Back in March I saw Jamie Coleman playing live at King Tuts. At that time I was covering John Lennon McCullagh so while I mentioned Jamie’s set and took a couple of pictures of him live, I didn’t feel qualified to write a review on him. Since then we got in touch via social media and he asked me to come along to the gig tonight at Pivo Pivo. I also got to meet him in person and do an interview where he speaks about his influences and upcoming gigs as well as what makes him tick. (See links at the bottom to listen in.)

Jamie Coleman @ Pivo Pivo by Pat McGuire

One of the reasons I wanted to cover Jamie Coleman live is that at the King Tuts gig his set was rousing and carried the crowd. I didn’t know his background or his song titles but detected something different and yet familiar there. Since then I have had the chance to listen to his stuff closely and my first impressions have proven to be correct. You know when you hear talented people. Their tunes/lyrics stick. You keep hearing part of the song or a part of a chorus and it won’t leave that record player in your head…

Jamie is first up in a mobbed Pivo Pivo. A small venue on Waterloo Street that seems to host a lot of great music. The gig itself has a lot more acts on the bill who I’d like to cover and maybe photograph soon.

I couldn’t stay to do pics or cover them though as I’m dead old and had an early shift the next day, however mucho kudos to Jay Hale (A Northern Contribution) who organised the gig. And the bands that turned up: who were – The Beat Movement, Joe Symes & The Loving Kind, The Jamie Reilly Band and Vida. I’d heard most of the sound checks and really wish I could have stayed for the whole gig. Although gig is not the right term for it, it was more like a review or a show where you’d expect John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to appear. As if it was 1963 and in a basement in London instead of Glasgow. Back when Eric Clapton was learning his chops and clothes were that bit cooler.

Jamie Coleman @ Pivo Pivo by Pat McGuire

And not labouring the point or being too retro, but I almost wished I was back in my early teens and a wee Mod who would have loved the whole vibe of the gig, whilst also getting into the indie/rock/blues thing too. It wasn’t a flashback gig, but a modern take on a classic multi faceted genre that keeps on keeping on.

Jamie Coleman opens his set with “Morning after” one of his songs I alluded to earlier that just sticks in your head. A Jazzy/swingy blues number full of Maj 7th’s and vocals that seem to drawl at you only the way a son of Clydebank can. A few songs in “Wanna fade away” which is a dreamy, melancholic tune that could be the love child of Mazzy Star and Pink Floyd if they ever met one dark night. Glazed over with Jamie’s vocals “Take me away from this moment, I don’t wanna feel no pain. I just wanna feel free now, be myself again.” Really, re read that line. If you have never felt like that, you are not human.

What Jamie Coleman does live (and on his recordings) is capture feelings and emotions succinctly. It’s an art that can be learned, but only really works when it comes from the heart and soul. And while his onstage persona tonight might seem laid back, you know that the inspiration for them might not have been as casual. Jamie works at his songs and his performances. It’s not an act, it’s a distillation of experiences and observations wrapped up in a creativity borne from pain and joy and a lot of other emotions in between.

“Little Moody and Harry” is an inspirational song. Louder than most of his set, you can imagine this one with some drums and bass guitar kicking some ass. But even as an acoustic song it carries a lot of power. It almost reminds me of Mike Peters (The Alarm) back in the day (I mentioned that I’m old, back in the day means the 80’s and 90’s).

I’m not going to just do a song by song review though. Jamie did give me his set list for reference. That would be like me reading a dictionary aloud and beginning with Aardvark and ending with Zyxt (which is the last word in the Oxford English…) I’d rather focus on the feeling of the gig. And that is one of introspection, joy, and bloody good music!

Jamie Coleman by Pat McGuire

You have a guy on stage, not dressed up but not dressed down. Pouring his heart into the music. He doesn’t do banter or tell jokes or stories but does say hello to folk he knows. People are talking through the songs but he keeps on playing all the same. When Jamie Coleman puts on his guitar and starts playing, the room could be empty and it wouldn’t make a difference. He seems to get lost in the story of the song and it carries him away to a place that we are all invited to, but only if we chose to listen.

One song that he does tonight that I have been waiting for though is “The Fear”. As songs go this is the one that could define him in my eyes. It might sound at first as a reserved, yet jolly tune about drinking too much. But is it really? Maybe I’m reading my own issues into it but “Just gonna lie here, with the fear deep inside, and I don’t feel right” resonates with me on so many levels. Vocal delivery, lyrics and tune all just hit the spot. By accident or design it is just a great song from a great songwriter. I’m haunted by it.

