musical) and luckily found a bands worth that were free and up for it. Sessions were easygoing and within 2-weeks we had a set. Everyone didn't hate it and seemed quite keen to carry on past the initial gig. Quite good!

2. Does this mean the end of Dr Cosmos Tape Lab, or is that a project you might return to in the future?

We're very together and in constant contact but just a bit busy with other things. I got a bit busy with being away for a long spell (or two) so we lost momentum but we have a full LP in the can awaiting release and we will record again in the near future. Side 2 is one long song suite/ghost story entitled Dead Man's Pyjamas and it's the best thing we've ever created. We recorded 4 albums plus a bunch of b-sides in two years so everyone deserves a rest!

3. You've got an EP coming out - tell us about the sounds and the songs on it

We knew we were going to do an album but had fresh arrangements of some older songs of mine that I thought had fallen by the wayside in the past so we decided to do them as their own little thing. The new live versions were all improvements so it seemed like a good idea to get them down. We decided to record the band live to the Tascam 424 mkiii 4-track cassette recorder (last used on Beyond The Silver Sea) at the room we rehearse in (Ian our drummers magical 'Bunker'). It took us one evening to record all of the backing tracks then another few weeks of drop in overdub sessions for vocals etc. 

Running Commentary is the most obvious poppy one and in a previous life it was a less rocking more ornate arrangement that didn't work quite as well. It's more power-pop now and it suits it. We had fun on the video (coming soon) wearing silly trousers and taking over a street for an afternoon.

Buried Alive is the oldest song on the EP and has never been released in any form. It originated around 2004 and existed only a a skeletal late night demo for a long time but I always enjoyed its spookiness and thought it had a bit of potential.

Rockingham Palace Revisited started out as a drone jam which I banked thinking later on it could be reversed and used as the basis for something and that's exactly what I did. I sat up until 5am the other week recording bird song out of the window and harmonising with myself through a pedal basically trying (and failing) to do Dennis Wilson. Bring It On Girl was recorded (with Marco Rea) a few years ago for a Shindig magazine cover CD that never actually happened so I suppose it's never been released. This new version was fun to do with the whole band. It's about accidentally getting married and trying to escape an island of misery (true story). My favourite one is maybe As Hard As I Feel which is a song that doesn't make much sense really but is more of a feel and sound piece (!) than a standard song. It's like 3 and a half minutes inside my head. I can see us going down more of this route sonically than the standard guitar pop direction in the future.

4. Do you have future plans for the band? Things have happened quite quickly to date

We are now officially in album writing and recording mode. It's very exciting and I think it will be a real mix of sounds. We have the full band to play with but I also like the idea of more electronic sessions and bringing in additional instrumentation. I feel like I've made variations of the same weird pop record for the last 15-years and want to push myself production wise and experiment a bit.

5. What kind of stuff are you listening to at the moment?

I enjoy lounge and exotica stuff, late 70's and early 80's groove stuff, especially the extended 12-inch versions of things. I love a lot of the Bollywood stuff from the 70's too and I think arrangement wise there's a lot of stuff I'd like to draw on from those genres. I obviously listen to all the usual good stuff as well and will probably f**k off all these exciting ideas and just re-write another 12 Beatles and Beach Boys songs. That's OK too!

6. You are well known for your love of The Beatles - what do you make of the Sgt Pepper 'makeover'?

It's mostly a worthwhile endeavour but there's a few things I wasn't so sure about, like panning the lowery organ part of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. What was all that about? When it becomes someone who has nothing to do with the original music creation and production taking liberties like that then I think they need to have a word with themselves. The 2 bonus CD's of outtakes is where it's at for me.

7. Do you have a favourite Beatles album? Is it possible to choose just one?

I love different albums for different reasons! Love them all. White Album has probably been the most influential though as it was a favourite for a long time as it made it OK to put out a whole bunch of wildly varied stuff on an LP. It's like a catalogue of brilliant production sounds.

8. How do you write your own songs?

When I write songs I either start on a piano, guitar, ukulele or even a Casiotone and just feel about to see if anything's there. Usually not. Sometimes things can write themselves quite quickly or you just get a wee bit that you can bank for later. I'll hear a section in my head when I'm out occasionally and just whistle it on to my phone and pick it up when I get home. That's quite good. A lot of the time I just start working on a piece of music for fun and the song comes over it later and it ends up the finished thing. It's good to not have one way of doing things and to try out different methods from time to time.

9. Is there anyone you would like to write with?

Always Stu Kidd. We always come up with something. That will happen again. Same with Nic Denholm my old writing partner from The Owsley Sunshine. We always come up with something even though he is in LA now. Duglas and Marco I'm also a fan of and enjoy working with them too so more of that would be good. Aside from people I've worked with before though I'd love to write with the Radiophonic Tuckshop guys. There's a lot of scope there and I hope they all contribute to new material and it's not just my hackneyed old ideas! I really enjoy collaboration and I'll write with anyone if it's fun and fruitful. It usually is.

