Saturday 01 ***RECOMMENDED***
POPUP (pictured) / BURNT ISLAND
"Popup are a strange amalgamation of all that's good in Scottish music. Similar in style to the jaggy pop of Franz Ferdinand and early Delgados, their lyrical style and delivery owes a deliberate nod to the Yummy Fur's John McKeown, and the pictures that Damian Gilhooly paints in Popup's songs are reminiscent of the brighter moments of Arab Strap. With such an interesting blend of apparent influences it could be considered difficult to pigeon-hole the band, but that's probably a good thing and I'm sure that the girls dancing down at the front don't really care. In fact, this is one of the most striking and enjoyable things about Popup. The energy and enthusiasm the band exude from the stage is hard to ignore and is lapped up avidly by the excited fans at the front." neil milton. / "Burnt Island's soaring vocal harmonies, sparse acoustic guitars and beguiling banter are the perfect Sunday afternoon tonic." The Skinny. "Their mix of Nick Drake-esque folk and atmospheric sounds is well put together and well executed… they're worth further investigation." Is This Music?
www.popuptheband.com
www.myspace.com/burntisland
Sunday 02
NOL Promotions presents: TOM FRAMPTON / AL BAKER (pictured) / DAVE HUGHES / JIMMY RICHARDS / LAURA KIRKWOOD
Tom Frampton: Cincinatti based political singer-songwriter. He is a member of the Riot-folk collective which does they best to 'make folk a threat again'. While attending University Frampton was shot to the mainstream media attention when he infliltrated the republican party conference, getting to with-in feet of Dick Cheney. He plays loud, harsh, shouty folk music! / Al Baker: Manchester based activist and singer-songwriter. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who can write lyrics as poetic and witty as Al Baker. Armed with a guitar and some plectrums, he sings songs of love, life and politics, not in that order though! / Dave Hughes: Glasgow based folk-punk singer songwriter. From playing in a punk band for many a year, Dave Hughes branched out on his own just under two years ago. He's found himself travelling around the country with his guitar, playing alongside Damien Dempsey, The Tom Fun Orchestra, Nigel Clark (of Dodgy) and Miles Hunt (The Wonderstuff) to name a few. This is his first date on a mini UK tour. / Jimmy Richards: Glasgow singer-songwriter, takes sentences and chats with friends and turns them in to 3 minute pop-songs. / Laura Kirkwood: Brand new, so new she doesn't have a myspace yet! Lovely voice with nice pretty songs. Doors 8pm, 3quid tickets, 4 on the door.
www.davehughesmusic.co.uk/shop (go here for tickets)
www.myspace.com/tomframptonofriotfolk
www.myspace.com/alandhisguitar
www.myspace.com/davehughesmusic
www.myspace.com/jimmyrichards
Monday 03
Puny Human Promotions: SLEAZY CUM EASY / MUDHUTS / DEAD ON THE LIVEWIRE (pictured) / SEGUE
Dead On The Live Wire are an Edinburgh male-female ferocious noise duo who deploy Sonic Youth-esque atonal vocals, Nine Inch Nails guitar crunch and industrial clatter to deafening effect. Rough around the edges for sure, but even the various technical hitches are gleefully absorbed into the set. - The Skinny.
www.punyhuman.co.uk
www.sleazycumeazy.com
www.myspace.com/mudhutsmusic
www.myspace.com/deadonthelivewire
Tuesday 04 ***RECOMMENDED***
Megatron Promotions presents: SUPER ADVENTURE CLUB / ALBINO MONK / KATIE AND THE DULL FUDDS
Super Adventure Club: A hyper melodic uber-spazz triumvate. Recently perfromed with Papier Tigre in Bar Bloc, where this Edinburgh trio immediately became everyone's favourite band. "Super Adventure Club veer in unexpected but entirely understandable ways, like stream-of-consciousness prose" The Skinny / ALBINo MoNK: Progressive Rock with Melodic bits - Like a drunken orgy between Radiohead, Mogwai and Rage Against the Machine. Since playing their 2006 debut gig in the middle of a forest, this band have been seen pedalling their diverse sounds in more orthodox venues such as the Barfly and Ivory Blacks. / Katie & The Dull Fudds: Energetic jungle genre-spanners. Heralding from the Scottish Borders the Fudds combine female harmonies, and flute with a rocking rhythm section in a high energy, sexually charged performance guaranteed to get audiences dancing.
www.myspace.com/superadventuremusic
www.myspace.com/glasgowalbinomonk
www.myspace.com/katieandthedullfudds
Wednesday 05
COME IN TOKYO (pictured) / MARKOVIC (Sweden) (pictured) / YOU ALREADY KNOW
Come in Tokyo: "Come in Tokyo are a straight-up rock and roll two piece...battering out punky, catchy little roosty, bluesy numbers short on time, big on impact." BBC Radio Ulster - "The noise emanating from the stage sounded like it was created by way more than two people...Come in Tokyo produce fantastically poppy indie pogo rock...Hopefully the next time these guys visit our shores they will be the headline act!" NoClarity.co.uk / Markovic: emo rock as emotional as it gets! with amazing vocals. On the Wonderland Records label based in Sweden. / You Already Know: "The band supported the Deftones at the Carling Academy in Summer 2006, playing to a crowd of over 1500 to great acclaim, and shortly after, supported the Fratellis and Union of Knives at Glasgow's QMU. The Scotsman described the bands sound as Snub-nosed riffs and driving rhythms jostled with angular melodies in a sound that recalled the spirit of defunct hardcore heroes Quicksand. Lick Magazine says ...looks certain to become a staple of Scotlands rock radio play-lists. and Skinny Magazine think that You Already Know are exciting prospects for Scottish hard rock in the offing."
