Grand Prix b-sides

Released in 1995 on Creation Records, Teenage Fanclub's Grand Prix album is home to some of the bands most beloved songs. About You, Sparky's Dream, Mellow Doubt, Neil Jung, Don't Look Back, Verismilitude, Discolite and Going Places are among the very best of their extensive back catalogue. Not to mention Tears, an underrated gem and Say No - surely one for Raymond to consider bringing back when the band tour later this year.

Teenage Fanclub were on fire. Remarkably, a further 11 original Blake, Love or McGinley originals are spread across the b-sides of the Neil Jung, Mellow Doubt and Sparky's Dream singles! In addition, there are choice cover versions of songs by Yo La Tengo, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rutles, The Buffalo Springfield, The Creation and Velvet Underground.

Back in the 90's, record labels chose to release multiple versions of the single with different b-sides to capitalise on the huge interest in CD singles. They were great value for money, tending to cost only £1.99 if you bought them on the day of release/first week of release. 

As someone who was regularly in HMV Sauchiehall Street most Monday lunchtimes, this meant I had rich pickings! With The Grand Prix singles being a real treasure trove.

My Neil Jung single

and signed Grand Prix CD above

Teenage Fanclub were prolific through the 1990's. Releasing 7 albums (including The King) and (by my reckoning) 20 singles or EP's. 

The CD singles from the bands Grand Prix were released in 2-parts, each with different b-sides. They also had slightly alternative versions of the lead song. There is another stunning album in there! 

Reflecting on their career and particularly the era of b-sides, the band could consider a trilogy of b-sides compilation records. Or a box-set of rarities - sessions, live songs, songs that were on compilation records  ... many have never been release on vinyl. I have heard through a number of sources that Raymond has an extensive (and carefully curated) archive of everything that the Fanclub has recorded.

Teenage Fanclub recorded Grand Prix in just 5-weeks. As a result, there is a warmth and freshness to the album that also comes across in the b-sides. I'm guessing that the covers (and even some of the others) were recorded live or within a couple of takes.

Here is a run through the 18 b-sides from the Grand Prix singles. An interview from around this time suggests that the band considered a b-sides album entitled Pit Stop ... or Pits Top! 

Also, check this YouTube playlist of Fanclub b-sides and rarities. Enjoy.

Neil Jung b-sides

My Life (McGinley)

Every Step Is A Way Through (Love)

The Shadows (Blake) 

Traffic Jam (Blake)

Hi-Fi (McGinley)

I Heard You Looking (Yo La Tengo cover)

The Neil Jung b-sides see Norman sounding beautifully melancholic and reflective on The Shadows. Traffic Jam has a gorgeous sparseness to the verses, Blake delivers a really relaxed vocal performance that I love, before the song bursts into life for the chorus; things are changing, can't you see? the lights are turning green for you and me Raymond's guitar solo is glorious.

Speaking of Raymond. He delivers a couple of gems. My Life sounds almost demo like, with McGinley in typical autobiographical form. So many of his songs start with I ... Here, among other things, he is singing;

I'm tired of philosophy

I think that I know where I wanna be

Gerry's Every Step Is A Way Through is spellbinding, absolutely beautiful. I'd forgotten about this song until the band played it at Oran Mor in 2008 and I was convinced it was a cover. But no, it's a Gerard Love original that is sprinkled with the same fairydust quality of the 60's choice cuts that he loves. Look at the fun Norman is having on the outro from their Manchester show in 2018 HERE

Meanwhile, TFC's epic cover of Yo La Tengo's instrumental I Heard You Looking is 12 minutes 47 seconds of guitar heaven. Your spine will tingle as the intensity builds and your emotions will be heightened by the sound of Blake, Love, McGinley and Quinn at their very best. If you've never heard this then CLICK HERE to check it on YouTube. If you have, then I'm sure you won't need any encouragement to listen again. I'd love the band to play and jam on this live.

Mellow Doubt

Getting Real (Love) 

Some People Try To Fuck With You (Blake)

You're My Kind (McGinley)

About You (acoustic) (McGinley)

Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)

Between Us (Rutles cover) 

The Mellow Doubt CD singles contain 2 of my very favourite Fanclub flip sides. Gerry's Getting Real is a garage guitar pop banger, the band fly through it and the energy leaps out to grab you, shake you and lift you. A gem.

Speaking of gems, Norman's Some People Try To F**k With You is a sparkling example of author and band at their best. Blake has written so many songs about love that his fans can relate to. Here, he cuts to the chase with the chorus; 

Some people try to fuck with

They'll get down on your luck with you

For covers, I'm pretty sure that this was my introduction to Creedence Clearwater Revival, resulting in me buying their exceptional Chronicles compilation album.

