June 24 - Bob Dylan @ The Barrowlands

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Like A Rolling Stone
All along The Watchtower

Those three songs make up one of the finest encores I have ever witnessed. Even at 63 Bob Dylan can put on a great show and it was a rare treat that someone of his legendary status would play the 1700 capacity Barrowlands.

There was no support and at 7.45 Bob came onstage with his band and stayed on for 2 hours culminating in the above encoure, which was superb.

4th song in and 1700 sang the along with "Just Like A Women" leading Bob to stop singing and it was obvious that him and his band were overwhelmed by the response their fans were giving them.

At the end of the show Bob spoke for the first time and said that Glasgow had the greatest fans in the world and after the reception he was given I think he might just be right.

What a superb night.

Peace.

Al

Badly Drawn Boy - One Plus One Is One

OK, I'm going to hold my hands up here and say two things;

1. I love Badly Drawn Boy,
2. I downloaded this album illegally 2 months ago. (although I would point out legally purchased today, I just couldn't wait!)

I've been to Badly Drawn Boys Manchester home to see Damon Gough play his own brand of music on three occasions (including the legendary Comedy Store gig, which was one of the highlights of my current gigging career) and he is definitely in my top ten favorite musical acts of all time. Quite an endorsement and in my opinion well worth it.

Yes I downloaded the album but now is not the time to defend my downloading action, although in my defence it is the first time I have gone out of my way to find and download a full album. I admit that I am no stranger to downloading one or two tracks but usually this means I will buy a full album based on the songs heard online or simply delete them as utter tripe!

BDBs first album is something of a masterpiece. That's not opinion just fact. The Hour of Bewilderbeast is up there as one of the finest debut releases ever. It won Damon the Mercurt Music prize and catapulted Badly Drawn Boy from obscurity to stardom and no doubt an accompanying hefty fortune.

Since then we have had two more albums, the soundtrack to About A Boy and the difficult second album Have You fed The Fish. Both of which I do love although HYFTF does contain the current low points in BDBs short career. Therefore, the 3rd album was eagerly childish anticipated!

The first time I heard this album was on my MP3 player on the bus to work and I didn't want the journey to end. The stand outs for me are "Summertime in Wintertime", with its superb flute action worthy of Ian Anderson and a superbly catchy chorus and "Takes The Glory", which seems like the end of the album but then we are treated to an encore in "Holy Grail".

This album is BDB going back to basics and doing what he does best, writing great songs and excellent music. There isn't a bad song on the album and I'm sure the misdemeanors of the last album will soon be forgotten and forgiven.

The wife's favorite is Year of The Rat which is also the first single to be lifted from the cd and no doubt a top ten hit. Its the least Damon deserves.

Long live Badly Drawn Boy.

Peace.

Al

June 22 - Peter Kelly @ Bar Brel Ashton Lane

I always wanted to go to Glasgow Uni. Endless days in Kelvingrove Park, Byres Road and Ashton Lane. In my head the sun always shines on the west end but instead fate dealt me dull days in the Bruce Arms in Paisley High Street.

Tonight was a midweek treat, an acoustic gig with one of my old friends Peter Kelly. Peter has been the long suffering front man of indie 4 piece Pupkin (previously Drag Doll and Widescreen) but of late has been writing and recording some country tinged pop in his bedroom and finally it was being previewed to an expectant audience while supporting Roddy Hart.

It has long been a frustration of mine that Peter hasn't made it as far as I think he should have, as someone of his undoubted talents deserves fame and fortune. Hopefully this will be the way forward for him.

Pupkin are still about but for various reason are on the backburner for a while and it is my hope that the solo stuff means that it stays there not for good but just long enough for Peter to make his own impact.

We met Peter prior to the gig and it soon became apparent that the lad was a bag of nerves, even with his gigging experience this time there was no-one to hide behind and no one else could take the blame. Bless!