10. What can we expect from your live shows?

Silly trousers and weird loud pop songs. We want to become a bit electronic so we'll gradually ass new songs and instruments. We'd like to do more festivals and have our own dancing troupe. It might happen. We're having fun creating and we hope we can entertain people with it. If no-one likes it and we still have fun that's the main thing.

Radiophonic Tuckshop play the Hug and Pint on 30th July to celebrate the release of their Running Commentary EP via Last Night From Glasgow on 28th July. Tickets and ltd edition physical EP HERE

Static Union live

Static Union are a very young band making a bit of noise around Glasgow just now; stemming from a buzz around live shows, demos and their debut single Turn Out The Lights.

They launched the single with a show at a packed out Audio in Glasgow. I couldn't make it by my friend Alan was raving about it afterwards so I asked him to write a guest blog. It sounds like a belter and I hope to see the band play in the near future.

Static Union live at Audio in Glasgow

Guest review by Alan Clarke

Static Union are Glasgow's next bright thing and making waves on a busy Friday night in the city. When a group of friends turn the corner to walk down Midland Street to see them at Audio, my initial thought is there's been an accident on the street as a crowd gathers the now derelict entrance to The Arches. It transpires the throng are waiting to get into the tight confines of Audio with the four members of the band about to take the stage in a few minutes. I previously saw this band supporting Holy Esque in December 2015 but clearly things are progressing in terms of interest in the band.

The band played a tight, melodic set at the St Luke's support gig over a year ago but the performance in Audio exhibited a maturity in both their stage craft and song-writing which has been honed through a busy year of gigging.

The gig tonight is to launch their debut single Turn Out The Lights and the band hit the stage to the excitable sell-out crowd and pull no punches with the new single as the set opener. The band cite their influences as The National, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Joy Division and early U2. Their debut is a statement of intent with its incessant guitar hook somehow echoing Bodysnatchers from In Rainbows and bouncing off the vibe and clever time changes of early Artic Monkeys.

Frontman Sean McGarvey is clearly enjoying himself from the start as he reaches out to the crowd who are clearly well up for it tonight. Liam Adams is one half of a super-tight rhythm section, reminding me of Graham Coxon in the early Blur years (if Coxon had played the bass that its!) and with drummer Cameron Angus, the clever tempo change at the end of each chorus as heads bobbing involuntarily around the venue.

Lead guitarist James Harker bosses the other side of the stage, either throwing off funky guitar lines in the brilliant Accelerator or (in my own favourite song of the evening) showing his versatility in playing synth in the second song Last Of Our Kind. This song didn't feature at the St Luke's gig and is the first real sign to me of the evolving maturity of a still young band. If you love Joy Division/early New Order or remember the excitement when the Stone Roses fused electronica seamlessly with proper guitar pop, then you will dig The Last Of Our Kind. as they then launch into the driving groove of Accelerator to complete a very strong opening trio of songs, our wee gang at the back of the hall found ourselves doing that looking at each other, grinning and nodding things...we were thinking lets enjoy this moment as they could/should be massive.

Sean clearly enjoys being stage centre and when he grasps the mic stand to sing the intro of Distant Memory, a new dimension again not previously on show is revealed. He is clearly a proficient guitarist but as he wrings the mic, the guitar is sidelined and the drama of the song shines through. The influence of Matt Berlinger's stage craft in The National strikes me as he sings and I'd personally encourage him to do it more.

I allow myself a wry smile as the band break into You Wish. The poppies elements of some of the bands sound is replaced by a riff that recalls Robby Krueger at his best. It seems very apt to have the ghost of The Doors evoked when America is in the midst of a crisis not seen since Jim Morrison taunted the Nixon White House and the FBI in 1969. The band coast through their impeccable set and after closing with Losing Yourself, they give into the crowd's demands and return to the stage for a second joyous rendition other debut single.  Watch a live video HERE

Watch this space....

Introducing - Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5

Mixing with the fans Colonel Mustard style, crowdsurfing in an inflatable boat!

I first became aware of Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 at the Wickerman Festival a couple of years ago. You just couldn't miss them, half the campsite seemed to be wearing yellow or Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 t-shirts. 

For whatever reason, I didn't see the band - although everyone I met over the course of the weekend that had seen them was raving about them.

I've still not caught them live, although the bands growing reputation led to them winning the Best Live Act at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards this year.

The video for their latest single These Are Not The Drugs That You Are Looking For (that I have unfortunately only just discovered) highlights why they were deserved winners of that award. Filmed at the Kelburn Garden Party, they have an absolute blast on stage and get the audience jumping, dancing, singing and generally having the time of their life. Watch the video HERE.

