Named after the debut single by Teenage Fanclub.
This blog is all about being a music lover in Glasgow; reviews, interviews, memories, old faves, new discoveries (past and present), playlists and more. Thanks for visiting - I hope you discover something amazing you have never heard before, or that you rediscover an old favourite.
Regular features/playlists; Never Ending Mixtape / Cover Version of the Month/ Trust Me.
Insta - @everythingflowsglasgow
One of the hardest working guys in the Scottish independent music scene must be Lloyd Meredith who runs Olive Grove Records and manages Randolph's Leap. Lloyd also used to run the highly respected Peenko blog, but after having a beautiful daughter something had to give!
Olive Grove Records is growing from strength to strength, enhancing its reputation year on year through consistently brilliant and interesting releases. Releases by The Son(s) and Skinny Dipper have been favourites of mine in 2014.
I caught up with Lloyd to find out how 2014 had been for him. I'm off to check out some of his musical highlights! I also caught up with some of the acts from the Olive Grove Records so expect their reviews to follow through the week.
1. What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?
I don't think all of these tracks were necessarily released in 2014, however, they are 3 of my favourite songs that I've listened to this year.
3. What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?
I have found myself gorging on old Belle and Sebastian albums a fair bit this year. I am really intrigued about what their new album will be like and I can't wait to see them at the Hydro in May!
4. What has been the musical highlight of 2014 for you?
2014 has been a pretty amazing year for me, both in terms of the label and managing Randolph's Leap. I honestly don't think I could pick out one single thing, the Olive Grove showcases at Celtic Connections and as part of the Pleasance Sessions were massive for me, seeing Call To Mind play with the Cairn String Quartet up at Eden Court Theatre was pretty damn special. Releasing actual records with The Son(s), Skinny Dipper and Call To Mind was really important for me, having never released anything on vinyl through Olive Grove, it meant a lot to me. If you add in everything that Randolph's Leap have achieved since the release of their debut album, Clumsy Knot, then it's safe to say that the past 12 months have been pretty damn ace!
5. What are you plans for 2015?
Hopefully we'll be releasing new albums from Woodenbox and the State Broadcasters, plus there might be another addition to the Olive Grove family. Also, Randolph's Leap are just in the process of recording their first ever studio album, so hopefully that will be out at some point too.
As we were nearing the due date of our second baby I didn't make the very first Electric Fields Festival this year. Not a bad excuse I hope you agree!
I am kicking myself as the line-up, location (Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfries) and weather looked fantastic and price tag was pretty unbeatable. Not even I would try for a guest list when the ticket price is £25!
Electric Fields was the idea of a couple of people who are well versed in the independent, DIY and new bands scene in Scotland. I'm fortunate to have got to know Chay - the booked for Electric Fields through his work with the Solus Tent at the Wickerman Festival. Chay's line-up for the Solus Tent this year was exceptional - that is because he has his finger firmly on the pulse, so keep an eye out for the Electric Fields line-up and check out the amazing early bird offers for tickets.
So lets see what has stood out for Chay from the huge amount (and variety) of music he will have listened to and watched in 2014. 1. What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?
I'll keep all my answers mostly Scottish. Anything by Neon Waltz, even the covers as they've got great taste. The new United Fruit stuff is fucking awesome, so all of that. Hector Bizerk's The fish that never swam EP.
Neon Waltz
2. What albums released in 2014 have you enjoyed?
I still haven't bought the new Twilight Sad album yet, which I need to rectify, and The Xcerts. Aphex Twin.Bear Arms. Dead by Young Fathers. Rave Tapes by Mogwai, but the t shirt that came with it has gone awol.
3. What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?
I picked up two particular music biogs at the same time earlier this year so I spent some time revisiting the respective artists - Billy Mackenzie with 'The Glamour Chase' by Tom Doyle and James Young's 'Nico. Songs they never play on the radio'. My wife bought me the Viv Albertine autobiography for my birthday, which was handy as I dig out The Slits now and again. I'll throw Locust Abortion Technician by Butthole Surfers in there too. It's been a few years and evil is as evil does.
4. What has been the musical highlight of 2014?
Electric Fields. I don't think I can begin to explain how good it felt doing it. It took so much work to put it together but it was totally worth it because we've got such a fantastic team of people working to achieve the same goal. Having a beer with the stage manager Kenney Harris after the last band had packed up and left, it was a mixture of relief and adrenalin. We didn't stop grinning for about 2 hours.
