Pop Pourri — Site News/Blog
7 Jan - Minder/The Cat Recommends
Attic Lights have reworked Dennis Waterman's "I Could Be So Good For You" for Channel 5's remake of 80s favourite "Minder". The show airs in February and Attic Lights version of the classic theme tune will be released on 16 February, although it'll be available digitally from 12 January. The new six-part "Minder" stars Shane Richie as Arthur Daley's nephew Archie. See the video HERE.
The Cat appeared in the Recommends section of today's Scotsman picking his five bands to watch in 2009, including the aforementioned Attic Lights. The full list can be read HERE. Expect to see more Top 5s from Dave and The Cat over the coming weeks and months.
6 Jan - Jackie Leven/Whisky Galore
Cooking Vinyl has announced that Jackie will be touring the UK through January to March. He will be performing songs written between 1969 and 2009, incorporating material by his alter egos John St Field and Sir Vincent Lone, and including dark masterpieces from the Doll By Doll era. Full dates as follows :
Sat 17th Jan GLASGOW, Celtic Connections, Oran Mor BO: 0141 353 8000
Thu 22nd Jan BRISTOL, Thunderbolt BO: 0117 373 8947
Mon 26th Jan BRIGHTON, The Greys BO: 01273 680 734
Tue 27th Jan ST ALBANS, The Horn BO: 01727 853 143
Wed 28th Jan LONDON, The Sheep Inn (FREE gig) BO: 0208 556 1131
Thu 29th Jan SOUTHEND, Riga Bar BO: 01702 348 020
Fri 6th Feb - Fri 20th Feb GERMAN TOUR
Thu 26th Feb STOURBRIDGE, Katie Fitzgeralds BO: 01384 374 410
Sun 1st March STOCKTON ON TEES, The Waiting Room BO: 01642 780 465
Fri 6th March BARTON UPON HUMBER, Carnival Inn BO: 01652 634 845
Sat 7th March BELPER, Queens Head BO: 0115 938 6774
Sun 15th March WORCESTER, Marrs Bar BO: 01905 613 336
Thu 19th March OTTERTON, Otterton Mill BO: 01395 567 041
There also plans afoot to release four sets of two albums each from Jackie's extensive back catalogue, covering the four seasons. "Winter" will be released on Monday 16 February and will consist of two live albums, namely "Men in Prison" and "Munich Blues" (Cooking Vinyl COOKCD483).
While Jackie's at Celtic Connections he'll be able to partake in the Whisky Workshop which will happen each Saturday throughout the festival. Sláinte!
3 Jan - Words from a "big" Quo fan
If, by being a 6 foot 4 man who'll never see 16 stone again, I can be classed as being a "big" Status Quo then, sure, I'm banged to rights but the piece in today's Scotsman, which I contributed to has me marked down as some sort of rabid 12-bar boogie worshipping headbanger. I'm not. Sure, I like the stuff they did when they were The Spectres and the psychedlic stuff and I'll even tolerate some of their rock stuff, especially "Down Down" but I am, and always will be, an indie kid at heart. Well, one with a penchant for powerpop, mod, northern/southern soul, Jocknroll, alternative 60s, Eurovision, Christmas tunes...you get the picture.
You can read the article HERE. I blame the subbies not the charming Claire Smith who treats me like her musical bitch (and don't I just love it). Hell, they even took out the Kerry Katona gag, which you'll never see! The Cat
1 Jan - Celtic Connections/Festivals
Season's greetings and festive salutations to Jocknrollers around the world.
Scoland's premier Winter Music festival, Celtic Connections, is back for a 16th year and kicks off the new year in fine style. The festival runs from Thursday 15th January to Sunday 1 February. The Cat is hoping to go to at least one, maybe two, events - leave pass permitting. Unfortunately two of The Cat's favourites clash on 17 January as Jackie Leven plays at Oran Mor and Attic Lights/Norman Blake and Euro Childs/BMX Bandits/others to be announced playing the Shoeshine Showcase at the ABC.
The festivals section on the Links page has been updated as much as we can but we're still awaiting confirmation of dates for Tigerfest, Oxjam, Edge Festival, Connect etc. if you know something that we don't then by all means let us know. Now, back to that damned NME Christmas Quiz...