www.comeintokyo.co.uk
www.myspace.com/c0meint0ky0
www.myspace.com/markovicmusic
www.youalreadyknow.net
www.myspace.com/youak
Thursday 06 ***RECOMMENDED***
Protect & Survive: INSPECTOR TAPEHEAD / INDAFUSION (pictured) / WARPED MEMORIES
Inspector Tapehead "Fusing older folk and blues guitar styles and melodies, with modern party rhythms, mucky synth licks and an uplifting pop sensibility, Inspector Tapehead is a recording project and stripped-back live experience, engineered to move hearts and hinds. Between meteing out melodic justice in venues across central Scotland, the good Inspector is also recording a first album, which should be released (if it keeps its nose clean) some time around summer 2008." / indafusion - Warpdrives. Little green men. Runrig. All part of the stranger-than-sci-fact world of Indafusion. From an opening track that combines the crushing guitar of Rocket From The Crypt with a tune complex enough to keep scientists and prog rockers happy, their album lurches into (interstellar) overdrive on 'O Pioneers' whose swathes of choppy guitar battle with a harmonised vocal interplay. There's some epic rock on 'Beekeeping on Ganymede' among some truly high points on a cosmic rollercoaster ride of a debut album which boldly goes where lesser bands wouldn't dare. Incidentally, the Runrig connection is that Donnie Munro's label saw fit to sign up this bunch of stargazers." is this music? / Warped Memories"Clearly Scottish - but only just, being from Moffat - is Warped Memories, or to be precise, Lewis Cook, a kilted and lanky chap whose one-man laptop'n'feedback setup is for the day augmented by an additional guitarist. ... a string of strongly accented, electronic-tinged tunes and some Sonic Youth-style guitar abuse via a drumstick make for an unusual and rather impressive sound." is this music? Doors 8.30pm. Entry £4
www.myspace.com/protectandsurviveglasgow
www.myspace.com/inspectortapehead
www.indafusion.co.uk
www.myspace.com/warpedmemories
Friday 07
Flowers in the Dustbin presents: STROSZEK (pictured) / STORM SOCIETY / GLIDER (pictured)
'Stroszek began the night with a set of Chomsky-ite electro-pop, which served both as a pleasant surprise and a point of thought. The use of a drum machine - questionable at first - proved a wise move, as it came to suit the bands gloomy, emotive sound especially on "Burning Libraries". Sounding not unlike The Cure, the band drove on through "The Saltire" and the menacing "You've only Got Yourself To Blame" with plenty of energy. Perhaps the band could lend a bit more bite to the guitar, but their sound - not like anything in the charts at present - is nonetheless interesting, and their performance the same.'Bluesbunny.com / The Storm Society "Crashing drums, thunderous bass lines and wind tunnel guitars are pinned down by a booming baritone vocal delivery to create the bands epic and majestic sound." / Glider "with influences from my bloody valentine, the telescopes, boards of canada, low,ride, the swirlies, the nightblooms, undergroundlovers, aphex twin, black dog, alfie, superfurry animals glider are sure to please almost all independent rock lover's ears..."
www.myspace.com/flowersinthedustbin
www.myspace.com/stroszek
www.myspace.com/officialstormsociety
www.myspace.com/gliderglasgow
Saturday 08 ***RECOMMENDED***
HYENA / THE WHISKY WORKS (pictured) / GUARDED BY ROBOTS / VENUS DELTA
Hyena - "a raging 4-piece from Glasgow combine just the right amount of raw passion and rock finesse to keep them on the edge of combustion, but will they explode? With a unique sound influenced by the likes of shellac, dinosaur jr, and biffy clyro, hyena are "definitely one to watch out for"- rockmidgets.com. / The Whisky Works are a post-hardcore quartet based in Glasgow; delivering a raucous blend of guitar-driven noise with a blistering live performance, establishing them as serious contenders in the underground. With off kilter drums, aggressive vocals and a cacophony of mammoth guitars, their music tears against the grain to create something altogether unique.
Armed with an ever increasing arsenal of jarring material and a mutual love for Bill Murray, The Whisky Works strive to create a new energy in independant UK music and perhaps burst a few eardrums along the way. The good news is, the whisky works. “blissfully uncomplicated noise driven rock… with Million Dead attitude”
Disorder Magazine - “another of Glasgow's finest” - Is This Music - “a consignment of churning guitars… snare-hurting hard surge beats… with the spirit of Zen Arcade throughout” / Guarded By Robots - Newcastle tro Guarded By Robots list among their influences Biffy Clyro, Minus The Bear, and yourcodenameis:milo, and these are all decent reference points on their 'Fashion Tips From Myra' four-track EP. Fans of Dartz! or Tellison may also find something of interest in their quirky indie-pop
www.myspace.com/hyenaband
www.thewhiskyworks.com
www.myspace.com/thewhiskyworks
Sunday 09 ***RECOMMENDED***
TAKE A WORM FOR A WALK WEEK (pictured) / ORION ARM / SCISSORS / THE BLACK RAT DEATH SQUAD (pictured)
"SUBBA'S EP OF THE MONTH, ACTUALLY, FUCK THAT, EP OF THE DECADE!!!!!! WITH SCISSORS / TAKE A WORM FOR A WALK WEEK / ORION ARM - SPLIT - SMALL TOWN RECORDS 3 stupendous bands on one EP, save-money-tastic… This slab of sheer bile & inventiveness will have you wearing each of the three band's tshirts all at once, it demands such allegiance. WS: Mix Rolo Tomassi's juddering bile-infected spazzcore with the shrieking brilliance of early Blood Brothers. TAWFAWW: more muscular in tone, they take the shrill of Converge's disgust and fuse it to the excitement of early Dillinger Escape Plan. OA: with a more liquid funk edge, the bands interplay more playful recalling These Arms Are Snakes in a sword duel with Mr Bungle. Genius, sheer genius. You'll treasure this EP, then purge it from your system, before swallowing it back, whole. (J.C)" www.subba-culta.com
www.myspace.com/takeaworm
www.myspace.com/orionarm
www.myspace.com/blackratdeathsquad
Monday 10
The Glasgow Fantastic Film School presents: NIGHT OF THE BLOODY TAPES
A monthly (to begin with) night of cult horror, sci-fi, exploitation and cult trash double bills- ranging from hammer via argento to spaghetti westerns, ninja epics and rock'n'roll flicks!! entry £3.50, doors 7pm. alcohol available at bar- please buy as much as possible, it helps the ambience. Opening night: the beyond (lucio fulci 1981) the legendary italian goremaster's zombie-filled, black magic-drenched non-linear masterpiece starring none other than david 'anton out of twins of evil' warbeck, supported by feast (john gulager 2005)- non-stop action as the inhabitants of a remote american diner, including none other than the legendary henry rollins himself- yes, that henry rollins- battle mutant 'hunger monsters' from outside. like 'night of the living dead' or 'assault on precinct 13' but with huge flying meaty things. The point of these screenings is not only to entertain but to inform. and anyone who wishes to be well informed is welcome to ask any questions after the movies and join us in the bar upstairs (until they throw us out) for pintage and lively discussion.
Tuesday 11
SOMEYOUNGPEDRO (pictured) / KONX-OM-PAX / PLAAYDOH
"Someyoungpedro originate from the Borders of Scotland and now live between Glasgow and Edinburgh. All are members of a previous band, yet rather than taking the scenic route of band development from straightforward to experimental, the move was from hypnotic soundscapes to visceral art-punk containing obvious pop sensebilities. A move that was more natural than it suggests. The band now reacts within these rigid structures to push the personality of minimal content. Influenced by seminal live performances witnessed in their youth, they have always been driven to make the live domain a central factor in their musical output. Absorbing all elements from an audiences projected energy to technical mistakes to stripped bare cut downs of sound, someyoungpedros music aims to wrap these uncontrolable factors into an unique live experience that is impossible to replicate, but more importantly is FUN!. Keeping a curious and slightly fascinated eye on the complex fluxes of contemporary pop culture they infuse and subvert their own ideas of 'pop' into their sound to ensure that the music reflects strong traits of both a collective and individual personality." / "Plaaydoh's debut EP* is a stunning and refreshing piece of noisy, off kilter, shouty, bass-laden, keyboard infused, frantic but bouncy music ... Sounding a bit like The Go! Team would, were they possessed by really pissed-off, psychopathic, evil demons with both PMT and ADHD, it was so good to see a young band start out by taking a few risks in playing this type of music, and not restricting themselves to the now proven formula of 'happy twee.'"