5. What are you plans for 2015?
Right now I'm working on Electric Fields, as are the rest of the team. There's some other things brewing that I can't go into so 2015's going to be a busy but fantastic year.
20-years ago today I took a half day at work, nipped into HMV and bought the Stone Roses Second Coming on CD and vinyl. I got the train home from Glasgow back to the sleepy suburb of Carluke and me and my brother put the record on and sat back on the sofa to listen with eager anticipation.
I don't think I've ever felt such a sense of anticipation about a record since. The Roses eponymous debut album had been one that my brother and I had fallen for madly. However we had been too young to fully embrace it when it came out in 1989, I was only 13 and my brother was only 10.
1991 was the year I fell for the Roses, I was 15 and songs like Made of Stone and Mersey Paradisewere staples on mix tapes in the 5th year common room at school.
Like many, I got to know every riff, hi-hat, melody and beat of their debut album, it was like a drug, you wanted more and you found something new every time. The look of the band, their artwork, lyrics and style just made me fall for them hook, line and sinker.
The Roses became an enigma, shrouded in mystery; no gigs since Glasgow Green in 1990, no new material, legal battles, a new huge record deal, rumours, false dawns, retreating into their own world.
Pre internet I poured over the NME and Melody Maker on a weekly basis in the hope of some news, the NME even sent reporters to track them down to find out what was happening. As is the case in 2014, the Roses kept quiet.
Ian Brown tracked down by the NME
And then it happened; the Second Coming was announced and it was happening in December.
Back in Carluke I got home and put the CD on (I had also bought the double vinyl being the Roses geek I am) and my brother and I sat entranced as the sound of Breaking Into Heaven came out of our speakers. The intro was cinematic and epic, jungle sounds akin toApocalypse Now, distorted guitar and tribal beats.
A full 4 minutes and 30 seconds pass before a menacing groove kicks in and we hear Ian for the first time;
I've been casing your joint for the best years of my life
Like the look of your stuff
Outta sight
This was different, yet mesmerising; Mani and Reni were tighter than ever, Squire just oozing class and Brown sounding cool and menacing. The shift in pace towards the middle eight is glorious;
How many times do I have to tell you, you don't have to wait to die?
You can have it all any time you want it
Yeah the kingdom's all inside
Squire is let loose for the closing 150 seconds, riffing off himself as Mani and Reni keep the groove. It is an epic opener, all 11-minutes and 21 seconds of it, continuing the religious imagery of I Am The Resurrectionthat closed the debut in such memorable fashion. You wouldn't be pogo-ing to this at the indie disco though, this was a more mature Roses with a harder edge.
Driving South emphasised that the Roses had moved on from the chiming guitars that were all over their debut. Rumours had been circulating that Led Zep were never far from the Roses/Squire's turntable and this was proof. Squire is all over this - it's an OK song, far from the best the Roses produced.
Ten Storey Love Song is one of the Roses finest moments. Any hints of Zeppelin are banished as chiming guitars are ushered in gently after a loose jam with Reni in top form.
Tears streamed from my eyes when I saw the Roses playing this in Amsterdam in 2012. It is one of those songs that just generates a special feeling within.
When your heart is black and broken
And you need a helping hand
When you're so much in love
You don't know just how much you can stand
Squire's guitar is dipped in honey, producing sugar sweet rushes. Brown responds to the melody he has been given and his vocals on this tune are amongst the best of the album.
Daybreakis a loose jam, coming in straight after Ten Storey Love Song. Squire, Mani and Reni are exceptional musicians and I would personally love to get access to the hours and hours of recordings from this era that must be lying in a studio somewhere just waiting to be dusted off. I imagine there must be a lot of jams - the vast majority without vocals - but they would be great to hear.
I personally really like Daybreak, it sounds pretty fresh, the guitars haven't been piled on like they have on other tracks. There are not many bands who can play like this.
One more for the dreamers
Fans were first introduced to Your Star Will Shine as the b-side to Love Spreads. It is a beautiful song; acoustic guitars with some backwards effects going on. The harmonies towards the end are spine tingling.
Hush my darling don't you cry
I'll stay by your side until morning
Straight To The Manis Ian Brown's sole songwriting contribution to the Second Coming. The Squire/Brown team that had brought us so many songs that we had fallen for had essentially split due to the fact that they no longer lived close to each other, the court case, drugs and family life. It is very organic, akin to much of Brown's future debut solo album. It's loose and funky.
