Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past and present), playlists and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you have never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
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Cover versions of the month #119 & #120 White Stripes and Whitney Houston cover Dolly Parton
I have a list of songs and cover versions I intend to research and blog about when time allows. The White Stripes ferocious take on Dolly Parton's Jolene has been on that list for a while. As I set out to finally write about Jack and Meg White's ferocious garage band cover version, I stumbled across something astounding that made me decide to also write about Parton's I Will Always Love You.Whitney Houston's skyscraping version was number 1 for months in my youth.
The astounding fact is ... Dolly Parton, very likely, wrote both of these world class songs in one day!
In 2017, Parton told a radio show that she had found an old cassette of some initial songwriting ideas/demos. Jolene and I Will Always Love You were on it, back to back! In a later interview with GQ in 2020, Parton said;
If I didn't write them on the same day, it was during that same week, or that period of time when I had that particular cassette in my little player. It was very possible that it happened.
Wouldn't it be great to hear that initial demo?! Parton allegedly has a treasure trove of demos and unreleased songs. That would be some boxset!
Jolene was initially released as a single in late 1973, before becoming the title track of Parton's February 74 album. I Will Always Love You was then released as a single in March 74.
The picked guitar riff intro (by Chip Young) to Jolene is iconic - instantly recognisable. More subtle, is Wayne Moss playing the beautiful pedal steel guitar. Listen carefully, it is truly gorgeous. Headphones are recommended! Parton begins the song with the chorus, leaving the listener in no doubt about her concerns and the subject matter of the song through a heartfelt plea.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Parton becomes more poetic in verse as she sings of Jolene's beauty, hair, skin, eyes, smile and voice. She knows, and admits, that she cannot compete.
After the first verse, there are two shorter verses, with Parton admitting that her love talks about Jolene in his sleep, and how she knows Jolene could take him, but she doesn't know what he means to her. After a chorus, Parton is back delivering two shorter verses, highlighting that this is the love of her life and her happiness now lies in the hands of Jolene.
It's heartbreaking to see the lyrics written down in black and white and to listen to Parton's pleas. What a voice! Parton is in danger of being heartbroken and you can hear it.
The song was inspired by a red-haired bank clerk who flirted with Parton's husband Carl Dean, just after they were married. Parton revealed that Jolene's name and appearance were based on those of a young fan who came on stage for her autograph.
I Will Always Love You is breathtakingly good. I mean, songwriting doesn't really get much better than this. The delivery is extraordinary. Parton's voice is astonishing and when the choir comes in to back her up it hits like a punch. If you didn't have tears in your eyes, then you might have now.
The intro is heartachingly tender and then Parton comes in ... WOW - this must be one of the best vocal performances of all time. I have to stop writing every time I hit play on this song. Parton won Female Vocalist of the Year at the 1975 Country Music Awards for this song - deservedly so!
If I should stay, I would only be in your way
So I'll go, but I'll know
I'll think of you each step of the way
Then you hear the chorus for the first time, Parton's voice rising, full of love and heartbreak;
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Partron's portrays lost love with tender care and through beautifully poetic lyrics. The second verse ends with the devastating realisation;
Good-bye, please don't cry
Because we both know I'm not what you need
Followed by the two line chorus. Coming in on the back of those lyrics, it hits even harder. The love is still pouring out, despite the hurt. The third verse is spoken word, Parton over strings and gently strummed acoustic guitar. The heavenly backing vocals that come in behind her for the final chorus really tug on the heart strings. Gorgeous.
Had I ever heard Parton's original before researching this blog? I must have! Maybe on news clips back around the time Whitney Houston was at number one forever. But this was pre-internet. You couldn't just look something up on Spotify or YouTube! Anyway, Parton's original has blown me away!
On to the covers by The White Stripes and Whitney Houston ...