7 Dec - Dropkick, We See Lights, Hugh Reed
Whilst preparing for my hospital radio show (no, I'm not employed by the NHS to clear beds), I heard Graeme Scott, who precedes me, playing a fabulous piece of west coast (USA not Glasgow) alt.country rock/pop. I enquired as to what that great track was and whilst I forget the title he informed me it was an Edinburgh band called Dropkick! I can now declare that Dropkick are my new favourite band and I tip them for the top in 2009, which, let's face it, means hee-haw. Join their mailing list and receive a free CD or 4 MP3s - you won't be disappointed.
Dropkick gigs in 2009:
Fri 19th Dec: The Village, South Fort Street, Edinburgh. 8pm. £3. Acoustic gig with The Dead Beat Club.
Sat 10th Jan 2009: The Market Bar, Church Street, Inverness. 9.30pm. Free.
Fri 23rd Jan 2009: 13th Note, Glasgow. 9pm.
Another band to look for out in 2009 are the Jockmopolitan We See Lights who hail from Bo'ness, Airth, Corstorphine and Milngavie, with a bit of Granton and Leith thrown in for good measure. "Parachute" is a cracking tune.
We See Lights gigs in December:
Thu 11 Dec: The Mills (Caves), 8-12 Niddry Street South, EH1 1NS
(register on The Mills' website to get free tickets: http://www.themill-live.com/)
Tue 23 Dec: Leith Dockers club, Edinburgh (We See Lights' Christmas Songwriter's club, sponsored by Sufjan Stevens) "We See Lights and friends will be performing two hours of original Christmas songs. This is not an aspiration but commitment. It’s going to be so good you will wonder why we don’t sing Christmas songs in June."
I got a nice wee note from Hugh Reed, he of Velvet Underpants fame, to let us know of his website at www.hughreed.co.uk and that the band are now known as Hugh Reed's Velvet Explosion because too many people thought they were a tribute act! They're now a "tribute act to themselves". The original Half Man Half Shortbread (sorry Raymy!).
By the way, Jackie Leven's gig in Lenzie tonight has been cancelled.
The Cat
27 Nov - The Draymin Call It A Day
Saturday 27th December will see the end of an era on the Fife music scene as Rosyth's The Draymin call it a day. The gig, which marks the opening of Alhambra 2 in Dunfermline, will also feature Weekend Revolutionaries Beatnic Prestige, The Skinflints, The Modern Faces and Val Verde. Tickets are £6 and doors open at 7pm for this gig.
Weekend Revolution will also be hosting their Christmas party at PJ Molloy's, Dunfermline on Boxing Day. The line-up is: The Ray Summers, The Apple Scruffs, Val Verde, Tango In The Attic and The Delaneys.
22 Nov - Attic Lights/Val Verde/The Modern Faces/The Black Arrows (Velocity, Dunfermline)
When I walked into this relatively new Dunfermline venue for the first time I thought I'd walked into a mini mod convention (or as I prefer to call them Primark Mods). I've never seen so many Steve Marriott lookalikes in all my life. The night promised much and for the most part delivered.
Opening act The Black Arrows were rather Mod-esque. Despite their obvious influences they played an interesting set that brimmed full of ideas and quality tunes. A promising start and a band to keep an eye on for the future. Although the frontman needs to lose the sleeveless t-shirt, which he revealed halfway through, as, from where I was standing, he resembled The Alarm's Mike Peters circa 1983 and that's not a good thing. When he picked up his acoustic guitar I feared for a rendition of "68 Guns". An excellent start to the evening though. (****)
After the fabulous Black Arrows my expectations came crashing down within the opening bars of The Modern Faces' set. Now it's obvious that the band has a good record collection and a decent stylist but beyond that they were wholly unoriginal. From the opening note-perfect strains of The Stooges "I Wanna Be a Dog" they trawled through their sub-Oasis and Kasabian tracks. Very disappointing. (*)
Val Verde were less powerpop and more indie and a nice change from what preceded them, although they seem to run out of ideas halfway through. There was a touch of the Liverpool bands of the early 80s, such as the Bunnymen and Teardrop Explodes and I'll certainly be interested to see what direction they go in the future. There's much to be hopeful about (***)
Within seconds of arriving on stage headliners Attic Lights had already blown the other bands away and showed what a professional attitude and quality songs can produce. With more harmonies than you can shake a stick at, Attic Lights were powerpop heaven. It's such a shame that fans of the three support bands pissed off early (past their bedtimes?) as they'd have been in for a treat. I look forward to seeing Attic Lights again and to hearing their new material. One minor gripe was an apparent lack of merchandise. (*****)
Attic Lights Setlist: God, Never Get Sick of the Sea, ? , Wendy, Nothing But Love, Dirty Thirst, Walkie Talkie, Send Those Dark Eyes This Way, Live It Up (Mental As Anything cover), Bring Me Down. Encore: Game of Pricks (Guided By Voices cover)
As for the venue, I had to keep moving my feet to stop my shoes sticking to the floor - it seems the young literally can't hold their drink because most of it was on the floor. I was also pissed off that I had to give over my whole ticket, which was number 1, in exchange for a flimsy paper wristband. Though, that says more about me than anything! (The Cat)
19 Nov - Free CDs/Findo Gask/Raymy
As no-one could be bothered to enter the competition, we're going to give the CDs to the first ten people who e-mail me. Unfortunately, this is only open to UK residents as we're not made of money. Don't you know there's a recession on.
