Wedding DJ

6-years ago my friend Jillian asked me to DJ at her wedding. I was delighted to accept. The wedding was to be held in the beautiful House for an Art Lover in Glasgow, a venue I was familiar with as it had also been the setting for my friends Phil and Mary's wedding.

Jillian and Chris' wedding was a real blur. There was a free bar and it was draft Stella. I was sharing DJ duties with a guy from France called Tony. French Tony - as there was also a Scottish Tony. He cleared the dance floor several times so the decks became mine and I played Motown, 60's beat groups, Bowie, Roxy Music and then fine pop including Madonna, Kylie, S-Express and Deee-lite. All music I loved.

Jillian and Chris also introduced me to Ruby Andrews beautiful Just Loving You as that was their first dance. What a choice! It is a cracker and I'd later be interviewed on 6music by Craig Charles on his Funk and Soul show and he marvelled at the song - he hadn't heard it before.

I must have made an impression on Jillian's sister Jules as 2-months ago she got in contact to ask if I would DJ at her wedding.

We had a couple of chats and it was clear that other than the first dance (Andy Williams - You're Just To Good To Be True), Jules and Duncan completely trusted me to get people dancing and ensure everyone had a good time. No pressure!

1st dance

I love a good wedding reception. I trusted my friend Phil to DJ at my own wedding reception, but I also met with him several times to discuss 'must plays'!

For this reception I decided against vinyl. It was to be Spotify and/or iTunes. I discovered a great little APP called DJJAY2 for only £4.99 that allows you to DJ electronically on an iPad using Spotify.  You can mix, there are effects and if you have WIFI then you have quite a catalogue at your disposal!

I have always loved dj-ing with vinyl. You can only play what you have and if you're playing a 3-minute Motown special then you have extremely limited time to select and choose your next record and get it all queued up. I have always liked the excitement of choosing one, only to get it all queued up and then change my mind and fight against time to get another one chosen and ready.

But common sense prevailed on this occasion. I decided to go digital and it definitely helped on the night as in the end I took some requests for the Gay Gordons and Dashing White Sergeant (both of which were amazing) and also ended up playing songs I hadn't included on my 200+ Spotify playlist that I had created for the evening. Why Does It Always Rain On Me by Travis was also requested as it is the family anthem and that became clear when I played it!

Other than those requests, everything I played was entirely my choice. I fretted over playing Toploader (euuugghhh) but it packed the dancefloor. I also cleared the dance floor a couple of times! It was packed for The Fratellis Chelsea Dagger so I thought I'd keep it upbeat with Rocks by Primal Scream, but people vanished! Maybe they were just a little tired cause it had been pretty busy from the off!

The Proclaimers and Runrig were predictable but euphoric Scottish highs. Sunshine On Leith towards the end of the night was absolutely beautiful. Deacon Blue's Dignity sounded incredible.

Dancing and singing

The benefit of WIFI and DJ-ing electronically meant that I stuck Tony Christie, Black Lace (yeah i played them after people started a conga during Tony Christie), the Village People, the O'Jays and Journey off the cuff - I wondered why I hadn't thought of them beforehand! Total party tunes, really euphoric sing-a-longs and cheesey party anthems!

It was a great night in the stunning Ardoch House near Loch Lomond. There were many highlights; seeing people going crazy to Yazz, hugging and singing at top voice to Hey Jude, or being mesmerised by the beauty of Sunshine On Leith was incredible. And those from England who had never attended a Scottish wedding before were blown away by Runrig's Loch Lomond and the traditional circular pogo. I then followed that up with a cheeky encore of Whitney's classic I Wanna Dance With Somebody to end the night.

The last 2 songs of the night

The DJAY2 APP keeps a list of the songs played in each set that you can then transfer to a Spotify playlist. So check that below and there is also a full setlist. NOTE - for some reason it doesn't transfer to Spotify in order played!

It was great fun and it has totally got me in the mood for organising a night of playing records with friends and having a party.

