INTERVIEW - Duglas T Stewart

I can still remember buying my first BMX Bandits record, 1993's Kylie's Got A Crush On Us, from Impulse Records in Motherwell. I bought the 7-inch and CD single. I was already aware of the band through my religious reading of both the NME and Melody Maker every week. Also from homemade cassettes that would get passed around. The Bellshill Beat TV show was broadcast the same year,  presented by Duglas and featuring the Bandits, Fanclub, Vaselines, Pastels, Superstar and The Soup Dragons. It was like the show had been made specifically for me. 

All of this music seemed very real, pure and honest. Especially because it was local to me. The music weeklies were fixated on Manchester, Seattle or London. BMX Bandits and Teenage Fanclub in Bellshill were just a few train stops along the Glasgow line from me in Carluke.

Over the years I'd get to know Duglas a little and eventually become friends as we would always bump into each other at shows in Glasgow, whether his own, or bands/artists that Duglas was keen to catch live and support.   

Lynn and I would go and see his latest incarnation of BMX Bandits, or Duglas guesting with bands, playing stripped back shows and at special gigs, like the Bandits 30th anniversary show at Oran Mor with Sean and Norman among the guests. One of my favourite shows was Duglas playing a tiny acoustic show with his friends The Wellgreen in The Lismore bar. Stu and Marco also had someone playing French Horn and it was just gorgeous. Duglas brings warmth and energy to every gig he plays, no matter the size. He loves to sing, perform, share stories and also play cover versions to show his love and taste for music, and turn people on to music they might not have heard before. 

Duglas and BMX Bandits have featured in my blog regularly over the years. I also recorded a podcast with Duglas back in 2016 for his bands 30th anniversary! It's a fond memory. We sat on a bench in Glasgow Green, eating ice cream in glorious sunshine discussing music and Duglas chose some songs to play. Check it out.

I was delighted to learn that a new BMX Bandits compilation album, 15 Big Ones, is being released to mark 40-years since they launched into the world with debut single E102 on Stephen Pastel's 53rd & 3rd Records. Doesn't time fly?! 

15 Big Ones is out on 27th November, as a single LP, or you can get your hands on a limited edition double vinyl version with bonus songs. ORDER from Monorail BMX Bandits have also announced a full band matinee show at The Hug & Pint on Saturday 14th November. TICKETS HERE

Duglas very kindly answered some questions and created a wonderful playlist. Oh ... and there might even be a couple of exclusives on what is coming up next for BMX Bandits ...

If you could go back in time to one moment or show in BMX Bandits history, what would it be, and why?

To quote one of our songs, "Go back, I can't go back. Go forward, I must go forward." I don't know if I want to go back, I think it would be too painful to find myself younger and full of hope with endless possibilities in front of me. But not wanting to be a spoilsport I'll play along with the idea and choose our first full band show in Tokyo at the club Antiknock in Shibuya. Looking out at the audience and seeing love there.

You have an incredible knowledge of music and superb taste. Could you create a tracklist for a 15-song compilation album of your favourite music? What would you call it?

I would call it 15 Loved Ones. I think of songs as being like friends that I can turn to when I need them to make the world feel better or to understand how I am feeling or soundtrack the good times and difficult days. So they feel like loved ones, that are precious to me. I’ve made you my 15 Loved Ones playlist and made it a selection of songs that have been important to me personally and also massively influential on BMX Bandits music over the last 40 years. Of course there are many others that I could have included.

On Spotify : On Apple Music: 

1. The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Robert Mellin and Gian Piero Reverberi

2. I Saw The Light by Todd Rundgren

3. I Never Dreamed by The Cookies

4. Break Away by The Beach Boys

5. Watch What Happens by Chris Montez

6. Who Do You Think You Are by Jigsaw

7. Storm in a Teacup by Lynsey De Paul

8. The Sunshine After The Rain by Ellie Greenwich

9. Someday Man by Paul Williams

10. Baiba Bimba by Tenniscoats

11. Schweden Espresso by Sofie Royer

12. Bye Bye Barbie by Daniel Johnston

13. Casaco Marron (Bye, Bye, Ceci) by Evinha

14. Metti una sera a cena by Enrico Morricone

15. Something Big by Burt Bacharach

How do you feel when new bands coming through (like The Cords / Fatale) cover your songs, come to your shows and highlight how much they love your music?

