Videostore - Broken by Rock

Videostore is a slice of unashamedly feel-good scuzzy pop written by Alan Clarke and performed/recorded with his band Broken by Rock, where Alan is joined by Derek McKee on drums and Andrew Clarke on bass. 

I first heard this song when Broken by Rock played the Old Hairdressers and I fell for it immediately - catchy, funny, hooky and perfect lo-fi guitar pop that's full of character. I found myself singing this for a few days after Broken by Rock recently played The Doublet - photo below.

Now released as a single on all the usual streaming platforms, you can check it too and see if you also find yourself singing-a-long. I bet you do! 

This is like a Fruit Pastille! Remember that advert? I bet you can't put a Rowantrees Fruit Pastille in your mouth without chewing it.

I bet you can't listen to Videostore by Broken by Rock without singing-a-long! Give it a go!

Under 3-minutes long, a sampled intro leads to fuzzed up guitars and then Alan's naturally melodic voice comes in. The verses are playful, the chorus is a hook that you can instantly sing-a-long with. I love the second verse;

My Mum she works at the record store

Two doors down from the video store

She came in looking for Rocky 4

(said) "This is a pretty cool video store"

The hook is simple and effective;

Come on, come on

Do you wanna work at my videostore

Alan - "Guest vocals are supplied by Rachel, and Camilo Pineda kindly allowed us to sample audio from his YouTube posted videos from a US videostore in the early 90s. The recording has a lo-fi aesthetic that fits with the analogue subject matter—it recalls days of hanging out in the local videostore, considering what movie you're going to pick for that evening's entertainment while friendships (and more) blossomed. It was actually kinda cool to be the guy that worked behind the desk... would you wanna work in my videostore?"

Alan kindly answered a few questions for the blog, so read on to hear about family life growing up in Fife, the power of a cardboard box drum kit and the bands that sparked a lifelong musical journey.

1. Can you remember the first time you wrote a song on guitar? Chords and lyrics?

I started writing songs when I was about 16 or 17 and quickly started recording them with my brother, Stephen.

We grew up in Inverkeithing, a small town in Fife. Apart from playing football in the local park in the summer and Pac-Man on our Acorn Electron 32k, there wasn’t much else going on, so forming a band and writing music seemed like a good idea! All four kids in our family played instruments (piano, violin, and viola), so there was always music happening in the house.

Our recording setup was truly DIY:

• We used a tape recorder and a ghetto blaster.

• The rhythm section was a taped bass line, someone hitting a cardboard box for the bass drum, and a KitKat tin for the snare.

• Once the rhythm track was done, we’d play it back and record the vocals and guitars on the second cassette recorder.

We wrote together, so the details of who did what are fuzzy now, but songs like There’s A Man and Let Me Go came out of those sessions. Falling Down was mainly written by me (I think!) when I was 17. You can actually hear that original recording right here:

➡️ Listen to "Falling Down" (Original Recording)

2. Who inspired you to play guitar?

Three people really cemented my desire to play: my dad, Tony Cunningham, and Brian May.

• My Dad: He wasn't a great guitarist, but he had an EKO acoustic and lyric/chord sheets for songs like David Bowie’s Space Oddity, The Everly Brothers, and John Denver’s You Fill Up My Senses. Watching him try to play them made me want to give it a go.

• Tony Cunningham: Tony was a local chap who gave lessons at a youth club. He had seen Led Zeppelin in the 70s and could play Stairway To Heaven, which I found very impressive. He taught me all the basic chords and got me properly started.

• Brian May: Brian May made me want to crank up the volume! We had some Queen live videos growing up, and watching him play Hammer To Fall and Tie Your Mother Down made me realise going electric was the only way forward.

I then got into a lot of hair metal, but it was the funky swagger of the Run DMC version of Aerosmith's Walk This Way that really switched me on to bands like The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, and early Blur.

3. How old were you when you formed your first band? Tell us about it.

I was 15 and a bit of a music nerd, hanging around the music department at school during lunchtimes, messing about with their Yamaha DX7 synth. Some older kids asked me if I wanted to play keys for their band.

The singer's name was Lorraine Hossack, so naturally, the band was called Hossack’s Cossacks!