The White Stripes electrifying and spine tingling garage punk cover version of Jolene is raw and raucous. Jack White is spitting out the lyrics with passion and fire, while you can hear his guitar buzzing from the start. Meg's drums are pure primal, coming in to help add urgency at all the right times, also falling back to allow Jack's voice to lead at others.
The band covered loads of songs through their career, but seemed to have a real affinity with Jolene - originally releasing a studio version as a b-side to Hello Operator in 2000, and then a live version from Blackpool in 2004.
I was fortunate to catch The White Stripes play King Tuts back in the day and their performance of this song was a stand out. Jack White playing a battered guitar and switched between microphones, while Meg looked super cool, following his lead, catching his eye, totally in tune.
Research leads me to believe that the guitar White played, that looked like it was covered in paper mache - but it wasn't, was his 1950's Kay hollowbody - believed to be a Kay K6533 Value Leader. It was like nothing I had previously seen. Likewise, I hadn't seen any band with such a ferocious live energy as The White Stripes. Their distinctive look and colour scheme, raw and powerful sound and incredible energy were captivating and mind blowing.
Music fans of my generation will remember this cover. How could you not?! It was inescapable, number 1 for months, thanks not only to Whitney Houston's remarkable vocal range, but due to its feature in the Bodyguard film in which Houston starred with Kevin Costner.
Listening back, Houston's voice is mesmerising. Her 3-3.5 octave range was unique in popular music and it made everything seem completely effortless to her, extraordinary to us mere mortals. Starting off acapella for the first verse, Houston's voice is beautifully tender. Strings are introduced for the chorus and then Houston's voice starts to really shine. By the second chorus, she is reaching notes that most can't even dream of.
The instrumental section is more 80's than 90's (the song was released in 1992), indeed, listening back, the music is very 80's and doesn't really match Houston's soulful voice. There is A LOT of saxophone and it even makes a reappearance when Houston is soaring through the post instrumental chorus. Like, really soaring.
However, the music is a mere footnote in this cover version, it's all about Whitney Houston and her extraordinary voice. You can only imagine the version she could have recorded with a producer like Rick Rubin, or even Mark Ronson - think of what he produced with Amy Winehouse.
Parton's sublime originals and The White Stripes (studio and live) and Whitney Houston cover versions are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE
Yet another cover version where I discover that who I thought was the original artist to record and release a song, was actually covering it.
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself came to my attention in 2003 when The White Stripes released the song as a single, taken from their Elephant album that also spawned the massive Seven Nation Army.
At the time, Jack White spoke in interviews about the song as being a Dusty Springfield cover version. While that is true, it turns out that there is an interesting story behind the song, before it was recorded by Springfield.
Written by the legendary Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1962, the original version of the song was recorded by an artist called Chuck Taylor. That version was then shelved, until the brilliant Kent Records released it in 1984.
However, back in 1962, Taylor's vocals were removed from the song and a singer called Tommy Hunt recorded his vocals over the top. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced the single, but it failed to chart, despite the top notch songwriting and production team. However, truth be told, neither of these versions do it for me.
Fast forward to 1964 and Dusty Springfield is well in with Bacharach and David, having recorded a number of their songs. Bacharach mentioned I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself to Springfield. The seed was well and truly planted, the song was recorded and her version reached number 3 in the UK singles charts.
Springfield breathed new life into the song. Much like Love did to Bacharach's My Little Red Book (originally recorded by Manfred Mann and blogged on here).
I'm so used to doing everything with you
Dusty's voice soars effortlessly at times, she drops it down at others and you know it will rise again, often in tandem with the beautiful music arrangement; drums crash, horns and strings float and the whole song just flies along. There is so much more soul and urgency in the Springfield version in comparison to the Chuck Taylor or Tommy Hunt 1962 recordings.
Dionne Warwick greatly benefited from the Bacharach and David song catalogue and seemed to be the perfect singer for many of them. So it should be no surprise to learn that she covered the song in 1966.
Warwick seems so assured, like a confession, like she is talking directly to the love who has left her this way. Springfield's version is a little bit more gutsy, like she is also giving herself a good talking to.