Every time I listen to Begging YouI think of the lost albums/songs the Roses could have made during the wilderness years. In my imagination there is an album containing this alongside the likes of Fools Gold, One Loveand Something's Burning.
Those 3-songs were exceptional. No other band was producing anything like it. Can you imagine the kind of tripped out psychedelic album the Roses could have created if they didn't have their legal issues hanging over them?!
Ian Brown at Spike Island with the world in his hand
Begging You was released before the Chemical Brothers sensational debut album Exit Planet Dust came out in 1995. It is a fascinating insight into what Squire and the Roses were all about and I'm amazed they weren't tempted to try and create more tunes like it.
The Roses on Top of the Pops
Tightrope is quite simply beautiful. I'd highly recommend the live version released on the ltd edition Crimson Tonight EP; check it out here.
The album version starts quite raggedy. The guitar is very un-Squire like; sounding really raw and almost out of tune. It's like the Roses have gathered around a campfire.
Lyrically it has to be one the most poetic Roses tunes on offer. Brown sounds great and Reni harmonises with him beautifully.
Are we etched in stone or just scratched in the sand
Waiting for the waves to come and reclaim the land
Good Times is more Zep influenced rock. Where Squire's guitar playing was once measured and considerate, here he lets rips, showing his talents in a different way.
When I listen to this I can't help that the band are talking to themselves but aren't convincing that the good times are going to roll again.
who stole away our time?
how many days have I been lying on my back
Tears is an absolute masterpiece, the Roses at their very best. A beautiful acoustic riff ushers us in, Brown is measured and considered for the first two verses before he ups a gear as the band hit their stride and Reni comes in on the drums.
So if you hear me crying or talking in my sleep
Don't be afraid it's just the hours that I keep
We got a love to last for a million years
A love that could never fade through the tracks of your tears
Squire is in absolutely sensational form on Tears - riffing off himself and taking the song to new levels. Vocally, it is up there with Brown's best performances.
The extended instrumental section is exquisite, highlighting how formidable Squire, Mani and Reni are when they get in the groove. This is 6 minutes and 50 seconds of the Roses at their majestic best.
How Do You Sleep is vintage Roses, chiming guitars, a strong melody, imagery, the band stretching out, Brown in good form.
Love Spreads was the comeback single and it closes the album. It's back to menacing bluesy rock, Squire allowed to let rip over the super tight rhythm provided by Mani and Reni. The importance of the backbone of the Roses cannot be understated, their playing on the Second Coming is sensational, totally on it. Check out the isolated drum track of Reni playing below.
Second Comingdoesn't flow like Stone Roses, but then not many albums do. In an old post-Roses interview Squire agrees with it being a flawed masterpiece. I like that description.
One of the reasons I find the Second Coming to be an excellent album to return to is the variety of styles on offer - largely, I believe, due to the length of time taken to record it.
To my ears there are 6 styles making up Second Coming;
Epic - Breaking Into Heaven, Tears; Dance/Electronic - Begging You;
Rock/Zep - Driving South, Good Times, Love Spreads;
Classic Roses - Ten Storey Love Song, How Do You Sleep
Loose jams - Daybreak, Straight To The Man; Acoustic - Your Star Will Shine, Tightrope
Anyone who has read this blog will know what a huge fan I am of Vigo Thieves. Having spent considerable time with them over the last 2 or 3 years I am also a big fan of their bassist Gordon Phipps - a guy with a huge passion for life and music. I caught up with Gordon to find out what bands, albums and tunes he had enjoyed through 2014. As always, he's turned me on to some crackers, I particularly like the White tune.
1. What singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for you?
My memory is pretty fucked but here goes:
Atom Tree - Die for your love - First heard on the TITP bye bye balado video. Majestic song. Seen them live at electric fields too.
Augustines - You got nothing to lose but your head - Heard loads of people talking about them but never heard them until I heard this awesome piece of emotive rock.
Crash Club feat. Ian Mackinnon - Recondition - Brilliant groove to the track and great vocal from Ian
Jim Valentine - Make you Mine - Class sleaze rock tune
White - Living Fiction - Bumped into these guys at Loopallu and told us they'd started a new band. Checked this track out and was blown away!
Kasabian - Bumblebee - Bombastic track which was obviously made to be played live and loud
2 Bears - Not this time - Discovered on 6music. Missed them at Tut's because Barry wouldn't go with me
Jamie T - Zombie - Great come back track with a bouncy chorus
The Stepkids - Moving Pictures - Another 6 music discovery with a great hook laden chorus
2. What albums released in 2014 have you enjoyed?
Courteeners - Concrete Love - Absolutely love this band and it was an honour tour with them. That Friday night at The Barras will live with me for a long time! Also seen them live at Bellahouston Park supporting The Killers.
