2001

ADD N TO (X)
12th March
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
support : National Bandit

Boy, it sure feels good to break the ol' gig duck for another year, although there were one or two
previous oppurtunities. Did we see Add N to (x) 'cos of the fab show last year, or because of our desperation
to break the streak? A bit of both, but it's always worth seeing these characters - a bit like
seeing Stereolab, you don't really have to have any of the records to go and enjoy them, though it took a while
before things started warming up. And there was no Plug Me In, which was a big surprise, but it didn't
really ruin the night. National Bandit were okay, but not half as entertaining as the
film that followed them (so funny to watch all the guys there with their girls trying
mighty hard not to look at the film, but not quite managing it!)
Felt sorry for the lonely souls manning the t-shirt stall at the end, but not
sorry enough to part with any of my cash.


POLICECHIEF
22nd March
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
supporting : Scuba Z

Where to start? Surely one of the best live bands around just now - big, funky, in-yer-face
beats, tons of attitude, a mental bassist, the next Bobby Gillespie on vocals, and some
fab tunes. They started off with a nice, easy one to break us in, but, by the time they were
done, just about everyone in the place was getting down in front of the stage. And this
was the support band. Don't know what Scuba Z were like, we just left after Policechief - anything
else would have been a come-down. Easily the best fiver I've spent in a
 long time. Chief! Chief! Chief!


BROADCAST
5th April
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
support : Electrelane

I've seen them before, of course, and they were very good. But is that any reason to stop you going
to see a band again and again? All the usual features - Trish's awesome voice, the tight-as-fuck band, mega-cool
 background film, and some pretty good tunes too. Not much variation on the setlist from
the last time, but that's okay. But no Papercuts, and still no Book lovers either! But tonight we had the extra
 treat of Electrelane, who I had to miss a month earlier because I was ill, so this made up for
 that. A drummer away from being really, really good. Good chips and gravy
 afterwards too, so, a good night.


T BREAK SHOWCASE
14th May
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
featuring : POLICECHIEF, DUCKS, SUMMERSAULT, KIRBY, and CNUT

This evening was a tantalising taster for some of the bands we can hope to see on the new band
stage at this years' T in the Park. A few familiar faces to enjoy, but first up, we made the acquaintence
of CNUT - picture a 21st century Sparks, with Dom Jolly and his brother pumping out some top disco
 beats. Fabulous stuff, even if it was only 3 songs. Next up were the lovely KIRBY, possibly
 Glasgow's answer to the Go-Go's. 5 slices of girly summer charm (the songs, that is) delivered with not
 a little verve and er, spunk, especially the last track Weird. Two bands down, three to go, and it's
already looking like we've had more than our 3 quid's worth. No evening is perfect however, as on came
the rather ordinary SUMMERSAULT. They were followed by DUCKS. Going for a piss while
 a band's playing, is, I think, the ultimate review. So finally to the main event, ladies and
 gentlemen, please stand up and then get down to the mighty POLICECHIEF, 20 minutes of disco-heaven
in 4 big-beat, funky instalments. If this band didn't earn a place at Balado, then there is surely
no God. As the song says, " this could be the start of something..."


BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
15th June
Barrowlands, Glasgow
support : ?

" the fuckin' Barras ", exclaimed Stuart Murdoch, with a mixture of wonderment and pride. He, along with
everyone else present, obviously expected something a bit special, and no-one was disappointed. We all
la-la-la'd along with the trumpet on Dog on Wheels; everyone skipped their hearts out during the flute solo of
 The Boy with the Arab Strap: we hummed along with the shambolic rendition of The Boy with the thorn
 in his side; we laughed at the numerous breakdown's and forgetting of words, none more so than during
Legal Man (a definite case of third time lucky); we gazed in wonder at Stuart's keepie-up skills
onstage; we split our sides during his ludicrous "arrest" halfway through Legal Man; we
cheered mightily when he re-appeared accompanied by the mighty Monica Queen, both sporting police
 caps, for a rousing finale of Lazy Line Painter Jane. And then we all went home to our beds for a nice
warm cup of cocoa and an early night...well, maybe not, but after my last Belle and Sebastian
gig, I'm glad I was paying a bit more attention this time.