www.someyoungpedro.co.uk
Wednesday 12
A PERFECT INTENT / THE ALCOVE / HIDDEN LEAVES / LSD (pictured)
An evening of rock from the puny human folks...some from the progressive end of the spectrum...some from the spectrum end of the progressive.
www.myspace.com/lsdmusic
Thursday 13
BUCKY RAGE (pictured) / THE PHARISEES (pictured)
Bucky Rage: "N.M.E. Says: this Cramps/B-52's inspired lot have a song called vote for jesus but the chorus sounds like 'eat cheese', not being religious, i like that!" that actually kinda sums it up...i cant believe that the NME appear to have gotten something right. / The Pharisees: say this of themselves - "Glasgow based rock/psych-abilly outift. Formally un-known around Glasgow and parts of Greater Manchester as Barba-rossa. RIP. Follow an essentially Aquinian philosophy of real essences and live power rock."
www.myspace.com/the_bucky_rage
www.myspace.com/thepharisees
Friday 14
Actions Speak Louder presents: TAKING NAMES / BROKEN OATH / BURNING SCARS OF BETRAYAL / DEPARTURES
Taking Names: First time in Glasgow since 2005, a few line up changes has not affected how ace this band are. Energetic hardcore with a postive message from London. / Broken Oath: Glasgow's finest moshers bringing that euro sound to Glasgow. For fans of Nightwish. / Burning Scars of Betrayal: Older and bolder, hard hitting hardcore with plenty singalongs to keep everyone happy. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air approves! / Departures: mixing up melodic old school hardcore with a bit of metal, awesome new band from Glasgow! Doors 8.30pm, tax: £5
www.myspace.com/glasgowhardcoreshows
www.rucktion.com
www.myspace.com/takingnames
www.myspace.com/brokenoath
www.myspace.com/theburningscarsofbetrayal
www.myspace.com/departuresmusic
Sunday 16
MUMMY SHORT ARMS / EGG IN A TREE / PABLO ESKIMO
"Mummy Short Arms were born from the forest of twang. In the forest all was safe, all was well, then the twangs rescinded, the twangs rescinded until there was only one twang and that twang ran at the course of a backwards insect. Daddy became Mummy, long became short and legs became arms, the forest was reversed and from under the tree sprouted nothing and from withered stumps sprouted the tree. Many years passed and the forest decided it couldn't be bothered running backwards any more so it jerked its lungs at the correct pitch to turn the forest back the right way again. However, as students of quantum mechanics are only too aware, time does not run in exactly the same manner when reversed due to the uncertainty principle. When all trees grew forwards and all birds pulled worms from the ground rather than planting them, one creature remained in a backwards loop of indie popjerk. Its name was Mummy Short Arms." / "Egg in a Tree, a hard rocking quintet from Glasgow, have a trick or two up their sleeves and exemplify a great rock sound with driving bass, tight guitar riffs and an earful of growling vocals from their bear-like mic-man." the skinny / Pablo Eskimo: "Boasting an accomplished and adventurous vocalist Alaine Allison, she thrives by pulling all their songs into a glorious melodic heaven. Now stick that over a metal guitar, ska beat or punk rock riff. Take your pick because Pablo Eskimo have got every genre under control, brought to life with an injection of power pop."
www.myspace.com/mummyshortarms
www.myspace.com/egginatree
www.myspace.com/pabloeskimo
Monday 17
CULANN / BRONTO SKYLIFT (pictured)
Bronto Skylift: "Forging a style that harks back to 90's grunge, Bronto Skylift injected a completely different energy into an already busy Qudos.A two piece setup with a style rarely seen outwith The White Stripes and Sluts of Trust, just one guitar and drumkit definitely worked to their advantage. Their lack of bass (player) was made up for by their drummer who seemed to be a reincarnation of Animal from The Muppets, with a little less hair!"
www.myspace.com/brontoskylift
Tuesday 18
DARK SOCIAL MATTER / BIG DIV / THE PARADOX
The Paradox: "EVER since Run DMC and Aerosmith came together on Walk This Way hip hop and rock have fused to create one of music's most exciting hybrids. Public Enemy and Anthrax's Bring the Noise, Linkin Park and Jay-Z's Collision Course and even rapper Ice T's thrash metal band Body Count are some of the best. Now Scotland has it's own. The Paradox is made up of hip hop star Beejay from Damaged Goodz and three Fort William rockers Jim Reade, Kev Stott and Sean Mathers. Stand out tunes on the five track ep include Switch, a stick-on chart single with its buzzsaw squall of the guitars; Yin and Yang shrugs 'we're going to hell' as Beejay raps "the ying and the yang, the bling and the blang" and the huge metal monster tune Black Eye Kiss Of Death. Paul McCartney for one knows not all unions work but Paradox tears a gaping hole into Scots music. There is more to rock than Oasis and Franz Ferdinand." daily record
www.myspace.com/bigdiv
www.myspace.com/theparadoxofficial
Wednesday 19
54 promotions: FOR YOUR SINS / WHO SHOT JONSON?
Metal / hardcore of the tasty variety as usual from 54 promotions.
www.myspace.com/fivefourpromo
Thursday 20 ***RECOMMENDED***
is this music? - DOWN THE TINY STEPS / LE RENO AMPS / DOUG JOHNSTONE (acoustic set)
"Down the Tiny Steps are a Glasgow-based folk-rock-electro-pop band. That sounds cack, but they are not. They spend most of their time carving alt. folk pop classics from the very tissues of their souls. Songwriter, Jonnie Common records 24hours a day, hooked up to a phantom powered saline drip. He has written over 200 songs and is prepared to admit that at least 10 of them might be pish. Over the past 18months, DtTS have shared bills with King Creosote, My Latest Novel, F.O. Machete, Kid Carpet, and King Biscuit Time, to name but a few fine folks. They are currently recording their first studio album. "Fence Collective member Jonnie Common has been pretty much a solo act for a couple of years, and I've heard the name before, but never had the chance to see him play live. Recently he has chosen to surround himself with a band and, judging by tonight's performance, this has been a masterstroke. Their music pretty much defies category. Jonnie's earlier stuff certainly was folk-rock, sounding not a million miles away from King Creosote in the sense that he would back rambling interior monologues with a combination of acoustic strumming and atmospheric electric beats. The new band, however, are way more than that. In any one song Down the Tiny Steps could dip their feet in several styles, from acoustic folk-pop, suddenly veering into miserablist indie rock of the Interpol/Editors variety, occasionally sounding a little like the early, mechanistically rhythmic Elbow stuff, with all kind of electronic beats equally capable of rearing their heads as well. They even went 70s porn-funk at one stage. It made for a brilliant sound, surprising, unpredictable, engaging and all the time the signature rambling digressions being followed in an almost-conversational style by Common up front." / Le Reno Amps: "if you have listened to their CDs then you would class their music at the rockier end of Americana but live they are something different. They show a remarkable good humour and give a truly storming performance. Scott Maple and Al Nero swap lead vocals and witty banter in a manner that kind of reminded us of Apples in Stereo without the quirkiness or even Talking Heads without the artiness. Le Reno Amps are purveyors of clever and catchy songs and we get plenty of them tonight. You will probably have deduced by now that they are also brilliant live having an almost punk energy and just the right degree of rawness. "Wound Up" was pure class, for example. Any band that throws in a bit of theatre is just fine with us. Their music just soars from the stage to your ears.