Listen to Warwick's voice from 1-minute 36 seconds after a delicious brief drum roll and pause. It is so effortless, gliding, soaring, swooping ... so beautiful.
I just don't know what to do with myself
I don't know what to do with myself
Baby if your new love ever turns your down
Come on back, I will be around
Just waiting for you
I don't know what else to do
Fast forward to 2003 and The White Stripes have broken through following the release of mega hit Seven Nation Army. Always a band to wear their hearts on their sleeves, performing and releasing many cover versions over the years, The Stripes followed their mega hit with their version of I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself.
It wasn't just their raw garage rock n roll soul sound that captured my attention! The accompanying promo film was a work of art. Shot in black and white by acclaimed director Sofia Coppola, the video features supermodel Kate Moss looking absolutely sensational in black underwear, strolling around and eventually pole dancing. Moss is super seductive, oozing sex appeal, the way she moves and the way she holds the camera in her gaze is pretty breathtaking to watch.
The change in the middle eight is amplified as Jack distorts his guitar, screams for all his worth and Meg pounds on the drums. Absolutely glorious!
Like a summer rose
Needs the sun and rain
I need your sweet love
To feel all the way
The Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick and White Stripes are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE
I watched a beautiful film called Wonder at the weekend with my wife and kids. It's full of emotion as a young boy called Auggie, born with a rare medical deformity called mandibulofacial dysostosis, begins school at the age of 10 and following 27 different surgeries to help him see, smell, speak and hear.
Auggie has been home schooled and is so worried about his appearance that he wears a space helmet. The film captures the daily challenges Auggie faces, how he battles bullying, makes friends, displays immense courage and bravery and ultimately wins hearts.
I'd highly, highly recommend it.
There is point in the film where Auggie develops a friendship with a young boy called Jack. We see them playing light saber fights, computer games, walking in the sunshine and just hanging out and doing what friends do. This section is soundtracked perfectly by White Stripes We're Going to be Friends from their 2001 breakthough album, White Cells.
In the song Jack White sings about starting school and making a new friend. White sings softly and tenderly over a simple acoustic riff, his vocal melody is loving and soothing.
The song is a mere 140 seconds long and White briefly pauses as he tells his tale of friendship and learning. It's beautiful writing and it is beautifully performed. Trust me, this is a real heartwarmer.
Numbers, letters, learn to spell
Nouns and books and show and tell
Playtime we will throw the ball
Back to class, through the hall
Teacher marks our height against the wall
Teacher marks our height against the wall
We don't notice any time pass, we don't notice anything
We sit side by side in every class
Teacher thinks that I sound funny, but she likes the way you sing
Welcome to a second edition of the Never Ending Mixtape for September. I've been travelling by train quite a bit lately and this allows quality time to listen to music. So through August and the start of September I added more songs than normal to the Never Ending Mixtape playlist on Spotify.
There is a real indie-guitar vibe to a lot of the songs listed below. Lou Barlow is represented by Sebadoh and Folk Implosion, The White Stripes have 2 songs - the beautiful We're Going To Be Friends and the raw soulful and brilliantly titled Forever For Her (Is Over For Me), Yo La Tengo have 2, there is a cult fave by Camper Van Beethoven, Creation Records are represented, we have 3 from The Lemonheads, a beauty by The Go-Betweens, a rush of guitar pop brilliance by Sugar, some electro by Miaoux Miaoux and Happy Meals and some great new tunes I discovered by Girl Ray and The Courtneys (video at the end of the blog). Oh and Edwyn Collins is in there and Gerry Love's side project Lightships - and much, much more!
I hope you enjoy these songs. Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or click on the link HERE. Scroll down to discover these songs, or dive in anywhere.