T IN THE PARK
7th July
Balado Airfield, Kinross

GLOSS
King Tut's Wah Wah Tent

This year's line-up was hardly classic, but if any day was worth going to, it was
 Saturday (hello Sadie!) There was a lot of time to kill between the bands we really wanted
 to see though, which is how we found ourselves in King Tut's to see Gloss. Just walking past, knew they
were starting, and wandered in out of curiosity. They weren't bad either, a few good tunes, and we gladly
gave them twenty minutes of our time. More important people elsewhere meant an
 early exit unfortunately, but still, an interesting discovery all the same to start the day.

THE DANDY WARHOLS
Main Stage

This is what it's all about, one of the big three we've come to see. And on the main stage too! They
started off with a joke about playing in Scotland that went over most of the audience's heads. Then they
started the set with a slow one. And then another slow one. Then, er, another slow number, by which
time, the mainly schemie crowd is getting more than restless (this is pish maan, we want shumthin
 bowncin, knaw?) Way to get the crowd on your side guys, the pints are starting to fly about...

Wait!

Four songs in, and Bohemian is the first punch that lands, followed by the quick left/right of Get
Off and Junkie. Now everbody's happy, and, with a bit of help from the few hardcore Dandy's fans, the
singalongs are starting too. But they failed to deliver the knockout blow they could so easily have
 landed with Holiday, Boys Better, Rave-up, White Gold, or any of the other great tunes they left in the
 locker room. Instead they wrapped up with another slow one, and then Country Leaver, which I've never loved, but
 it's heaps better live. All in all, a bit of a let-down from our Portland heroes. We can't blame them, 'cos we
 still love them, so let's blame the organisers for putting them on the wrong stage at the wrong
 time - it was all just a bit too clever for the schemies. By the way, special mention to the ace
 reporter from the Sunday Mail, who, 24 hours later, enthusiastically reviewed Godless and
 Horse Pills for the benefit of the nation - er, when did they play those ones then? Stick to Texas
 and Coldplay ya fuckin' muppet...

BALLBOY
New Talent Stage

More time to kill, so we wander to the new band stage to check the place out before Police Chief later
in the day. Ballboy had some good tunes (Sex is boring was a particular favourite) but the main highlights
 of the set were a) an Adventures in Stereo tune on the PA beforehand (it was Waves On, just for Gayle's
benefit) and, b) being given a flyer for Police Chief by a top celebrity - " did you see that, that was the
 bass player! "

JAMES
Main Stage

Still killing time, so, it's off to see the perrenial festival favourites. It was a bit too much
 near the front early doors, so we retired to a safe distance to watch proceedings in more detail. Lot
of new songs from the album no-one's bought (and boy, were they ever
bitter!) Some old ones too, including EVOL fave Laid, but, overall, it wasn't as great as we thought
 it might be. Perhaps the pissing rain had something to do with it.

POLICECHIEF
New Talent Stage

Fuck the FBI, here comes Policechief. Or so said the drummer's t-shirt, which we tried (and failed) to
purchase afterwards. But who cares, 'cos, once again, the guys nailed it right on the money from the
first note. Well, actually, from the start of their DJ set half-an-hour earlier. Still don't know the
 names of any songs, still don't care; just concentrated on having the best time ever, thirty
minutes of disco-dancing, tit-flashing, chain-smoking, in-yer-face, good-time vibes. Phew! Easily worth
the thirty-seven quid on it's own.

CATATONIA
Stage Two

Having stood in the rain with all the disappointed Paul Weller/Oasis fans (hee-hee-hee!) for fifteen
minutes, we finally got into the tent for the final event of the day. Seen the Welsh wonders many
times before, as they grew from pub band to pop stardom, but this was Derek's first time, the boy
had to be educated, and there's worse songs to start a set with than I Am The Mob. Over the next
hour, we were treated to a good mix of the new (all very promising) and all the old favourites too, with
the lovely Cerys on fine from as ever. Plenty of singing along and moshing to be found, and we
even managed to force our way down the front by the end of the set. Catatonia are a great
 band live, they really are. How many other bands could follow that set from Police Chief?
 