Jamie Coleman and Lynette from The Claurettes

And at the end of his set he is joined by Lynette from The Claurettes with “Hey Soul Sista” It’s a fantastic way to round off a brilliant set. (See the video from John McKinlay in the links below)

Jamie Coleman’s songs also have that essence of hope in them. Real hope that can only be defined from having been through it and then come out the other end stronger, that is what defines us essentially in life. We are the sum of what happens to us and around us. And how we in turn take that and move on to our next stage in life. Tonight I moved to a place where six strings, a voice, some harmonica and some great people made me feel alive and vibrant and not quite as old as when I walked in.

Pat McGuire.

Jamie Coleman has some gigs coming up soon :

1st of May @ Beresford lounge for Session on a Rug
2nd may @ The Duchess of Kirkcaldy supporting John Power of Cast and The La’s
9th may @ Brixton Jamm London supporting MOL ( Mountains of Love : a new band featuring members of Alabama 3)
13th @ Roxy Glasgow

And some surprise shows in July ( which we can’t reveal right now, but they promise to be pretty amazing.)

Links :

My interview with Jamie Coleman on Mixcloud ( errors are mine and special guests are a guy asking for money, and a woman putting her drink on the table)

https://www.mixcloud.com/pmgphotog/pat-mcguire-pmgphotog-interviews-jamie-coleman-prior-to-his-gig-at-pivo-pivo-18th-april-

2014/https://www.facebook.com/JKD69?fref=ts

Also thanks to John McKinlay for his kind permission to link these live videos from the gig : 

Hey Soul Sista (Video by John Mckinlay)

Morning After (Video by John Mckinlay)

By Harsharan Hoonjan

When I first witnessed The Fire and I live, I was expecting some hard hitting vocals, smashing drums and bass thick enough to wallop someone over the head, I was wrong, I got more than that.

After playing their digital archive at home, interest soared, as I realised that I was in fact listening to major rock quality, from a two man outfit. Gordon Love (from Bathgate) on Bass and Lead Vocals and Hooligan Sadikson (from Mexico) on Drums and Backing Vocals make up the scorching, The Fire and I. The pair have power housed their talents since forming in 2008, and have also crossed international waters, touring both Mexico and Italy. With regular rave reviews, a second album release, and another European tour lined up, I had to see what this band was like live.

Their second album launch for Double Kamikaze on 8^th March was the perfect opportunity. On the night a feeling of comfortable apprehension took over; the kind you get when you go to see a band that you expect will knock your socks off. Drawing closer to the venue, anticipation was mounting.

Shutting out the damp dreary night, I entered one of Edinburgh’s famous rock establishments that’s been around for decades. Opium is the original venue for rock hard music fans, on surveying the crowd they were already dancing away as Coholic’s brilliant set came to a close. They were more than ready for The Fire and I to headline their launch of Double Kamikaze.

When the band were on, Gordon and Hooligan worked their instruments and fans into frenzy all while sharing words of wisdom and being completely unconventional in performance.

The band performed tracks from their first and second album including Left and Right, which is one of my favourites. Pressurised drum and bass lift this number, hitting hard with minimalistic vocals to create a rock rhythm balance. The track closes low tempo to the words, ‘feeling hollow, broken from the inside’, before stopping on a static drum beat. The words echo through the band’s unique sound.

One of my favourites from their new album, Double Kamikaze is Ruined Graffitied, which is a banging track.  It punches in right from the get go and keeps going till fade out.  It ticks all the right boxes for me, vocal, drum and bass synchronicity at its best.   I also loved their performance of songs such as Mr K, which is also from their debut album, Stampede Finale. It raised the bar by shaking their sound from the ground up.

A slight variation to Mr K is the title track to the album Double Kamikaze, a head banger of a number, that has Hooligan screaming in the background as the bass and drums thicken and intensify, the drum beat pulses and then picks up speed and solidifies before stopping – no fade out, just a sharp stop. This created total immersion as the crowds melted in the groove; actually they had been at it since the band came on. The duo performed an outstanding 15 tracks – 15!!

I would love to go through all their incredible tracks, and I do wish they had performed F*ck The Cliché, because it would have been apt, but I have to move onto the reason why I think seeing them live is important.  Their recorded material should inspire you to see them live anyway, their dynamic, sound sticks out from the very beginning, completely unlike any other musical style I’ve listened to. It’s refreshingly eclectic, and I’m not used to listening to alternative music this thought provoking! You should check out and buy their albums, although, if you need further convincing, read on…

I noticed that apart from the musical quality, there were many unsuspecting elements to The Fire and I’s live set that intrigued me.  Gordon’s comment as Hooligan jumped off stage in an impromptu fashion: ‘Where’s he gone? I’m lost without him.’ was endearing and significant. It wasn’t egotistical, It wasn’t a bit of I can do this without him, it was a mini revelation into twin spirit that the band has, no airs, graces or funny banterous remarks, just some raw brotherliness that we could appreciate, they immediately transpired as authentic in lyrics, tone and message.

