17 May - The Magic Numbers @ King Tuts, Glasgow.

Here are 3 reasons to love The Magic Numbers;

1. What other bands 4 members are made up of two sets of siblings?
2. Beards are great.

...finally and most importantly;

3. Their music is superb!!

I was very excited at the prospect of this gig as the Magic Numbers tunes I had heard were excellent and I must confess to being very excited about this band. Their first single and album are due for imminent release but thanks to a member of a Magic Numbers forum, I got a copy of a London gig, which seriously whetted my appetite.

We decided to wait at the bar while the support bands were on, but I still managed to squeeze my way to the front just in time for the beginning of their set and what a set it was. It became clear very quickly that all was not well with lead singer Romeo's voice as in between songs he sounded as if his throat was very sore...bless. He then said that the gig was touch and go but instead of disappointing the fans, they cancelled a session with my favourite radio DJ - Billy Sloan. Nae luck Billy!

The set list for those who care was;

The Mule,
Long Legs,
Don't Give Up The Fight,
Forever Lost
I See You, You See Me
Hymn For Her
Love's A Game Love Me
Like You
---
Try
Mornings Eleven
'The Beard'

A great set with Forever Lost and Hym For Her my personal favourites. Go out and buy the single and the album!!

Al

15 May - Beerjacket and The One Who Flew @ The Goat, Glasgow.

Sunday nights in The Goat, which is in the west end of Argyle Street, is acoustic night and they don't half get some top acts and tonight was no exception with the fantastic Beerjacket and The One Who Flew. There was also a third act whose name escapes me right now...sorry!

All three were superb and it was good the finally hear TOWF and I would urge people in the west end to get along on a Sunday night and support this wonderful night.

Al

What am I listening too just now?

Prior to The Fall, it was a few months since my last gig and as such any update on here so just to bring you up to speed, below are 5 bands I am currently listening too...

1. The Fall
2. The Magic Numbers (class new band, they'll be huge very soon.)
3. Yo La Tengo
4. My Bloody Valentine
5. Gang of Four

Nice.

Al

1 May - SmytherJones @ Blackfriars Cellar, Glasgow.

Just a quick update on SmytherJones. A sunday night and our sixth gig of the year. This was booked at the last minute but that didn't stop 30 or so people coming to see us, the bank holiday Monday seemed to help! We played alongside The Prayers who were very good but too Stone Roses at time and Fade, who we've played with at Furys in the past.

Due to being a lazy bastard, I left before we went onstage once I had checked the place out so I can only go from what the band told me but they seemed very happy.

A great venue too, somewhere that I'll definately return to, hopefully to run my own gigs.

Bye

Al

28 Apr - The Fall @ QMU, Glasgow.

A first for me tonight. Why I have not seen The Fall before now is a mystery to me as I've loved them for years but nothing was going to stop me this time. The gig was originally to be at the Renfrew Ferry but its refurbishment meant a switch the Glasgow Universitys Queen Margaret Union (QMU) and although I had looked forward to attending my first gig in a boat, the QMU is superb and I was actually quite pleased.

A quick mention of the support act, Uncle John and Whitlock, I'd heard quite a bit about this band but not actually heard their music and I was glad to be in on time to catch their set, do check them out if you can.

After a wait of almost 2 hours, The Fall came onstage and began with Theme From Starka FC, which was superb and from then on in every song was superb. I was concerned about how fit Mark E. Smith would be for the gig as he does appear a little "unfit" when I've seen him recently on TV but what a showman. His constant fiddling with the guitar and bass amps was hilarious for the audience but a pain in the arse for the musicians onstage, and his insistence on having the mic stands stuffed into the bass drum and random synth solos were also very funny and showed a cheeky school boy side that was very entertaining.

A great gig and I'd encourage everyone to witness The Fall before Mark E. Smith hangs up his mic stand for good, which surely can't be too long in the future.

Top stuff.

Al