Glasgow electro-warriors Findo Gask release their fabulous new single "One Below Zero" on 8th December 2008. It's available as a download or 7" vinyl. Have a listen at their MySpace site. RaveHeart indeed.
You can see Findo Gask live at the following venues soon:
26 Nov 2008: ABC1, Glasgow (w/ Ladytron & Asobi Seksu)
29 Nov 2008: Moshulu, Aberdeen
30 Nov 2008: Gimme Shelter @ Mono, Glasgow
6 Dec 2008: Pins and Needles @Sneaky Pete's, Edinburgh
7 Dec 2008: Single Launch Night @ Captain's Rest, Glasgow
"Oban and Gomorrah" is the latest deep-fried offering from Raymy and boy is it tasty. From the bluesy Last Tango in Paris-esque "Mustard on the Banger" to the slaughter of the sacred coo that is Sir Harry Lauder, Raymy takes no prisoners.
If you're not familiar with Raymy's work then think of him as a kind of Irn Bru-soaked Half Man Half Shortbread. This brilliant new CD is available from eBay or you can e-mail him directly at: raymy-music@hotmail.co.uk. You can also hear some of his tunes, old and new, at www.myspace.com/raymymusic. Rumours of live dates in 2009 are, as yet, unconfirmed. We at Jocknroll HQ can't wait.
27 Oct - It's Competition Time!!
Those fine upstanding citizens at Neon Tetra Records have kindly given us 10 copies of the "Independent and Free" compilation, which was given away with the Daily Record not so long ago.
If you want to win one, just answers these questions, which revolve around our site and Neon Tetra's site:
1. Which single was 38th in our 2006 poll to find the Best Scottish Single?
2. Who does Jocknroll co-founder Dave think should get a posthumous knighthood?
3. Of which single did The Orchids' James Hackett say "There's no excuse for that shit"?
4. In which band did Neon Tetra's David Wells replace Primal Scream's Andrew Innes ?
5. Which Neon Tetra band released "Adventures In The Slipstream" recently?
Send your answers to: jocknroll@gmail.com with your name and address. The closing date will be 30 November 2008.
The compilation features tracks from Green Peppers (featuring Justin Currie), Our Lunar Activities, Joe Kennedy, The Goldenhour, The Ronelles, Daniel Wylie, The River Detectives, The Fast Camels, Green Peppers (featuring Isobel Campbell), Ally Kerr and Water School.
23 Oct - Jackie Leven, Perth
I went to Perth on a wet and windy Monday night to see my current favourite artist, the legendary Jackie Leven. Having seen him at Cabaret Voltaire twice this year it was nice to get a change of scene and the short trip to Perth was no hardship on a school night.
The gig last night was split into two sets, interspersed, as usual, with any amount of tall tales and wondrous stories:
Set 1: Elegy for Johnny Cash, My Old Home, His Arms Are Full of Broken Things, Heart In My Soul, Single Father
Set 2: Lovers At The Gun Club, The Innocent Railway, Poortoun, Olivier Blues, Museum of Childhood, Kings of Infinite Space
Last night's stories included his favourite heckle, free wifey, why love is like a tornado (all sucking and blowing and then you lose your house!), his lyricist hairdresser, Sir Vincent Lone, David Childers, his Perth hotel, a TV ad about beds that he watched between sets, an Irish-Canadian transexual killer, the beach at Dysart, fancying a 15 year old (when he was 12, I hasten to add) and a mental dog called Black Boab. He even payed the gig while suffering from a stinking cold/cough. With so many artists calling off at the slighest sign of manflu, he's is performing above and beyond the call of duty. The man's a genius.