Second they actually set the stage alight with some pyrotechnics, the crowd’s eyes were also blazing! The band really was on fire!  As a newbie to the Fire and I experience I was just taken aback. It was a simple act, but it was visually striking, especially against the backdrop of the black and white Opium banner.  A few photos later and the crowd were getting even more amped up.

I was expecting the pair to don their signature masks but alas that was not meant to be, instead a topless man from the crowd jumped on stage and then onto the platform donning a devil head.  Testing the band’s charm, fan loyalty, and strength the man attempted a crowd surf, not once, not twice but approximately three times. From what I saw, this was something out of a movie, I’ve never experienced anything like it but that was not all….

The fans started frolicking in their movements, bouncing into each other; I think it’s a new type of mosh pit move.  After that, I caught some Balkanize style dancing, with everyone moving from one side of the dance floor to another (in appreciation of Left and Right?). Word of warning, if you don’t move with this lot; prepare to be thrown off guard, literally!

The main surprise of the evening for me though had to be, Hooligan’s words of wisdom in the middle of the set. It was unexpected and out of the entire unconventional goings during that set, that felt like the biggest for me.  I recall the drummer saying something along the lines of: “Don’t give a sh*t about what people say or think, just do what you want to do for you”, articulated with a straight yet moist face, looking us the crowd in the eye. No one said a word, perhaps, like I they were speechless and a bit dumbfounded, that a member of this already awesome rock band could come out with something profound without the backing of musical chord or beat.

It’s easy to see why they are adored, their existing fan base came out with similar feelings towards the band at the end of the night, ‘amazing, awesome, truly talented, love them, seen them loads of times’, everyone left wholeheartedly satisfied, some even like me were a bit stunned. A fan even went on to tell me about the band and finished by saying: ‘they are genuinely nice guys’. No wonder the band are as successful here as they are internationally, they tick all the right boxes.

And okay, I may have left with some bruises and the smell of dried beer (part of the course, next time I’m staying away from the pit!) The Fire and I deserve all the acclaim they get because after one live viewing, I can say confidently, their style of alternative music never felt so good.   And no, they didn’t knock my socks off, they rocked my socks off.  I would wish The Fire and I all the very best.  Although, with their scorching sound and unconventional ways, they’ve got it nailed.

Links:

http://www.thefireandi.com

www.facebook.com/thefireandi

http://www.myspace.com/thefireandi

I was sadly unaware of Jamie Coleman until fairly recently. I was at King Tuts to cover John Lennon McCullagh and Jamie was one of the support acts. Due to family and work commitments I didn’t have the time to cover his gig then but I got in touch with him via Facebook shortly after the show and he has kindly invited me along to see him on Friday 18th at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow.

Jamie is from Clydebank and plays a nice mix of indie/folk/blues infused acoustic songs. He toured with John Lennon McCullagh (hence the King Tuts show) and also has some great support slots and headline shows coming up soon. I’ll cover them when I do my review of his gig on Friday, but one in particular that makes me wish I could play some songs as well as he does is his upcoming support for John Power ( Cast / The La’s ) in Kirkcaldy in May.

What music is essentially about is the songs, and Jamie’s music is all about that. Voice, acoustic guitar and some harmonica to spice up the mix. And while that dynamic is nothing new, Jamie puts his own flavour on top. Written from the heart and delivered with passion, what else could you ask for?

Friday night at Pivo Pivo, Glasgow, Jamie Coleman is on the bill along with The Beat Movement, Joe Symes & the Loving Kind, The Clocktower, Jamie Reilly and Vida.

Pat McGuire.

Links :

https://www.facebook.com/JKD69

http://pivopivo.com/ai1ec_event/wtnp-presents-4/?instance_id=686

It’s a wet and pretty miserable Thursday in Glasgow, doubly so for me as even my usual tipples are just not moving a bug I’ve had most of the week. But I carry on gamely and switch from lager to rum and coke. It helps a bit but maybe what I need is a secret ingredient to chase away the tiredness and general downer I’m on. As it happens there might be a cure involving more rum and coke and some good live music.

I’m in a packed out King Tuts bar waiting for the doors to the venue to open. There is a sense of energy in the air, something good is going to happen. So I have another rum and coke and try to let the ambience soak in. I also think to myself, Kilmarnock must be desolate tonight because most of that town are here. The headline band is The Parlotones ( from Johannesburg, but now based in L.A. ) who have played to huge audiences worldwide and are an amazing band, but sadly, they are not from Kilmarnock.

A band that is though is One Last Secret. And they are who I’m here to see tonight. As yet unsigned ( but maybe that will change soon ) they do a great line in melodic power pop/rock which is the ideal thing to beat a rainy night in Glasgow into submission. It worked for me in any case, I felt much better for being there. And before I get to the gig review proper, I need to mention the opening act : Huevo and the Giant. A young band who had no song titles as such but despite some technical issues opened the night and should be a band to look out for over the coming months.