It means a lot of course. I think of it being similar to when we got to meet people like Alex Chilton or Evie Sands or Chip Taylor and became friends. Of course the gap between us in the 1980s was just around 20 years,,which felt a huge length of time to us then. The gap between us and Supersun, The Cords and Fatale is almost double that in time. It’s a bit like us doing Mills Brothers or Bing Crosby stuff, rather than The Velvet Underground and Bacharach & David songs. I remember seeing The Cords perform the BMX Bandits song I Wanna Fall in Love when I first met them and it sounded so beautiful to me. It was very emotional for me thinking that this song Francis Macdonald and I had written years before they were born had made a connection with them and that they would want to perform it. Since then we’ve actually had Eva perform it live with us a couple of times. She sings it so beautifully.

Francis and Duglas

BMX Bandits has featured many members over the years. Is there anyone you would have liked to join (or guest with) the band for a while?

BMX Bandits and me out with BMX Bandits have been lucky enough to work with people who would have been on that list. I got to co-produce Alex Chilton,with David Scott and his widow said it was one of her favourite recordings by him ( a cover of the Beach Boys song I Wanna Pick You Up). We had Evie Sands in the studio doing backing vocals on a track on our album Bee Stings and we got to be her backing band for a live show and a radio session. One of my more contemporary musical heroes Saya from Tenniscoats produced a BMX Bandits track that I recorded at her home in Tokyo. Jowe Head from Swell Maps and the TVPs was one of the people who inspired us to start making music and we've collaborated several times. So a lot of musicians that I would have otherwise said have already done it. So I am now thinking fantasy and both of these people are sadly dead and so these choices will have to remain in the realms of fantasy. 

Chloe and Duglas

A key part of so many of the records that I love are the arrangements and I've always paid great attention to what's going on with that aspect of pop music, paying attention to the choices of instruments and sounds in a recording, strings, woodwind, brass and other stuff. A lot of these records are from the 1960s and '70s. 

There are two arrangers that I wish that I could have had the chance for them to work on some of my music and they are Arthur Greenslade and Nick De Caro. Arthur did the arrangements on some of my favourite recordings by artists including Serge Gainsbourg, Rod McKuen, Vashti Bunyan, Twice As Much, Del Shannon and my favourite 1967 David Bowie stuff like When I Live My Dream and Love You Till Tuesday. Nick De Caro was involved in a lot of those early mellow pop records on the A&M records for artists like Chris Montez. Harpers Bizarre, Claudine Longet, Roger Nichols & The Small Circle of Friends. He also worked on Here You Come Again for Dolly Parton and Andy Williams hits like I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You and Music To Watch Games By. 

If I was out buying second hand record shopping or buying cool sixties and seventies CD reissues in Japan one of the first things I'd be looking at was who was the arranger on the albums and if I saw Nick De Caro or Arthur Greenslade's name on there I would probably take a chance on it. So those are the guys I wish I could have worked with. There is also a beautiful Nick De Caro album called Italian Graffiti. where he sings and arranged the tracks and also go find his solo recording of Caroline No. I think it's greater than The Beach Boys version from Pet Sounds.

What has it been like to reflect on your 40-year discography? Did you 'rediscover' any songs that you hadn't listened to or played live for a while? (or forgotten about!)

Some of the songs have very strong emotional ties to people, times in my life and places that are gone now and it can sometimes feel a little raw hearing some songs for that reason. But unlike some of my friends who are in bands, I generally really enjoy listening to my own records. I don't do it all the time but I have friends who would never listen to their own work, they hate hearing it. I find that odd. Sometimes I will hear a track and I am surprised by it and it can sound better to me than I remembered it. I hadn't listened to some of the Creation Years stuff for a while and hearing Gettin' Dirty and our version of Jonathan Richman's That Summer Feeling again felt very pleasing. 

Norman and Duglas

On most of our albums the tracks that ended up being singles aren't my personal favourites and due to the nature of this release there's some of the tracks that I am proudest of in our history that couldn't be included here. For instance, I think Still from BMX Bandits in Space, How Not To Care from BMX Bandits Forever and A Missing Front Tooth from My Chain are among our very best work but they didn't seem to fit in with this release ...but hopefully listening to our 15 Big Ones will encourage people to dig deeper.

What next for BMX Bandits?

We plan to release a new album in 2027 and have already one track recorded for that. I don't have a title for it yet, which is unusual for me. There's been a few albums that the first thing I've had before any songs is the album title and the title has helped steer the direction/ narrative of the album. 

I am doing a book that should be out hopefully around late Summer 2027. It's not an autobiography, it's a collection of essays about writing and recording some key BMX bandits tracks over the last 40 years. There is also a BMX Bandits stage musical in the works, it's not about BMX Bandits but it was inspired by our music and features a bunch of our songs. I went to the first read through a few months ago in my old home town of Bellshill and that was a lovely experience.

