At the moment a lot of gig clashes happen, whether they are rescheduled or just announced at short notice.
BM such a gig clash tonight, forced to leg it between venues to see the best of both.
Things started at Stereo with the debut gig of Upturned Boats, a combo comprising some former members of State Broadcasters and current members of Modern Studies and the Leap. BM believes the band comprised “Bill” Black, on guitar/vocals, Pete MacDonald on keys, his brother Fergus on other guitar and Joe Smillie on drums, but can stand to be corrected.
The first track was atmospheric and “Bill” was likely a bit nervous but the next couple of numbers unleashed some great guitar thrash and probably settled them – track titles were thin on the ground but BM thinks the last couple were ‘Penguins’ and ‘Handprints’ – although following a familiar indie guitar band trope, the music was actually great, the lyrics interesting and the playing just spot on, with some good sound dynamics and some losing yourself moments in the guitar codas. A very good debut, and BM will look forward to any future releases, they certainly have the songs to do it.
Next up was Randolph’s Leap, playing as an eight-piece tonight, fronted by Adam Ross in his Man from Delmonte light coloured attire… They were clearly enjoying being onstage in Glasgow for the first time in over 2 years – the smiles told their own story. They have a rich catalogue to draw from these days and they were doing songs new and old when BM had to split for that other gig…
So 20 minutes of quick walking (the stilettos being banished on nights like these) for Attila the Stockbroker at The Icebox, one of Glasgow’s more eccentric but also very welcoming venues, just along from the Citz Theatre, in a small industrial unit.
When BM arrived John, aka ATS, was a full flow, spitting some poems about Nigel Farrage, which got the fairly mature, shall we say, audience going… The event was organised and hosted by Glasgow’s own Mark McGhee, a ball of creative energy with his online You CAll That Radio? and Girobabies/Jackal Trades activities, not to mention some regular late night events at La Discoteca in Scotstoun. Attila gave us some English folk music, sometime accompanied his pal, in a wheelchair, on the drums, plus an obscene ditty about smegma, and some further attacks on the system in general. BM met and had a pint with ATS in an unnamed city back in 1995 but he has been doing his thing since 1978 or thereabouts, and BM hopes he goes on for years to come, he has the wisdom, and experience that we can all learn from, from whatever political background… BM had a good chat with him before he exited in his sensible saloon car, though BM is glad to see on his socials that he got his fair share of beer over at Bannerman’s in Edinburgh after Sunday’s gig there… Immense respect due to a living legend and charismatic performer…