One Last Secret describe themselves as “Rock Pop Sexy” which is not a genre I’m familiar with. They are Rocky and Poppy and I guess sexy to the ladies (or even the guy who was feeling the drummer Darran’s arms outside the venue). I hasten to add that Darran was waiting for his girlfriend and not expecting to have his muscles massaged, but if you are in a band you need to expect some kind of tactile interaction at gigs.

Taking to the stage with singer/bassist Wesley wearing a dapper white jacket and they tear into their set and get the audience going nicely. However they too are beset by technical issues soon. Fraser’s guitar needs replaced so their manager Laura has to run up the back stairs to get one from The Parlotones and almost breaks her leg, that’s what you call dedication. Meanwhile the band do an impromptu cover of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” to keep the show going. Soon as the guitar issue is sorted, they get back to the set which is punchy and solid, Liam with his blonde modish hairdo on the left of stage seems to almost invoke Thom Yorke/Brian Jones in his demeanour. The band look “cool” which is one thing, but they also sound “cool” too without appearing as if it’s an affectation or a put up job. And to be honest, if you come from Kilmarnock you won’t get away with just looking good. You need to back it up with talent.

As I’m not on camera duties tonight, Derek Fowler is, I have to watch the rest of the show from the bar ( poor me…) as the place is jammed tight with fans. There is a live video feed and I can still hear the band via the P.A. system. It’s not where I prefer to see a band from, but the place is so mobbed I simply couldn’t find a spot to watch and take notes. They had sold out their ticket allocation and left Kilmarnock empty and filled King Tuts for a support slot. No easy feat for an unsigned band. There is banter “This song is for Stuck up bitches”. And people dancing at the front of the stage. One Last Secret deliver some great tunes live and look like they were made to play in larger venues too. Their finale is the brilliant “Coral” which is my favourite song so far from this band.

My overall impression on seeing them live is that they could be great if they keep up the obvious musicianship and writing skills they have. This year could be theirs if they take it. When you are this good you don’t need to keep it secret, even if it is your one last secret…

 Words – Pat McGuire / Photographs Derek Fowler.

One Last Secret have some gigs coming up soon :

The Garage, Glasgow, 18th April

Aberdeen Student Union, Aberdeen, 30th April

Dirty Weekender, Kilmarnock, 25th May

Secret Venue, Glasgow, 14th June – Official Re-launch

The Cavern, Liverpool, 21st June

The Crofter Bar, Fort William, 25th July

Help For Heroes Event, Derby, 26th July

Links :

https://www.facebook.com/onelastsecret

  By Pat McGuire

 Universal Thee are a band from Edinburgh, consisting of James Russell on Guitar and vocals, Lisa Russell on vocals, Robin Spivey on guitar, Andrew Perrie on Bass and Kevin Haddow on drums.  I got their album to review as I was too ill to go and see them play live in Glasgow on Monday night ( 31st March ). I’m still bummed that I didn’t make the gig, but they were kind enough to send me the Album to review anyway.

Hearing this band initially you might think you were listening to something from that great epoch of indie rock that came out of the USA in the early to mid nineties. Do you remember Surfa Rosa? Doolittle? Have you ever listened to Slanted and Enchanted?

Back to Earth is Universal Thee’s debut album released on Eventual Heirs Records. And it rocks and sways and almost topples over around hooky guitar riffs, wobbly bass lines, almost vulnerable vocals and drums that keep it all tied down but also flip over themselves sometimes for added fun. Following on from the excellent Single “Aranis Natas” which was released in January, “Back to Earth” is an album full of quirks and treats. As a debut album it showcases a band that seem to know where they want to go musically. And that is wherever the hell they want to! The record segues easily between quiet and loud and quiet again. No apologies from me for using that term inversely. They like The Pixies which is a good thing. And I’m talking about The Pixies pre the several recent nostalgia tours. Before Black Francis was Frank Black and Kim Deal formed The Breeders. When that band were still a band in the true sense. I love The Pixies, they changed my life in a great way. I hope that Universal Thee change someone’s life too.