Sparky's Dream

Burned (Buffalo Springfield cover)

For You (McGinley)

Headstand (Love)

Try And Stop Me (The Creation cover)

That's All I Need To Know (McGinley)

Who Loves The Sun (Velvet Underground cover)

God bless Teenage Fanclub and their b-sides. They turned me on to so much good music. Burned is incredible guitar pop music and resulted in me buying some Buffalo Springfield albums from FOPP. 

Try And Stop Me is a cover by The Creation (the band that gave Alan McGee the name for his label). It was really Ride's cover of How Does It Feel To Feel? that prompted me to buy their best of compilation. Norman's voice is beautiful on The Velvets Who Loves The Sun.

Raymond's For You is pretty emotional, his voice and guitar sounds really tug on the heart strings, while his That's All I Need To Know has a beautiful hook - it's your love, I dream of and that's all I need to know. I love his voice on this.

Gerry was quite simply on fire during this period. Look at his songs on the album, plus his b-sides. Headstand is a 3-minute rush with Gerry sounding chilled while singing about sunlight in your head, before a beautiful line while you get so high coming down leading into the chorus;

She wants to be thrilled by you, she wants to be thrilled by you

And every morning sun feels like number one

The Teenage Fanclub Fanclub at The Doublet

The Teenage Fanclub Fanclub is a community I joined via the bands old message board that was on their website for a long, long time. There was daily content from fellow fans from across the globe - long running threads, humour, politics, the odd dash of football, music recommendations and the running joke during spells of inactivity ... check the news page!

As was the case with so many message boards, things navigated towards social media and the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub Facebook group has brought even more people together!

Over time, I've met and become friends with many fellow Fanclub Fanclub members. It's a very friendly and supportive community.

The Fanclub Fanclub has recorded a number of tribute albums over the years. I'm delighted and proud to have played a part in the recent What They Do To Me trilogy of tributes. Volume 3 (post Creation years, solo and side projects) came out earlier this year, largely thanks to the drive and patience of Gill Ross, along with the brilliant Mark Rolfe of Winnetka Records and a pool of talented fans.

Gill was determined to bring everyone together for a launch party and yesterday it happened! What an amazing day of music, friendship, community and generosity for a good cause. Proceeds from the album (available by donation), ticket sales and raffle proceeds all went to Tiny Changes.

Here is a little blog on what happened.

Bands assembled from 1pm and there was time for quick line checks, with the very lovely Kenny doing a grand job on sound engineer duties. Doors opened at 2.30pm and after a nice Guinness Zero and a blether outside in the sunshine, I was back in for Michael Vickers, who has designed the covers for the What They Do To Me trilogy, starting things off. 

Michael goes under the guise of My Cover Story and he chose his covers well - including Alison's Starting To Happen and Rudderless by The Lemonheads, Thirteen and The Ballad of El Goodo by Big Star. Michael's fingers danced effortlessly up and down his guitar and he also made clever use of a loop pedal.

Covering Slow Fade and Getting Real by Teenage Fanclub was joyful, but there was a surprise! Duglas T Stewart of the BMX Bandits joined Michael for a beautifully tender take on Serious Drugs. December closed a cracking set.

What a start to the day!

Seahorse Migration (amazing band name!) were on next. The duo of Neil and Matthew created some beautiful music, playing some of their own songs, some covers I didn't know - to the extent I messaged Neil to get his setlist, some I did and a couple of Fanclub numbers. 

Seahorse Migration setlist

Sweet Days Waiting (Fanclub), Survival Car (Fountains of Wayne), new song (namesless and original), Gun (Uncle Tupelo), Waving (Bevis Frond), another new song (also nameless and original), Head Rolls Off (Frightened Rabbit), Every Sweet Soul (Tobin Spout), Up The Wolves (Mountain Goats) and Speed of Light (Fanclub).

Seahorse Migration's take on Frightened Rabbit's Head Rolls Off was sublime, soulful and very apt given our choice of charity. Here we all were, alive, and making tiny changes to earth.

Neil, hailing from the Isle of Lewis, sounds amazing when he talks, even better when he sings. His friend Matthew on lead guitar coaxed all kinds of shimmery sounds and riffs. It was a lovely set and I hope he names and records his original songs. Check their covers. The Fountains of Wayne song is ace.

Next up was Beckie Rahman and friends, also known as the lo-fi hi 5. They recorded a swoon-y take on Lightships Sunlight To The Dawn for volume 3. It's very possibly my favourite Lightships song and I loved their chilled take on it. 

Joined by friends Sheila McConnell on harmonies and tambourine and Mairead Hughes Green on penny whistle, the lo-fi hi 5 melted hearts with their covers of The Beatles Blackbird and Something - helped out by the crowd for the guitar solo on the latter.

Planets by Teenage Fanclub oozed the kind of warmth required for a Sunday afternoon down the pub in November. Gorgeous. Beckie's friends had come over from Ireland and it is safe to say that they loved Glasgow and it was great when Mairead won a couple of prizes in the raffle later on. 