Skull - Sebadoh Insinuation - Folk Implosion We're Going To Be Friends - The White Stripes Forever For Her (Is Over For Me) - The White Stripes I Heard You Looking - Yo La Tengo Autumn Sweater - Yo La Tengo Girlfriend - Matthew Sweet Low - Cracker Take The Skinheads Bowling - Camper Van Beethoven
Almost Prayed - The Weather Prophets Cut Me Deep - The Jasmine Minks Stove - The Lemonheads Into Your Arms - The Lemonheads Mallo Cup - The Lemonheads Crazy Town - Velocity Girl Spring Rain - The Go-Betweens If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar
Cannonball - The Breeders Pacer - The Amps Don't Shilly Shally - Edwyn Collins Stop The Clocks - Miaoux Miaoux Altered Images - Happy Meals Trouble - Girl Ray Somebody - Dream Wife Silver and Gold - Lightships 90210 - The Courtneys
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month with a series of shows from established acts like The Cribs, legendary maverick Julian Cope and up and coming acts like Vigo Thieves.
I've spent an incredible amount of time in this venue over the years since I first visited as an 18-year old back in 1994, especially through my 20's and into my early 30's before I 'settled down'. I worked across the road for Abbey National at 301 St Vincent Street for 7-years so I would be a regular at the bar downstairs as well as attending a number of gigs a month up the stairs.
I have fond memories of running across the road at 5pm to get a table with my mates for happy hour. They had £1 a bottle of Stella for several years - dangerous stuff! If it was sunny and you were especially sharp from work, you could get a table outside in the sunshine - glorious.
The jukebox was (and is) brilliant and I have met some incredible people through going to King Tut's for beers and gigs.
Confession - I once devised a scheme (that I honestly only used twice) for getting into sold out shows. Back in the 90's you had to keep your ticket stub for getting out to the toilets downstairs. So I would go upstairs with mates, get the ticket stubs off them, then go back downstairs to sort out mates that didn't have tickets. I'm probably not the only person to ever have done that as health and safety wasn't quite as strict as it is now!
There are many reasons I love King Tut's; the size, vibe, sound, crowd and the opportunity to see live music in a great setting just make it perfect, for me and many, many others. Tut's regularly wins awards for being the best small venue in the UK. No wonder.
I've been looking through old ticket stubs and I've attempted to reminisce about 25 gigs at Tut's to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
1. Beck
Beck dropped Loser in 1994 and everything and everyone went crazy for him. He played Top of the Pops with a bunch of old guys backing him and then I caught him at King Tut's. I still have very fond memories of this gig. This was pre health and safety. My memory is of Tut's being absolutely rammed and sweat dripping off the roof. I was right down the front, squeezing in and dancing and pogo-ing with the crowd to ensure I didn't lose my place. Beck was electric, a clear star; playing material from his debut major album Mellow Gold but also lofi acoustic gems from One Foot In The Grave (also released in 1994) One of my all-time favourite gigs, if a little hazy 20+years down the line.
2. Arthur Lee and Love
I caught Arthur Lee and the modern day Love (Baby Lemonade) at Tut's 3-times. The first time was not long after he had been released from prison. People wondered if his voice would be shot from years of drug abuse...it didn't take long for Arthur to prove he still had it in abundance. Playing with equipment borrowed from Belle and Sebastian, Arthur and his band charged through a set that had people in genuine awe, you could have heard a pin drop during You Set The Scene.
You look so lovely
You with that same old smile
Stay for a while
They returned to play a secret set one time under the guise of Baby Lemonade and then played another secret show during the Forever Changes tour and Arthur responded to my shout for You Set The Scene. Well they were playing the album in order!
Arthur was a one-off, he looked cool, he sounded like a God and his backing band were sensational.
3. The White Stripes
This was an electric performance. Meg's kit was to one side and Jack leapt between a couple of mics playing a guitar that looked like it had seen better days. Pretty Good Looking For A Girl was a punk pop romp and the spine tingling version of Jolene lives with me to this day. As does the call from the crowd between songs; 'I love you Meg' to which Meg and Jack smiled, before the heckler added 'I want to f**k you'. Causing Meg to flip the bird and Jack to scowl and launch into another song.