So the album, it’s all over the place in a good way. From the opening track to the ending, you really don’t know what exact dynamic will hit on the break or verse. It leaves you feeling a bit insecure but at the same time resolved when it either crashes into some mellow choruses or heavier guitar noise. “Bone Collector” the opening track could be a tribute to “Debaser” by The Pixies. Sonically it shares some of the same themes. But at the same time also could be an early Buzzcocks song with the widdley guitar lines too. It also has some nice vocal touches that make it nicely different to the aural influences I detected on first listen. It ends suddenly with some feedback fading away, gently…

“Tiger Tiger” paraphrases in part William Blake, I assume it’s about poetry but it could easily be about something else. I really don’t know, and I like the fact that what seems as an obvious lyrical theme suddenly flies into something else. “Wolves” is a quirky trip of a song, possibly the only one so far that is Pavement-esque to my ears. If it was a bit slower and had more cowbell it could almost be Malkmus as his crew. It is hook filled and short and sweet, like a good well behaved indie/pop tune should be. “Feeling Fragile” will be my hangover song and one I wish I had to aid me through all my previous hangovers in the past, but will come in handy the next time I wake up in a house with a strange address in a place I don’t know, with that feeling. “Everything’s broken you know” – Yes I have been there many times before. Now I have a theme tune to wrap my moral failings around.

“Eric” hits my Pixies trip right on the nose. Short song, starts, does what it does, ends. Perfect.

And then they come to “Down” which is a grower of a track. There is more to this song than you get a first, they almost sound angry…breaking the twisty quirky spell that we have encountered so far. Listen to it at least three times and see if you get it too.

The other tracks on the album are all just as good. Hooks and lines and turnarounds, faux floppy/sloppy playing but really tight at the same time. Whispering backing vocals and melodic leads. “Aranis Natas”, I mentioned earlier. So for me the album track that really does it for me is “Bear in Hospital“. A wonderful yet minimalistic song that covers all the bases for good indie rock.

As a debut album, sure it wears it’s influences proudly and there is nothing wrong with that. At the same time Universal Thee do sound different to other bands with the same record collections. I can’t quite put my finger on what that is, maybe because they have a contemporary twist and have filtered it all via 21st Century mores and recording techniques?  Or maybe it’s because they were too young to see the New Wave, No Wave and the original Indie Rock phenomena first hand? This only adds a freshness and newness to the genre. Essentially it doesn’t matter though. The end result it what counts. A very good debut album indeed with some cracking songs too. I really regret not seeing them live last Monday.

Universal Thee are still a fairly new band so if they are lucky they won’t be gobbled up by the music industry and perhaps get to make some more good records on their own terms.

Pat McGuire.

Links :

https://www.facebook.com/universalthee

http://www.abadgeoffriendship.com/artists/universal-thee

By Neil Kerr

I have heard some of Sophie Rogers’ music before and liked it, so much so we had it entered into our single of the week feature in February this year with her track “Free To Fly” which duly won the public poll and became our single of the week with a very respectable 44% of the online vote, a brilliant result for Sophie.

Intrigued and hoping to hear more of Sophie’s Smooth tunes, particularly hoping to catch the songstress live, I was delighted when she contacted me and invited me along to see her perform live. What’s more it wasn’t to be just any standard gig for Sophie, as she was to give her all in the legendary King Tuts Wah Wah Hut. So the date was set, I was going to catch Single of the week winner Sophie Rogers as she performed her debut appearance on the iconic Tuts stage, I may have been even more chuffed about this than Sophie was, but don’t tell her that.

After 2 trains to glasgow from Voice HQ I arrived eagerly early at King Tuts allowing myself time for the customary pre gig beverage and a chat to some of the assembled music lovers. Most of the folks I spoke to were looking forward to seeing Sophie perform, some were there for nothing else and were “just loving Sophie’s music” and “wouldn’t miss this gig for the world”. Having never seen this young musician perform live before these comments only added to my intrigue.

Into the gig we went and before the lady in the spotlight for the night performed I was treated to the fantastic sound of Jemma Kate, a brilliant performance, however that is for another time. Next up was Sophie, looking confident and relaxed she introduced herself to the crowd and began her performance, one girl, one guitar, one legendary stage, and she did it well, Sophies vocal is smooth, clear and mesmerising. Her guitar although she plays it very well, in my opinion is merely a prop, she doesn’t need it to carry her voice rather her voice carries the guitar in fact I struggled to move my concentration from the vocal. When I did though I realised that her work with the guitar was excellent and well rehearsed as the 23 year old songsmith effortlessly worked her way through her set of mainly original music written by herself and performed to perfection.

Now, normally at this stage of a review you would get a breakdown of the songs performed on the day. But the truth of the matter here is I cannot discriminate, I don’t want to single out any of Sophie’s excellent songs for favouritism. You can decide that for yourself by having a listen using the link at the end of this review, or even better, go and see her perform live for yourself! You can find her upcoming gigs using the link to her very well informed facebook page at the end of the review.

One song however was a real treat,  not in the sense that it was better than any of the others. It was in fact a cover and she almost sung it acapella to the wonderful sound of her audience singing it back to her which must have felt great. First time in Tuts and she had the crowd eating out her hand, brilliant. What was the song you say? It was “Caledonia” written by Dougie McLean in 1977 and performed perfectly by Sophie Rogers in 2014. Once again her voice was the winner here and again she could easily have pulled the song off minus the guitar.