We did one gig—a lunchtime performance at school. I played the piano, and we did a set of covers. The highlight was Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd, with about 300 school kids in the hall all singing along to "Hey Teacher, leave those kids alone!"

After that one-gig tour ended, I formed The Reaction with my brother Stephen (two years below me) and Neil MacNamara, who was a great drummer and, crucially, had his own drum kit! We played a few school shows and even got asked to play at another high school in Edinburgh, which felt like a massive deal at the time.

4. What’s been your musical highlight with Broken by Rock to date?

Broken By Rock is really just a great excuse for my friends and me to make some noise, escape the pressures of real life, and have fun. The thing I love most about it is the community that has gradually built up around the band—playing with brilliant acts and having great friends come to our shows.

We have a very DIY ethos, focusing on writing and recording at home, though we did have a session in Edinburgh at Post Electric Studios (the first time I’d recorded in a "proper" studio), thanks to a generous birthday present from my sister. That was great fun and produced our singles, Popstars and Kingdom. Off the back of that, we had some radio play on Radio Scotland and were invited to chat with Michelle McManus, which was a real treat!

I’ve also been very lucky to play with my pal, Stu Kidd, in KiDD. Riding on his musical coattails, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting Euros Childs, Norman Blake at Frets, David Scott of The Pearlfishers, and playing Tim Peaks Diner at Kendall Calling with the BMX Bandits and The Cords.

5. Do you have any fixed plans with the band? Or are you playing it by ear?

There is certainly no strategy board in my rehearsal room for Broken By Rock!

We usually play 2–3 gigs a year and try to release music when we can. I’m really looking forward to our track Videostore coming out—I'm very appreciative of Camilo Pineda in the States for letting us use the audio samples and footage for the promo video.

Gig-wise, we are playing a Teenage Fanclub tribute night in support of the Tiny Changes charity, set up in memory of Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbits. We’d encourage folk to come along for some choice Fanclub covers—there’s also a very cool new band called Acer Trees who are definitely worth checking out.

6. Lastly, what music have you been enjoying lately?

I've been listening to a mix of new and old tunes. Top of the list lately:

• A Firmer Hand - Hamish Hawk (Brilliant live!)

• Mahashmashana - Father John Misty (The whole album is great, especially "She Cleans Up.")

• The Shakes - Savage Mansion (Great collection. Members are now in Former Champ—check out their single Crooked Little Line, one of my 2025 faves.)

• The Making - Lavinia Blackwall (Unbelievable songs, production, and vocals—highly recommend.)

I also downloaded a Super Furry Animal Essentials Playlist onto my phone for my holidays. It became the perfect soundtrack to driving our rental Fiat 500 around the crazy hairpin bends in the Dolomites!

Finally, I can't get enough of the Music Maps Podcast, which features brilliant weekly hour-long interviews about music and books about music. ➡️ Listen to Music Maps Podcast

Tenement Trail 2025 - review

I took a moment on Saturday to reflect on the regeneration of the area around the world famous Barrowland Ballroom. So many amazing places have cropped up in the last decade - Saint Luke's, BAaD, The Gate, The Winged Ox, Van Winkle and 226 Gallowgate ... not to mention the way the old market now contains funky food outlets and super cool coffee bars. 

It never used to be like this! All the above venues came together to host Tenement Trail 2025, joined by McChuills, which is just a few minutes away from the venues across the road, behind, or to the side of the Barrowland.

Take 50+ new and breaking bands and artists and plant them in the middle of this and you have a super cool festival.

My friend Joe and I headed towards the Barrowland for 1.30pm. Here is how our day panned out;

2.45pm - Vanderlye at The Winged Ox

After lunch we headed straight to The Winged Ox (the bar at Saint Luke's) to catch our first band of the day. Vanderlye have released 7 singles/EP's over the last few years, building their sound and momentum. They might have wondered if they had pulled the short straw as they began their set with 20-30 people in the room. But before their first song had ended, it was absolutely rammed. Those that got down early were rewarded with an atmospheric and anthemic set. Guitars swirled Becky Clarke's voice soared with ease, gelling with singer and guitarist Sean McGarvey. Their second guitarist was creating some cool psychedelic sounds that reminded me of early Verve. 