Had a brief chat afterwards and purchased the new Sir Vincent Lone CD "Troubador Heart". Sir Vincent Lone is his alter ego because his record company won't allow him to release more than one album every 18 months so he releases stuff under this nom-de-plume. Unfortunately, Sir Vincent Lone appears to be outselling Jackie!
I think he should do a Michael Palin-style travelogue programmes playing songs as he goes. I wonder if he's thought of writing a book about his eventful life - I must suggest it. Hell, he's probably thought of it a thousand time over.
I have to say the venue was really nice and it was good to sit at a gig for a change - old age doesn't come itself. A hi to the girls behind the bar who entertained me while the place filled up in what was a really nice wee venue.
There will a few more chances to see Jackie in action before the turn of the year, assuming he doesn't come back from Norway with another cold!
4 Dec 2008 The Old Library, Kilbarchan PA10 2EF (£12 - Note: This gig is BYOB!!)
5 Dec 2008 The Inn at Lathones, (south of) St Andrews (£16!!)
6 Dec 2008 The Inn at Lathones, (south of) St Andrews (£16)
7 Dec 2008 Coffee Bliss, 112 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire G66 4LQ (£8.50)
15 Oct - Attic Lights Sing About You...
...and you and you...If your name is one of the ones listed below then you can get your pown personalised edition of current Attic Lights smash "Wendy". Championed by no less than Sir Terry of Wogan, King of the TOGS, the Attic Lights continue to stride the world like a powerpop colossus.
Go to http://www.yournameinasong.com/index.php to hear your own version of "Wendy" before purchasing it, should you wish.
Adam, Alex, Amy, Andy, Becky, Ben, Billy, Charlotte, Cheryl, Chris, Claire, Danny, Dave, Emily, Emma, Gary, Hannah, Helen, Ian, James, Jay, Jessica, Joe, John, Julie, Karen, Katie, Kevin, Laura, Lauren, Lee, Lisa, Louise, Lucy, Mark, Martin, Matthew, Michelle, Mike, Natalie, Neil, Nicola, Paul, Peter, Rachel, Richie, Robert, Sam, Sarah, Simon, Sophie, Stevie, Ted, Tom and, of course, Wendy.
The band are currently touring with Camera Obscura, before supporting Paul Heaton and Cerys Matthews around the UK. The band will be playing several dates in Scotland in November:
12 Nov: Fired Art, Fort William
13 Nov: Hootenannys, Inverness
14 Nov: Woodlands Centre, Stornoway
15 Nov: The Arch Inn, Ullapool
16 Nov: Caged Drummond, Aberdeen
21 Nov: Velocity/Kinema, Dunfermline (The Cat will see you all there!)
Debut album "Friday Nights Lights" came out yesterday.
14 Oct - The Spooks
Everyone can remember when they culturally happier than anytime in their life. While nowadays it's shouting at the telly ("You can get that off for a start!") the early 90s was a great time to be in and around the club and ghig scene in Edinburgh. One band, okay maybe two, stood out for me. Long before the likes of Dread Zeppelin and Bjorn Again, The Spooks were doing the sixties/music homage thing better than anyone.
Their spiritual home of The Bikini Club throbbed to the swirling pop-art sounds and smells of a time long gone, but not forgotten. Hell, The Cat even had a fight at one of their gigs - happy days.
In the days before mp3s and downloads, The Spooks finally put their live sound in the market place and gave birth to a cassette (ask your parents) release of "With and Without", which encapsulated all that was good and interesting about the band. The Spooks have now remastered this on to CD (my cassette is long worn out) and is available from www.egomanienterprises.com for a bargain £10. If you remember Edinburgh's Bikini Club you weren't there!
1 Oct - Bully for Bendi
If you walked along Divine Comedy Avenue, crossed over to Paul Quinn Lane, headed north on Pale Fountains Street and daydreamed along Cousteau crescent you'd arrive at Chez Fabulous Artisans. And what a wonderful place it is. The Fabulous Artisans are trailing the release of their "...from red to blue" album (Available 27 Oct on Bendi Records) with not one, not two but three fortnightly singles and they are belters.