Catfish And The Bottlemen - Great to see these boys finally getting signed and releasing a cracking debut album. Caught them live this year at Broadcast early on then on the T Break stage at TITP not long before us.
First Aid Kit - Another superb album from the Swedish sisters. Full of soaring melodies and harmonies. Saw them live at The Old Fruitmarket at what was a truly stunning gig in a unique venue.
3. What old music/bands have you discovered/gone back to in 2014?
Fleetwod Mac - Rumours - A band I have never got into then I was in HMV and Rumours was one of the cds you could buy at the counter for £2.99 so I thought why not? Totally loved it and it soundtracked many a summers road trip!
Monaco - Delved into one of Hooky's side projects a bit further. Everyone knows 'what do you want from me' but there is a lesser known track called 'Shine (someone who needs me) which is just a phenomenal piece of 90's pop. Almost like discovering an unreleased New Order gem.
The National - High Violet - A band I was initially put off of because it seemed like music for beard scratchers but how wrong was I? Stevie and Barry have been into them for ages (both beardy) I finally succumbed when Stevie bought me a ticket to go see them at the Usher Hall. I bought High Violet and was blown away. I now have it on double gatefold vinyl as well!
4. What has been the musical highlight of 2014 for you?
All Vigo Thieves gigs because I'm selfish like that:
02 ABC 29th March - Pyro and beach balls!
King Tuts 30th April - Supporting the Fratellis for the Sunday Mail Centenary Fund
T in The Park 13th July - Always a pleasure to play at Scotland's biggest and best festival
KOKO London 25th July - Epic 12 hour journey down on one of the hottest days of summer but what a phenomenal gig!
Sneaky Pete's Edinburgh 26th September - First sold out show in the capital was one of the sweatiest gigs of the year!
Loopallu 27th September - First on, no bother. Great crowd turned out to see us in our earliest gig of the year 12.30pm!
Glasgow Barrowlands 31st October - Supporting Courteeners. Massive crowd in for us. Special moment seeing all the VIGO DAFT tshirts in the crowd!
5. What are you plans for 2015?
To be alive and keep spreading VIGO DAFTNESS around the country!
I started 2014 by buying quite a lot of new music, then tended to delve back into a lot of older music as nothing new was exciting me enough to buy it. Just when I was feeling a little downhearted I got into the albums by War On Drugs and First Aid Kit. There are songs and albums that have been released in 2014 that I will discover years down the line and kick myself for not buying them at the time and seeing the act live - so I thought that I would use my blog to ask bands, artists, labels, writers, fellow bloggers and friends to do their own mini-review of 2014 so I might discover some music released in 2014 that I might have missed. So throughout December you can expect to read mini-reviews from Vigo Thieves, Kevin Harper, Olive Grove Records, Skinny Dipper, Woodenbox, Crash Club, TeenCanteen, Model Aeroplanes, Duglas T Stewart, Hot Gem Records, Atom Tree, Machines In Heaven and more. In the meantime - here is my own mini-review. 1. Singles/songs that have been released in 2014 have stood out for me
Seasons - Future Islands I'm not the only person who fell for this after seeing the Letterman performance on YouTube. A brilliant song performed with real passion and panache.
You're Still Mine - TeenCanteen Vagabond (live) - TeenCanteen You're still mine is Phil Spector mixed with New Order, whilst the live video of Vagabond is jaw droopingly gorgeous 3-part harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. This Love - Vigo Thieves
Epic anthem from Vigo Thieves, a taster of the epic new material they have been working on this year. I have been fortunate to hear some demos, 2015 will be their year.
Desired Effect - Atom Tree Ones to watch in 2015, building a superb collection of songs. Electronic wonder. Blue Moon - Beck Heart Is A Drum - Beck 2-tracks from Beck's beautiful album. Melodies delivered in real style and with true soul. The Secret Of The Tibetan Grapefruit Is...? - Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab (Return To) Nineteen Canteen - Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab 2-tracks also from Glasgow's Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab. The first is pure Beta Band while the second is rammed full of McCartney melodies
Sweet Discontent - Tuff Love I loved this track on first listen and still do, great guitars and soft melodic vocals. My Girl Midge - BMX Bandits Duglas T Stewart comes up with a real heart breaker. Soulful vocals and Stewart always has a knack for a melody. Single Spies - The Vaselines This is a real stand out from The Vaselines album. The melody flows superbly. My Silver Lining - First Aid Kit The gorgeous First Aid Kit won my heart this year with their album and live show at the Old Fruitmarket. This is stunning, check them out and they may win your heart too.