Chloe, Finlay and Duglas

Tenement Trail 2026 review

Ben Robertson, Fatale

Photo by The Ginger Quiff

Tenement Trail has become an annual event for my friend Joe and I. This can be quite tricky as the event falls at the start of the October schools week off, so we need to manage family expectations for a holiday to ensure that nothing is booked until after Tenement Trail!

Our own expectations were heightened this year by the fact that a number of bands we have been following were on the bill. Two of whom, Ferguson Hi-Fi and Fatale played the Pretty Green TT pre-party at Tuts the night before, along with Little Grandad who we had already seen earlier in the week when they supported the magnificent Madra Salach at Saint Luke's. I never quite got round to writing a blog on that, all I'll say is that Madra Salach were beautifully powerful and soulful. Next stop The Barrowland for them! King Tuts was remarkable value for money, £4 a ticket! More about Ferguson Hi-Fi and Fatale later ...

The sun was shining as Joe and I headed into BAaD to collect our wristbands for the day. We popped into Ho Lee Fook on London Road and were delighted to be seated immediately. The food was super fresh, tasty and had just the right level of kick. We were fueled for the day ahead.

After bumping into, and enjoying a great chat with, Robert from Paninaro / Social Recluse and the great Brian Sweeney, we also caught up with our mate Robbie and headed into Saint Luke's. A friend had recommended checking out Compost Compost Compost and said they were generating considerable interest. 

Compost Compost Compost

Now, I've got to admit, I'm a bit of a band name snob. I make no apologies for that! So, while I'll never like their name, I have to say that the band themselves were super talented, seemingly going for a post OK Computer Radiohead sound. Loads of effects on guitar, distinctive bass sounds, epic vocals and cool synth effects and sounds. Not really my thing, but I could totally hear why people are talking about them.

We then had a little spare time to wander round, first stopping into the Van Winkle where a soundcheck was on, but then deciding to head over to the 228 where we caught a few songs from Dan Parks, a young Scottish singer-songwriter armed only with an acoustic guitar. That can be difficult for a young artist, holding your own in a busy bar where people are talking, but Parks held his own. A song about a school race as a child was a metaphor for life, there was a choice cover of California Dreaming and I heard some echoes of Paolo Nutini. Parks appears to be doing well and is headlining Tuts on 20th December.

Paulie Swan

Out one door, a few steps along, up the stairs and we were into Barras 2 (the venue and bar on the same floor as the merch, toilets and cloackroom) for Paulie Swan who I featured in my preview blog. Swan's online releases feature a full band and cinematic strings. For TT, it was just American (now living in Edinburgh) Swan with his guitar and his soulful and distinctive voice. With lyrics seeming like a spew of self-consciousness, thoughts and observations, Swan played jazzy, bluesy guitar, with what sounded like the occasional CHIC riff thrown in at times. There are no choruses, at least none that I detected, but Swan is one cool customer and has the style and talent to do his own thing. Definite echoes of Cameron Winter, maybe even a nod to Hendrix in his delivery. My friends and I unanimously declared that we could absolutely see him on Later with Jools.

Maicin, Van Winkle, Tenement Trail 2026

We had a quick detour to The Gate and then split up, with Joe and Robbie heading to the Van Winkle for Maicin, while I headed back to Barras 2 for Angelface. Robbie declared Maicin his band of the day, with Joe saying they reminded him a little of Pavement at times.

Angelface

Meanwhile, Angelface played a beautifully, swirly and dreamy set that included covers of Mazzy Star's Fade Into You and Vampire Empire by Big Thief. Closing song Think Twice sounds like a future single to me. Think The Sundays, lots of reverb, harmonies to melt your heart and glorious lead vocals. Angelface play Mono for Hogmanay. 

Supersun

Supersun have featured in this blog a few times over the last year. Led by the energetic Adam Graham who also runs The Cabbage nights, the band has released Shine On as a limited edition flexi disc. I think this is an utterly brilliant song and it sounded fantastic in the Barrowland Ballroom, as did the psychedelic pop tinge Citrus Sunshine. Supersun drew a large crowd and are about to play a few dates on tour with The Bluetones. 

The following month, Supersun headline Stereo on 12th November for the first anniversary of their Cabbage nights and also plan to release a magazine to document the times. Adam Graham and his band are definitely bringing a fresh energy to the Glasgow scene.