15 Sep: Return (Lord I Can't)/Mr Misery (must be written about The Cat)/The Last Days of Spring (instrumental)
29 Sep: Sycamore/Instamatic/Queen's Park (demo)
13 Oct: Say Hello To The Summer/Trust/Don't Cry Wolf (alternative mix)
Who are these plucky young upstarts I hear you cry? The Fabulous Artisans are based at both ends of the M8 and probably Harthill Services too. Neil Crossan is on vox humana while Jeremy Thomas tinkers with the instruments. There's more info on their MySpace page and at Bendi Records, a new kind of record company.
Take this wonderful band to your hearts because they have some crackin' tunes. Fabulous Artisans...every home should have one (or two).
25 Sep - Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
The 2nd Annual Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival takes place in a number of town and cities throughout Scotland between 1 and 19 October. Music, Theatre, Literacy, Cinema, Visual Arts, Film, Multi Arts, Comedy and Workshops make up the programme, which can be downloaded from their website.
Musical artists featured include Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits), Emma Pollock (The Delgados), Rob Jones (Idlewild), Sons and Daughters, Twilight Sad, Sushil K Dade/Future Pilot AKA, Kim Edgar, Alasdair Roberts and Gavin McGinty amongst others. Check the programme for all the details.
Please support this worthwhile festival, although it has to be noted that once again Fife is poorly represented. I'm beginning to take this personally!
24 Sep - A Time and A Place for Pop Up
Popup's debut album, "A Time & A Place" is released in the UK on 6th October. The launch night takes place at 8pm on Saturday 4 October 2008 at The Captain's Rest, 185 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9EB. They will be ably supported by Akira and "a Special Speccy Guest". There will also be guest DJs and there's a late licence until 1am. And if that isn't enough entry is FREE* and half-price copies of "A Time & A Place" will be available on night.
(*First come, first serve. If you're late, and we've been somehow blessed with enough attendees to fill the place, there simply wont be any room to squeeze you in...)
Other UK shows confirmed so far are:
26 Sep 2008 20:00 Freshers Week @ The Tunnels Aberdeen
3 Oct 2008 15:30 Scotcampus Fest @ George Square(16+) Glasgow
4 Oct 2008 20:00 ALBUM LAUNCH @ The Captain’s Rest Glasgow
23 Oct 2008 20:00 Limbo @ The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
24 Oct 2008 20:00 The Doghouse, Dundee
25 Oct 2008 20:00 Crowbar, Paisley
12 Nov 2008 20:00 Club Academy, Birmingham
13 Nov 2008 20:00 Fibbers, York
14 Nov 2008 20:00 Ocean Rooms, Brighton
15 Nov 2008 20:00 Industry Shoreditch, London
16 Nov 2008 20:00 Roadhouse, Manchester
What no Fife gig guys? Come on, even Dunfermline has venues now!!
"A Time & A Place" is co-released via Art/Goes/Pop & SWG3, with support from the Scottish Arts Council.
23 Sep - Trashcan Sinatras return
On October 13th 2008 Trashcan Sinatras will be releasing 'Oranges and Apples', the first single from their forthcoming album "In The Music". The song was inspired by the life and work of the late Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd.
John Douglas, from The Trashcan Sinatras, on their MySpace page says: "In the months after Syd's passing, I became entranced and intrigued again by him and his wonderful unique work. A friend of mine, the great English songwriter Boo Hewerdine, lives in Cambridge and had told me of seeing Syd on occasion riding around town on his bike (in fact, on one occasion, Syd fell off his bike and Boo helped him get back up and on his way) and that he seemed to enjoy a degree of anonymity, and the local tradesman spoke highly of him and he seemed to be happy. This picture of Syd seemed at odds with the historically documented version. I was relieved and pleased to discover that Syd had found a degree of peace and 'normality' in his years there.
I was very touched by his personal effects from his house. A fund raising sale of some of his household items by auction was held, and the auction house had photographs and descriptions of each item available to view online. Syd had personally adapted pretty much everything in his house... from the stereo to the chest of drawers to his bikes and wheelbarrow... all had been re-painted, re-designed or, somehow, made more personal by Syd. His highly individual attitude to song-writing was, it seemed, a reflection of his attitude to life in general.