www.myspace.com/isthismusic
www.downthetinysteps.co.uk
www.myspace.com/downthetinysteps
www.myspace.com/lerenoamps
Friday 21 ***RECOMMENDED***
THE I.D. PARADE Launch Night Extravaganza / + Guest DJs
The Id Parade: preview tracks from thier forthcoming Album, and Launch their 1st E.P. All this and completely free of charge. Come early to avoid dissapointment. Theidparade are the result of a medical experiment that went so badly wrong that it became right again, resulting in the infusion of electronica rock, tripped out beats, some Glasweigens, a nutter from Glenrothes in Fife (you guessed it, he's the drummer),some turpentine, semolina and curry sauce. After the explosion at the medical laboratory, lurking in the charred debris were six dodgy looking characters, who after a shower, change of clothes and occasional haircut, decided to form a band that would rock any joint they were plonked in, and rightly so, because after 18 months of hard slog they are doing just that in any number of well known establishments around Glasgow. This year (2008) they are stepping on the proverbial gas pedal to bring theidparades unique blend of electronica and acoustic tripped out rock to those unfortunate souls who haven't heard of them yet. If you are one of those poor, poor people, why don't you check them out @ www.myspace.com/theidparade where not only can you listen to their wonderful songs, and leave them words of praise and general admiration, but you can also download their E.P. 'Light on me' for free, absolutely nothing, diddly-squat, nada, nil, no money down, etc, etc.
www.myspace.com/theidparade
Saturday 22
Drive Carefully Records present: BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND (pictured) / INTERVALS / GLIDER
"Boyfriend/Girlfriend are an epic pop guitar, bass and drum three-piece that throw in toy beats and boy/girl shouts to keep themselves entertained. With members spread between Glasgow and Edinburgh, they attempt to make a personalised music that eschews typical topics, sounds and song formats. Referencing Mogwai, Ben Folds Five, Shellac and Pat Nevin, and singing in their home-grown accents, they create a brand of epic, earnest rock that rarely resorts to power chords."
www.drivecarefullyrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/drivecarefullyrecords
www.myspace.com/boyfriendgirlfriend
www.myspace.com/thehardtimesareover (intervals)
Sunday 23
DIAMOND SEA / NACIONAL / THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS
Doors 9pm
www.myspace.com/diamondseamusic
www.myspace.com/wearenacional
www.myspace.com/therewillbefireworks
Monday 24
Splendid Dead present: MUTANT MUSIC FOR OTs & SPs / MESSRS / & VERY SPECIAL GUESTS
The first 9 (of a long list) of messrs infuences kinda says it all :) "Iggy Pop, Girls Aloud, Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Glassjaw, Alec Empire The Rapture, Sparks, Captain Beefheart"
www.myspace.com/splendiddead
Wednesday 26
WINTERMAP / THE DARIEN VENTURE
Instrumental rock from Wintermap / The Darien Venture: Progressive / Rock / Powerpop
www.myspace.com/wintermap
www.myspace.com/thedarienventure
Friday 28
MESQUITE / LIONEL RITUAL / KATIE STEWART
Mesquite play acoustic guitar to tease your ossicles and meander through your souls. They also do some filming, and make videos which they show as a projected backdrop to the live set." nice!
www.myspace.com/etiuqsem
www.myspace.com/lionelritual
www.myspace.com/katiejenniferstewart
Saturday 29
tronic Events Presents..Domination Tour: RAXYOR (live) / SIMON KOR FUNKLE (live) / BABYSHAKER (live) / PHETAMEAN
Another top notch bill of electronic goodness from Tronic. Doors 8pm, Entry £3/5
www.secxtra.com (buy tickets here)
www.tronicglasgow.com
www.myspace.com/tronicglasgow
www.myspace.com/babyshakerproject
www.myspace.com/phetamean
Sunday 30 ***RECOMMENDED***
Taylored Records present: DROPKICK (album launch) (pictured) / MR. D / THE YOUNG HIPS
It's been obvious for some time that Dropkick produce some wonderful country power pop, with smart, assured, harmony and melody laden country pop songs of the highest quality. The empirical evidence to support a claim to be Scotland's pre-eminent alt-country power pop band is becoming overwhelming: they have a sound that is honeyed but not overwhelming. Think of them not in the fierce full-on heat of a midday pop sun, more the joy of the breaking dawn or an evening sun kissing the warm sea. For sheer enjoyment Dropkick are pretty hard to beat right now. / mr. D: ""A near perfect Scottish-bred, guitar-pop album that jingles, jangles and shimmers like golden Rickenbackers from the heavens above.'"--Eric Shea, Rhapsody "I'll Keep Looking Around is exactly what The Thrills have been trying to do on two albums...This is the sort of record, that if picked up by a major would become a coffee table hit." --8/10, Del Day, Americana UK / "The Young Hips have tapped into the same songwriting source and jangling guitar sound that brought you everybody from The Cosmic Rough Riders to Teenage Fanclub. Instantly listenable, Pulling Me Down is awash with glorious harmonies, catchy melodies and well-played guitars, and it's a sound they replicate on Cry Without Tears. Morning Prayer sounds like Crosby Stills and Nash on an open topped car ride with Mama Cass; its beguiling melody disguising the darker anti heroin message. Closer listening reveals a talented lyricist as well as songsmith; a prospect that should have A&R men drooling." Doors 8.30pm, entry £4
www.tayloredrecords.co.uk
www.dropkickmusic.co.uk
www.myspace.com/dropkickmusic
www.myspace.com/misterdreadmusic
Monday 31
The End of the Month Club: LEIGH MYLES (ex-gum) (pictured) / LUX (formerly known as 'Crisis Project') / BOZILLA (featuring guest vocalists Lou & Rory from 'Member of the Wedding')
"Leigh Myles is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer from Glasgow, Scotland. Leigh has recently stepped into the solo limelight after having fronted the Glasgow-based atmospheric pop outfit 'Gum'. Through past and present collaborations with musicians and producers from near and far, Leigh has honed her skills for the soulful manipulation of her voice which forms the dramatic centre-piece of her music. The blend of lush vocals and programmed beats is enhanced by bandmates/producers the Carmichael Brothers and YJ Chedi - who, with Leigh, also provide guitar, bass, keys and programming for Leigh's live shows. Leigh's trademark is the live sampling, looping and layering of her vocals to stunning effect. The result is an electronic soundscape of big beats and ambient textures which call to mind Goldfrapp, Imogen Heap and Air. Together, the mix of beats, synths and samples with live instruments coupled with Leighs haunting and seductive vocal melodies creates an exciting and infectious sound that could easily cross over into dance, pop and electronica territories."