All the songs being played were on their maiden voyage and soon enough it was plain sailing and it seemed that he'd been playing them for years. The 8 songs or so went down well with the crowd and I was moved enough to buy a cd and after 2 listens since coming home it is a cd that will be played regularly when relaxation is the name of the game.

As my mate Carter always says, the west end is the best end and debuting this new sound in place of such quality seems extremely fitting.

Good work my friend.

Al

June 20 - Glasgobury @ Glasgow Barfly

No its not a spelling mistake, this is Glasgow's very own alternative festival showcasing 40 unsigned bands over two stages from midday to midnight...and since its a week before Glastonbury you get the idea for the name!

At the last minute SmytherJones got the chance to play although we were give opening spot on the main stage. There were only a few in attendance, being at such an early time, but for the first time we were given a full sound check, which gave us a chance to hear some of our songs through a superb PA and we were all extremely pleased with what we heard. Due to the sound check running over by 10 minutes we were given less time than expected but we got 4 songs out and they sounded great.

We stayed around for a couple of hours but unfortunately didn't see any other bands as we hung around the bar and had a laugh instead.

cheers

Al

June 15 - Kain @ King Tuts

Met a few mates last night in King Tuts for the NEMIS showcase and what a good night!

NEMIS (or New Music In Scotland) is a network for people in the music industry in Scotland. Artists, promoters, managers, venues, studios, and other musical professionals are brought together to take the industry in Scotland forward. Check out their website at www.nemis.org.

There were 4 bands on the bill but due to bad planning and the pints going down well, we sat in the bar too long and missed the first three! I was a bit disappointed as I wanted to see The Owsley Sunshine who have been creating a buzz in the Glasgow indie scene but the main reason we were there was to see Kain.

I hadn't heard alot of Kain, apart from a few session tracks on the internet but what a performance. They have a great sound and an extremely charismatic frontman and I'm positive will go a long way. Can't wait for the cd releases!

Peace

Al

Travis

I saw a program on satellite music channel "The Amp" tonight about Travis and I had forgotten how good they are. Although they became a bit "commercial" for me, the first two albums are superb and in particular The Man Who which is a masterpiece.

Their videos are also superb and well worthy of a mention. Driftwood is one of my favorites - interesting, well shot and simple.

The good thing about them is they are real, no attempt to be cool or follow a trend and they don't court media attention to sell a few more cds. Now they are in their political stage but the sounds are still superb.

Al

Bob Dylan - ya beauty!

My tickets came today for Bob Dylan at the Barrowlands! I can't wait, I have never been willing to pay £40 for a ticket for a gig before but when the tickets hit the doorstep today I knew every penny had been well spent.

2000 people will witness a living legend in an intimate venue. I honestly can't wait and the support comes from....no one, why of why would there be the need for one?

Yours with childish excitment!

Al

Glasgow - Indie Capital of the UK?

I've come to the conclusion that Glasgow is a fucking magic place to live if your a music fan. A few reason for this conclusion are...

1. The indie scene is thriving with loads of new bands coming through (eg Kain, Sluts of Trust).
2. Superb venues - King Tuts, Barfly, Stereo, 13th Note, Barrowlands.
3. Excellent crowds, passionate, loud, appreciative and many.
4. Look at the gig listings in the NME. The majority will have a date in Glasgow. All the greats come here and a favourite with loads of top bands.
5. Top clubs that play more than Kylie and Busted - The Garage, Barfly, Fury Murays for starters!

Top place but I think we forget it.

Al

June 8 - SmytherJones @ Rockers

As I said in my last blog, I have recently began managing a new young indie band, SmytherJones. I've been a critic of music for 16 years since I started becoming passionate about music but now the shoe is on the other foot and its my band that will be under the spotlight!

This was my first official outing with the band at a new pub that is concentrating on showcasing bands. If you know Glasgow its beside the old entrance of The Arches and has been opening and closing regularly under many guises and after my first visit, I can't see it lasting much longer!

Poor sound, poor bands, and a crazy man running the place that knows hee haw about sound, made for an interesting night that none of us will forget!