3.30pm - Katie Nicoll at The Gate (secret acoustic set)

En route to our next gig, we decided we had time to stop into The Gate for a quick pint and were rewarded by chancing upon a secret acoustic set by singer Katie Nicoll that was about to start. While we could only stay for a few songs, there was time for Nicoll to showcase a song called Jodie Said that we both enjoyed. The chorus flowed superbly. 

4pm - Fatale at 226 Gallowgate

We headed across the road to 226 Gallowgate and wondered if we were late for Fatale as we could hear them as we entered. Thankfully it was just a quick line check. The bar quickly packed out and we were grateful to be near the front to get a view from the side, as those at the back wouldn't have seen much. Fatale were only playing their 4th gig, but they have generated a buzz with their shows from their debut at the Vicar Street Social night in McChuills back in May, to King Tuts in July and Bannermans in Edinburgh in September.

Fatale played a furiously fantastic fuzzy guitar pop set. A choice cover of The Vaselines Molly's Lips (more like the Nirvana cover) second song in highlighted their influences. Another Sunrise followed and the hook of wanting to go out is one that I can imagine being popular when they get round to recording and releasing. Own Embrace was introduced as a new one and it sounds like the band are developing all the time. After seeing Fatale at Tuts I described their song Jesus Christ as the catchiest guitar song I've heard in a long time. I stand by that as I found myself singing along and I've only heard it once. 

Ending with the two songs they released as demos, a sublime cover of the Velvets Femme Fatale and a glorious romp through Moves You, their forthcoming debut single, Fatale will most certainly have won some new fans. Next up for them is a show at McChuills on Halloween. TICKETS.

5pm - Madra Salach at Van Winkle

Joe had checked out Madra Salach from Dublin online and was keen to see them, so we headed straight over to Van Winkle and got a couple of pints just before the venue was packed out. The six piece outfit blew us away! Singer Paul Banks and his band opened proceedings with recent debut single Blue & Gold. Banks stretched his vocal chords to sing from the bottom of his soul and with all his heart. 

I found it hard to take my eyes off Banks. His captivating presence through his voice, eyes and expressions - think a bit Lydon and MacGowan (not to mention the cracking sheepskin coat he wore for the first song and then quickly discarded) wowed the crowd. His band mates created atmospheric soundscapes for him to sing over. Their Celtic folk soul sound was both familiar, yet unique, they definitely have their own take on traditional music.

Closing song The Man Who Seeks Pleasure (Is the Man Who Seeks Pain) was a genuine spine tingling moment. It will be interesting to see if they can capture this kind of intensity on record. This was beautifully raw, heartfelt and soulful. Banks gave it his all and his band played as if their lives depended on it. 

5.45pm - Youth for Sale at The Winged Ox

Resisting the urge to stop for a burger at the outdoor BBQ and Guinness Bar that was set up outside Saint Luke's, we headed back to The Winged Ox for Youth for Sale, a 6-piece band from Cambuslang that a few friends had recommended. I could immediately hear why - their dreamy indie sound was pretty sweet and they had the talent to swap instruments and take tuns on lead vocals. A choice cover of Alanis Morrisette's Hand In My Pocket was sublime. I'd definitely go and see them again.

6.15pm - Etta Marcus at Saint Luke's

After an afternoon of gigs and beer/Guinness, the need for food was calling loudly. We resisted again to head though to the beautiful auditorium of Saint Luke's for Etta Marcus.

Although, the vibe was in contrast to the energy, intensity and fun in the smaller venues that we had experienced to date, we weren't really feeling it. Maybe it was a case of the wrong timing.

So, after a few songs, the call of a BBQ'd burger and Guinness won us over and we headed outside. A few of Madra Sach were sat at the table behind us and I had a quick word with the drummer who seemed a lovely guy. They were delighted to be in Glasgow and hope to be back before too long.

McChuills with DJ Vinny

Post burger and Guinness (top marks to the team at Saint Luke's for this combo!), we were a little unsure of how long we'd stay out for. 

Deciding to be sensible in our old age (partly due to Joe having to be back to let the babysitter away!), we decamped to McChuills for one (or was it two?) final Guinness and some top tunes in the bar courtesy of DJ Vinny who played The War On Drugs, Stone Roses and all kinds of stuff that I can no longer remember. But enough to keep us entertained until we headed for our 9.20pm train, so we were home and in our beds long before headliners and secret sets! We'll need to catch Chloe Slater another time.