4. Ben Folds Five
This may well have been my drunkest moment in King Tut's and there have been a fair few! I met my mate Reddy after I finished work and he finished uni and we proceeded to drink non-stop. During the show we were jumping around, dancing and playing air piano along with Ben, causing the audience to form a bit of a circle around us!
A few years later we were in New York and Ben Folds was playing Central Park so we got tickets. We got exceedingly drunk again and I persuaded Reddy that we could get back stage by saying we were from King Tut's in Glasgow - we were hastily ejected from back stage after we climbed a fence - and promptly slept through most of the gig in a drunken stupor! Oh to be young again!
5. John Squire
I went to King Tut's a lot in my younger days! One Friday I was in after work for the £1 bottle of Stella happy hours (5-7pm) when the new Tut's flyers were being handed around. John Squire was playing!!! This was how it was being announced. I immediately went up to the bar and asked if tickets were available - they were so I got 4.
Squire was incredible, coming on to the stage to an almighty cheer looking effortlessly cool with a great jacket and mop top hair. He opened with the closing instrumental of I Am The Resurrection! The place went banana's and i ran down the front from my usual place by the sound desk to jump around like crazy. Squire followed that up with She Bangs The Drums and Waterfall! It was sensational to see one of my all-time hero's up close. 6. Teenage Fanclub
Teenage Fanclub decided to do a tour to promote their Mellow Doubt single - a tour of Glasgow venues! One of them was Tut's and I have fond memories of going with my brother who was maybe 16 at the time. The bouncer took one look at his fake ID and laughed and said 'on you go up son'. (bit stricter these days I am sure!)
The band were in great form, totally at ease with the intimate crowd and in typically brilliant Fanclub humour as they played songs from the exquisite Grand Prix album and earlier faves. The cheer for Norman's whistling solo during Mellow Doubt was fantastic and happens to this day when the song is played live.
7. Ash
I drove me, my brother and at least 3-mates to this gig in my Mum's tiny Fiat Panda. I think it was 900cc or something! I think someone may have tried to crowd surf from the back of the care into the front on the way home while I was driving!
Catching Ash as they were breaking was quite something as they were the same age as us, if not younger. They charged through a pop punk set and just looked like they were having the time of their lives. Jack Names The Planets was a big tune in Carluke back in the day.
Photographed from behind a my framed ticket collage -hence the blur
8. Arab Strap
There was one month where I was at King Tut's at least once a week to see some incredible bands just as they were breaking. Arab Strap were riding high on the success of First Big Weekend and watching them live in Tut's was quite the experience. There was an air of mystery about the band and also one of tension in the venue. A girl was invited on stage to duet with Aiden and she gave a shout out to the Uddingston Young Team! The chemistry between Aidan and Malcolm was incredible - they were unique and earned a place in the hearts of many Scottish music fans and all around the world for their honesty, humour and take on life.
9. Embrace
Embrace played All You Good Good People second song in and I remember turning to my friend and saying 'that is as good as The Beatles!' This was before their album had been released and I had discovered them through their Fireworks EP. They had a bit of northern swagger and some beautiful ballads. They have played Tut's a number of times through the years and some very memorable shows at the Barrowland.
10. Menswear
The hype around Menswear was ridiculous; signed when they had one song on the strength of them looking good, drinking in the right pubs and clubs and their guitarist dealing to journalists - those were the days.
This was an outrageous show that I went to with my brother. They absolutely smashed it. The crowd went nuts. They more than lived up to the hype with brilliant songs like Daydreamer. My brother and I stood on the seats at the back and took it all in - a crazy show.
11. Money Mark
One of the coolest shows I have been to at Tut's. Money Mark entered through the crowd whilst beatboxing and proceeded to take the crowd on an eclectic journey, showcasing his outrageous musical and songwriting talent in style. His Push The Button was a favourite of mine for a number of years.