The single is like a melting pot of the Beta Band, the Polyphonic Spree, ska, funk, soul, a dash of Screamadelica and more than a dab of euphoria. Stretching out to over 8-minutes, this is ambitious, fun, eclectic and uplifting.

The band have fun on stage and off but, despite their apparent lighthearted take on life, they are not afraid to comment on political issues.

Colonel Mustard and the Dijon 5 refer to their fans as the yellow movement. It is a movement that is growing and the band are set to cap a memorable year with a huge all-dayer at St Lukes in the East End on Saturday 19th December. I imagine a few more people will be joining the yellow movement in 2016 and I intend to be one of them.

Sonny Marvello and The Insomniac Project

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.

The D Aye Y music scene in Scotland/Glasgow

The weekend that just past was an excellent one for the DIY/Independent scene in Scottish Music.

Friday saw the Scottish Alternative Music Awards ceremony take place at the Garage in Glasgow. The SAMA's (as they are affectionately known) was an idea born from the creative young mind of Richy Muirhead during his studies. It has grown arms and legs and has become a real staple in the DIY music calendar and an excellent platform for bands and artists to strive to reach.

Saturday saw the guys from Tenement TV throw a multi-venue festival named the Tenement Trail (a-la 'Stag & Dagger') and after speaking to Chae and Paul last night (and witnessing the scenes at the Art School) it was an incredible success. These guys are developing all the time, literally buzzing with creativity, full of ideas and never afraid to make an ask or try something out. Top artists like Jake Bugg are playing sets for them, they are getting involved with festivals in a big way, promoting nights in Glasgow and beyond and reaching for the stars. The future is burning bright for these guys.

Despite the current financial climate, the appetite for music in Scotland is as strong as ever. There may not be as much money as there once was in the music industry, but that is only strengthening the resolve and inspiring the creativity of bands, artists, labels, bloggers and promoters and things are flourishing in Glasgow (and across Scotland right now).

2013 is shaping up to be an incredible year for the D.Aye.Y music scene in Glasgow. Bursts of creativity from artists and bedroom/flatmate labels are gathering ever increasing exposure that is really threatening to blow quite naturally over into the big time.

This blog will look at a few of the people responsible for that;

As it is my blog I am going to start with Vigo Thieves who I manage. This is a band shooting for the stars armed with an ever increasing collection of anthems with the kind of universal lyrics that soundtrack lives - think of the stuff that Weller served up with The Jam but fed on a diet of U2, Simple Minds and New Order.

The epic cinematic songs are enhanced by the bands incredible range of videos. That partnership is really setting them apart from their peers in many ways (along with the fact that they are commercial and don't hide it).

'Heartbeats' was used to soundtrack the T in the Park line-up announcement in 2012, adding a couple of thousand new likes to their Facebook page in a week. The band then played the BBC Introducing Stage at the festival and packed it out - check this footage.

'Forever' featured Jody Latham from Shameless and new video single 'Ghosts' features John Leslie entering an old mans drinking den and promptly getting up on karaoke to sing the song.

Their songs, videos and bond with their fans through Social Media is DIY on a scale that no-one else is doing. The 'Heart & Soul Pt II' EP has just been released an it is off the scale.

So OK I started off with some shameless self promotion, lets look at who else is doing well.

Two lovely people that I have met since becoming involved in band management are Lloyd and Halina who run Olive Grove Records, as well as Peenko and Glasgow PodCart. I do wonder how little sleep the couple manage giving the time and energy they put into their blogs, podcasts, promotion, label and band management, but somehow they keep going.

Olive Grove Records in particular are developing at a fast rate of knots, with the pair quick to recognise  talent and offer them a platform to release.

The Son(s) is an act of theirs that I particularly enjoy, but look out for them developing with Jo Mango and Randolphs Leap in particular, with Lloyd and the Leap forging excellent links with Fence Records and 6Music. I do feel that it is only a matter of time before the label breaks through with the right artist and song...and a little bit of luck which everyone needs and their hard work deserves.

Another label I find interesting right now is Comets and Cartwheels. They have announced an innovative partnership with Brewdog and their artists will be playing shows at their bars throughout the country. This is innovative and also commons sense. Bars need business, musicians need good venues, everyone should be a winner....and I think in this case that will happen.

Fake Major are the most recent signing to the label and I imagine that as they feature former members of Endor that they will have learned a lot and be eager to crack on. Their initial offering (below) certainly highlights the quality that they and the label will be striving for.

So the SAMA's, Tenement TV, bands like Vigo Thieves selling out 2-nights at Tuts and gaining incredible exposure and a fanbase for a DIY band, labels like Olive Grove and Comets & Cartwheels pushing further forwards and an army of bloggers and music fans backing them up.

It is an exceptionally exciting time for Scottish D.Aye.Y Music (there is a blog name for someone), heightened even more by the emergence of Chvrches, showing other bands that they can make it.

Who knows what they year will hold.