On to headliners Broken by Rock who had the added bonus of live drums to take things up a notch. Their set was laden with Fanclub songs to please the crowd.  

Broken by Rock setlist

Candyfloss (Jonny), Older Guys (Flying Burrito Brothers/Teenage Fanclub), It's All In My Mind, Start Again (Fanclub), Videostore (original), Radio (Fanclub)

Candyfloss off the superb Jonny album, that Norman and Euros released way back in 2011, got things off to a flyer with Alan's wife Rachel singing harmonies and backing vocals. Alan (guitar and vocals), Andrew (bass) and Derek (drums) raced through the set with a real zip. Videostore (blogged on here) may be my alt pop song of the year. It's super catchy and had people singing a-long. While Radio was an absolute joy - guitar power pop perfection. Alan has a naturally melodic voice and can turn his hand to anything - a top guy and musician.

Alan, Derek and I recorded under the guise of Acer Trees for the third of the tribute albums. I do hope to record an EP or mini-album of originals with them one day. We have exchanged demos.

In the meantime, I got to join Broken by Rock for a 4-song set of; Mellow Doubt, So Far Gone, Crush On You and then The Charlatans classic The Only One I Know. The trio are excellent musicians and it was a joy to practice and play with them. 

I was having fun with Jad Fair and the Fanclub's Crush On You and pointed to people in the crowd while singing I've got a crush on you ... only to turn and point to Alan's daughter! And then his wife! Very funny!A funky skiffle busk through The Only One I Know seemed to go down well with Alan, Andrew and Derek locking into the groove.

There was just time to play a suitable song to end the day. Broken by Rock were joined by members of two of Glasgow's hottest young bands - Ben and Christopher from Fatale and Becky from Vanderlye for harmonies, while Rachel was back for some melodica action.

Fatale (09/01) and Vanderlye (24/01) have both just announced headline shows at King Tuts in January.

The Concept is quintessential Teenage Fanclub. The guitars, the melodies, the harmonies, the humour ... Broken by Rock and guests captured all of that and more. Del's mini drum solo to usher in the extended outro was glorious. It was a fitting end to a very memorable day.

We have raised over £1,000 for Tiny Changes through album sales (donations), tickets and the raffle. I'll update this total once it is confirmed.

Thanks to all who contributed to the trilogy (we need to make it a quadruple - right?!), donated money and prizes, came down to The Doublet and got up and played.

Teenage Fanclub live in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city that I am exceptionally fond of. Back in May/June 2008, my wife (girlfriend at the time) and I spent a month living in an apartment in the Palermo Viejo district of the city at the end of 1-year travelling around the world.

After a year of almost constant travel and not really staying anywhere more than 4-6 days, it was great to have a base. We embraced living in the city - joining our local gym, hanging out in the bars and cafes and wandering around museums and (Evita's) graveyards.

Ice cold Quilmes beer, incredible red wine, the best steak ever (we went to La Cabrera - a traditional parrillas - 3 times it was so good!) , Tango in the streets, Boca v River, River v San Lorenzo, a 2-day trip to Iguazu Falls, United beating Chelsea in the Champions League final ... I have so many good memories.

Back in the Day - with brown hair, in the stadium early for Boca v River

Not the greatest game, a 1-0 win for Boca, but an INCREDIBLE atmosphere

So, I was excited for Teenage Fanclub when the band announced that their South American tour would include a visit to Buenos Aires for the very first time. I thoroughly enjoyed the bands Instagram updates from Brazil and Argentina. It looked like they had a blast, played their hearts out and felt the passion from their South American fans. There is a mini-documentary in the making! If they go back I'll offer to go and make it!

Speaking of which, Juan Marioni from Buenos Aires is a member of the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub who I have become friends with online. Juan is a very talented musician - check Juan's Bandcamp page for his Norman, Raymond and Gerry EP's of cover versions and also his Songs of Teenage Fanclub covers album.

I love Juan's versions. There is something about songs originating in Bellshill making their way across the world and being covered that warms my heart. 

Juan has been waiting to see his favourite band for quite some time! So, I asked if he would write a blog on the experience. Now that Juan has had time to recover, he has written a beautifully passionate, funny (I laughed out loud at the Mongolia section) and soulful blog that portrays his deep love for the band.

I'm all in if the band make it back to Argentina! If my wife and kids let me! Maybe we will all go!

Guest blog - 1,130,112,000 seconds. Teenage Fanclub live in Buenos Aires.

1 130 112 000 seconds. That's how long it took Teenage Fanclub to play in Argentina. Yes, I double-checked the calculation. The time that passed from their live debut on November 17, 1989, until they finally stepped onto the stage of C ART MEDIA on September 9, 2025. A wait full of disappointments and "almosts" that never were, but which, in the end, turned into pure glory. This is the story of how, after so long, everything came together so we could celebrate our love fest with the band.