www.eotmc.com
www.leighmyles.com
www.myspace.com/leighmyles
www.bozilla.co.uk
www.myspace.com/bozillabozilla
POPUP (pictured) / BURNT ISLAND
"Popup are a strange amalgamation of all that's good in Scottish music. Similar in style to the jaggy pop of Franz Ferdinand and early Delgados, their lyrical style and delivery owes a deliberate nod to the Yummy Fur's John McKeown, and the pictures that Damian Gilhooly paints in Popup's songs are reminiscent of the brighter moments of Arab Strap. With such an interesting blend of apparent influences it could be considered difficult to pigeon-hole the band, but that's probably a good thing and I'm sure that the girls dancing down at the front don't really care. In fact, this is one of the most striking and enjoyable things about Popup. The energy and enthusiasm the band exude from the stage is hard to ignore and is lapped up avidly by the excited fans at the front." neil milton. / "Burnt Island's soaring vocal harmonies, sparse acoustic guitars and beguiling banter are the perfect Sunday afternoon tonic." The Skinny. "Their mix of Nick Drake-esque folk and atmospheric sounds is well put together and well executed… they're worth further investigation." Is This Music?
www.popuptheband.com
www.myspace.com/burntisland
Sunday 02
NOL Promotions presents: TOM FRAMPTON / AL BAKER (pictured) / DAVE HUGHES / JIMMY RICHARDS / LAURA KIRKWOOD
Tom Frampton: Cincinatti based political singer-songwriter. He is a member of the Riot-folk collective which does they best to 'make folk a threat again'. While attending University Frampton was shot to the mainstream media attention when he infliltrated the republican party conference, getting to with-in feet of Dick Cheney. He plays loud, harsh, shouty folk music! / Al Baker: Manchester based activist and singer-songwriter. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who can write lyrics as poetic and witty as Al Baker. Armed with a guitar and some plectrums, he sings songs of love, life and politics, not in that order though! / Dave Hughes: Glasgow based folk-punk singer songwriter. From playing in a punk band for many a year, Dave Hughes branched out on his own just under two years ago. He's found himself travelling around the country with his guitar, playing alongside Damien Dempsey, The Tom Fun Orchestra, Nigel Clark (of Dodgy) and Miles Hunt (The Wonderstuff) to name a few. This is his first date on a mini UK tour. / Jimmy Richards: Glasgow singer-songwriter, takes sentences and chats with friends and turns them in to 3 minute pop-songs. / Laura Kirkwood: Brand new, so new she doesn't have a myspace yet! Lovely voice with nice pretty songs. Doors 8pm, 3quid tickets, 4 on the door.
www.davehughesmusic.co.uk/shop (go here for tickets)
www.myspace.com/tomframptonofriotfolk
www.myspace.com/alandhisguitar
www.myspace.com/davehughesmusic
www.myspace.com/jimmyrichards
Monday 03
Puny Human Promotions: SLEAZY CUM EASY / MUDHUTS / DEAD ON THE LIVEWIRE (pictured) / SEGUE
Dead On The Live Wire are an Edinburgh male-female ferocious noise duo who deploy Sonic Youth-esque atonal vocals, Nine Inch Nails guitar crunch and industrial clatter to deafening effect. Rough around the edges for sure, but even the various technical hitches are gleefully absorbed into the set. - The Skinny.
www.punyhuman.co.uk
www.sleazycumeazy.com
www.myspace.com/mudhutsmusic
www.myspace.com/deadonthelivewire
Tuesday 04 ***RECOMMENDED***
Megatron Promotions presents: SUPER ADVENTURE CLUB / ALBINO MONK / KATIE AND THE DULL FUDDS
Super Adventure Club: A hyper melodic uber-spazz triumvate. Recently perfromed with Papier Tigre in Bar Bloc, where this Edinburgh trio immediately became everyone's favourite band. "Super Adventure Club veer in unexpected but entirely understandable ways, like stream-of-consciousness prose" The Skinny / ALBINo MoNK: Progressive Rock with Melodic bits - Like a drunken orgy between Radiohead, Mogwai and Rage Against the Machine. Since playing their 2006 debut gig in the middle of a forest, this band have been seen pedalling their diverse sounds in more orthodox venues such as the Barfly and Ivory Blacks. / Katie & The Dull Fudds: Energetic jungle genre-spanners. Heralding from the Scottish Borders the Fudds combine female harmonies, and flute with a rocking rhythm section in a high energy, sexually charged performance guaranteed to get audiences dancing.
www.myspace.com/superadventuremusic
www.myspace.com/glasgowalbinomonk
www.myspace.com/katieandthedullfudds
Wednesday 05
COME IN TOKYO (pictured) / MARKOVIC (Sweden) (pictured) / YOU ALREADY KNOW
Come in Tokyo: "Come in Tokyo are a straight-up rock and roll two piece...battering out punky, catchy little roosty, bluesy numbers short on time, big on impact." BBC Radio Ulster - "The noise emanating from the stage sounded like it was created by way more than two people...Come in Tokyo produce fantastically poppy indie pogo rock...Hopefully the next time these guys visit our shores they will be the headline act!" NoClarity.co.uk / Markovic: emo rock as emotional as it gets! with amazing vocals. On the Wonderland Records label based in Sweden. / You Already Know: "The band supported the Deftones at the Carling Academy in Summer 2006, playing to a crowd of over 1500 to great acclaim, and shortly after, supported the Fratellis and Union of Knives at Glasgow's QMU. The Scotsman described the bands sound as Snub-nosed riffs and driving rhythms jostled with angular melodies in a sound that recalled the spirit of defunct hardcore heroes Quicksand. Lick Magazine says ...looks certain to become a staple of Scotlands rock radio play-lists. and Skinny Magazine think that You Already Know are exciting prospects for Scottish hard rock in the offing."
