Saturday the 7th of October was a big day in the gig calendar. Events transpired against me heading to London to witness Duncan Reid and a host of Big Heads say a farewell to music in The Lexington. A night that it would appear will live long in the memory of those who attended if the thoughts of good friend Alex Main are anything to go by…
Meanwhile in Glasgow, as we dodged the deluges, it was the annual Tenement Trail in Glasgow’s East End across a plethora of venues… the world famous Barrowland, Barrowland 2, St Lukes, The Winged Ox, BAad, Van Winkle, 226 Gallowgate and final stopping point, the legendary McChuills. I had perhaps been over optimistic in also hoping to have scooted over to Room 2 at some point to take in a second dose of Ian Svenonius this year, after witnessing Escapism in Sneaky Pete’s, performing this time he was with The Make Up as they relived past gig memories supported by Glasgow’s very own Lungleg. In reality it wasn’t feasible, and again I gather I missed another cracking night if the pictures from Black Magic Plastic and Christopher Hogge anything are to go by.
But am I trying to say Tenement Trail was third choice, the consolation prize? Absolutely not. The line-up was packed with top class acts, with something to please every music fan. Of course, being that socially awkward, anxious type, I was stressing about seeing the bands I wanted to, so had to have all the bands and timings collated on a spreadsheet, with a schedule and route planned between venues ensuring I maximised the opportunities to catch as many of the bands as I could, while fretting over clashes and how to make my choices…
My first choice was nearly taken away from me, the weather playing havoc with public transport with trains delayed and cancelled left right and centre, I arrived at Barrowland with minutes to spare before Walt Disco were due to take to the stage in its downstairs venue, Barrowland 2, only to discover I needed to show my ticket at BAaD to get a wristband for entry. Noooooo! I managed to avoid getting soaked in the rain but spent the entirety of Walt Disco’s high octane set wringing wet with beads of sweat forming on my forehead and running down my back. Nothing to do with the heat in the venue either, and everything to do with an aging, overweight music fan having to do far more running than is good for him…
Walt Disco
Anyway, the music… It was an early set for Glasgow’s stars in the constant ascendancy Walt Disco, as they were heading to Newcastle immediately after their performance for another gig. As it was, the band set the bar at a level that was going to be hard to beat, their blend of early 80’s angular post punk mixed with bombastic hooks and pop sensibilities alongside Jocelyn’s incredible vocal, straddling between dramatic operatic majesty and channelling the passion and tone of one of the world’s finest ever vocalists, Billy MacKenzie. Despite the early hour, the band managed to energise and inspire with their short set achieving sing-a-longs to their catchy songs such as Cut Your Hair, How Cool Are You and Selfish Lover. Beat that…
Soapbox
Well, it isn’t a competition and …bloody hell. Soapbox achieved some gobsmacking moments for me from the off in their incendiary set creating an early afternoon pit in BAad. I had a wry smile on my face as I watched, and heard, Tom rampage around the venue resplendent in forthcoming single, Private Public Transport Sucks t-shirt before taking to the stage (for a while at least in between forays into the pit) and sharing their angry punk infused rants with the partisan gathering. I say rant deliberately, my wry smile continuing as I could relate with everything contained in the song lyrics. I could imagine them soundtracking my many rants on Facebooks against such targets as the current (and past) Tory governments. They were one of several bands on the day sticking a well-deserved verbal two fingers up to Sunak and Co. It wasn’t just the rants I appreciated, with messages about mental health also striking a chord, “Don’t kill yourself, there’s no sequel.” Indeed. No time for reflection or hanging around in BAad though, next stop St. Lukes.
Tina Sandwich
You know you’re going to be in for a treat when even a band’s short sound check blows you away. Staying with the local talent, Tina Sandwich took us from the early 80’s angry punk influenced sounds of Soapbox to the slightly earlier era sounds of the NYC punk scene, with Tina at times seemingly channelling the voice and spirit of the inimitable Patti Smith. The band were tight as fuck, better than I’ve ever seen them previously, blasting out their addictive singles Sick Girl, Fast Cars (& Movie Stars) & Up All Night. The high point of the set for me was new single Joni, which was outstanding, and quite emotional. I was enjoying these short sharp half hour sets so far, no messing about, bands having to hit their stride from the off. Tina Sandwich even still managed to squeeze in their ubiquitous cover of The Subways Rock n Roll Queen. A status which the lead singers of the majority of the remaining bands I was to see could lay claim to. And so, to Barrowland…
Bottle Rockets
I was hyped to see Bottle Rockets, particularly on the strength of the most addictive single of their releases to date, Backburn from a couple of months back. I wasn’t disappointed by any of their set, which included a majorly reworked version of Michael Sembello’s 1980s hit from Flashdance, Maniac, their version much lower key and far moodier than the original. Moody and intense was order of the day for Bottle Rockets as Kenzi prowled the stage adding her sultry vocal to the band’s soundtrack of dark side of the 80s indie meets nineties/noughties earnest alt-rock. I’m glad to say, Backburn was a highlight, positively smouldering as it built to its crescendo crackling with a vibrant brio. First time seen for me, but not the last. Quick mention for the smart new Sam’s Bar on the entrance side to the Ballroom, looking good.
