The premise of RSD is to bring punters into record shops (sorry, it started in America I believe but we still call them ‘shops’, although they are an endangered species).
The way this is done is a combination of free shows, limited edition vinyl (some by major and collectable artistes) and bums on seats – and the Janice Forsyth BBC radio show helpfully reading out most of the events in Scotland.
Saturday in the Betty household is kids’ activities day, so was with his nibs at footy practice then Madam’s dancing, but still found the opportunity to take Madam (7) to LOVEmusic around the corner from Queen St Station for a wee gig by The Cathode Ray. Recently reviewed by ITM (Roy Moller), their album is a strummable, hummable thing. They are not exactly spring chickens and some of their songs were co-written by one Mr Paul Haig, who has since left the combo for other projects.
The whole event was good-humoured and had the vibe of like-minded souls supporting a venerable local emporium which has struggled to survive over the download and file-sharing years. The free coffee and hot choc was much appreciated by Betty’s daughter and she “quite liked” the two numbers we heard before our parking ticket ran out and other activities were due. Other bands were playing later, notably Admiral Fallow, at around 5pm, it was looking good and the rain shower when we were there cause some “random” (this word allegedly can’t be used by people over 40 but suffering cod, Betty is 39) people to come in who probably never darken a current record shop door, all welcome today though…
Later on in the afternoon Betty ventured to Mono to hear Malcolm Middleton in his Human Don’t Be Angry guise. There was initially a massive queue and frankly hilarious scenes as families with small children mingled with serious hipster, scensters and general beardy idiots (they do chafe guys, sorry) – the bouncers were really witty (a first, I think) but there is a fire limit so people were being counted in and oot.
Malc looked relaxed limbering up, I noticed Aidan in the crowd, plus Bill Wells I think, and Stuart Braithwaite coming through the room with his record box for DJ set later. HDBA is a beefier proposition than Malc solo, there is some singing on the album I am told but he wisely did not unleash his lyrics or banter on the family audience (thank flip for that!), though some kids were clutching their ears after a couple of numbers and went out to play football instead.
There were 7 tracks (looking at the setlist now, which Betty purloined, for a couple of favours off the drummer, only joking, it was a family affair but I did notice you big boy…) – they fairly bounced along, Malc’s guitar quite low in the mix and the bass more to the fore (gonna forget which band the bassist plays for now, could look it up, sorry), with Mogwai and Aerogramme-esque heavy riffs plus some computer-driven samples – the sun shone into Mono, the drinks kept coming, it was only 5.30 pm for flip’s sake and it sounded great.
‘1985’ was the closer and it built up a real head of steam, absolutely rocking, a real joy to behold and shaking the rafters, whether earplugs should have been issued or available is not clear to me, as a responsible parent I probably would have brought some (flashback to the last MBV gig at Barras when even bar staff were wearing them and Betty could not hear a thing for 3 days after, a new form of self-abuse – always looking…)
In summary, Record Store Day = a good idea.