Inspector Norse - Todd Terje Strandbar - Todd Terje Playful and melodic electronica. This album was on in my car for ages and these 2-tracks in particular. An Ocean In Between The Waves - The War On Drugs Under The Pressure - The War On Drugs 2-tracks from one of my albums of the year, it is so easy to get lost in this album. Tears of Joy - Slow Club The opening track from their fantastic album, modern day soul.
I've also fallen for the Frozen soundtrack and whilst my daughter Zoe's fave track is Let It Go, I absolutely love Do You Wanna Build A Snowman? Genius.
2. Albums released in 2014 I have enjoyed
Morning Phase - Beck Beautiful on first listen, loads of depth to come back to, an exceptional album.
Stay Gold - First Aid Kit Stunning harmonies and melodies, First Aid Kit have raised the bar for themselves. An exhaustive tour has taken them around the world and won them many new fans. Lost In The Dream - War on Drugs Springsteen fed through a reverb machine with echoes of Dylan as well. This blew me away. Ever Evolving Lounge - Dr Cosmos Tape Lab Home grown psychedelia - two friends in Glasgow get together and record on an old fashioned 4-track and produce staggering tunes that recall the Beatles and the Beta Band amongst others. It's Album Time -Todd Terje Superb electronic melodies and a guest appearance from Bryan Ferry. This album was on in my car for about a month. V for Vaselines - The Vaselines Raw guitars, hooks and melodies are all over V for Vaselines. It sounds like the band enjoyed making it and that transfers with ease to the listener. Tied To A Star -J Mascis We get to hear the mellow side of Dinosaur Jr's J Masic on this gorgeous solo album. The guitar playing is still exceptional, Mascis' vocals still strain, and with J Mascis you are always going to get some majestic moments. Complete Surrender - Slow Club I was late getting into this album so I'm kicking myself for missing live shows this year. Slow Club come of age with a beautiful soulful album. Fantastic song-writing and they've found a producer who has brought out a whole new side of them.
3. Old music/bands I have discovered/gone back to in 2014
I still have loads of CD's that I haven't transferred on to iTunes, so I'll still wander in to look at my collection and pick an album to play in the car. I was amazed that I hadn't transferred Flaming Lips Yoshimi album, so I dug it out and played it for about a week.
Earlier on this year I discovered Controversy by Prince after a friend made me a mix. It is an incredible song and I have played it regularly through the year. I've discovered loads of good stuff through the DJ Greg Wilson who regularly posts his mixes on his sound cloud page. He'll play anything from The Smiths to disco, house, electro and gospel - basically anything good. His taste is impeccable and his re-edits are sublime.
Summer shows by Belle and Sebastian and Teenage Fanclub caused me to delve into their extensive back catalogues (not that I need much excuse). I enjoy buying Northern Soul compilations and discovering some classic tracks via friends who are part of the scene in Scotland.
I've been listening to a lot of Chic since watching them at Wickerman in summer 2013. I can't believe no-one has brought them to Glasgow other than for a Ryder Cup Gala performance! 4. Musical highlight of 2014?
Teenage Fanclub at Kelvingrove Bandstand was just perfect - sunshine, friends, beer and a trawl through the Fannies extensive back catalogue. The mass outbreak of pogo-ing down the front was brilliant.
5. Plans for 2015 I'm looking forward to Teenage Fanclub and The Charlatans releasing new albums and playing live. These bands have been helping to soundtrack my life since 1991. I hope to get to at least one festival, attend gigs as often as possible and to discover brilliant music - be it stuff from the 60's or brand new bands. I'd love to see Vigo Thieves get the record contract they deserve and go on to release a brilliant album and smash it. They have the songs up their sleeves, their progression over the last 2-years has been staggering. My sisters band TeenCanteen are going into record some songs in the new year and I hope they can get enough money together to finance a full album, then hopefully get someone to release it. Elsewhere on the Scottish music scene I think Atom Tree have all the makings of a good album and Dr Cosmo's Tape Lab have already announced their second album will come out in March.
The Jesus and Marychain brought Psychocandy to the world famous Glasgow Barrowland last night, creating a show akin to a psychedelic 60's happening - the light show was incredible and the films playing in the background felt perfect for the throbbing punk rock white noise coming from William Reid's electric guitar.