Peter - Ferguson Hi-Fi

I was keen to catch Ferguson Hi-Fi, having fallen for the pure punk pop perfection of their debut single Get Over It and seeing them absolutely smash King Tuts at the Pretty Green sponsored Tenement Trail pre party the night before. Their blistering set was full of delicious hooks, choruses and riffs and songs that sound like future singles. 

So I headed swiftly back downstairs as Supersun were drawing to a close. Back in Barras 2, Ferguson Hi-Fi were having sound problems. Previously, Angelface had also faced issues, but it was evident that this was more serious. Guitarist Darren McCaughey ran back and forth from the stage to the sound-desk / sound-engineer - something wasn't going to plan. Around 10-minutes late, Ferguson Hi-Fi burst into life and after a song the sound seemed to come together. Thankfully! 

Peter Ferguson sings of life's challenges and beauty, backed by lead (played brilliantly by McCaughey) and rhythm guitars, a bass player who also sings beautiful harmonies at times and a cracking drummer. Clearly well rehearsed, the band zipped through a short set due to the sound issues (such a shame) but I saw enough at Tenement Trail and Tuts the previous night to easily spot a band on the rise.

Ferguson Hi-Fi have just released Little Things (There's Nothing Bigger) as their second single and their first headline show at McChuills on 19th November. TICKETS HERE. Look out for a feature on Ferguson Hi-Fi soon.

With Fatale coming on at 7.30pm, we had to decided whether or not to risk leaving the venue or not. So we decided to head upstairs to the Ballroom to catch some of Cliffords. I can't say I was aware of this band but they impressed. Tight, powerful and confident, singer Iona Lynch was soon commanding the attention of the sizeable (and filling fast) crowd with her impressive voice and stage presence. 

Fatale - Tenement Trail 2026

However, we only caught half of Cliffords set as we headed back down to Barras 2. I've caught Fatale a number of times in the last 16-months or so and this was the best I've seen them. They gave it absolutely everything. Their energy was incredible, drummer James Lindsay was in sensational form - driving everything along. The whole band vibed off the packed room and gave it back out times 10, lifting the room. Opener September was warm, Winged Horse was beautiful, Moves You was glorious - like Teenage Fanclub in that glorious phase between Catholic Education and Bandwagonesque. Video single Jesus Christ was a riot, new song Superstar was ... super! 

Ben Robertson was on top form, dancing, at the barrier, on the barrier, egging the crowd on, getting the place bouncing. Ahead of Another Sunrise, Robertson asked the crowd if they were going out tonight, going on to whip them into a frenzy with the hook I'm going out tonight. New song Bride closed the set, with a slightly heavier sound at times, though still super catchy. Fatale have been growing from strength to strength and I'm very excited to see them continue to develop through 2027.

King Tuts (for the third time this year) the previous night was good, but Fatale seemed to find another gear at Tenement Trail. It's such a great festival for new and breaking bands to play. It's one thing playing for your friends and fans, but another thing playing to festivals in front of strangers, drawn in by what they have seen, read or heard online, or simply because they have a space in their schedule. Judging by the fact there was one out and one in, I don't think too many people had simply stumbled across Fatale. This is a band on the rise.

With rumbling bellies, we walked round to Saint Luke's reminiscing about the burgers we'd had at the Guinness Bar and BBQ the previous year. And it was shutting down! Joe suggested heading to West Brewery and that was the end of our Tenement Trail. Yet another year where we haven't lasted until the headliners! Although we do tend to go for the discovery side of Tenement Trail. I guess some of the crowd do last the full day, while others come later on, and then there will be some like us who come early and don't quite last the distance. And this was me driving on and on Guinness zero!

Tenement Trail 2027 tickets are on sale now.

Without You

Cover version of the month #124

Harry Nilsson covers Badfinger ... and so does Mariah Carey

I always thought that Without You was a Harry Nilsson song, and ... it kind of is. I guess I came to this conclusion because his name was mentioned regularly back in 1994 when Mariah Carey took the song to number 1. In fact, the song was written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of the Welsh band Badfinger who released albums via Apple and received huge support from Paul McCartney.  Macca wrote Come And Get It for Badfinger in 1969. It's worth checking Paul's demo, where he played all the instruments, that came out Anthology 3. Remarkably, McCartney recorded it all in just 1-hour.

McCartney once described Without You as the killer song of all-time, high praise indeed. The song itself came together in a Beatles-y way, think of Lennon and McCartney merging two songs together for A Day In the Life. That's, kind of, what happened with Badfinger.