Pre evening reception tunes
Somewhere In My Heart - Aztec Camera
Sparky's Dream - Teenage Fanclub
Baby I Need Your Loving - Four Tops
Good Vibrations - Beach Boys

Reception
Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Love Is In The Air - John Paul Young
Can't Stop The Feeling - Justin Timberlake
Dancing On The Ceiling - Lionel Ritchie
Human - The Killers
Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis
Rocks - Primal Scream
Do Your Thing - Basement Jaxx
Everybody Dance - Chic
Into The Groove - Madonna
Gay Gordons - Jimmy Stand (played twice!)
I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) - The Proclaimers
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Jump - Van Halen
Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
I'm A Believer - The Monkees
Just Loving You - Ruby Andrews
Why Does It Always Rain On Me - Travis
Dashing White Sergeant - Jimmy Shand
You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
Valerie - Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Atomic - Blondie
The Only Way Is Up - Jazz
You Got The Love - The Source and Candi Staton
Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-lite
Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode
Common People - Pulp
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
Don't Leave Me This Way - Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes
Stop! In The Name Of Love - The Supremes
Get Off Of My Cloud - The Rolling Stones
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Young Hearts Run Free - Candi Staton
Dancing In The Moonlight - Toploader
Let's Dance - David Bowie
More Than A Woman - Bee Gees
Get Lucky - Daft Punk
She's Electric - Oasis
Hey Jude - The Beatles
I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) - The Proclaimers
(Is This Way To) Amarillo - Tony Christie
Do The Conga - Black Lace
YMCA - Village People
Love Train - The O'Jays
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
Dignity - Deacon Blue
Sunshine On Leith - The Proclaimers
Loch Lomond (live) - Runrig
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

Oasis at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

February 2015 sees King Tut's Wah Wah Hut celebrate its 25th anniversary. The legendary Glasgow venue has witnessed some incredible bands, artists and shows gracing the hallowed stage over those years. You only need to climb the steps to the gig area to look at some of the names.

However, there is one gig that is associated with the venue more than any other - the night Oasis crashed a bill and were signed to Creation by Alan McGee.

As luck would have it, thanks to a mutual love of Teenage Fanclub, I have got to know the drummer of a band that were on the bill that night - so here is Derek McKee's story of what happened on that famous night.

Derek - I used to play drums in a band called Boyfriend, we were signed to Creation Records offshoot August Records towards the end of 1992. One of the first things that Creation did was buy us all new music equipment then they put us out on the road on a UK tour with Sub Pop rockers The Afghan Whigs at the end of September 1992.

We met up with Debbie Turner and her band Sister Lovers at the Boardwalk, Manchester and promised them a support slot on the next Glasgow gig. We also met up with Mark Coyle who used to be Teenage Fanclub/Inspiral Carpets sound guy. TFC’s guitar tech was our bassist Mark McAvoy, Inspiral Carpets guitar tech was Noel Gallagher. Mark was an old friend and early supporter of our band, he very kindly put us up for the night at his flat after the gig.

Fast forward to May 1993, we were booked to play the last night of Mayfest at King Tuts with fellow label-mates 18 Wheeler. Sister Lovers were booked as the third band on the bill. When Mark Coyle got wind of this, he contacted us to ask if the new group he was working with, his friend Noel’s band could be added to the bill. They were called Oasis. “The more the merrier!” we said but unfortunately we forgot to tell the promoter about the late addition to the night, we didn’t think it would be a big deal!

My memories of the night are that initially the Tuts staff were being a bit arsey about a fourth band on the bill and refused to let them play. Discussions/veiled threats of potential violence and compromise saved the day.

Both Boyfriend and Sister Lovers threatened to cancel the gig but after agreeing to cut short their respective sets, this freed up just enough time for Oasis who went on to play their 4 song set (Rock n Roll Star, Bring It On Down, Up In The Sky, I Am The Walrus). Apart from the Manchester posse, the only others who watched Oasis that night numbered no more than about 12 people. I remember they were very loud and was impressed with their guitarist. The tune that stuck in my mind was their cover of I Am The Walrus, it was fantastic!

Oasis in 1993

Liam looked like a football casual with Adidas gear on, younger than most of us. Like all the young dudes, we thought he was a loveable rogue, cheeky and cocky. His singing was good, he used to have a sweet melodic voice and could certainly hit the notes.

Noel was the big brother, he was the one pulling the strings and he'd been around the block with the Inspiral Carpets, so he knew the score. 

The rest as they say is history! I was given a cassette of their demos, the same one that was given to Alan McGee. I’ve still got it! The Oasis boys were very friendly and appreciative, plans were hatched for Boyfriend to go down to Manchester to play together again. 

After that night, things happened to Oasis very fast but whenever they were in town, we were contacted to go and meet up for drinks/laughs and watch the gig. 

Noel was definitely the chief; very chatty and easy going. I spent a lot of time in his company when they played the Cathouse in 94. Me, Noel and Stephen Jollie from Boyfriend drank a case of Becks and a bottle of Gin between us. I remember saying 'What the f**k you drinking Gin for Noel, it's an old lady's drink?' He took quite a bit of ribbing for it!