www.comeintokyo.co.uk
www.myspace.com/c0meint0ky0
www.myspace.com/markovicmusic
www.youalreadyknow.net
www.myspace.com/youak
Thursday 06 ***RECOMMENDED***
Protect & Survive: INSPECTOR TAPEHEAD / INDAFUSION (pictured) / WARPED MEMORIES
Inspector Tapehead "Fusing older folk and blues guitar styles and melodies, with modern party rhythms, mucky synth licks and an uplifting pop sensibility, Inspector Tapehead is a recording project and stripped-back live experience, engineered to move hearts and hinds. Between meteing out melodic justice in venues across central Scotland, the good Inspector is also recording a first album, which should be released (if it keeps its nose clean) some time around summer 2008." / indafusion - Warpdrives. Little green men. Runrig. All part of the stranger-than-sci-fact world of Indafusion. From an opening track that combines the crushing guitar of Rocket From The Crypt with a tune complex enough to keep scientists and prog rockers happy, their album lurches into (interstellar) overdrive on 'O Pioneers' whose swathes of choppy guitar battle with a harmonised vocal interplay. There's some epic rock on 'Beekeeping on Ganymede' among some truly high points on a cosmic rollercoaster ride of a debut album which boldly goes where lesser bands wouldn't dare. Incidentally, the Runrig connection is that Donnie Munro's label saw fit to sign up this bunch of stargazers." is this music? / Warped Memories"Clearly Scottish - but only just, being from Moffat - is Warped Memories, or to be precise, Lewis Cook, a kilted and lanky chap whose one-man laptop'n'feedback setup is for the day augmented by an additional guitarist. ... a string of strongly accented, electronic-tinged tunes and some Sonic Youth-style guitar abuse via a drumstick make for an unusual and rather impressive sound." is this music? Doors 8.30pm. Entry £4
www.myspace.com/protectandsurviveglasgow
www.myspace.com/inspectortapehead
www.indafusion.co.uk
www.myspace.com/warpedmemories
Friday 07
Flowers in the Dustbin presents: STROSZEK (pictured) / STORM SOCIETY / GLIDER (pictured)
'Stroszek began the night with a set of Chomsky-ite electro-pop, which served both as a pleasant surprise and a point of thought. The use of a drum machine - questionable at first - proved a wise move, as it came to suit the bands gloomy, emotive sound especially on "Burning Libraries". Sounding not unlike The Cure, the band drove on through "The Saltire" and the menacing "You've only Got Yourself To Blame" with plenty of energy. Perhaps the band could lend a bit more bite to the guitar, but their sound - not like anything in the charts at present - is nonetheless interesting, and their performance the same.'Bluesbunny.com / The Storm Society "Crashing drums, thunderous bass lines and wind tunnel guitars are pinned down by a booming baritone vocal delivery to create the bands epic and majestic sound." / Glider "with influences from my bloody valentine, the telescopes, boards of canada, low,ride, the swirlies, the nightblooms, undergroundlovers, aphex twin, black dog, alfie, superfurry animals glider are sure to please almost all independent rock lover's ears..."
www.myspace.com/flowersinthedustbin
www.myspace.com/stroszek
www.myspace.com/officialstormsociety
www.myspace.com/gliderglasgow
Saturday 08 ***RECOMMENDED***
HYENA / THE WHISKY WORKS (pictured) / GUARDED BY ROBOTS / VENUS DELTA
Hyena - "a raging 4-piece from Glasgow combine just the right amount of raw passion and rock finesse to keep them on the edge of combustion, but will they explode? With a unique sound influenced by the likes of shellac, dinosaur jr, and biffy clyro, hyena are "definitely one to watch out for"- rockmidgets.com. / The Whisky Works are a post-hardcore quartet based in Glasgow; delivering a raucous blend of guitar-driven noise with a blistering live performance, establishing them as serious contenders in the underground. With off kilter drums, aggressive vocals and a cacophony of mammoth guitars, their music tears against the grain to create something altogether unique.
Armed with an ever increasing arsenal of jarring material and a mutual love for Bill Murray, The Whisky Works strive to create a new energy in independant UK music and perhaps burst a few eardrums along the way. The good news is, the whisky works. “blissfully uncomplicated noise driven rock… with Million Dead attitude”
Disorder Magazine - “another of Glasgow's finest” - Is This Music - “a consignment of churning guitars… snare-hurting hard surge beats… with the spirit of Zen Arcade throughout” / Guarded By Robots - Newcastle tro Guarded By Robots list among their influences Biffy Clyro, Minus The Bear, and yourcodenameis:milo, and these are all decent reference points on their 'Fashion Tips From Myra' four-track EP. Fans of Dartz! or Tellison may also find something of interest in their quirky indie-pop
www.myspace.com/hyenaband
www.thewhiskyworks.com
www.myspace.com/thewhiskyworks
Sunday 09 ***RECOMMENDED***
TAKE A WORM FOR A WALK WEEK (pictured) / ORION ARM / SCISSORS / THE BLACK RAT DEATH SQUAD (pictured)
"SUBBA'S EP OF THE MONTH, ACTUALLY, FUCK THAT, EP OF THE DECADE!!!!!! WITH SCISSORS / TAKE A WORM FOR A WALK WEEK / ORION ARM - SPLIT - SMALL TOWN RECORDS 3 stupendous bands on one EP, save-money-tastic… This slab of sheer bile & inventiveness will have you wearing each of the three band's tshirts all at once, it demands such allegiance. WS: Mix Rolo Tomassi's juddering bile-infected spazzcore with the shrieking brilliance of early Blood Brothers. TAWFAWW: more muscular in tone, they take the shrill of Converge's disgust and fuse it to the excitement of early Dillinger Escape Plan. OA: with a more liquid funk edge, the bands interplay more playful recalling These Arms Are Snakes in a sword duel with Mr Bungle. Genius, sheer genius. You'll treasure this EP, then purge it from your system, before swallowing it back, whole. (J.C)" www.subba-culta.com
www.myspace.com/takeaworm
www.myspace.com/orionarm
www.myspace.com/blackratdeathsquad
Monday 10
The Glasgow Fantastic Film School presents: NIGHT OF THE BLOODY TAPES
A monthly (to begin with) night of cult horror, sci-fi, exploitation and cult trash double bills- ranging from hammer via argento to spaghetti westerns, ninja epics and rock'n'roll flicks!! entry £3.50, doors 7pm. alcohol available at bar- please buy as much as possible, it helps the ambience. Opening night: the beyond (lucio fulci 1981) the legendary italian goremaster's zombie-filled, black magic-drenched non-linear masterpiece starring none other than david 'anton out of twins of evil' warbeck, supported by feast (john gulager 2005)- non-stop action as the inhabitants of a remote american diner, including none other than the legendary henry rollins himself- yes, that henry rollins- battle mutant 'hunger monsters' from outside. like 'night of the living dead' or 'assault on precinct 13' but with huge flying meaty things. The point of these screenings is not only to entertain but to inform. and anyone who wishes to be well informed is welcome to ask any questions after the movies and join us in the bar upstairs (until they throw us out) for pintage and lively discussion.
Tuesday 11
SOMEYOUNGPEDRO (pictured) / KONX-OM-PAX / PLAAYDOH
"Someyoungpedro originate from the Borders of Scotland and now live between Glasgow and Edinburgh. All are members of a previous band, yet rather than taking the scenic route of band development from straightforward to experimental, the move was from hypnotic soundscapes to visceral art-punk containing obvious pop sensebilities. A move that was more natural than it suggests. The band now reacts within these rigid structures to push the personality of minimal content. Influenced by seminal live performances witnessed in their youth, they have always been driven to make the live domain a central factor in their musical output. Absorbing all elements from an audiences projected energy to technical mistakes to stripped bare cut downs of sound, someyoungpedros music aims to wrap these uncontrolable factors into an unique live experience that is impossible to replicate, but more importantly is FUN!. Keeping a curious and slightly fascinated eye on the complex fluxes of contemporary pop culture they infuse and subvert their own ideas of 'pop' into their sound to ensure that the music reflects strong traits of both a collective and individual personality." / "Plaaydoh's debut EP* is a stunning and refreshing piece of noisy, off kilter, shouty, bass-laden, keyboard infused, frantic but bouncy music ... Sounding a bit like The Go! Team would, were they possessed by really pissed-off, psychopathic, evil demons with both PMT and ADHD, it was so good to see a young band start out by taking a few risks in playing this type of music, and not restricting themselves to the now proven formula of 'happy twee.'"