Ham wrote a song called If It's Love containing the heartbreaking lyrics

Well I can't forget tomorrow, when I think of all my sorrow

I had you there, but then I let you go

And now it's only fair, that I should let you know ... it it's love

However, Ham wasn't happy with the chorus. 

Meanwhile, Evans was besotted with a girl called Marianne who he would go on to marry. However, the relationship wasn't without its challenge. One night Evans was searching for his girlfriend and poured his heart out to her friend Karen, telling her - She's left me. I need her back. I can't live without her. Evans went on to write a song called I Can't Live with the emotional and soulful chorus;

I can't live, if living is without you

I can't give, I can't give any more

Tom Evans and Pete Ham

And so, the two songs became one. And this was just the start of the story for this particular song!

History shows that Ham and Evans are on record as saying that they didn't consider the song to be particularly strong at the time Badfinger recorded it. So, Without You was slotted to close the first side of their 1970 album No Dice. It wasn't a single and probably didn't receive that much attention in the studio.

The guitar, bass and drums are all fine, but did the band and producer (Geoff Emerick) not hear the potential for strings as the band hit the long chorus outro/mantra? Organ is introduced towards the end, over the top of the Harrison-esque guitar riff. Indeed, the song has a Harrison feel to it, you can only imagine what he could have done with it around this time when he was working on All Things Must Pass!

Badfinger's recording of the song, in comparison to Harry Nilsson's 1971 cover, sounds like a demo. It's still really good, the vocal for the chorus is beautifully stretched, however, it does feel like it's missing something - I guess it is easy to say this having originally heard the song via Mariah Carey! It's a shame that their producer Geoff Emerick didn't hear the potential that other artists, musicians or producers heard. 

Listen to this and then play Harry Nilsson's version immediately afterwards. 

Nilsson's version, released as a single in October 71 and also included on his outstanding album Nilsson Schmilsson,  is over a minute shorter than the Badfinger original. He makes the most of every single second, beginning over sparse piano, strings are introduced for the second verse, his voice is heartachingly beautiful. When he hits the chorus, the drums come in, the strings become more orchestral and Nilsson sings with all his soul. 

Well I can't forget this evening, or you face as you were leaving

But I guess that's just the way the story goes

You always smile, but in your eyes your sorrow shows

Yes it shows

And then ......Nilsson hits the chorus for the second time and it is skyscrapingly epic. There is no need to revisit it like Badfinger do for their long outro. Nilsson has said his piece, he has nothing more to say and most likely, nothing more to give after that performance! 

Pete Ham and Tom Evans received an Ivor Novello song for  Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1972. Tragically, both songwriters committed suicide. Ham, aged just 27 and only 3-years after the Novello award. 

Badfinger, like many 60's artists, had been poorly managed, disgracefully advised and were taken advantage of financially. 'Manager' Stan Polley channelled millions into his personal control. Ham died in 1975, penniless, despite the huge success of Without You through Nilsson that should have earned him hundred of thousands, if not millions. His suicide note called Polley a soulless bastard. 

Evans continued to fight for royalties and he toured as Badfinger, however he too hanged himself in 1983 following a sad, bitter challenge from bandmate Joey Molland who contested the songwriting royalties.

Two years later, frozen royalties were paid to the surviving family of Ham and Evans. Both had died believing they would never receive them. 

Without You would go on to earn even more in publishing royalties following a cover version by Mariah Carey, originally released on her 1993 album Music Box, and then as a single in February 1994. Carey decided to cover the song after hearing Nilsson's version in a restaurant and coming to the immediate conclusion that it could be a smash hit. Mariah was right. The emotion contained in Nilsson's version was absolutely perfect for her. Carey's cover was a monumental hit, spending 21 weeks in the US Billboard Top 40 and hitting number one in dozens of countries worldwide.

Carey, with her extraordinary five octave vocal range, really goes for it at the end of the first chorus, but jeez, she really goes for it on the second chorus over pounding 80's drums before a gospel choir comes in with Carey ad libbing over the top to conclusion. 

Written with heartache at the fore, Without You has broken hearts throughout its rollercoaster history, reaching huge peaks with Nilsson and Carey, but tragically its authors were not able to benefit from the songs success. At the time of writing, Nilsson's version has been streamed 205 million times, while  Carey's version has been streamed a colossal 373,918,083 times! Incidentally, the song has been covered by over 180 artists.