A while ago, I found out that back in 2011, my beloved Teenage Fanclub had played in Brazil. Missing the possibility of (maybe) travelling and seeing them wasn't the biggest disappointment; the real heartbreak was not having known about their visit to a "nearby" country. Social media wasn't what it is today. The taste turned even more bitter when I was told they had already been there in 2004, "close" to my neighborhood. I say "close" in quotes because Brazil is not that close, and São Paulo is 2,238.8 km from Buenos Aires, a distance similar to the one that separates Bellshill from Rome.

But hope is never lost. Around that time (2014), Lollapalooza began to be held in Argentina, and I thought that was my chance. Thanks to that "industry monster," I was able to see Johnny Marr that same year, who, by the grace of some divinity, did a sideshow—going to a festival with 1500 bands in less than 12 hours is an ordeal for me and my back. Every time a new edition was announced, the first thing I did was read the fine print on the flyer looking for the shows "less interesting to the public," but Teenage Fanclub never appeared on the lineup. The possibility of seeing them at a proper venue was fading. At that point, I would have settled for a 20-minute set at 4 p.m. on stage number 7 of said festival... or another.

Then, Gerry's departure made me doubt whether the band would continue, and the 2020 pandemic arrived. The years went by. Until one day in 2024, I read in an Instagram post: "Teenage Fanclub in... Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia." "No, now that's it," I thought. "They're never coming to Argentina!" Outrage! They play in Mongolia—and I have nothing against Mongolians, I love them!—but if there's a distant, inhospitable place with no visible rock culture, that's the definition of Mongolia. I swear I gave up then. I thought my only chance would be to travel to the UK or Europe at some point to catch one of their tours, like my friend and colleague from Los Andes, Sebastián Rubin, who saw them in 2018.

They say miracles exist, and in 2025, a light of hope emerged. At the beginning of the year, the São Paulo date for September was announced, and I started planning a trip to Brazil. The planets seemed to align—they didn't play Planets at the show, the 1st absence from the setlist—: 

I feel the planets surround me 

They gather 'round me 

A little later, I found out through "secret sources" that "it seems Teenage is coming to Buenos Aires"... At last! From having to travel 2100 km to São Paulo to taking the bus for three stops to get to the venue, it was truly a sign that God—if he existed—thought of Argentinians this time—God Knows It's True... the second major absence from the setlist.

Seeing Teenage Fanclub live was one of those pivotal moments in my life that I will never forget, an event I waited more than 34 years for. As a fan, as a musician, as a person. Since 1992, when I fell under the spell of Bandwagonesque, I've been waiting for them. Because that's what it is, ladies and gentlemen: a spell these guys have cast on me—and on so many others around the world. And what better than they themselves in Baby Lee - another one missing from last night's repertoire...—to explain what they did to me: I'm enchanted, I've fallen under your spell How can I resist When you cast them so well? And yesterday, it happened. Teenage Fanclub in Buenos Aires! The owners of the recipe, the creators of the special sauce.

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The build-up and the show

Before the main event, Sebastián Arpesella played and gave a soft and delicate show. A former member of Grand Prix, my colleague Rubin's band in the '90s, who was invited onto the stage and reunited for a self-tribute, performing two songs. The anxiety was growing, and on my way to the bathroom, I saw Euros Childs listening to the opening band. I managed to say hello; he was the only member of the band I could get close to. I didn't make him uncomfortable with my fanaticism, I just thanked him for being here.

Around 9 p.m., the assistant with his flashlight, like a Bat-Signal, announced to the sound engineer that the start of the show was imminent. And so it was: the guys came on, and emotion flooded me. I was three metres from the security barrier, seeing my idols in person for the first time. The concert kicked off with Tired of Being Alone and I sang all the lyrics, sometimes phonetically, and I was already losing my voice! I thought to myself, "I'm seeing them! They're right there!" Then, the first classic, About You and the first ovation came. What I didn't like was the change in key; I think there are songs that are very difficult to lower in tone, and this is one of them.

The first part of the set, with Ray at the front, continued with Endless Arcade which was the best version of the first three songs, with its Barrett-esque psychedelic influences. Previously, Norman made the first greeting, thanking the audience and acknowledging that it had taken them 36 years to be here.

Now it was Norman's turn to take the lead vocals. When he plays an D major, I speculate out loud: Norman 3! But I was wrong, it was the turn of The Cabbage one of my favorites from Thirteen, an album I love and enjoyed a lot at the time—it was the first one I bought contemporary to its release. A highlight was Ray's minimalist solo with the classic rock lick that XTC calls Ernie.

Then came the second big ovation with Alcoholiday and I told my friends Fer and Pablo, "This is the riff of my youth" when the song gets heavy metal, before all I know is all I know.... The "Norman set" closed with the beautiful I Don't Want Control of You which, to my taste, sounded a bit more subdued than the recorded version, less brilliant. Let's grant that the album version is practically unbeatable! 