Tenement Trail 2026

We'd had a brilliant day and we didn't even make it to the Barrowland and BAaD! But then Tenement Trail has something for everyone. Whether it's the thrill of seeking out new bands, or going to see the more established bands further up the bill later in the day. 

I think we'll book a hotel next time and make a real day (and night) of it!

Early Bird tickets for Tenement Trail 2026 are on sale now.

Wigan Casino - Three Before Eight

Trust Me #105-107
Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend
Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe
I'm On My Way by Dean Parrish 

In 2001 I moved out of my childhood home and into a flat in Dennistoun. After years of commuting from Carluke for work and pleasure, I was now just a mile away from drinks and nights in the likes of McChuills and Blackfriars, both of which had (and have) a real affiliation with northern soul. 

Blackfriars had a monthly night called Friday Street and there was a pre-party in McChuills. I was turned on to some exceptional music played at these nights and after one I went into town and bought a compilation album called The Best Northern Soul All Nighter Ever. 

Amazon link

Let your backbone slip - energetic northern soul dancing at the Casino

The album concluded with the three songs mentioned above and the sleeve notes indicated that they were the songs traditionally played at the end of northern soul nights - the 3 before 8(am) -at the world famous Wigan Casino. The home, in many people's eyes, to northern soul music.

Can you imagine dancing the night away, right through to dawn, to pounding soul? Stompers, floaters and floor shakers? All night long! Little rest.  Fuelled by the music, atmosphere and whatever else might take your fancy! Pulling moves, dancing to grooves, wondering about song titles, sticky with sweat, wearing your best clothes and shoes/trainers, trying to keep up, getting sucked into the crowd ... getting your kicks out on the floor.

“As the lights came up, the floor shook with thousands of feet, hands raised in the air, and voices belting out the final anthems. It wasn’t just a club night—it was communion.”

I've thought about it many times. The hardcore that could last through the night until 8am would be rewarded with 3 majestic moments, 3 life affirming songs. 

Flying (possibly in more ways than one!) at the Wigan Casino

So, let's take a trip back in time to find out what was going on ...

In the heart of the 1970s, amid the post-industrial sprawl of the North of England, something magical happened. Wigan Casino, a disused ballroom turned temple of soul, became the unlikely epicentre of the Northern Soul movement. From midnight to 8am, working-class youth travelled from all over Britain danced all night on talcum-dusted floors, fuelled by amphetamines and 100mph American soul records that had been forgotten, many lying abandoned and gathering dust in warehouses until DJ's like Ian Levine went crate digging for them. 

Check this old interview with Ian to get an idea of how his taste and crate digging skills were so important to the development of the northern soul scene.

Upon finding new songs they cherished, when playing them, Levine and other DJ's on the scene, would often cover up record labels, so that other DJ's, collectors and fans wouldn't know the real song title, label and artist. They were more than happy to play the record, but they wanted to be the only person who had it in their box. This fuelled demand and prices!

The queue to get into the Wigan Casino

It might have started with the very first all-nighter - or maybe it just became tradition over time - but when people look back, there’s a shared sense that the ending at Wigan Casino was something truly sacred. As the night gave way to morning, the final moments were marked by a ritual: three songs, always the same, always in the same order. They became known as the Three Before Eight.

Over time, Time Will Pass You By, Long After Tonight Is All Over and I'm On My Way became more than songs. They were ceremony. Closure. A final emotional release before the lights came up and dancers spilled out delirious, tired, sweating and blinking into the dawn.

Wigan Casino closed its doors in 1981. The building was later demolished. But the spirit lives on.

Lets take a look at each song in order.

Tobi Legend – Time Will Pass You By

Perhaps the most poetic of the three, Tobi Legend (real name Tobi Lark) delivers a soaring performance with life affirming lyrics that must have felt like they were written for the scene itself:

Life is just a precious minute, baby…

Tobi Legend recorded Time Will Pass You in Detroit back in 1968. The song was written by John Rhys Eddins, Nick Zesses and Dino Fekaris.

Imagine being back in the Casino when this dropped- a reminder to make the most of every moment, every spin, to wipe away the sweat and forget about the tiredness from hours of dancing - the night was almost over. 