Badfinger's original and the covers by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey 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

115. If I Had A Boat

116. Vapour Trail

117. Femme Fatale

118. You've Got A Friend

119 & 120. Jolene & I Will Always Love You 

121. Get Ready

122. Just My Imagination 

123. What Is Life? + bonus If Not For You

Never Ending Mixtape part 113

 

Welcome to part 110 of my Never Ending Mixtape where the latest additions take us from 5,139 songs to 5,213 with the addition of the utterly sublime Love Me by Arnelle Ramsey that I recently discovered via a Rare Soul & Disco compilation album. This was on the back of discovering my current favourite song Takin' My Time With You by Maureen Bailey via Glasgow disco lover and edit king Al Kent. What a tune! I've just ordered his re-edit on 7-inch.

My Never Ending Mixtape is pretty eclectic - I add songs in no particular order, with no thought behind the song, artist, genre ... or anything. The complete opposite of the old days when I would make mixtapes or mix CD's! 

The result is pretty eclectic!

Thanks so much if you are one of the 386 people who follow the playlist, also if you visit from time to time and welcome if you have just discovered the blog and playlist!

Check out some of the latest additions below.

As always, I hope you find something wonderful that you've never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite song. I personally play my Never Ending Mixtape on shuffle, but play from the start, the middle, or scroll down (could take a while!) to the latest additions. 

Search for Everything Flows Never Ending Mixtape on Spotify or CLICK

Recent discoveries

Takin' My Time With You by Maureen Bailey

Love Me by Arnelle Ramsey 

One Way Glass by Manfred Mann Chapter Three

Inflation by Chocolate Snow

Filthy by Saint Etienne

Man of Value by Tyrone Bailey

New releases

Get Over It by Ferguson Hi-Fi

Old favourites

The Staunton Lick by Lemon Jelly

Caravan by Inspiral Carpets

The Shining by Badly Drawn Boy

Young Americans by David Bowie

Revolutionary by Primal Scream

Free To Go by Folk Implosion

Close Your Eyes by The Chemical Brothers

Only With You by The Beach Boys

Baby Blue by Badfinger

Tenement Trail 2026 preview

Tenement Trail 2026 could easily be the best yet. Headliners Brogeal are riding that 'word of mouth' wave that even the best marketing teams can't buy, while old Glasgow favourites Baby Strange are set to reunite for the 10th anniversary of their debut album Want It Need It.

I love how the area around The Barrowland Ballroom has developed over time. It's still got that gritty edge, but there are now super cool pubs and additional music and arts venues that have created a fantastic vibe and buzz. It's a super cool area to hang out. Joining The Barrowland to host bands and artists for Tenement Trail 2026 are; Barras Art and Design, Saint Lukes, McChuills, Van Winkle and 226 Gallowgate. There might even be some secret shows elsewhere if previous years are anything to go by.

Read on for my 5 Top Tenement Trail Tips and 10 acts to look out for.

TTTT Top Tenement Trail Tips

1. Go early

In recent years I've caught Kerr Mercer playing first on the bill. Kerr has since gone on to release a string of singles and tour with ... well loads of people, including huge shows with Lewis Capaldi. It's just a matter of time before this young Scottish singer-songwriter breaks through. Kerr's voice is extraordinary. Super soulful.

I'd especially recommend looking out for last minute additions to the bill. They are likely to be on early and be bands/artists that are generating a new buzz and that industry types are keen to see. Tenement Trail attracts labels and agents, it's a great festival for young acts to play.

2. Plan for food

Last year my friend Joe and I parked up at the Guinness BBQ outside Saint Luke's for delicious burgers and pints of the black stuff. The previous year we had street food from the wonderful Ho Lee Fook. This year - well we might head in for lunch, but we want to book a table so I'll keep the venue quiet until my review so we can get a space! The area is awash with funky bars, cafes and stalls to cater for your needs. 

3. Research

Not my strong point! Thankfully my friend Joe is bang into researching the acts playing and last year led us to Van Winkle for Madra Salach (pictured above) who absolutely blew us away. They have gone on to great things and are growing from strength to strength. So check out all the acts online in advance - or get a friend to help!

NOTE - My research has improved for this year, as evidenced below!

4. Pace yourself!

I need to take my own recommendation. Last year I was home for 10pm! I had a fantastic day though and caught some brilliant acts. For me, the best part of the festival is ducking and diving between venues to catch lots of bands I haven't seen before. So, if I'm in for the kick off, I'm usually pretty knackered by 8 or 9pm. This year, I am intending to stay sober ... but if the outdoor Guinness bar at Saint Luke's is on again, that will be put to the test!

5. Keep your eyes and ears open

Who will be the secret midnight headline act at McChuills? Will there be an secret acoustic sets in The Gate? Regardless, I'd recommend a visit to this gem of a pub across the road from the Barrowland. 