During the video Barby Recanati (see below) did with Ray via Zoom before the show, he mentioned that he was a fan of Syd Barrett and The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. And at this concert, I started to detect details in their songs! I already mentioned it in Endless Arcade and in Everything Is Falling Apart the next song, that feeling of a mantra that abounds in their compositions appeared. The solo, which uses the Mixolydian scale, transported me to other landscapes. At the end of the version, Euros added a detail that isn't on the album, and the song started to sound like Kraftwerk (!).

There was a change of instruments: Norman on bass, guitar with capo for Dave, and Fender Telecaster with open tuning for Ray. The audience chanted "Ole, ole, ole, Teenage Fanclub!", and 120 Mins arrived. Raymond at his best, another of my all-time favorites, with lyrics that resonated with me in those years: I don't wanna be alone, I don't wanna be well known. Great work by Dave on the lead guitar; I think that was "his moment." 

It continued with It's All in My Mind another "new" classic. Super tight, in my opinion, one of their best songs: minimalist and modern. And we got to Metal Baby People were dancing and singing, and the group shone with another furious version, with a very Rolling Stones ending.

At this point, I was surprised by how the band sounded. I didn't imagine they were so precise and that they rocked this way live. Francis is the engine and has the right beat, at the necessary volume. In this big venue, he came through with power and precision.

Norman said something about Raymond showing us the use of the wah-wah. We speculated among the nearby audience, like people in the bleachers at a soccer match, about which song would follow. I guessed that It's a Bad World was coming, another high point in Raymond's repertoire. 

What You Do to Me followed, and the crowd exploded, chanting from start to finish and even generating a small but lively mosh pit. By this point, we were already surrendered to the Fanclub, and the musicians were seduced by the Argentine audience.

I imagined that—since they had said they would play classics for being their first show—they would perform Your Love Is the Place,  in my opinion, Raymond's highest point. So I let myself be carried away by this song, although, to my taste, the tempo was a bit slow and I was expecting a more energetic version.

A friend and former student, Santi, approached me and hugged me at the start of I'm in Love. The first thing he said to me was: "I'm in ecstasy," and he perfectly described my feeling. I borrow his words. I get distracted and chat with him for a while, so the song, which is short on its own, flies by.

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The final stretch and the encores

There's a moment of "rest" after so much high, and I think the beautiful version of Middle of My Mind also serves as a breather for the musicians; it sounds better live than on the album. As a digression, there were no vinyls in the merch, which I think is a great shame, since here it's very expensive to get a record. And well, for now, I'll continue without having Nothing Lasts Forever.

Now we enter the final stretch and another peak moment: someone from the audience asks for it, and Norman grants it, Neil Jung. The "stadium" came down, and the group delighted in the crowd's singing of the solo melody, which continued even after the song ended. The band applauded their Argentine audience. Raymond now tells us: The World'll Be OK and we returned to the psychedelic side, alternating a yin-yang of atmospheres with the previous and the next song: The Concept.

And the concept is Norman's melodies, which have that je ne sais quoi, that touch that makes them eternal, irresistible, and that cut before the coda in which time seems to be suspended and is eternal... and the coda itself, one of the most beautiful in the history of rock, I dare say, only surpassed by Hey Jude. Again, the audience sang in ecstasy, Ray's enormous solo, and the end. Ovation and chants asking for what Norman had already announced before starting the song: they're leaving, but they're coming back.

Raymond's reminder

As far as I'm concerned, they should keep going, because there are many more songs I'd like to hear. The chosen ones for the encores were Back in the Day, Falling into the Sun and Mellow Doubt - a gift for the people, since I haven't seen them play it as an encore on another setlist, although I could be wrong.

And we got to the farewell. Norman genuinely thanked them for having come down to Argentina and told us that they had wanted to do it for a long time, but it hadn't happened. Today it did, and I hope they come back soon, because we need them. Everything Flows is the classic final song of every show for a while now. A priority, you know it, but you have to experience it, you have to live it! I was in Flow mode after the demolishing ending, a few inches off the ground.

Several friends and former students approached me and repeated the same words: "Thanks to you, I'm here today." The evangelism bore fruit, and although we're not a gigantic crowd, yesterday more than 1000 of us, Argentine Fannies, had our moment of glory, our celebration of love for the band. And we gave them the warmth we have on this side of the world and, from what I felt, it was more than enough for our heroes on stage.

I waited a long time, and yesterday it happened. Teenage Fanclub in Buenos Aires: beautiful, emotional, long-awaited, unique.

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Setlist

Tired of Being Alone / About You / Endless Arcade / The Cabbage / Alcoholiday / I Don't Want Control of You / Everything Is Falling Apart /120 Mins / It's All in My Mind / Metal Baby / It's a Bad World / What You Do to Me / Your Love Is the Place / I'm in Love / Middle of My Mind / Neil Jung / The World'll Be OK / The Concept 

Encores Back in the Day / Falling into the Sun / Mellow Doubt / Everything Flows

Teenage Fanclub in The Devils Arse

Teenage Fanclub's recent run of shows where the band played a string of places that they had never played before has energised both band and fans - with many travelling to catch the Fanclub in small venues off the traditional tour circuit, or in unique places ... or in countries they had never played in before.