Through dwelling on these things in admiration, the song "Oranges and Apples" appeared."
The reason for the timing of the release is to coincide with The City Wakes festival In Cambridge, England. The festival is a celebration of Syd's life and work and is run in conjunction with the Escape Artists/Syd Barrett Trust charities. Proceeds from the sales from the single will be donated to the Syd Barrett Trust (Director - Rosemary Breen, Syd's sister)
The song will be a limited release from the 13th October for 3 weeks, as a download only. It will be available through itunes, emusic and most other download sites.
We would adore it if the song could be requested by all of you wonderful people on every radio station across the globe ... it would grace the airwaves any time of day or night. We hope you find the song as uplifting as we do...
love,
the trashcans"
So do the decent thing and support a worthy cause. You can hear a version of the single on their MySpace site. There is also information at their very excellent website at www.trashcansinatras.com.
13 Sep - Colin Macintyre update/info
More dates for Colin to promote his new album and a change of venue* for the Manchester gig:
Sat 20th Sept - Glasgow (King Tut's)
Sun 21st Sept - Liverpool 'On Song Festival' (Academy 2)
Tues 28th Oct - London (Cargo)
Weds 29th Oct - Manchester (*The Ruby Lounge)
Full ticket news, venue addresses, and supports can be viewed at www.colinmacintyre.com.
These dates are coming up very soon so get going to hear "The Water" live, and some of his MHS favourites - plus a few surprises too....
New single "'Famous For Being Famous" will be released on Monday 22 Sept 08 on Future Gods Recordings. Produced by Lemon Jelly's Nick Franglen, the single combines a satirical take on celebrity culture set to an infectious power pop soundtrack. All download details at www.colinmacintyre.com
The single will come will two previously unreleased tracks of Colin's:
"You & Me Ground Zero" and "When Loser's Become Friends" - and they will be available from all usual download sites.
You can also win a pair of tickets to see Colin at one of the above gigs and meet the greta man himself - all you have to do is join the brand new CM messageboard to be in the random draw. Head to his webiste and follow the links to the messageboard.
Steve Wright on Radio 2 has been playing "Famous For Being Famous" and you can let him know what you think of it. The Cat says it sounds great on the radio. Also, from next week at www.colinmacintyre.com, you can see the full video for the new single. In the meantime, check out Colin's video shoot blog at http://colinmacintyre.typepad.com/blog/
COLIN IN IRVINE WELSH'S NEW TV FILM
"You're A Star", the opening track of "The Water" will be the official song for a new ITV mockumentary film written and co-directed by Irvine Welsh, the Trainspotting author, whose new book 'Crime' is out now. The film, 'The Good Arrows', is screened in January 09 on ITV and will be avail on DVD. More info to come...keep an eye out for trailers coming soon...oh, and Colin will be performing in it too.
FREE MUSIC & ART!
Get Colin's lost MHS song "It Seems", exclusively free, as well as his cover of The Strokes' "Last Night". You can find these now, at colinmacintyre.com, along with stunning new illustrations by "The Water" designer Jo Burton for Stalker and Future Gods and Past Kings.
Keep an eye on Colin's website for news of exclusive free downloads of tracks from The Water coming soon on other sites including Clashmusic.com and Click Music and Gigwise, which now hosts the track 'I Can I Will'...
It's Freeee!
DOWNLOAD FREE TRACKS FROM ‘THE WATER’
'I Can I Will', featuring the Glasgow Male Philharmonic Choir, is available at http://www.gigwise.com Enjoy the amazing ‘I Have Been Burned’ from album ‘The Water’ by downloading it free from The Times.
‘Camelot Revisited’ is available as a free download from Colin’s Bebo site.
http://www.colinmacintyre.com
http://www.myspace.com/colinmacintyre
10 Sep - The Fabulous Artisans
The Fabuolus Artisans debut album "...From Red To Blue" is released on the Swedish label Bendi Records on October 27th, 2008, preceeded by three, yes three, fortnightly download only singles: "Return (Lord I Can't)" (15/09/08), "Sycamore Square" (29/09/08) and "Say Hello To The Summer" (13/10/08). The Fabulous Artisans are also due to appear at Oran Mor in Glasgow on September 30th 2008, playing a short acoustic set.