This went on throughout their career, right up until they played 2 nights at Loch Lomond. The day before the Loch Lomond gigs, I met up with Liam and his minder in town for some drinks and he sorted me out for tickets for the Sunday gig! One time I remember telling him I thought Patsy had a cracking pair of tits as I'd seen them in Lethal Weapon!

My impression of them was that they were a fine bunch of lads, being in their company was like one long party. We were all in our early twenties, unlimited supply of drink/drugs/women, who wouldn’t “have it””?

The making of an album

One of my favourite blogs is The Pop Cop and he recently wrote an excellent piece about the costs to musicians as they attempt to push forward with their music and their creativity to raise the money required to do just that.

Being in a band costs money; the equipment – guitars, bass, drums, keys, synths, amps, mics, strings, skins. And that is what you need before you even start. Then you need to rehearse so there is the costs of travel and the cost of rehearsal space in a practice room. Then there are gigs, at the start you’ll be lucky to get a few beers and some money towards travel. Then what about recording some songs? You could use Garage Band or something, but if you are a live band with drums then you probably want to go into a studio – more money.

You could release your recordings and sell them, but it also costs money to print up CD’s, even more to print up some vinyl. Pushing ahead with merch you could design and print some t-shirts, get some tote bags…..more outlay in the hope that you will recoup some money. So it isn’t easy.

Record companies have been fast to recognise the importance of the live circuit as record sales diminish – unless you are Adele or Lady Gaga. Young bands are not far behind. Putting on your own gig is a great way to make some money that can finance some of the above – equipment, rehearsal time, studio time, printing cd’s. I’ll talk about this further below.

It all takes time….and money.

I am currently very excited about one of the acts I co-manage, Sonny Marvello, getting close to completing their album. It has been a long road, you wouldn’t believe some of the things that have happened to the band in their personal lives during that time, never mind the band stuff.

 

Introducing the band

I started working with Sonny in May 2009 having first seen them in November 2008 in Sloans Ballroom at an aftershow party for Glasgow versus Cancer. They were the most exciting band I had seen in ages, tight as f**k on stage and off, a real chemistry, songs that made me want to dance, guitar pop with melodies and choruses that stuck in my head immediately.

I sat down with the singer and songwriter Stephen for 4 or 5 pints of Stella in the 13^th Note and learned about the history of the band. We talked about the aim and it was clear that Stephen wanted to get into a proper studio to record the songs that he had building up. The very next week the bass player Craig gave me 2 cd’s of demos of varying quality in terms of sound – some live round a mic, some at a cheap studio, some on to a laptop. There were a lot of songs. I immediately suggested putting out an album of demos as there was some cracking stuff.

In the basement of Oxfam Music, Byres Road, summer 2009

 What I have learned is that talented people don’t like to put out something that is unfinished or a product that doesn’t show their skills to full effect. There is a saying that a songwriter/producer never truly finishes something, they just get to the stage where they let it go. I understand that now.

Anyway, back to the story. I wanted to demonstrate my faith in the band and also some managerial skills, so I promptly booked Stereo for June to get some money in. There was a great crowd and after paying support acts and the hire/sound engineer we cleared £400. We booked Stereo again for August and cleared a similar amount, so we booked 2-days at Cava Studios in Glasgow, a top class studio favoured by Belle and Sebastian amongst others.

Sonny Marvello, Stereo, Summer 2009

  

More lessons were to be learned – we went in to smash 2 songs in 2 days. No problem in terms of the bands musicianship, they would nail them. However there is a lot of time spent on production after that and we were kind of relying on a little bit of extra work being out in by the lovely producer Brian McNeil. The two songs recorded were the incredibly catchy ‘Easy Boys’ and the epic ‘We’re All Cruel’, the idea being to show off two sides to the band – the ear for pop (that is evident in all Sonny songs really) and the ability to soar where other bands can only dream of. Sorted.

We then found out that the Bluesbunny blog would be interested in putting out a single on vinyl – magic. And he would get the songs mastered at Abbey Road – FAB! As Beatles nuts this was a bit of a dream.

 The cover of the debut single, released on glorious red heavyweight vinyl

More lessons to be learned – the masters didn’t sound as good as we had hoped. We really should have got them mastered at Cava. Also, we should probably have found the cash and booked another day at Cava just to tweak a few things.

However we wanted to get a single out, so we went for it.

Another lesson learned – it is great if someone who has a little record company as a hobby offers to put something out and getting that delivery of heavyweight red vinyl 7-inches put a huge smile on my face, however you kind of expect them to do some promo around the release. That didn’t happen and I wish I had been a bit more thorough in finding that out. I could have done it myself – sent some promo copies out etc etc.