There was one venue I really fancied - The Devils Arse! How many times can you say you saw your favourite band in such a place?! 

A long standing charity dinner engagement meant that I couldn't make it down to this particular show, but I was determined to publish a blog with the title Teenage Fanclub in The Devils Arse!

Thankfully, my friend Gill Ross, a lovely member of the Teenage Fanclub Fanclub, offered to write a guest blog and it is an absolute belter - funny, passionate and informative. I hope you enjoy it.

Look out for a guest blog on Teenage Fanclub's visit to Buenos Aires by Juan Marioni in the near future. The boys trip to Brazil and Argentina has looked incredible. 

Teenage Fanclub, 29th August, Devils Arse, Castleton
Guest blog by Gill Ross

My favourite band. In a cave. There was absolutely no way I was missing this ! Peak Cavern aka the Devils Arse is in the chocolate box village of Castleton in the PeakDistrict. It boasts the largest cave entrance in Britian at 20 meters high, 35 meters wide and 100 meters long, which makes it an ideal place to hold a concert. The name ‘The Devils Arse’ originates from the flatulent sounding noise the cave makes when flood water drains from it. It was allegedly renamed ‘Peak Cavern’ to spare Queen Victoria’s blushes on a visit in 1842 although its believed she didn’t visit in the end. She missed out. Maybe she would have been tempted if a gig was on. 

Photo - Mick Rhodes

After an epic 6 hour drive, the dog and I went on stretch our legs on a wee recce. Having located the cave, we headed back to our hotel, bumping into the boys, who were on their way to sound check. There was concern on Facebook, after a picture was posted showing the gear being transported up in a buggy (no roads up) that Norman had entrusted his ’60 Jag to the buggy. He was carrying his guitar when we met him, so no, he didn’t. Phew. 

When I arrived at the cave later, the support, Selma French, had already started. Normally this would have annoyed me but, on this occasion it turned out to be a blessing. As I was walking towards the cave the most glorious sound greeted me. Gorgeous vocals, which got louder, richer and more intense as I neared the cave entrance. I was in love with the gig before I even got inside. It was simply heavenly and to experience that moment, for once, I was glad I was running late. 

Photo - Mike Turner

The capacity of the venue is 600 but it didn’t feel like that inside, despite being sold out. The floor is split level, I guess you get what you’re given with a cave. Norman commented it was very disconcerting to have an audience on two levels.

There was a slight slope backward on the lower level so as a pint-sized fan, the choice of spot was critical. I did about a third of the gig quite near the front but played dodge the tall peeps for a view of Norman or Raymond, but not both and then retreated to the back where I would see the whole stage minus Dave. 

Photo - Steve Tamburello

After much anticipation from a friendly but hyped-up crowd, the boys came on and kicked off with Foreign Land. I’m not even sure I took it all in. The sound was sensational. Enriched. Magical. Like nothing I had ever heard before. No echo.

Hearing the Fanclub play always makes me smile but this was different. It felt like a privilege. I stood with a massive grin on my face, big enough to rival Norman’s. The lads followed the opener with About You. Raymond was in fine voice and the harmonies were enchanting. 

Photo by Mike Turner

Next up was Tired of Being Alone. It had a beautiful softness, intensified by the cave acoustics. Soothing to the overstimulated fan ! Then, I Don’t Want Control of You, equally scrumptious classic, with the boys nailing the much loved key change. Norman beamed and commented ‘Not all bands do key changes, we just do the one!’ And a joyous one it is. 

This was followed up with Everything is Falling Apart and Alcoholiday. Call me old school but this song is absolute class and particularly in a cave, I defy anyone to disagree. Norman made a joke that the band were sponsored by Specsavers. To be fair, this applies to a fair whack of the audience. There is a wave of fully sighted, young fans coming through, which is nice to see.

I was utterly blown away by how good Did I Say sounded. Just stunning and potentially my favourite moment of any Fanclub gig ever (and there’s been a few to choose from) . I’m not even sure I have the words to describe just how magical it sounded. I could have gone home then and been happy. 

That sublime moment was followed up by 120 Minutes. The boys knew what they were doing when they put this set list together. Chill time over, they bounced into What You Do To Me, joyful as ever, with Norman joking afterwards that if you liked that song and wanted to find it on Spotify then it was called ‘What You Do To Me’. 

Photo by Mick Rhodes

The intro to Falling into the Sun was perfectly suited to the acoustics. It’s at this point, I begin to wonder if this is the pinnacle of Fanclub gigs and that every other future gig will only be ‘nearly as good as the Devils Arse’ The boys start Neil Jung and this did not help my concerns one bit. So phenomenal, that in its honour, I shall henceforth be known as Gil. 