Music doesn't really get much better than this. This song became really important to me when my wife Lynn (girlfriend) and I went travelling in 2007 and 2008. 

And in later life it feels like the lyrics, and the euphoric way that they are delivered, matter even more. 

All you have to do is live for now

Come along with me and I'll show you how

Take my hand I'll show you how to live, why wait until tomorrow

Take my hand and I'll lead the way, to a brighter day

Life is just a precious minute baby

Open up your eyes and see it baby

Give yourself a better chance

Because time will pass you right on by

Jimmy Radcliffe – Long After Tonight Is All Over

A sweeping, orchestral masterpiece released in 1964 on Musicor Records, this song was the emotional heart of the 3 before 8. Radcliffe’s aching vocal and the song’s sense of finality mirrored the bittersweet feeling of dawn. I've always thought it would be a great first/last dance song at a wedding.

Shuffling percussion introduces the song and Radcliffe is in super swoony romantic mood. The four line first verse leads immediately to a chorus that declares undying love.

Tonight with you, for the first time

I have learned what my lips are for

And darling now, that I've kissed you

I am craving to kiss you more

Long after tonight is all over

Long after tonight is all gone

I'll be yours

Forever and a day, and yours

Come anything that may

You'll always be everything to me

There is only one more verse, containing the beautiful line - when I hold you, I can feel that the world is mine , then it is straight back into the chorus. This perfect song is delivered within 2-minutes 23 seconds.

Taking it back to closing at the Casino, imagine this playing after a night of dancing, you are with your friends, or with people who became friends for the night ... jeez it would emotional!

Dean Parrish – I’m On My Way

An explosion of optimism, Parrish’s 1967 stomper gave dancers one last burst of energy. Clapping hands, stomping feet, a chorus of defiance. I've always thought that the opening guitar riff was very Blondie, but the song message is Northern Soul in a nutshell. 

Defiance, resilience, light at the end of the tunnel. This song lifts you up. Whether you've had a bad week, or whether you're at the end of a night of dancing. There are multiple riffs through the song, the lead vocal is rich and soulful, while the backing vocals lift it higher.

The bridge into the final chorus, which repeats a line in the second verse, is utterly perfect; 

Baby I give you everything I've ever had to give

And now I'm gonna live

Here I go, I'm on my way out of your sight

I'm on my way, you're off of my mind

(Flying high)

Catch me if you can

Gonna cry, what a way to die

Time Will Pass You By, Long After Tonight Is All Over and I'm On My Way are added to my Trust Me playlist; search for Everything Flows - Trust Me on Spotify or CLICK HERE. Check below for all previous blogs in my Trust Me series.