Being in a band is like being in a dream a lot of the time, as is having your own little record company, or being a band manager for that matter. Sometimes real life gets in the way – illness, death, money matters, love, the loss of love, weddings, births…..

So no promo was done for the single.

We pushed on with plans to get an album together. I think we played Stereo twice again in 2010 and decided we didn’t have enough money to get the time required to record an EP at Cava. Thankfully a friend and fan of the band – Ross Hamilton, had set up his own studio, Rocket Science, above the Stand Comedy Club with his friend Michael Bannister. Ross and Michael love their pop music and the immediately ‘got’ Sonny Marvello and what they wanted to achieve.

The resulting ‘Pull Me Up’ EP featured – Pull Me Up, Made of Magic, My Lover and a reworked We’re All Cruel.  We released it ourselves and got a bit of promo with some blog reviews and an excellent Daily Record review;

"What a joyous, glorious tune. Like The Monkees doing ELO, Pull Me Up is just perfect to banish the winter blues. The five-strong group from Castlemilk, Glasgow, are ones to watch in 2011. Every track on their debut EP is a sure-fire winner. Made Of Magic has the joy of Beatle-era Paul McCartney, stuffed with harmonies. Then it's all change with the rock-out of My Lover. Finally, the electro-pop of We're All Cruel has the melodic catchiness that has deserted Brandon Flowers of late. A truly exciting prospect."  Daily Record review of the Pull Me Up EP, Nov 2010

The cover of the Pull Me Up EP

 All good stuff. What was the next plan? Well we had a big meeting in early 2011 to discuss ideas for more money to get more recording time. Sonny Marvello like to be a little different and I love a bit of a gimmick myself. We didn’t want to so Stereo again, that was the easy option. So I suggested forming a fanclub and came up with the idea of the 100 Club after the famous punk venue in London. 100 members paying £10 to join the club; they would get a mini-album, access to an exclusive show, a badge, chance to appear in a video, name on the website and a free download of the early Sonny Marvello favourite ‘Who Needs Somebody’ – Not bad for a tenner!

 

We sold out 70 memberships within a week and then over the course of 4-5 weeks we got to the magic 100. With a little bit of spare cash we booked into Rocket Science for 1-day and the band recorded the 100 club mini-acoustic album featuring; Welcome to the 100 Club, Invisible Girl, Hold Me Sway, Charlie Sheen (You’re Living My Dream) and the glorious Fire Went Out. Despite saying that these songs would never be released elsewhere we knew immediately that ‘Fire Went Out’ would be on the album proper. It was pretty much written and recorded in a day and it sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it.

 

In May the band played and spoke at the Apple Store in Buchanan Street and we decided to have the 100 Club party afterwards in the vintage clothes store Ruby Tuesdays on Bath Street (now closed sadly). It was a riot of a night, we bought beer, wine and cider in for everyone, someone brought Sambuca and the changing room ended up being ‘the sambuca room’. The band played a brilliant set with everyone singing along and trying on vintage hats.

It was one of the best nights out I have ever had. Thankfully I had booked the Friday off work! 

The mini-album is brilliant and I know the band favour that method of recording, just going in and getting it down.

With the 100 Club money and some money made from a King Tuts support slot to Florrie, the band went back into Rocket Science to record a new song ‘Tiny Little Sparks’ that they had played for the first time at King Tuts. It is f**king epic and I forwarded it round a few people as soon as it was mastered. Craig McGee decided to play it on BBC Radio 1 Introducing during his slot with Ally McCrae and it sounded brilliant coming out of the radio with Ally declaring 'I can see that (Tiny Little Sparks) in a festival field with people bouncing and bouncing.'

 

Other songs were recorded during the summer with quite a lot of goodwill being shown by Ross and Michael, who as fans of the band were now spending their own spare time in the studio with the band. ‘Land of the Lost Cause’, ‘Wishlist’ and ‘Whispering Song’ and ‘Paint The Sky’ were knocked out quickly with Ross and Michael then spending considerable time on the production.

The band and I had become friends with Kevin Harper – a songwriter, singer, guitarist, producer, walking encyclopedia of music and film and all round good guy. Kev asked to record Sonny Marvello for free at his studio. Stephen had a new song called ‘Young Offender’ written after hearing a story about a young girl his wife Hayley worked with. So the band went down to Kev’s studio and produced a glorious piece of guitar pop.

We decided to release another EP (Tiny Little Sparks) in October as work continued on the album and the band played Stirling, Perth, Inverness and Skye to promote it. We wanted to do something different again and after being overlooked by festivals, something I find quite incredible considering how talented the band are and how festival friendly their songs are, we decided to put on our own festival. I looked at campsites, but wanting to keep things simple and in the event of rain I booked Roawardennan Youth Hostel on the banks of Loch Lomond. 