I haven't a clue who the other two bands were. The first were a young Nu Metal band with what can only be described as the worst drummer I have ever witnessed. I can't add much more to that especially as I really can't think of anything laudable to say.

We were to be on last but at the last minute we were told the order had been changed as the 3rd band had sold more tickets than us. We were pissed off but accepted it but went on hardly ready and it has to be said did a very poor set. Towards the end the bass amp started playing up and sent our bass player Boycie into a rage on more than one occasion.

At the end of the gig our front man John decided to tell the crowd exactly what he thought of the venue and the sound man took acception and decided that he would go for him! The entire situation was caused by this idiots inefficient sound control (or lack of it) but he decided to threaten the band and show what a complete arse he is. I got John out before we got a doing and we decided that we would not return!

Obviously we were unable to hang around for the last band but based on their sound check they were a joke and had obviously be trying too hard for too long and were never going to make any kind of music that would be commercial or enjoyed by anyone with any knowledge or taste. It was funny to watch their arrogance disapear when they went onstage as they are obviously not too musically talented!

The moral of the story? Don't let the guys in the band organise another gig if this is the best they can do.

Peace.

Al

SmytherJones

I was recently asked to manage a local band called SmytherJones and have agreed to help get them gigs, market them and generally help them along. I am delighted to help as I think John Docherty has excellent potential and if shown the light could do well.

A first demo has been done, which they won't mind me saying needs some work to it, but you can have a listen by following the link below and if I do my job properly gigs will follow real soon.

www.overplay.co.uk/smytherjones

cheers

Al

June 3 - Komikino @ King Tuts

Another day another gig - this time I was dragged to King Tuts Wah Wah Hut to see one of the bands supporting Bloc Party and boy was I glad.

Komikino aren't signed yet but it won't be long. Great tunes, excellent musicians and a charismatic lead singer. I hadn't heard the before but a couple of friends had and had become hooked, not least due to their infatuations with the singer and drummer! Girls will be girls! Anyway, look out for this band as they are excellent and there is interest from various record companies so they should be snapped up and releaseing soon enough.

Check out their website at

www.komikino.da.ru

Bloc Party are an up and coming Art School band and are being mooted by critics as being on the brink of massive succes. After seeing them it would appear that the band are much cooler than their music but good luck to them. Although, thanks to my friend Maria the gig nearly didn't take place as she tripped the singer up almost knocking him into next week!

cheers

Al

June 2 - Jad Fair @ Stereo

Jad Fair is probably best known in the UK indie scene as the dude who sang on the last Teenage Fanclub album, apart from that little is probably known. The album with Teenage Fanclub is well worth checking out, different from other TFC stuff mainly by Jads unique lyrical style but still an excellent addition to your cd collection.

Based on this excellent cd and a visit to Jads website (www.jadfair.com) we decided to check him out playing at Stereo in Glasgow.

£5 a ticket and two support bands - you really can't argue with that and all 3 acts were very different. The audience also contained some Scottish Indie legends well worthy of a mention - Stephen Pastle, Isobel Campbell, Bill Wells and Gerard Love and Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub. Although seriously tempted, I resisted talking to them and making a fool of myself, which I have been known to do in the past!

Anyway, firstly apologies to thye first band as I can't honestly remember the name (sorry guys) but they consisted of two guys and some rather nice computer generated electronica. Nice.

Next up was cabaret time with Alleschwindle. A band from the east, which turned out to me closer to Edinburgh than the singers Russian accent suggested! Some funny tunes and theatrics and they moved me enough to spend a fiver on one of their cd.

Finally at 11pm Jad made his entrance, with only a drummer and one other musician who played guitar, bass and best of all human beatbox. Jad is an artist so I'm not going to slag off any of his performance but suffice to say the conventional indie tunes went down a treat but the scretching, moaning poems were a bit hard to get into!

All in all a good night and it was nice to catch up with my mate Stuart who has just moved back to Glasgow from Newcastle. Welcome home!

Al