9 Sep - The Picture House, Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a new 1500-capacity venue as the former Caley Palais, after many years as a variety of dodgy discos (I suspect the proper collective noun for dodgy discos is a "dreg"), has risen like a phoenix from the flames to reappear as The Picture House. Idlewild kick things off on 15th September with Travis doing the honours on the (sold out) official opening night on 25th September. Other confirmed gigs are as follows: The Charlatans (11 Oct), Tangerine Dream (2 Nov), Todd Rundgren (7 Oct) and The Cardinals (14 Oct).
8 Sep - Roddy Frame/Jackie Leven/Colin Macintyre tour dates
Firstly, Roddy Frame, after his stint as Edwyn Collins' right hand man, will be heading out on his own in November:
Thursday 6th November: The Sage, Gateshead
Saturday 8th November: Oran Mor, Glasgow
Monday 10th November: Oran Mor, Glasgow
Thursday 13th November: Komedia, Bath
Sunday 16th November: The Glee Club, Birmingham
Monday 17th November: The Stables, Milton Keynes
Tuesday 18th November: Cadogan Hall, London
Thursday 20th November: Komedia, Brighton
Rather sadly The Cat will be on his hols when Roddy hits Caledonia. I wonder if Roddy will be promoting a new album. Does anyone know? The Cat will however be at at least one of the forthcoming Jackie Leven gigs, although mainland Europe is out of the question as he'll have to change buses:
11 Sept 2008 Kornbrenner, Verden
12 Sept 2008 Lauterb Pfarrheim, Völkl
13 Sept 2008 venue tbc, Innsbruck
14 Sept 2008 Schloß Hart, Hartberg
15 Sept 2008 Chelsea, Wien
16 Sept 2008 Kammersp, Ansbach
17 Sept 2008 Jubez, Karlsruhe
18 Sept 2008 Zeche, Carl Essen
20 Sept 2008 Quasimodo, Berlin
21 Sept 2008 Bluesgarage, Hannover
22 Sept 2008 Kulturforum, Kiel
23 Sept 2008 Knust, Hamburg
24 Sept 2008 Harmonie, Bonn
25 Sept 2008 Wunderbar, Eppstein
26 Sept 2008 Q-Bus, Leiden
27 Sept 2008 Paradiso, Amsterdam
28 Sept 2008 venue tbc, Ottersum
OCTOBER 2008
11 Oct 2008 The Voodoo Llounge Phoenix Arts, Exeter
12 Oct 2008 Mr Kyps, Poole
15 Oct 2008 Half Moon, London
16 Oct 2008 Boardwalk, Sheffield
17 Oct 2008 The Studio @ The Live Theatre, Newcastle
18 Oct 2008 Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
19 Oct 2008 Academy3, Manchester
20 Oct 2008 Redrooms @ Perth Theatre, Perth
21 Oct 2008 Woodend Bowling and Tennis Club, Glasgow
22 Oct 2008 Cross Keys, Crewe
23 Oct 2008 Joiners, Southampton
29 Oct 2008 John Dee Oslo, Norway
30 Oct 2008 Credo Trondheim, Norway
31 Oct 2008 Prestengbrygga Kabelvvag, Norway
NOVEMBER 2008
2 Nov 2008 Cirka Tromsø, Norway
4 Nov 2008 venue TBC Bodø, Norway
6 Nov 2008 Lundetangen Skien, Norway
8 Nov 2008 Kulturgalleriet Herand in Hardanger, Norway
9 Nov 2008 Byscenen Haugesund, Norway
11 Nov 2008 Cementen Stavanger, Norway
12 Nov 2008 Madam Felle Bergen, Norway
13 Nov 2008 Buddy’s Scene Drammen, Norway
See you all in Perth. Jackie's website has, at long last, been completely revamped and there are a couple of free tracks to download. If you haven't seen him live, he is really is a joy to be hold. The Cat and Dave were at his last gig and he was superb. Give this man your support and a double vodka. His new album, "Lovers at the Gun Club" is out now, on Cooking Vinyl records.
Last, but definitely not least, we find Colin Macintyre, late of Mull Historical Society, who hits the road to promote his current album "The Water". The dates are:
Sat 20th Sept - Glasgow (King Tut's)
Sun 21st Sept - Liverpool (Academy 2)
Tues 28th Oct - London (Cargo)
Weds 29th Oct - Manchester (Roadhouse)
More details of support bands, the Radio 2-backed "Famous for Being Famous" single, podcast, competition, exclusive downloads and so much more can be found on Colin's website.