Previous Trust Me blogs

1. Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton

1A. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

2. I Am, I Said  by Neil Diamond

3. Where's The Playground Susie?   by Glen Campbell

4. If You Could Read My Mind by Gordon Lighfoot

5. Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon

6. Gone With The Wind Is My Love by Rita and the Tiaras

7. In The Year 2525 by Zager and Evans

8. The Music Box by Ruth Copeland

9. The Ship Song by Nick Cave

10. Sometimes by James

11. I Walk The Earth by King Biscuit Time

12. Didn't Know What I Was In For by Better Oblivion Community Centre

13. When My Boy Walks Down The Street by The Magnetic Fields

14. The Man Don't Give A F**k by Super Furry Animals

15. All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun by Jeff Buckley and Liz Fraser

16. Are You Lookin' by The Tymes

17. A Real Hero by College & Electric Youth

18. Feelings Gone by Callum Easter

19. Sunday Morning by The Velvet Underground

20. Did I Say by Teenage Fanclub

21. Don't Look Back by Teenage Fanclub

22. Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From by Teenage Fanclub

23. Belfast by Orbital

24. Clouds by The Jayhawks

25. Dreaming Of You by The Coral

26. Everlasting Love by Love Affair

27. Walk Away Renee by The Left Banke

28. Teenage Kicks by The Undertones

29. Shaky Ground by Sneeze

29. Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

30. I Can Feel Your Love by Felice Taylor

31. The State We're In by The Chemical Brothers w/ Beth Orton

32. Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

33. Losing My Edge by LCD Soundsystem

34. Mondo 77 by Looper

35. Les Fleurs by Minnie Riperton

36. Rat Trap by The Boomtown Rats

37. How High by The Charlatans

38. I Can't Let Go by Evie Sands

39. Pop Song 89 by R.E.M.

40. Summertime Clothes by Animal Collective

41. There She Goes by The Las

42. We're Going To Be Friends by White Stripes

43. Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo

44. Sister Rena by Lomond Campbell

45. Revolution by The Beatles

46. Lazarus by The Boo Radleys

47. Wrote For Luck by Happy Mondays

48. American Trilogy by The Delgados

49. Loser by Beck 

50. Silent Sigh by Badly Drawn Boy

51. Comedy by Shack

52. Take The Skinheads Bowling by Camper Van Beethoven

53. Freakscene by Dinosaur Jr

54. Thank You For Being You by The Pastels

55. I Think I'm In Love by Spiritualized

56. Chestnut Mare by The Byrds

57. Cannonball by The Breeders

58. Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan

59. You Make Me Weak At The Knees by Electrelane

60. Lucky by Radiohead

61. Strange Currencies by R.E.M.

61. I Am The Cosmos by Chris Bell

62. Like A Ship (Without A Sail) by Pastor TL Barrett and the Youth for Christ Choir

63. Nothing But A Heartache by The Flirtations

64. Made of Stone by The Stone Roses

65. Tonight In Belfast by Orbital, David Holmes, DJ Helen and Mike Garry

66. Anything by Adrianne Lenker

67. I Hold Something In My Hand by Bill Ryder-Jones

68. I Meant Every Word by Burnett Sisters

69. Dream Baby Dream by Suicide

70. Stove by The Lemonheads

71. Red Lady by Phil Cordell

72. Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb

73. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart by Taylor Swift

74. Turnin' My Heartbeat Up by The M.V.P.'s

75. Razzle Dazzle Rose by Camera Obscura

76. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service

77. The Rat by The Walkmen

78. My God Has A Telephone by Aaron Frazer

79. Unfinished Sympathy by Massive Attack

80. Sweet and Tender Romance by The McKinleys

81. Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros

82. 69 Police by David Holmes

83. Hey Lisa by David Holmes

84. I Am A Rock by Simon & Garfunkel

85. Kung Fu by Ash

86. Kids by MGMT

87. Slight Return by The Bluetones

88. Give Peace A Chance by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band

89. Cut Your Hair by Pavement

90. Race for the Prize by The Flaming Lips

91. Waitin' for a Superman by The Flaming Lips

92. Acquiesce by Oasis

93. This Is Music by The Verve

94. Lone Swordsman by Daniel Avery

95. Sparky's Dream by Teenage Fanclub

96. Common People by Pulp

97. Let Our Love Grow Higher by Eula Cooper

98. Regret by New Order

99. Keep On Keepin' On by Nolan Porter

100. Sit Down by James (Live at G-Mex) by James

101. Never Lose Your Sense Of Wonder by Yeti

102. Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over by The Charlatans

103. Life Is Sweet by The Chemical Brothers 

104. How Can I Tell You (To Love Me More) by Brooke Coombe

If I Had a Boat

Cover version of the month 115

Kieran Hebden and William Tyler cover Lyle Lovett

Driving west in the Autumn sunshine in late September, Huw Stephens announced he was playing a song from a new album by Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) and William Tyler. It was an edited (radio) version of their song If I Had a Boat which opens their album 41 Longfield Street Late 80's.

I was instantly spellbound by the atmospheric finger picked acoustic guitar riffs mixed with ambient textures. This gorgeous instrumental was the absolutely perfect soundtrack as I drove towards the setting sun.

After the song finished playing, Huw announced that it was a cover of a Lyle Lovett song. As soon as I stopped driving, I checked it out. 

Lovett's original was the opening song on his 1988 album entitled Pontiac. The lyricss are based on a true story about Lovett once trying to ride across a pond on a pony and wishing he had a boat.

The acoustic riff and slide guitar that Hebden and Tyler have stretched and played with is there, although, other than the intro, it is largely hidden behind the vocal melody and story that Lovett is telling by song.