10 acts to look out for

I'm hoping that the Tenement Trail schedule is kind to me and allows me to zip around the Gallowgate to catch the following bands and artists. Hopefully there are no clashes!

Fatale

My favourite new band are riding the buzz of releasing their debut vinyl only EP, radio airplay and a string of cool support shows. Fatale's development over the last year or so has been really exciting to witness. Christopher Jollie's songs naturally find hooks and choruses, while Ben Robertson has really found his voice on record and come into his own on stage through lots of live shows and regular rehearsals. Euan Corrigan's lead guitar gels effortlessly with Christopher's rhythm, while Oscar Tighe on bass and James Lindsay on drums create beautifully tight but loose grooves to keep it all going. Fatale love playing live and if you like a lot of the music I write about in this blog, I think you'll love Fatale.

Paulie Swan

20-year old Edinburgh singer-songwriter. Cameron Winters vibes. Stoned. Strings. Crooning. Soulful. Could be pretty special. Swan released his beautiful, near 7-minute, debut single Me vs. Mothra back in January and then followed it with his 4-track Swans Today EP in the summer. Instagram

Ferguson Hi-Fi

 

Ferguson Hi-Fi released their outrageously catchy debut single Get Over It in the summer and it immediately caught the attention of Steve Lamaq and 6Music. No wonder. This is high energy garage guitar punk pop. The verses immediately command attention, singer-songwriter Pete Ferguson screams the bridge to the chorus, then rams the chorus home time and time again. There is a gorgeous breakdown with Pete just letting out an ooh as if in love with the sound of the guitar riff, then it's back into the chorus one final time. Look out for a future introducing blog on this band.

Supersun

Supersun have had a super productive 2026, releasing a limited edition 7-inch flexi single Shine On for Record Store Day and playing regularly in all the right places across Glasgow. Mono for RSD, Old Hairdressers for Freakender, headlining McChuills and also running their own night The Cabbage. Oh and they produce a fanzine! Two twelve string guitars are central to their melodic sound. Supersun play 3-dates with The Bluetones later in October and should win plenty of new fans. 

Maicin

Imagine the lovechild of Billy Bragg and Jarvis Cocker ... now get your head out of the gutter and picture Maicin - so says the bands Bandcamp page. Maicin (pronounced Mackeen) are playing some dates with The Pogues later this year. Hailing from Cork in Ireland, their name comes from the nickname bestowed on frontman Matt by his Nan. Maicin means 'little man'. Described as punk with dirt under its nails and poetry in its back pocket - I'm planning to check them out.

Angelface

Despite blogging about Angelface back in January, I have yet to see them live. I can't wait to experience their glorious harmonies in person. Describing themselves as indie-folk / dream-pop, they've posted a series of cover versions and originals on their social channels, generating a lot of interest as a result.

The Paris Match

I caught The Paris Match playing McChuills last year. Their Libertines-y guitar pop and high energy antics won a lot of fans that day. I expect many of them will be heading out to see them again and this time they will bring their pals. Instagram

Tom A Smith

I heard about this young guy via Rowetta from Happy Mondays Instagram after she guested on vocals at one of Tom’s live shows. Hailing from Sunderland, Smith has already released his debut album. it's a mix of beats, grooves and kind of Baxter Dury / Yard Act style vocals. Check I Don't Blame You - all kinds of edgy catchy cool. Instagram

The Orielles

Signed to Heavenly Recordings, I was shocked to learn that The Orielles released their 4th album earlier this year! So I've not been keeping up with them! I got Silver Dollar Moment, their debut, back in 2018 and caught them in Mono around that time. The Orielles are fiercely independent and are capable of finding cool grooves and having fun with them, while having a pop mindset.

Oedipus & The Mamas Boys

Edinburgh 8-piece who have released 3 singles to date. They are quite eclectic. Bleed isn't really my thing, it's a bit too heavy. But Stretched/Kitchen is tender and lush, building to a dramatic conclusion, while A Daisy for You, John reminds me of a whole mix of bands like Admiral Fallow and Idlewild. Instruments include saxaphone, violin and trumpet. Website

1:49 of LCD Soundsystem mixes edits and remixes

I recently played the Tom Sharkett Edit of LCD Soundsystem's beautiful Home. I ended up playing it several times and dancing around my living room. This then sent me on a bit of a trip down the rabbit hole of LCD alternative mixes, edits, remixes and also Franz Ferdinand covering All My Friends. I'll definitely need to feature this as a cover version of the month in the future.