12. Tanya Donnelly with support by The Walkmen
My mate Reddy was working through in Edinburgh and it was chucking it. Something was up with transport and I couldn't get anyone else to go so I went on my own. The Walkmen were supporting and to this day I regret not offering my flat up to the band when the singer said 'Hi we're The Walkmen from New York City, we don't have anywhere to stay tonight, does anyone have a floor we could crash on?'
I did speak to the guitarist at the bar afterwards and told him that The Rat was better than anything The Strokes have. He seemed pretty pleased. I hope they found a place to crash!
Being on my own, I ended up quite pissed drinking pints and watching the gorgeous Tanya Donnelly and being delighted when she played a couple of Belly songs.
13. Bluetones and Supergrass
Not a bad double bill! The melodic gorgeous tunes of Bluetones and the pop punk charm of Supergrass. Both bands made splashes with their debut singles and had a real buzz about them. Mark Morriss and Gaz Coombes looked and sounded fantastic.
14. Cast
Cast released some brilliant singles back in the day which caused me to go and see them at Tut's. It must have been well before their album came out as I remember the venue being pretty empty but John Power was in charming form, eyes twinkling as he exchanged banter with the crowd in one of the most scouse accents I have ever heard. Fine Time was, and is still, a brilliant guitar pop song.
I vividly remember this show as my sister had fallen and cracked her skull that afternoon and I wasn't sure if I would go to the gig or not. There used to be a phone box across the road from Tut's and i remember phoning my Mum to see how she was. Thankfully she was OK.
15. Har Mar Superstar
I can't remember who he was supporting, he was first on a bill of 3, but Har Mar Superstar played like ....well a superstar to a pretty small audience, most people were still in the bar downstairs. He stripped to his underwear and had a ridiculously long mic lead to walk into the audience to generate a reaction. He wandered right up the stairs and past the sound desk to the spot I tend to stand if possible, and then I almost tripped him down the stairs - accidentally of course! His set was incredible -Prince style pop funk. Despite enjoying him live, I don't recall buying any of his albums.
16. Futuristic Retro Champions
My sisters first band played Tut's in the summer of 2007 - just ten days before my girlfriend (now wife) and I were due to head off travelling around the world for a year. Good timing! This was a great drunken night of pop with loads of friends and family in one of my favourite places in the world. I was very proud of my wee sister.
Me and my sister in 2007
17. Mylo
Mylo's Destroy Rock n Roll went mental in Glasgow and then all over the world. He spray painted the title all over Glasgow and released some ltd edition singles on local Breastfed Records. The album went massive. I remember running out the door after this gig to get down to the Subclub for the aftershow. The show (and aftershow) were a real celebration. Songs from that album would be played in pubs, clubs, pre-club parties and house parties after the clubs shut. An incredible album.
I will be blogging about the album later in the year as it celebrates it's 10th anniversary. Mylo hasn't released any new material since.
18. Vigo Thieves
I was managing Vigo Thieves when they became the first unsigned band to play 2-nights back-to-back at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut. It was a very exciting time for the band as they went from playing to their mates to playing shows in their hometown (well pretty close to Wishaw) where they didn't know who was in the audience. They upped their game and slated Tut's both nights. Hearing songs like Heartbeats being sung back by the audience was a spine tingling
19. Tim Burgess
I am a huge fan of The Charlatans and when lead singer announced he was playing Tuts to tour his debut solo album I had to be there. It was a brilliant gig, Tim had a stunning backing band and he was in great form, playing to the audience as he romped through the pop soul of I Believe.
20. The Magic Numbers
Their eponymous debut album was utterly gorgeous. Melodic, stunning harmonies, catchy choruses, brilliant breakdowns and a beautiful mix of male and female vocals. I first caught them in the old Barfly down by the Clyde, by the time they played Tuts the word was out. That debut album was a beauty and the live shows surrounding it were full of love, the band developed a special relationship with Glasgow and I always remember this show and one they played at the Barrowland when they were just blown away by the crowd singing the album back to them.