Francis was perfection on the drums (as was the case all night). Outstanding. Sublime, which continued into The Word’ll Be OK prior to ramping it back up for I’m in Love (and by then we absolutely all were), Come With Me, soft, rich, melodic beauty was the perfect penultimate song prior to a crowd in fine form all letting their hair down, and singing and bouncing to The Concept. 

Photo by Steve Tamburello

Norman warned us that there was only one way out, so if we didn’t leave, they would have to do an encore. There was no way anyone was leaving. The encore started with a delightful rendition of Back In The Day, which is still lingering around in my head. Metal Baby was next up and what a treat. I should listen to it more often as it a cracker of a tune. I maybe over played it in my teenage years…… It was well received by the crowd, who were perhaps thinking the same thing. 

The Middle of My Mind was a beautiful choice prior to Norman introducing Everything Flows, ‘It was our first single, it still is’ No one ever gets tired of Normans banter. So, as always, Everything Flows brought an utterly enchanting and magical show to an end. Just as good as the first time I ever heard it. 

And in case anyone is concerned that no future gig will be as good and I have ruined my future enjoyment of my favourite band, I went to see them in Holmfirth the following night and they knocked it out the park. The boys never disappoint.

Photo (above) by Steve Tamburello 

Photo (below) by Richard Morton

Photo by Mike Turner

The Boy Hairdressers

Blake, McGinley, Lambie, McDonald and McAlinden

The Boy Hairdressers were a short lived band from Glasgow who counted Norman Blake, Raymond McGinley, Francis McDonald (all Teenage Fanclub), Joe McAlinden (Superstar/Linden) and Jim Lambie (contemporary artist) as their members. Paul Quinn (Teenage Fanclub) also played some shows.

Blake, McDonald, McAlinden 

The band released their only recordings via Stephen Pastel's seminal 53rd and 3rd label in January 1988. The 3-track 12-inch consisted of A; Golden Shower, B; Tidalwave, B2; The Assumption As An Elevator.

The Boy Hairdressers and their sole release have taken on something as a cult status - given what the members went on to achieve. The recordings (rough and raw, but made with love) are a glimpse of a band developing - not really quite there with their sound/style.

Golden Shower is easily the best song on the record and was shown some love and appreciation when Teenage Fanclub covered/revisited the song when they played The Barrowland in 2022. High pitched harmonies over sparse acoustic guitar start the song. Then, after a brief pause, bass, drums and keys/vibrophone/flute bring things to life. I'm pretty sure Raymond used some of his guitar work in other songs. 

Tidal Wave is like a mock English folk song. I imagine it might sound better as an Irish folk song. Although under two-minutes long, I'm pretty glad when it's finished. I'm not a fan of this one.

On the final song, The Assumption As An Elevator, I find myself asking who is singing. Is it Norman? I like the outro, with some nice guitar noodling from Raymond, while Jim Lambie creates Velvets-y effects.

When you read some quotes from interviews Norman gave following the break up of The Boy Hairdressers, it's no surprise to find him highlighting his relief that his new band (Teenage Fanclub) is just me ... being me. 

Teenage Fanclub cover an 80's band at the Barrowland

Given that The Boy Hairdressers brief existence was in a pre-internet, pre-mobiles and pre (easily available/affordable) video camera era, there is extremely limited information about the band online.

However ... I did some digging and uncovered interviews, fanzines, photos, (hazy) fan memories and stories from band members, those around the band and fans who caught The Boy Hairdressers and very early Teenage Fanclub.

Photos by Andrew Turner

Horse & Groom pub, Bedford, 17th October 1987

Norman and Raymond were interviewed in a Pastelism fanzine just after they started Teenage Fanclub. Perhaps this section of the Q&A between Stephen and Norman speaks volumes about why Blake broke away with Raymond to form Teenage Fanclub

Patelism: It seems The Boy Hairdressers were just getting a fair amount of interest and then you split up. So what happened?

Norman: The thing about The Boy Hairdressers was that no-one was really motivated to do anything. We were very badly organised ... it ended up that only me and Raymond were putting any effort in. ...

Pastelism (on the song Golden Shower): Do you think it was all a bit naive, all that sex and smutty innuendo stuff? 

Norman: Aye, I'm a bit embarrassed by it now. It was a bit stupid.

Later in the interview;

Norman: ... the new stuff (TFC) reflects more of what we are really about. We feel much more comfortable with Teenage Fanclub ... it's just (me) being me.

In 2021, Raymond and Norman spoke with Ed Nash for a brilliant interview, in The Line Of Best Fit reflecting back on pivotal moments in Teenage Fanclub.

Here is what they had to say about The Boy Hairdressers;

Norman: The Boy Hairdressers had fizzled out and Raymond and myself were the two people left standing. We'd put out a 12 inch on Stephen Pastel's label (53rd & 3rd), so we'd had a taste of what that was like. We wanted to move on and put an album out as soon as we could.