As I listened I made a playlist of my favourites. Expect radical reworkings, prepare to get lost in the music, marvel at analogue synth sounds, get ready to dance to funky beats and grooves, throw your hands in the air and have fun.

Search for 1:49 of LCD Soundsystem mixes, edits and remixes on Spotify or CLICK HERE

You might also be interested in an old blog I published on 10 of my favourite LCD Soundsystem songs back in May 2024.

North American Scum (Kris Menace Remix)

All My Friends (Franz Ferdinand Version)

Get Innoculous (Soulwax remix)

Sound of Silver (C2 Rmx Rev 3)

Us V Them (Any Color U Like remix)

45:33 (Prince Language Remix)

I Can Change (Stereogamous Remix)

Drunk Girls (Holy Ghost Remix)

oh baby (lovefingers remix)

Pow Pow (Idjut Boys Remix)

Home (Tom Sharkett Edit)

Yeah (Pretentious Mix)

Tribulations (Lindstrom Mix)

Saint Etienne and The Pastels at the Barrowland Ballroom

Saint Etienne and The Pastels at the Barrowland was an enticing prospect to warm the hearts of fans of independent pop music. It showed, the famous ballroom was sold out and packed out. Saint Etienne are on their final UK tour, but have highlighted that they will continue to play festivals and one-off events. So, who knows when they will be back in Scotland?

Has The Pastels ever played the Barrowland before? That was the question on the lips of music fans climbing the stairs to the hallowed ballroom in time for Saint Etienne's special guest support act. A quick google highlighted that they had supported Teenage Fanclub back in 1995. I might even have been there! I imagine I probably was but I can't remember.

The Pastels formed back in 1981 and released their debut single Songs for Children on Whaam! Records the following year. Remarkably, it is approaching 50-years since they formed. Stephen Pastel and his band remain shining lights, guiding lights for independent music in Scotland and beyond. The 6-piece Pastels shuffled on to the Barrowland stage at 8pm sharp and Stephen was quick to thank their friends Saint Etienne for inviting them to play.

This was a beautiful set by The Pastels. Stephen also thanked Kenny on sound, and he was right to do so. The melancholic grooves that the band got into, aided by some sublime trumpet, were lovingly warm, dreamy and soothing.

The Pastels opened with Basement Scam. Stephen crooning, playing a gorgeous chord sequence, the 6-piece Pastels creating a wonderfully warm sound. Summer Rain conjures all kinds of imagery and emotions, Check My Heart is glorious upbeat sunshine pop, while Baby Honey is Velvets-y, garage coolness personified. 

Stephen's humour was also on display as he addressed the crowd; 'Most of the songs we've played are from our most recent record. Which isn't that recent ... but we are The Pastels.' 

Thankfully it won't be long before I see The Pastels again as they play The Glad Cafe in November as part of the annual Tiny Changes series of shows.

Saint Etienne came on stage to the sound of one of their own songs - Filthy, from the deluxe edition of Fox Base Alpha. It is tres cool. Check it out.

Pete, Bob and Sarah were joined by long term collaborator (essentially the fourth member) Debs Wykes on vocals and Loz Colbert from Ride on drums. Also a bass/violin player that I didn't catch the name of.

They were on it from the start. Tonight opened proceedings, with Sarah waltzing in wearing a sparkly jacket, later ditched due to the heart in the room and allow freedom to dance. Like A Motorway (check this recent blog) was next up and the synth bass groove was glorious.

Bob and Pete were on a raised platform behind the rest of the band, like a pair of Chris Lowe fans (slightly less eccentric fashion style!), and they created pop perfection, just like Chris and Neil. Cool 808 beats, funky bass grooves, cheesey keyboards and then Sarah and Debs sang gorgeous melodies and hooks over the top.

You're In A Bad Way was my introduction to the band and I sang along heartily. Only Love Can Break Your Heart generated a Barrowland roar, that would have gone on longer and louder had the band not moved on swiftly to DJ and then the superbly titled Stormtrooper In Drag.

Then it really was pop perfection with a euphoric He's On The Phone resulting in an audience sing-song and huge shouts of YES. Pete and Bob mixed in Seven Ways To Love (their song as Cola Boy), before going back into He's On The Phone for a few more epic choruses.

Nothing Can Stop Us Now sounded utterly timeless and super powerful as an encore, before Saint Etienne ended with The Last Time, the final song on their final album.

There were no emotional or extended goodbyes with the band departing the stage (too?) quickly. It is goodbye, but not, as the tour title suggests, farewell. Saint Etienne will continue to play festivals and one-off shows.