And if I had a boat, I'd go out on the ocean

And if I had a pony, I'd ride him on my boat

And we could all together, go out on the ocean

I said me upon my pony on my boat

Lovett's song has a beautiful naive quality to it. The lyrics, melody and guitar are quite dreamy. Hebden and Tyler take that dreaminess and take it to the next level with their combined skills.

The cover version begins in a cool, calming and relaxing manner. You don't need a boat to drift off, this is gorgeous. Acoustic guitar is gently teased and eased into the ambient textures. 

At 2-minutes 40 seconds, everything drops out to leave finger picked acoustic guitar, sounding warm, Autumnal and as if it is being played in a golden haze. Think Embryonic Journey by Jefferson Airplane.  Wow. I could listen to this all day.

So too, could Hebden and Tyler. Well, at least for 11-minutes! 

Tyler, former guitarist with Lambchop, takes Lyle Lovett's guitar riffs and jams and expands them. Pedal steel with reverb comes in and then as the song edges past 6-minutes 30 seconds, Hebden brings the ambience back as the guitar fades a little and somehow seems to transform into synth sounds that bubble along for another 3 dreamy minutes. It's an utterly sublime cover - magical.

Lovett's original and the Hebden and Tyler cover of If I Had a Boat 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

Previous covers of the month blogs

1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 

2. Going Back To My Roots

3. Nirvana play The Vaselines

4. Slip Inside This House

5. Top 10 covers by Teenage Fanclub

6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart

7. Time For Livin' 

8. Sound and Vision 

9. All Along The Watchtower

10. I Am The Walrus 

11. Guiding Star

12. You’ll Never Walk Alone

13. Hurt

14. This Guy's In Love With You

15. I Wish I Never Saw The Sunshine

16. California Soul

18. Wonder wall 

19. Dancing In The Dark

20. Always On My Mind

21. Ceremony

22. Heroes

23. Different Drum

24. Wild Horses

25. Respect

26. Mr Tambourine Man

27. I Heard It Through The Grapevine

28. Superstar

29. Twist and Shout

30. Purple Rain

31. Baker Street

32. Not Fade Away

33. Stop Your Sobbing

34. I Don't Want To Grow Up

35. Serious Drugs

36. Dancing With Myself

37. How Does It Feel To Feel?

38. Love Buzz

39. ABBA-esque
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash

41. Discoland

42. Varshons 2 by The Lemonheads

43. The Langley Schools Music Project
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down 
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday 
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U

56. Hey Jude

57. Seven Days Too Long

58. L.O.V.E Love

59. Into Your Arms

60. Heart Of Glass

61. Take Me To The River

62. We Can Work It Out 

63. Talking In My Sleep

64. Lola

65. Lost In Music

66. My Little Red Book

67. Isn't It A Pity

68. Walk On By

69. Walk Away Renee

70. Tainted Love

71. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

72. Listen The Snow Is Falling

73. Mrs Robinson

74. He's Gonna Step On You Again

75. In My Life

76. Caravan Of Love

77. The Only Way Is Up

78. Dancin' Round & Round

79. With A Little Help From My Friends

80. Killing Me Softly

81. Ain't No Mountain High Enough

82. Drop

83. Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay

84. Sympathy For The Devil

85. I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor

86. Love Will Tear Us Apart

87. Indian Rope Man + bonus Strawberry Fields Forever + This Wheels On Fire

88. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

89. Love The One You're With

90. Cum On Feel The Noize

91. Addicted To Love

92. Valerie

93. Ride On Time

94. Let's Dance

95. It Must Be Love

96. I Fought The Law

97. For What It's Worth

98. Do Your Thing

99. I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

100. Don't Leave Me This Way

101. Shout!

102. God Only Knows

103. The Last Time

104. Bridge Over Troubled Water

105. How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

106. Louie Louie

107. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

108-110. I'm A Loser, Yesterday and Beware of Darkness 

111. So You Say You Lost Your Baby

112. Kelly Watch The Stars

113. Association

114. Some Velvet Morning

Tenement Trail 2025 - preview

The air in Glasgow has a beautifully fresh autumnal chill, the leaves in the parks are turning all kinds of glorious colours and there is the unmistakable buzz of a city preparing for one of its best days on the music calendar: Tenement Trail. 

On Saturday October 11th, the area around The Barrowland, will be transformed into a sprawling, multi-venue festival, and if you're a fan of discovering your new favourite band, this is where you need to be.