I loved sophie’s set, it was better than I had expected and I never for one moment thought it would be bad, my high expectations were exceeded with ease by this talented Glaswegian singer songwriter which is always nice when it happens. Great voice, great guitar, great songs all coming together in a great venue before an equally great audience, what’s not to like in that equation.

I want more so if you see Sophie then please tell her that any other invitations will be gleefully accepted. If you do want to go and experience this talented young lady live then why not get to her upcoming EP launch gig in The Buff Club on the 25th of April starting at 7.15 PM. I may well see you there.

Links;

https://www.facebook.com/SophiesSound?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/sophierogers

http://sophierogersmusic.wix.com/main

By Harsharan Hoonjan

Indie Rockers The Rah’s from Prestonpans, are music to my ears. After seeing them for the first time last summer in Cabaret Voltaire (Haddow on the Fringe), I was mightily impressed. They are the first bunch of talented young Indie musicians I have been lucky enough to witness live.

Catching them for the third time in Edinburgh was a surreal experience, because. listening to their songs, then coming to a live gig, and seeing their universal quality, is spine tingling.  Mileout Events pulled together an impressive line-up for the second half of their all day festival in Liquid Room, Edinburgh. The Rah’s kicked off the evening’s entertainment which also included The Begbies, Modern Faces, and Twisted Wheel.

The band launched into their first track as fresh faces filled the crowd; the place was getting busier by the minute.

Andrew McLeod (bass guitar) Jack McLeod (lead vocalist), Jordan McIntyre (lead guitar/vocals),  Neale Gray (drums) provided a flawless, noteworthy performance. Whilst they were representing the best of Prestonpans on stage, this photographer’s camera appeared to be somewhat infected. The images of the performance did not adequately represent, The Rah’s set (therefore photos from Haddowfest 2013 were also used), but it left a rare window of opportunity to soak in their performance with bare eyes and ears! Looking at the boys, one thing was clear; they know how to ‘rock’ a stage,

Since 2009, the boys have been working hard to create the magic that raptures our attention today. The band members are close knit (having grown up together, attending the same nursery and schools), and the vibe you get from them is reflected in their savvy style. Last year saw the band support top names in the form of The Holy Ghosts, The Rifles, The Complete Stone Roses and Twisted Wheel (who were also headlining this event). The Rah’s are next supporting; The Sherlocks in Glasgow as part of their UK tour on 29^th March, and perform alongside Ded Rabbit in Edinburgh (for This Feeling) on 4^th April.

The title track to their E.P. Living The Dream came on, whilst the heart of the audience looked up at the boys, hanging onto the sound of a promising beat, Jack McLeod (lead singer) began by strumming out a guitar rhythm that I know only too well, after that a strong slick voice and powerful instruments took over, The band also played Give Me Life, and a few other dynamic tracks including It’s Just Another Word.  The smooth melodies with juxtaposed rhythm include: knockout guitars, fiery bass and pounding drums that can leave you for six. They have the sound balanced just right. Enough to keep you dancing, and singing along, with plenty of jumpy beats to keep you on your toes!  In some aspects they remind me of the  Arctic Monkeys but that is just another thought…

During their set, Jack announced the band were giving their E.P. away for free, and to pick one up –nice one guys!

The E.P. cover is a picture collage of the lads photographed in various poses, some animated more than others, from body parts to gig photos. Definitely Jack the lad stuff, speaking of which, have you seen their debut video yet? It is recommended viewing, for those who like, beautifully shot videography, which includes, silly sketches, cheeky antics meshed with sober singing, and comical dance moves.

Living The Dream is an inspirational track, ending on ‘You know what you’ve got to work for to live your life’, in the singer’s dulcet tones, it’s a firm favourite.  With well over 3000 video views for the video, if the boys release something similar for their first single, it will fly off those digital shelves.

The E.P.’s second track, The Time Is Now, is an absolute rocker as well, it deals specifically with change. Again we have a song that is powerful in outlet as the message. It’s got an amazing intro, slow pulsing drums, fab bass guitar, with the vocals and rhythm guitar slicing through the record.

Last track on the E.P.is I’m Feeling Fine, this is an up-tempo exhilarating trip of a song, from start to finish  a bouncy number is too cool for school and like most of their tracks, this is an impressive listen, rock n roll all the way to the bank.

There are not enough words to describe the expertise that the boys have mustered to create music so ear pleasingly fantastic.  If these songs sound this good at home, just imagine how they sound live!  Quite a few of their tracks leave you feeling inspired to take action and make the most of your life. The E.P. which was released last year is about holding out until the weekend by toughing out the week, most of us can all relate to that feeling!