Reid's guitar growled, howled and scowled, it squealed and we could feel it, vibrating through our ears. This was a loud rock n roll show, a legendary band playing a seminal album.
Sunday was the second of two sold out nights the Marychain were playing in Glasgow. Dry ice filled the stage as the band came on at 9.30pm sharp. Jim Reid told us they would be playing their encore first, going off for a couple of minutes and then coming on to play Psychocandy. He was true to his word.
April Skies kicked in, opening proceedings in style, surging and flowing superbly. The band didn't waste any time with chat between songs. Head On was one of the best songs of the night, Jim stood at the front commanding attention while William stood by his amp, seemingly as enthralled by the sound he was generating from his guitar as the crowd.
Some Candy Talking is indie guitar perfection - the Velvets reimagined post punk in East Kilbride. Reverence was simply outstanding, William Reid given free reign to let rip over the groove as his brother told us he wanted to die just like Jesus Christ.
Upside Down was as wild and free live as it was when it was first recorded. Psychocandy and Up Too High were also played during this initial short set/encore. It whetted the appetite for a Marychain Greatest Hits set when they finish touring this album... that may take a while.
And so on to Psychocandy. The performance was spellbinding and spine tingling - and it certainly cleared my ears; leaving them ringing until the small hours of the morning.
The light show pulsed and flashed in time to the music, the projections on the big screen behind the stage added to the whole feel and the music was raw and powerful. Reid's guitar channelled everything from surf, to punk, to 60's riffs and the raw power of the Stooges. There was a least two occasions when I thought of I Wanna Be Your Dog.
The power of Psychocandy live in 2014 put the production of the album back in the 80's (admittedly very cheap production) to shame. I wouldn't bet against the Marychain releasing a live version.
The set went by in a psychedelic blur; Just Like Honey was suitably gorgeous and You Trip Me Up was the highlight of the night for me alongside the earlier Head On.
The audience reaction was as impressive as the performance. Young kids crowd surfed, pogo-d and got up on their mates shoulders and it was fantastic to witness - psychedelic garage punk pop created 30-years ago still generating a reaction.
The Marychain powered through the album leaving little if any gaps between songs, leaving the stage after It's So Hard, the feedback still echoing round the venue.
Psychocandy isn't my favourite Marychain album, I much prefer the more melodic and popper sounds of Darklands and Honey's Dead; but I gained a new respect and understanding for Psychocandy last night. The power, rawness and urgency blurred and combined with melodies, punk and pop was and is unique. It has stood the test of time - it is one of those albums that caused people to pick up guitars and form bands. 30-years on it might just do so again.
Next weekend The Jesus and Marychain return to Glasgow to play 2-nights at the Barrowland Ballroom. They will be playing their legendary Psychocandy LP, originally released back in 1985.
The title captures the music contained on the record perfectly - gorgeous sugar candy pop melodies drenched in psycho white noise feedback; bringing something new, raw and exciting to students, bedsits and music fans across the country at the time. Their live shows were short and sharp; 20-minutes long and they sparked an infamous riot at the North London Polytechnic in March 1985 - see footage HERE
Psychocandy is one of those landmark albums that inspired kids across the country to pick up guitars and form bands. There are gushing melodies; Cut Dead is pure and true, hard to believe it was written in an East Kilbride council estate. Sowing Seeds flows superbly, the guitars are lovely and raw.
Just Like Honey is the opening song - Spector-esque drums usher the song in, the warm, fuzzy guitars and vocals sound like they are dipped in honey. The way the song builds and then slows down before the big climax is superb; the widescreen potential was used exquisitely in the film Lost In Translation.
Never Understand is brutal white noise feedback while the vocals and melody are pure Ramones. Something's Wrong could be considered an epic at just over 4-minutes long, the majority of songs are under 3-minutes.
Taste Of Cindy is only 1 minute and 42 seconds long - yet the Marychain cram in all kinds of guitar pop wonder and goodness.
Some Candy Talking is just sublime - not on the original vinyl release but added to the CD reissue. It is the sound of the Velvet Underground transported to the West of Scotland in the mid-80's.
You Trip Me Up is brilliant, capturing exactly what the band were about. Alan McGee speaks exceptionally fondly of the Marychain in the incredible Creation Records book My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize. Recognising that the band were still learning how to play and record, but also that they needed to capture a moment in time on records. That rawness is what has kept Psychocandy fresh almost 30-years on.