Five things about the Tenement Trail;

• This will be the 11th Tenement Trail.
• It is named after the very platform that spawned it - the beloved Tenement TV sessions filmed in a flat. The website still highlights and supports new music on a regular basis.
• The festival used to run up on Sauchiehall Street and take in Sleazys, Broadcast, the ABC and ABC2 plus other venues. I think the new 'arts district' in the East End really suits it.
• Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender and Yungblud all passed through the "Trail" at the beginning of their careers.
• McChuills holds a special 'midnight slot' for those with any energy left!

Dead Pony - Photo by Josephine Best for Clunk Magazine

The legendary Barrowland Ballroom itself will host the headliners Dead Pony who I blogged on HERE back in 2021, but the real magic of the Trail is found in the surrounding venues. Places like Saint Luke’s, BAaD (Barras Art and Design), The Winged Ox and Van Winkle will open their doors to a staggering number of bands, creating a dense, under cover, walkable festival experience that's second to none. The journey between venues is part of the fun, as the streets around the Gallowgate pulse with the energy of thousands of music fans. Check out Ho Lee Fook for amazing street food!

But what truly sets Tenement Trail apart is its commitment to championing new and emerging talent, both from Glasgow and further afield. The lineup for 2025 is a carefully curated mix of breakout artists and underground heroes. It's a platform for local bands to play to bigger audiences and for touring acts to get a taste of Glasgow's famously electric crowds.

Last year my friend Joe and I particularly enjoyed YesAndMaybe (below) playing an early afternoon set in Barrowland 2 - I described them as a cross between The Strokes and Phoenix. Shortly after we caught Dallas Love Field (pictured further below) in BAaD. I described their set as a glorious shoegaze psychedelic racket with some dreamy lead vocals. 2024 blog

The previous year (2023) I'd caught Kerr Mercer open the festival at Saint Luke's. The young singer songwriter has since gone on to support all kinds of artists to hone and tone his live performances and road test the dozens of songs he has been writing. Make that hundreds. Kerr's soulful voice has been making real connections and I look forward to his first release.

So a top tip is to get there early to spot up and coming artists who maybe haven't quite got the profile of those playing later on.

One of the most talked-about slots each year is the "midnight slot" at McChuills, a tiny, intimate venue that hosts a buzz band for a lucky crowd of a hundred or so that still have the stamina to keep going. 

Whether you're looking to catch a jaw-dropping headline set or simply wander the Gallowgate and stumble upon your next obsession, Tenement Trail is the place to be. It's a celebration of live music, a showcase of new talent, and a reminder of what a day (and night) Glasgow can put on.

Based on research and what we have heard to date (largely based on band names we like!), here are five bands/artists Joe and I are hoping to catch;

Five acts to check

• Fatale - my current favourite band. Teenagers from Lanarkshire who love Eugenius, Teenage Fanclub and BMX Bandits - right up my street! Check my introducing blog HERE. Fatale haven't even played a handful of gigs - get into them nice and early. Check their demo Moves You and cover of The Velvets Femme Fatale on their soundcloud. 

• Chloe Slater - a young singer-songwriter based in Manchester who I have heard on 6music. Her song Harriet has a brilliant video that has her singing (as Marianne) in scenes from Normal People.

• Jelly - Surely there must have been a band called Jelly before? Anyway, I haven't bothered to google. I like the name, checked the artist and found out that Tenement TV has tipped them as one of their ten to watch in 2025. It turns out that Joshua (Jelly) has worked with Youth - which sounds quite interesting. His website claims that he draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists ranging from David Gray, MGMT and The Streets. Summer single Forever Has A Feeling isn't really like an of those acts, although with some synths behind it the chorus could have an MGMT vibe. 

• Cloud House - Again, I checked Cloud House based on their name. Right from the off, you can tell they are going for big anthemic songs that could fill arenas. So it will be interesting to check them out in a small venue and see if they get the reaction that they are going for.

• Girls.Speak.French - One of the first bands I checked based on their name. They have a single called Britpop Genius, that sounds more in tune with American indie guitar bands from that time. Do I hear a tinge of Idlewild in there? Sounds promising and I'll be going to check them out.