Their entourage of loyal followers echoed these words every couple of tracks:

“Ooh aah, up The Rah’s, Ooh aah up The Rah’s”

The boys strong following could also be due to their, charitable contributions, witty banter, as well as their amazing musical talents, and because the young lads appear to just love what they do.  The Rah’s are easy to warm to, if you follow them on Twitter or like them on Facebook you might be able to appreciate the personality behind those innocent smiles as well.

As they say on their Facebook page: ‘Stay Tuned’ for some exciting stuff coming up. I am in no doubt about these guys; something exciting could very well be the stuff that legends are made of. I’m already anticipating their next move.

However, it seems like The Rah’s are already Living The Dream, but will it continue and will they headline a big stage show with superstar lights and mass market appeal? Yes they will, because, that I believe is inevitable.

Upcoming gigs:

4th April, This Feeling, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

20th April, The Old Town Street Food Festival, The Three Sisters, Edinburgh (FREE ENTRY)

Links:

http://www.facebook.com/therahsmusic

www.facebook.com/therahs

www.//therahs.bandcamp.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfIbf8bfRYg

By Harsharan Hoonjan

Stolen Sound dropped a bomb when they performed for ‘Up The Junction’ at Liquid Room, Edinburgh this year. The debut festival run by Hazel Miller for Mileout Events and Promotions, included Shaun Gilroy, The Delaplains, Last Minute Glory, Danny Mahon, The Rah’s, The Begbies, Modern Faces and Twisted Wheel.

Attracting a friendly bunch of music lovers the party started as Stolen Sound cranked up the volume and rocked the crowd from one shockingly brilliant song to the next. Starting their seven track performance with Pretend and ending on Over and Over, It was an electrifying set and a revelation to many, the question on everyone’s lips was, if the first band are this good, then what can we expect from the rest of the day? It was a combination of catchy guitar riffs, thick bass, interspersed with solid drums and consistent fierce vocals, that gripped us all, Every change, each new hook in style and vocal range slammed our ears, what a discovery.

Coming from Glasgow, members,  Andy Fyfe (Lead Guitar), Bradley Revel ‘Pockets’ (Bass) Connor McGlave (Lead Vocalist), Mike Biggert (Drummer) and Bradley Revel ‘Pockets’ (Bass), brought the heat, and set the bar high.   While they were playing I was able to learn more about lead vocalist Connor.  Prior to Stolen Sound, the singer was  a soloist for a number of years , he supported The View at the Glasgow Barrowlands in 2011, and even has a makeshift studio built into his house, it felt like we had unmasked a professional at his core.

The band also has a noticeable following, in fact, after their set, a spectator couldn’t stop raving to me about them, saying the band are “Sh*t Hot”, and I had to agree. They have the personality to match their Indie rock and roll image. Connor was the only singer I have ever encountered that gave me the finger (middle that is). I’m not sure if it was in jest for the camera or if I was in his face too much. Either way it was unexpected, and for some reason that photo came out a little blurry as well!

Image aside, I do believe there is more to this band than meets the eye, for now, I can definitely assert that Stolen Sound is an edgy rock and roll band, with seriously hot tunes that could melt your ice cream on the chilliest of days. The high quality of this band’s performance was something else for 2.30pm on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Thankfully some of us made the start of the gig in time to see them perform.  Hazel Miller has even asked Stolen Sound back for her second event, to be held on 10th May in Glasgow. The band will support The Begbies, along with The Delaplains, and Blossoms.

As we await their official Facebook page, you can check out a sample of Stolen Sound’s songs on Sound Cloud and see them at their next gig.  I have no doubt; they will be bringing the heat, all over again!

Contact:

www.facebook.com/connormglave

Sound Cloud:

https://soundcloud.com/stolensound

Stolen Sound next perform at:

Mileout Events and Promotions Presents:The Begbies, The Classic Grand, 10^th May, from 6.30pm

www.facebook.com/hazelmiller

www.facebook.com/mileoutpresents

       By Pat McGuire

The old Hairdressers is an odd venue. You travel up some vertigo inducing stairs from a lounge bar that plays soul music and 60’s garage and past the strangest gents toilet in Glasgow (really). And then you get to the top and into the music room your trip is rewarded by some great live music. I’ve only been here twice before to see bands and it is an intimate venue where the band and the audience are in the same space. It’s a bit like going round to a mate’s house to listen to records. Speaking of which, thanks to Simon, Natalie, Mark, Jim and Keith who all met me before the gig and kept me company.

Daniel Wylie will be known to many as the founder member of The Cosmic Rough Riders. A band that managed two top forty hits and supported U2 during their career. Nowadays he is a solo act and, albeit joined by various musicians live and on record. Tonight he is Joined by Neil Sturgeon and Dave Andrews (From The Golden Hour). Daniel’s son Joshua also plays too which adds a nice touch to the gig. (Making Daniel the “third best guitar player” in his family.)