Former Champ
Back to my starting point for next band on my list, last witnessed in Stereo, Former Champ (dubbed as an indie supergroup) played a blistering set in the excellent Barrowland 2 venue, which by now was like a sauna, which incidentally didn’t stop me from bouncing along to the glorious melodies from the twin guitars, topped off admirably with Martha Ffion’s Claire McKay and her soaring and mesmeric vocal as they took their turn to perform their short but perfectly formed set of tunes.
Van Winkle – Nani/The Rooks and Sister Madds
A quick hop across the road next, my first time in Van Winkle, and a mental note made to come back when it’s back in its normal guise for a bite to eat. I walked into the packed venue as Nani was in full flow. A new artist to me and one that had me kicking myself for missing out until now., her set really catching me unaware, a rollercoaster of emotions rushing through me ranging from pure joy to melancholic sadness, beautiful. I was really there for Sister Madds at this point, so instead of trying somewhere else, I hung around. The Rooks were accomplished in their retro blues sound, pleasant enough to tap my foot along too, but not enough to really capture my imagination in the same way as the rest of the day’s line-up, so I loitered at the bag catching up on a few chapters of Julie Hamill’s upcoming novel. You should buy it…
I’m glad to say Sister Madds was worth the wait. A band who, like their counterparts Big Girl’s Blouse later in McChuills, I have had plans to see on several occasions in the past, all of which were scuppered, often at the last minute. Thankfully, I finally managed to catch the band, and what a set it was too. Playing this gig on the back of their latest single release, the rather fine Hot and Bothered, Maddie led her band, who purveyed everything from a Jarvis Cocker effortless cool, to rock god guitar poses, with exquisite poise, grace, and with some pithy lyrics, through their breathless set of urgent hook laden alt-rock, including of course, what I would rate one of the top tunes of their repertoire, Room 601. As Arnie may or may not once have said… I’ll be back…
McChuills – Big Girl’s Blouse & Junk Pups
Last stop for me for the night was the legendary music venue and most welcoming pub extraordinaire, McChuills. I was perhaps too keen, arriving way ahead of time, but better that than standing in a queue in the pissing rain later being unable to get in, ensuring there was going to be no lock out for Junk Pups and the “Secret Act” closing the night. All those missed opportunities to catch Big Girl’s Blouse live before now faded into insignificance as the quartet played their riotous set to an enthusiastic response. Many of the great and good from earlier in the day were now gathering in the venue, several of whom I may or may not have ended up talking absolute shite to.
Emmy, Ross, Harrison and Reece played an absolute blinder, everyone bringing their own unique style to the mix, Emmy a ball of boundless energy running on the spot while Harrison oozed a laidback effortless cool to her left, and coming together to create the defined sound they’ve been creating since that glorious first single Rock & Roll Hot of September, with their perfect tongue in cheek Everybody Nearly Dies All the Time being a particular favourite and nearly resulting in the title coming true as my aging body struggled to keep up with the frantic fizz of electrically charged energy oozing from the band and the bouncing crowd.
If Walt Disco opened the night in style, Junk Pups were certainly challenging them for “band of the day” with their crowd-pleasing set-in front of a raucous packed out McChuills. The band, who themselves have recorded with the mighty Walt Disco, never fail to impress in the live arena, the pupstart pup stars not only accomplished in their musicianship, but also looking as if they’re having the time of their lives on stage, almost as much as the crowd who were by now bouncing as one all the way to the back of the room. Like Jocelyn in the opening band of my day out, Jack has a voice to kill for, a range and intonation that defies belief. But this band isn’t just about Jack, the band have an assuredness about them, without being cocky, and a knack for writing a hook laden catchy song too, they are very much a gang of like-minded souls, gelling as one on the McChuills stage, Sophie banging the drums to within an inch of their lives, it is almost hypnotic watching her, a study in intense concentration, while Ishi wrangles sweet bluesy melodies from her guitar, and Dylan plucks funky bouncing rhythms from their bass. Although I’d been enjoying the short, sharp, punchy sets all day, the Junk Pups set was over far too quickly, with the crowd howling and baying for more, at one point they hesitated as they left the stage, Looking as if they were coming back…but a return was too much to ask for leaving time for the secret final band.
And who was that Secret Act? Well, by now it wasn’t a secret, the last band of the day in McChuills was to be Spyres, like the opening band of the day, Walt Disco, a band riding the wave just now on their ascendency and playing the intimate venue ahead of their SWG3 gig the following week. I will admit I was almost defeated by this time though, way past my bedtime, and shall we say, tired and emotional, and in need of my beauty sleep, so had to beat a hasty retreat missing most of their set to try to find transport home (ultimately this “transport” was Shank’s Pony).
A triumphant Tenement Trail, roll on next year.
Tickets for TENEMENT TRAIL 2024 | TicketWeb – Various Venues – Glasgow in Glasgow, GB