The Cat will be heading to Glasgow to the decidedly un-Jocknroll Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes. Do say hello. The Cat has been unsuccessful in his attempt to get on the National Lottery game show "In It To Win It". Despite an audition performance worthy of Britain's Got Talent, The Cat has missed out, no doubt in favour of thick, "fun" people. It's TV's loss.
7 Sep - Radio Silence and other musings
The Cat's show on Nevis Radio lasted only two weeks but the less said about that the better. Let's just say that it wasn't Nevis' fault and it wasn't The Cat's fault - we'll leave it at that. The Cat is still on Kirkcaldy VRN (1287AM, Channel 3) every Sunday night between 5 and 7. "Where The Action Is", a mix of mod, soul, girl garage, Motown, sunshine pop, freakbeat and loads more, also had an exclusive interview with the world's premier female snooker and pool referee Michaela Tabb. She wasn't impressed by The Cat playing Half Man Half Biscuit's "The Len Ganley Stance".
Commercial radio in Scotland has gone mad in recent weeks and not in a good way. Sackings and other staff losses aplenty as Bauer rip the heart out of local radio in Scotland and force-feed the country netweorked radio between 7pm and 1am. Whose idea was that? I can't see the people of Galashiels tuning in to some dance DJ from Radio Clyde, can you? If only Radio Scotland had the foresight to take advantage of it.
The Cat was recently interviewed for a job at Radio Scotland but sadly wasn't successful. Again, it's their loss - they don't know what they're missing. Dave has also been busy doing lots of Dave-type stuff in a way that only Dave can do. That man deserves a bloody medal.
22 Aug - Frank Satan and His Husbands – Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh
Setlist: Back In Black Intro, Greenock (Folsom) Prison Blues, On The Inside, Is It My Body?, Grandad's (Going Down The) Warehouse, Full Blown Alcoholic, About You Now (Sugababes cover), Are You Drinking With Me Jesus?, Who's Going To Bury The Undertaker?, Ramblin' Man, Green Green Grass of Home/American Trilogy (covers), Greenock Prison Instrumental Outro, Restless Farewell (with Andy Chung).
The greatest thing to come out of Greenock since Andy Ritchie's perm, Frank Satan's last night of his comeback run was a joy to behold for the small but perfectly-formed audience. The on-stage triumverate entertained with an array of rambling stories and ramshackle country rawk. No "Nobody's Child" in the set but who cared when we were showered with roses, beer towels and the stench of a desperate man clinging on to the last speck of self-respect he could muster. Medical science will offer a polite decline should Frank offer his organs to the donor list but another comeback tour of duty would be most welcome. God bless you Frank, haste ye back.
8 Aug - Jackie Leven – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
Setlist: Another Man’s Rain/Here Comes The Sun, Kings of Infinite Space, ?, His Arms Are Full of Broken Things, Olivier Blues, The Innocent Railway, Single Father, The Garden, Elegy for Johnny Cash.
Dave and The Cat both secured leave passes from their good ladies and enjoyed a fabulous night beginning with The Cat forming an anti-queue outside the venue (he's like that). The Cat even saw Mackenzie Crook and Jerry Sadowitz walk by but neither of them recognised him. Tastless swines. Take this man to your hearts because Jackie Leven deserves your undivided attention.
8 Jul - The Proclaimers/Roddy Hart – Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline
Roddy Hart: Playing Solitaire, Flames, The Simmer, My Greatest Success, So Long Maryann (Leonard Cohen cover), The Wilderness, The Life and Times of Joseph Rowe, Dead of the Night.
The Proclaimers: New Religion, In Recognition, There's A Touch, Restless Soul, I'm On My Way, The Long Haul, One Too Many, Sean, Cap in Hand, Letter From America, Scotland's Story, Then I Met You, Here It Comes Again, S.O.R.R.Y, Sunshine on Leith, Life With You, Whole Wide World, Let's Get Married, (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles. Encores: Sky Takes The Soul, King of the Road, What Makes You Cry, Joyful Kilmarnock Blues.
Being a resident of The Cat took in this charity show and while it was for a worthy cause he was left strangely unmoved by the headliners and amazed by support Roddy Hart. The Cat had seen Roddy before, at the same venue, and managed a brief chat between sets. A song like "Flames" should be massive.