21. Gomez
Looking back through ticket stubs, I caught Gomez, Money Mark and Arab Strap within 2-weeks of each other at King Tuts back in 1998. Three very different bands, three utterly incredible gigs. That is the beauty of the venue, they embrace every kind of music, try things out and many times the acts they put on will go on to play bigger venues and have long careers making music.
Gomez sounded sensational. They didn't look that good though! We saw them huddled together over beers in the downstairs bar and they seemed impressed by the DJ playing McLemore Avenue by Booker T and the MGs - a should instrumental version of Abbey Road by The Beatles. (strange I remember that so well!).
They were brilliant on stage, a real wild mix of styles and influences; soul, country, a bit of a dance vibe at times - just like nothing else and that is what made them so good. Ben Ottewell's voice was deep and soulful and it really caught me by surprise.
22. Astral
Astral were a local band that my mate Mark Falconer was in - playing bass. There was a real buzz about them, they sold out Sleazys and played a totally triumphant set - coming on late when everyone was drunk and whipped up by a great pre gig playlist/DJ. They got played on the Evening Session and seemed set to get signed; Steve Lamaq was a huge fan of debut single Come and Go and the instrumental b-side Caribou remains a favourite of mine.
They got a support slot at Tuts and word was that scouts were coming to see them. It all went wrong though, they didn't get a proper soundcheck, the lead guitar wasn't being heard through the speakers at all.
I remember being really worried for them and between songs I went up to the stage to tell Mark that we couldn't hear the lead guitar. He said they couldn't hear much on stage.
I don't remember much else, but it is a King Tuts memory that always stands out - things don't always go to plan. Astral gave it a good shot but broke up before an album was released. I can't remember if they recorded one or not.
23. Hot Chip
I went mad for Hot Chip. Lynn and I stumbled across them in a tent at Benicassim when we went over in 2005. Their album The Warning was coming out and they had loads of hit singles on it. Tuts was sold out but I went along to try and buy a ticket. This was one show I didn't want to miss out on.
As luck would have it, my friend Mark (mentioned above) was there with a writer from Clash Magazine. Their photographer hadn't shown up so they had a spare guest pass so I got in.
Hot Chip played a blinder and remain one of my favourite bands to this day. And I Was A Boy From School was absolutely class, Joe and Alexis' voices blended superbly, Colours was sublime and Over and Over a riot.
24. The Pastels
April 1994, pre-internet, pre-mobiles (unless you were a stockbroker). Rumours always happened at gigs and festivals but this one seemed to be sadly true by the way people were talking. Kurt Cobain had taken his own life. I had queued for ages one day at the old Virgin in Union Street to buy tickets for Nirvana at the SECC, I couldn't believe it.
It was true, The Pastels came on stage and dedicated the show to Kurt before playing a brilliant guitar pop punk set including one of my favourite songs of all time Thank You For Being You.
I had driven in with my friend Grant and we ran outside afterwards to turn on to the John Peel show. Only Peel wasn't on, it was just Nirvana Peel Session tracks and the odd announcement to say that the show was cancelled in memory of Kurt and they were playing his music.
18-years old - we were a little heartbroken. One of the strangest car journeys i have ever taken.
25. Rae and Christian
Rae and Christian were Mark Rae and Steve Christian, 2 producers from Manchester with impeccable taste, style and talent. Their Sleepwalking album from 2001 was a big favourite of mine - guests included the late great Bobby Womack and hip hop act The Pharcyde. The closing track Salvation is absolutely stunning
Their live show superb, a big bank of electric equipment and a sh*t hot band and vocalists. I also remember the support act Fingathing, also from Manchester and based around the talents of a guy called Peter Parker. It was one of those great nights at Tut's where the music sounded incredible and the talent on stage was unique and just totally on it.