Raymond: People knew who the band were, but it wasn't like we did a lot. We put out one single and played a handful of shows. We were really frustrated by that and once the Boy Hairdressers finished we had this idea that we wanted to make a record before we started talking about what the band was.

Norman: We had a number of songs we planned to work on and that we'd played at the latter end of the Boy Hairdressers. We wanted to do stuff rather than talk about it, so we thought 'Let's put an album out, let's just go for it,' but we couldn't afford to do that. Now you've got Pro Tools on a computer, but a Portastudio was state of the art then. The embryonic part of A Catholic Education was us sat in Raymond's flat recording these very basic demos on a Portastudio. That's where it all started for Teenage Fanclub.

Both of these interviews, although short, probably tell you all you need to know about The Boy Hairdressers. They had fun and a bit of a laugh, played a few gigs, got some attention, put out a record but didn't quite gel and different members of the band perhaps had other priorities/options. 

Raymond and Norman took a few songs into Teenage Fanclub, including Don't Need A Drum and Too Involved, with Raymond funding the recording of debut album A Catholic Education after being left some kitchen appliances (including a fridge) by a neighbour. Check a previous blog on the Fanclub debut HERE

You can listen to The Boy Hairdressers 4-track demo of Don't Need A Drum below. You can instantly hear the move away from the sound of the debut EP - this is cooler and more assured - even as a 4-track recording. This, as highlighted in Norman's interview above, is really a Teenage Fanclub demo. 

Other demos that fans have mentioned (but are currently unavailable online) include Saliva (that went on to become Too Involved) a song called either Flying Helmet or Magic Helmet and a Norman song that BMX Bandits recorded - Let Mother Nature Be Your Guide - LISTEN

I asked a few people in, involved with or around The Boy Hairdressers for some information and (hazy) memories. 

Photo by Kaori Laird

Paul Quinn: It wasn't until I turned up to do the first gig I played with them that I realised Joe McAlinden and Jim Lambie were also in the band! That show was at The Volcano at the bottom of Byres Road where the club scene was filmed for Trainspotting. The 2nd show was at Fury Murry's. After the show, I was asked by Raymond and Norman about what I was planning to do and I stupidly said I was going to continue playing with the guys from Bellshill I was in a band with. I had my reasons for that decision. However, it was a stupid decision as The Boy Hairdressers didn't last long after that. They both went on to form Teenage Fanclub. 

Andrew Turner: It was my brother Nigel who promoted the Bedford (photos from the Horse & Groom above) gig way back in 1987. Norman still remembers the occasion with a certain amount of fondness - he even held up a photo of said gig during the recent (August 2025) Teenage Fanclub show in Bedford.

Duncan Birrell

Pretty sure I caught them live, I think one time may have been on a two-night charity gig for Shelter in Glasgow around 1987 at the old Volcano, at the end of Byres Road. I think the Groovy Little Numbers and The Bandits played one of those nights too - using a lager can as a guitar slide. Heady days!

Joe McAlinden

A review from our first gig. Raymond hadn't joined but was watching in the audience.

Photos from Joe's personal collection

Kevin Francis

Saw them at ULU bottom of the bill below Dinosaur Jr and Primal Scream. All I remember is that someone was sitting down, possibly Norman and there was one song that started with A Capella Beach Boys style harmonies. I loved it!

Brendan O'Hare

They were all from another planet.

Kaori Laird: The voice saying Boy Hairdresser in Japanese at the beginning of the Teenage Fanclub song Speeder - is my voice! It was recorded at Norman's Granny's house. 

After Boy Hairdressers there were rumours circulating that Norman was already working on a new band - who would become Teenage Fanclub. I asked Norman what they would be called and he said Black Watch or Old Grandfather Clock. I knew he was not serious, but it was so Norman (isn't it?).

Fraser Gillespie

The Boy Hairdresser was a terrible novel by Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell. I saw them at least twice in Glasgow and also Norman's previous band The Faith Healers. Their keyboard player, Jim Lambie, did posters and filmed for Splash 1. He went on to become a very successful artist. I have a demo of Saliva which became the TFC song Too Involved - was that The Boy Hairdressers? I saw the very first TFC London gig at the Camden Falcon. It was obvious that they were going to be successful.

Graeme Williams

I saw them live supporting The Pastels at The Boardwalk in Manchester - was a great night, quite the shambolic gig to use a well worn trope, but you could tell they had something special. I have the ticket stub still somewhere.

Steph Wood

I put them on once and they slept on my floor - I still occasionally find one of those round blue Golden Showers stickers when I pull a random record out of it's sleeve ...

Antonio Navarro Ros

In Pastelism fanzine appears the first Teenage Fanclub interview ever and Norman and Raymond talk about the disband of The Boy Hairdressers. Here is the link (also see above)