www.someyoungpedro.co.uk
Wednesday 12
A PERFECT INTENT / THE ALCOVE / HIDDEN LEAVES / LSD (pictured)
An evening of rock from the puny human folks...some from the progressive end of the spectrum...some from the spectrum end of the progressive.
www.myspace.com/lsdmusic
Thursday 13
BUCKY RAGE (pictured) / THE PHARISEES (pictured)
Bucky Rage: "N.M.E. Says: this Cramps/B-52's inspired lot have a song called vote for jesus but the chorus sounds like 'eat cheese', not being religious, i like that!" that actually kinda sums it up...i cant believe that the NME appear to have gotten something right. / The Pharisees: say this of themselves - "Glasgow based rock/psych-abilly outift. Formally un-known around Glasgow and parts of Greater Manchester as Barba-rossa. RIP. Follow an essentially Aquinian philosophy of real essences and live power rock."
www.myspace.com/the_bucky_rage
www.myspace.com/thepharisees
Friday 14
Actions Speak Louder presents: TAKING NAMES / BROKEN OATH / BURNING SCARS OF BETRAYAL / DEPARTURES
Taking Names: First time in Glasgow since 2005, a few line up changes has not affected how ace this band are. Energetic hardcore with a postive message from London. / Broken Oath: Glasgow's finest moshers bringing that euro sound to Glasgow. For fans of Nightwish. / Burning Scars of Betrayal: Older and bolder, hard hitting hardcore with plenty singalongs to keep everyone happy. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air approves! / Departures: mixing up melodic old school hardcore with a bit of metal, awesome new band from Glasgow! Doors 8.30pm, tax: £5
www.myspace.com/glasgowhardcoreshows
www.rucktion.com
www.myspace.com/takingnames
www.myspace.com/brokenoath
www.myspace.com/theburningscarsofbetrayal
www.myspace.com/departuresmusic
Sunday 16
MUMMY SHORT ARMS / EGG IN A TREE / PABLO ESKIMO
"Mummy Short Arms were born from the forest of twang. In the forest all was safe, all was well, then the twangs rescinded, the twangs rescinded until there was only one twang and that twang ran at the course of a backwards insect. Daddy became Mummy, long became short and legs became arms, the forest was reversed and from under the tree sprouted nothing and from withered stumps sprouted the tree. Many years passed and the forest decided it couldn't be bothered running backwards any more so it jerked its lungs at the correct pitch to turn the forest back the right way again. However, as students of quantum mechanics are only too aware, time does not run in exactly the same manner when reversed due to the uncertainty principle. When all trees grew forwards and all birds pulled worms from the ground rather than planting them, one creature remained in a backwards loop of indie popjerk. Its name was Mummy Short Arms." / "Egg in a Tree, a hard rocking quintet from Glasgow, have a trick or two up their sleeves and exemplify a great rock sound with driving bass, tight guitar riffs and an earful of growling vocals from their bear-like mic-man." the skinny / Pablo Eskimo: "Boasting an accomplished and adventurous vocalist Alaine Allison, she thrives by pulling all their songs into a glorious melodic heaven. Now stick that over a metal guitar, ska beat or punk rock riff. Take your pick because Pablo Eskimo have got every genre under control, brought to life with an injection of power pop."
www.myspace.com/mummyshortarms
www.myspace.com/egginatree
www.myspace.com/pabloeskimo
Monday 17
CULANN / BRONTO SKYLIFT (pictured)
Bronto Skylift: "Forging a style that harks back to 90's grunge, Bronto Skylift injected a completely different energy into an already busy Qudos.A two piece setup with a style rarely seen outwith The White Stripes and Sluts of Trust, just one guitar and drumkit definitely worked to their advantage. Their lack of bass (player) was made up for by their drummer who seemed to be a reincarnation of Animal from The Muppets, with a little less hair!"
www.myspace.com/brontoskylift
Tuesday 18
DARK SOCIAL MATTER / BIG DIV / THE PARADOX
The Paradox: "EVER since Run DMC and Aerosmith came together on Walk This Way hip hop and rock have fused to create one of music's most exciting hybrids. Public Enemy and Anthrax's Bring the Noise, Linkin Park and Jay-Z's Collision Course and even rapper Ice T's thrash metal band Body Count are some of the best. Now Scotland has it's own. The Paradox is made up of hip hop star Beejay from Damaged Goodz and three Fort William rockers Jim Reade, Kev Stott and Sean Mathers. Stand out tunes on the five track ep include Switch, a stick-on chart single with its buzzsaw squall of the guitars; Yin and Yang shrugs 'we're going to hell' as Beejay raps "the ying and the yang, the bling and the blang" and the huge metal monster tune Black Eye Kiss Of Death. Paul McCartney for one knows not all unions work but Paradox tears a gaping hole into Scots music. There is more to rock than Oasis and Franz Ferdinand." daily record
www.myspace.com/bigdiv
www.myspace.com/theparadoxofficial
Wednesday 19
54 promotions: FOR YOUR SINS / WHO SHOT JONSON?
Metal / hardcore of the tasty variety as usual from 54 promotions.
www.myspace.com/fivefourpromo
Thursday 20 ***RECOMMENDED***
is this music? - DOWN THE TINY STEPS / LE RENO AMPS / DOUG JOHNSTONE (acoustic set)
"Down the Tiny Steps are a Glasgow-based folk-rock-electro-pop band. That sounds cack, but they are not. They spend most of their time carving alt. folk pop classics from the very tissues of their souls. Songwriter, Jonnie Common records 24hours a day, hooked up to a phantom powered saline drip. He has written over 200 songs and is prepared to admit that at least 10 of them might be pish. Over the past 18months, DtTS have shared bills with King Creosote, My Latest Novel, F.O. Machete, Kid Carpet, and King Biscuit Time, to name but a few fine folks. They are currently recording their first studio album. "Fence Collective member Jonnie Common has been pretty much a solo act for a couple of years, and I've heard the name before, but never had the chance to see him play live. Recently he has chosen to surround himself with a band and, judging by tonight's performance, this has been a masterstroke. Their music pretty much defies category. Jonnie's earlier stuff certainly was folk-rock, sounding not a million miles away from King Creosote in the sense that he would back rambling interior monologues with a combination of acoustic strumming and atmospheric electric beats. The new band, however, are way more than that. In any one song Down the Tiny Steps could dip their feet in several styles, from acoustic folk-pop, suddenly veering into miserablist indie rock of the Interpol/Editors variety, occasionally sounding a little like the early, mechanistically rhythmic Elbow stuff, with all kind of electronic beats equally capable of rearing their heads as well. They even went 70s porn-funk at one stage. It made for a brilliant sound, surprising, unpredictable, engaging and all the time the signature rambling digressions being followed in an almost-conversational style by Common up front." / Le Reno Amps: "if you have listened to their CDs then you would class their music at the rockier end of Americana but live they are something different. They show a remarkable good humour and give a truly storming performance. Scott Maple and Al Nero swap lead vocals and witty banter in a manner that kind of reminded us of Apples in Stereo without the quirkiness or even Talking Heads without the artiness. Le Reno Amps are purveyors of clever and catchy songs and we get plenty of them tonight. You will probably have deduced by now that they are also brilliant live having an almost punk energy and just the right degree of rawness. "Wound Up" was pure class, for example. Any band that throws in a bit of theatre is just fine with us. Their music just soars from the stage to your ears.