With 75 beds we kept 15 back for the band, girlfriends and wife, sound engineer, a magician, photographer, me and Kev. We then sold out the rest and had an amazing day and night.

There was then a bit of a dip, as I think happens with most bands and people of an artistic nature. Energy can sap, especially after being involved in so many things – the 100 club, writing and recording, the mini-tour, putting on our own festival…After so many highs it was back to the reality of having no money and still needing to complete the album.

With the little money we had from the tour and EP sales we went into Rocket Science to record another new song called ‘Automatic’ – pop music in its purest form.

We then downed tools for a couple of months, skint and exhausted and emotionally drained after some terrible news suffered by two members of the band as loved ones were snatched from them in two very different ways.

I booked an over-14’s show for February, keen to get the band back on track. The band are genuinely loved by kids in Castlemilk and there had been a growing demand for them to play a show they could get into. At times I wondered (as did the band) if the show would take place due to everything that was going on outwith the band.

A first rehearsal since October and a few beers brought back the magic and the kids loved the show.

And after some bad luck came some good luck. ‘Wishlist’ was going to be used by the RBS in an advert, giving us (alongside the over-14’s money) a good chunk of cash to go back to Rocket Science and tidy things up and complete the album.

So there you have it – it has taken quite a while to get this album together and I am going off to Rocket Science studios tonight to listen to it with a few beers with 5 people who I have become very good friends with – sharing the trials and tribulations of being in a band, helping them with ideas and motivation to get to this stage.

I can’t wait to hear it. I wonder if we will come up with a title tonight...or if Stephen has one up his sleeve.

Then the next episode will be trying to get someone to release it, or going down the DIY route.

Sonny Marvello - Live at Rowardennan Youth Hostel, Loch Lomond

Well....I have just about recovered from an amazing night on the banks of Loch Lomond courtesy of Sonny Marvello.

When the band and I were planning the promotion around the release of their Tiny Little Sparks EP 
we talked about a Glasgow gig, but we couldn't decide what to do. The band have already played Tut's twice this year (headlining once) and last year they played Stereo twice. 

We wanted to do something different, so we decided to get out of Glasgow and we found Rowardennan Youth Hostel on the banks of Loch Lomond. It has 75 beds, a nice big room for a party (usually weddings) and no curfew!

Craig and I went up to recce the venue and we met Aaron, the lovely Aussie manager. He was up for it and trusted us. The party was on.

The ticket price was kept as cheap as possible - £40 for a buffet dinner, bed and breakfast - plus entertainment from Sonny Marvello, Little Eskimos, Model Jet Pilot and Ryan Davidson (magician). Not to mention a DJ set from me.

15 beds were allocated to the band, performers and guests, ending up being 17. We then sold out of the remaining beds - admittedly the last 2 were sold on the day of the gig.

The sun was shining as I packed the car and headed into town to pick up Kevin Harper, AKA Little Eskimos. Kev's knowledge of music, film and television ensured lively and entertaining discussion en route to the venue.

We arrived and cracked a beer and welcomed people arriving. The band and sound engineer were already there and set up was almost done.

Most people arrived by 5pm and there was time for a little introduction and a boring health and safety briefing before some music and drinks and then dinner.

Ryan Davidson was up first in terms of entertainment. His 35 minute magic set was genuinely impressive, shocking many, particularly as Ryan made out as if he had ruined tricks only to bring them back before our very eyes.

Next up was Model Jet Pilot, the guise of Ross Hamilton. Ross played 4-songs, enough to highlight his soaring falsetto and ear for guitar pop.

Little Eskimos were up next, playing a great 40 minute set, ending with a roaring cover of Bowie's '5-years'. Kev's songs of heartbreak and dreams went down well with the crowd. 'Get Yourself Together Kid' was a particular favourite of mine. 


On to the headliners. Sonny had brought in a smoke machine and laser lights for the show and it set the mood nicely. The band have since said it has been their best gig to date and I can't argue. Stage ready after tour dates in Stirling, Perth, Inverness and Skye, the band ripped through old faves, new songs off the album they are currently recording (with 'Automatic' sounding like a future single) and then blasting through some covers especially prepared for the night. 'Maps' by Yeah Yeah Yeah's was sensational.

'Tiny Little Sparks' was epic and after the band played 'Made of Magic' the crowd kept singing the 'M A G I C, what you're made of, is magic', refrain. It was a special moment and the band looked genuinely amazed.


After the set it was drinking and dancing until the small hours....or breakfast for some.


This was a great night, I hope we can do it again next year.