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