www.myspace.com/isthismusic
www.downthetinysteps.co.uk
www.myspace.com/downthetinysteps
www.myspace.com/lerenoamps
Friday 21 ***RECOMMENDED***
THE I.D. PARADE Launch Night Extravaganza / + Guest DJs
The Id Parade: preview tracks from thier forthcoming Album, and Launch their 1st E.P. All this and completely free of charge. Come early to avoid dissapointment. Theidparade are the result of a medical experiment that went so badly wrong that it became right again, resulting in the infusion of electronica rock, tripped out beats, some Glasweigens, a nutter from Glenrothes in Fife (you guessed it, he's the drummer),some turpentine, semolina and curry sauce. After the explosion at the medical laboratory, lurking in the charred debris were six dodgy looking characters, who after a shower, change of clothes and occasional haircut, decided to form a band that would rock any joint they were plonked in, and rightly so, because after 18 months of hard slog they are doing just that in any number of well known establishments around Glasgow. This year (2008) they are stepping on the proverbial gas pedal to bring theidparades unique blend of electronica and acoustic tripped out rock to those unfortunate souls who haven't heard of them yet. If you are one of those poor, poor people, why don't you check them out @ www.myspace.com/theidparade where not only can you listen to their wonderful songs, and leave them words of praise and general admiration, but you can also download their E.P. 'Light on me' for free, absolutely nothing, diddly-squat, nada, nil, no money down, etc, etc.
www.myspace.com/theidparade
Saturday 22
Drive Carefully Records present: BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND (pictured) / INTERVALS / GLIDER
"Boyfriend/Girlfriend are an epic pop guitar, bass and drum three-piece that throw in toy beats and boy/girl shouts to keep themselves entertained. With members spread between Glasgow and Edinburgh, they attempt to make a personalised music that eschews typical topics, sounds and song formats. Referencing Mogwai, Ben Folds Five, Shellac and Pat Nevin, and singing in their home-grown accents, they create a brand of epic, earnest rock that rarely resorts to power chords."
www.drivecarefullyrecords.co.uk
www.myspace.com/drivecarefullyrecords
www.myspace.com/boyfriendgirlfriend
www.myspace.com/thehardtimesareover (intervals)
Sunday 23
DIAMOND SEA / NACIONAL / THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS
Doors 9pm
www.myspace.com/diamondseamusic
www.myspace.com/wearenacional
www.myspace.com/therewillbefireworks
Monday 24
Splendid Dead present: MUTANT MUSIC FOR OTs & SPs / MESSRS / & VERY SPECIAL GUESTS
The first 9 (of a long list) of messrs infuences kinda says it all :) "Iggy Pop, Girls Aloud, Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Glassjaw, Alec Empire The Rapture, Sparks, Captain Beefheart"
www.myspace.com/splendiddead
Wednesday 26
WINTERMAP / THE DARIEN VENTURE
Instrumental rock from Wintermap / The Darien Venture: Progressive / Rock / Powerpop
www.myspace.com/wintermap
www.myspace.com/thedarienventure
Friday 28
MESQUITE / LIONEL RITUAL / KATIE STEWART
Mesquite play acoustic guitar to tease your ossicles and meander through your souls. They also do some filming, and make videos which they show as a projected backdrop to the live set." nice!
www.myspace.com/etiuqsem
www.myspace.com/lionelritual
www.myspace.com/katiejenniferstewart
Saturday 29
tronic Events Presents..Domination Tour: RAXYOR (live) / SIMON KOR FUNKLE (live) / BABYSHAKER (live) / PHETAMEAN
Another top notch bill of electronic goodness from Tronic. Doors 8pm, Entry £3/5
www.secxtra.com (buy tickets here)
www.tronicglasgow.com
www.myspace.com/tronicglasgow
www.myspace.com/babyshakerproject
www.myspace.com/phetamean
Sunday 30 ***RECOMMENDED***
Taylored Records present: DROPKICK (album launch) (pictured) / MR. D / THE YOUNG HIPS
It's been obvious for some time that Dropkick produce some wonderful country power pop, with smart, assured, harmony and melody laden country pop songs of the highest quality. The empirical evidence to support a claim to be Scotland's pre-eminent alt-country power pop band is becoming overwhelming: they have a sound that is honeyed but not overwhelming. Think of them not in the fierce full-on heat of a midday pop sun, more the joy of the breaking dawn or an evening sun kissing the warm sea. For sheer enjoyment Dropkick are pretty hard to beat right now. / mr. D: ""A near perfect Scottish-bred, guitar-pop album that jingles, jangles and shimmers like golden Rickenbackers from the heavens above.'"--Eric Shea, Rhapsody "I'll Keep Looking Around is exactly what The Thrills have been trying to do on two albums...This is the sort of record, that if picked up by a major would become a coffee table hit." --8/10, Del Day, Americana UK / "The Young Hips have tapped into the same songwriting source and jangling guitar sound that brought you everybody from The Cosmic Rough Riders to Teenage Fanclub. Instantly listenable, Pulling Me Down is awash with glorious harmonies, catchy melodies and well-played guitars, and it's a sound they replicate on Cry Without Tears. Morning Prayer sounds like Crosby Stills and Nash on an open topped car ride with Mama Cass; its beguiling melody disguising the darker anti heroin message. Closer listening reveals a talented lyricist as well as songsmith; a prospect that should have A&R men drooling." Doors 8.30pm, entry £4
www.tayloredrecords.co.uk
www.dropkickmusic.co.uk
www.myspace.com/dropkickmusic
www.myspace.com/misterdreadmusic
Monday 31
The End of the Month Club: LEIGH MYLES (ex-gum) (pictured) / LUX (formerly known as 'Crisis Project') / BOZILLA (featuring guest vocalists Lou & Rory from 'Member of the Wedding')
"Leigh Myles is a singer, songwriter, musician and producer from Glasgow, Scotland. Leigh has recently stepped into the solo limelight after having fronted the Glasgow-based atmospheric pop outfit 'Gum'. Through past and present collaborations with musicians and producers from near and far, Leigh has honed her skills for the soulful manipulation of her voice which forms the dramatic centre-piece of her music. The blend of lush vocals and programmed beats is enhanced by bandmates/producers the Carmichael Brothers and YJ Chedi - who, with Leigh, also provide guitar, bass, keys and programming for Leigh's live shows. Leigh's trademark is the live sampling, looping and layering of her vocals to stunning effect. The result is an electronic soundscape of big beats and ambient textures which call to mind Goldfrapp, Imogen Heap and Air. Together, the mix of beats, synths and samples with live instruments coupled with Leighs haunting and seductive vocal melodies creates an exciting and infectious sound that could easily cross over into dance, pop and electronica territories."
www.eotmc.com
www.leighmyles.com
www.myspace.com/leighmyles
www.bozilla.co.uk
www.myspace.com/bozillabozilla