Having a such a great back catalogue of music to pick from must be a challenge. The set includes many tracks from over the years and some from his last LP “Fake your own death”. Daniel’s songs are tinged with nostalgia and sadness, but live they still are uplifting and full of melodic hooks and chord changes that send a tingle up your spine. It’s not about sadness, more a reflective set with some great songs that have been written with an obvious sincerity that infects his songs.

The gig is interspersed with some banter to and from the crowd. Old friends from his schooldays are here tonight along with fans of his career who have seen him play many times before. To my eternal regret this is the first time I’ve seen him live, but I wasn’t disappointed, instead I felt drawn into the communal experience that you only get at gigs like this. Eye to eye contact between the artist and the crowd is what makes a good gig brilliant. Especially when it’s done for real. Playing great songs with great people only adds to that. Having a receptive and involved audience amplifies it more. All the ingredients that send people home feeling great and liberated, and possibly even changed.

During the gig Daniel talks about people that inspired him. Elvis Costello and R.E.M. for instance (and he does a brilliant cover of R.E.M.’s “The one I love”) and you get the feeling that while he is a songwriter and producer, he is mainly a music fan who makes great music and would play in a basement to ten people just for the joy of doing it. Before and after the gig he spends time talking to people and signing CDs. Not like some big star who has been on the telly and toured the world, just as a guy from Castlemilk who got to follow one of his dreams (he didn’t get to play for Celtic though. But how many footballers get to play great music and record great tunes?) An impromptu and concise cover of Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” which involves Daniel making hissing noises into his mic gets nods from the crowd. They know their stuff…

Of course “Revolution in the Summertime” gets played. It wouldn’t be a Daniel Wylie gig without it. Also he dedicates “Everything I Give You” to Mark and Elaine which is another nice touch as he gave them the song for their wedding. This connection with fans is something that separates bands you go to see, and bands you end up following. I don’t know when Daniel Wylie will be playing again or where for that matter. I do know that I will be there though, and I hope that you will be too.

Upcoming Gigs from Daniel Wylie;

April 11th – Irvine, Harbour Arts Centre.
May 2nd – Liverpool, District. Alan McGee’s club night.
May 31st – Ayr, Fresh Air Festival.

Links :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihvbVHcox4o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-6heCM-13g

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fake-your-own-death/id614624982

By Harsharan Hoonjan

The Phantoms are a band I have had the pleasure of seeing a couple of times now.  Made up of Colin Simpson (Vocals and Rhythm Guitar) Colin McKillop (Lead Guitar), Peter Stewart (Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals), and Brad Young (Drums), the band got together in 2012, and come from Broxburn, West Lothian. Last November, they released their first single entitled This Is How It Should Be and it was included in their E.P. which received significant attention.

Interestingly the band went one step further when they released: Revolution earlier this month, accompanied by the music video which can be found on YouTube. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-h4F9zE6E)

After listening to: Revolution, which is free to download on sound cloud, that’s right it’s free, you may wish you had a signed copy of the single and/or the E.P.

Sneaky Pete’s in Edinburgh hosted the release of the new single on March 1^st, where the lads were watched by loyal fans, and brought in some newbies who are only just discovering that something akin to gold is being created here.

When you see The Phantoms live, there is a noticeable confidence amongst the members. From leather jackets, slick hair, smart shirts, sunglasses and vibes of ‘we know what we’re doing’. And that’s before they start playing…

Revolution leads with pulsating guitars, fluid bass lines and whipping drums before Colin’s voice pierces into the song, his rough edginess offsetting the progressive number. It’s evident that the guys have really worked to create a dynamic second single. This is a great solid track from the band, it expertly shows off their instrumentation and laces it with well-timed lyrics, the whole song upholds excellent melody and rhythm throughout. The guitar, the bass and the drums, from start to finish shows off the work of young professionals honing in on their craft. Because as the song ends there is as much effort placed in the fade out as there is with the intro.  Their video is also exceptional to watch, expressing their passion whilst shining in all their glory. On observation you will find it represents the band’s image at this stage, in that they are recognised for their musical talent above all else.

On seeing the band live you too will feel vibrations of something pretty rare, instruments being used in the way only indie bands can, The Phantoms energy and execution is a breath of fresh air. They are doing what they do best, pulling out all the stops and creating fine pieces for us to enjoy.  They are fantastic to watch, their talent will drive people towards them in droves.

Yes, I believe their new track is the start of their very own Revolution. Because this band are going for gold and I believe they can take it…

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/TMATW

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-h4F9zE6E

https://soundcloud.com/thephantomsuk/revolution