(all black and white pictures courtesy of David Kidd)
After what was a stressful day, at the end of an exceedingly trying week, Friday was to bring relief with a Christmas Cracker in the shape of Frets Xmas gig, featuring four courses of prime cuts.
While across the cities in the East and West, carnage was ensuing with Xmas shoppers and once a year drinkers, La Belle Angele was the place to be, it was like Christmas come early, the icing on the cake, or more fittingly, the Angel at the top of the tree.
The starter set the night up perfectly, with Port Sulphur (including half of Quad 90), looking ultra cool in dark glasses. Douglas McIntyre (surely one of the most hard working guitarists in the Scottish music scene?) and Co. were in blistering form performing searing versions of the likes of Kone Trips and ending their short set with a glorious Fast Boys and Factory Girls segueing into Hawkwind’s Silver Machine to close, it was all over too quickly.
Quick turnarounds were order of the day, and the second course was my prime reason for getting a nosebleed and making the trip out East, one which I only do for a handful of acts… Scorpio Leisure have drawn me to Edinburgh twice this year. The band are definitely high on my “ones to watch” list, as you’ve probably realised if you follow my ramblings, and with their debut long player due to come out in Spring next year, things are only going to get better. Water Machine and Scorpio Leisure albums both coming in one year!
Globetrotting guitarist Ricky is not always available for their live adventures, so we were fortunate to have the guitarist extraordinaire swelling the bands ranks. Another early Christmas gift. The fabulous five served up their usual unique blend of mesmerising dance-punk-funk, with trippy hypnotic beats, psychedelic guitars, and the immense punky reggae/funk bass lines from Coco all underlying Hettie’s vocal. Together they trigger a rush of endorphins, creating the perfect antidote to a the week, all stresses disappearing, even if it is only for half an hour or so. Recent single Give Us Some Space demanded your attention, its laidback groove wending its way to your feet, unable to resist its woozy reggae beat. Sheer class. The whole set was a triumph, delighting those who have already joined them on their journey and with engaging songs like Driving, Running on the Spot and Parasite, they certainly gained new fans to join the swelling throng. There are already dates scheduled next year as part of the Last Night From Glasgow weekender and supporting The Filthy Tongues, having been part of the Dark Places mini fest earlier in the year. Miss them at your peril.
Next up on La Belle Angele stage it was the turn of the funky post-punk of Boots For Dancing, who succeeded in further pumping up the exuberant crowd, continuing to build on the celebratory atmosphere of the night, inducing a chant a long to their signature song and including a cover of Blank Generation, Dancin’ Dave Carson demonstrating a youthful energy which would put frontmen half his age to shame.
Headliners The Scars (the addition of “the” I assume a nod to the changed line-up with Tam Dean Burn taking on vocal duties) took to the stage to an ovation deserving of the returning post punk heroes. Tam resplendent in Fuck the Clock t-shirt, which he’d have you believe is the original given to him by Patti Smith. With new single Meet the Swingers released recently, this gig was an opportunity for the band to play a mixed set of their old crowd pleasers and add their new songs. Tam is a natural front man, bringing his own personality to the band, pulling on years of acting experience to have the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, and in no way trying to be anyone other than himself. The band were on top of their game too, the angular guitars from Paul Research, and pounding bass from Johnny Mackie utterly in tune with each other, with Calumn MacKay adding to the gloriously jagged sound. Once again, Douglas McIntyre made an appearance adding to the guitar histrionics of Horrorshow. The sprightly exuberance demonstrated by Dancin’ Dave earlier had now spilled into the crowd as the, let’s face it, aging crowd re-lived their youth, dancing and singing like there was no tomorrow.
And just like that, it was all over, a great night was had by all, I bumped into some brilliant people along the way, and if I hadn’t taken several wrong turns on the way back to the station, I could possibly have filled my rumbling stomach before eventually managing to head back West. Can we do it all again please?
I’d like to be emailed when you post thanks.
Nice review of what was a great night.
Stevie