POLICECHIEF
3rd August
Liquid Room, Edinburgh

Not sure I can remember actually seeing any other bands this year. No need to really, not
 when these boys are in town. First time in Edinburgh for the Chief, and a typically fine show
it was, packed full of incident. Who can forget Ricky showing off his shirt, or that twit in
the afro wig? What about the bloke in the Cardiff Highway Patrol shirt, or the surprise refund
at the end 'cos UNKLE couldn't make it? Plus, for once, we had the bonus of actually knowing
a few of the songs a bit better, thanks to the marvel of the internet, although I'm not sure we knew
the last one - was it really meant to end like that? I think we can forgive them that
 little slip though...


AKIRA
13th August
The Venue, Edinburgh

More musical delights from the festival, and, once again, it was free! Long-time no-see with
Akira, but they haven't changed much; still cranking out some decent girrrl-rock whilst looking
like frightened rabbits in the proverbial headlights. At least this time they didn't have to put up
with the "intimidating" environs of The Liquid Room. But why, oh, why can't they move about a bit, show
a bit of enthusiasm for their songs? The longer it went, the better they got, and still barely moved
off their little spots onstage. Stiil love 'em though, even if they never seemm to play I Dizzy You
anymore (have you forgotten the words Lisa?)


ECHOBELLY
30th September
Liquid Room, Edinburgh
support: Raar

Not wild about the last album or two, but, with such a great back catalogue, how can you miss out
on a trip to see Sonja and co.? Unfortunately, the back catalogue is exactly what they didn't
play, well, except for one or two. So, once the band left the stage, I was left wondering why I'd spent
ten quid to stand in the shittiest little crowd I'd seen at the Liquid Room (think EVOL at about
11 o'clock) and not even hear the band's best songs. Then they came on for the encore, played Car
Fiction, King Of The Kerb and Dark Therapy, and all was right with the world again. Still a few baffling
ommisions from the set, but the new bass player was nice, and I had plenty of fun with the little
hardcore down the front. And I met the bass player from Raar afterwards, but that's another story.


BIS
3rd October
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
support: Cannon, Julia 13

With all that's been happening in the news recently, there are only two things you could do to cheer a
Noo-Yoiker up just now: get Robert to do his Anna Malle impersonation, or take them to see Bis. This was
spookily like Echobelly: a vast back catalogue of top tunes ignored in favour of newer material, but, this
time, the new stuff was all great, a mouth-watering taster for the album. The back catalogue was a
curious bunch of long-dead tracks like Secret Vampire and Photoshop. And only playing 1 song from Social
Dancing (guess which one, eh?) However, despite all the stuff we missed, it was still a great night, not
quite in the same league as the March 99 gig, but then, will anything ever be? And wasn't it strange
to be at Tut's this year and not to see Police Chief? Oh no, wait a minute, we saw the drummer at the
the bar, but he didn't have any t-shirts on him...


POLICECHIEF
10th November
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
support: Maxi 5

Fucking discotastic! So maybe it was disapointing to have the Edinburgh gig kb'd, but this made up
for it big time. This was the gig they were born to play, even if it was full of schemies from
Airdrie. Great to finally see them as headliners, with a full set, encore, light show etc. Some great new
numbers, a guest mc during play it safe, and, thanks to the evening session, I knew the words to
some of the songs too. And it was like a Harry Potter premiere at the end, ripping down posters, setlists and
anything else we could get our grubby little hands on. Why can't these guys play gigs like this all the time?


ANGELICA
21st November
Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh

Best darn awards show I've ever been to. I mean, what the fuck was the plan with the tables
and chairs around the stage, that helped the atmosphere, eh? And the girls did a great set
too, loads of good new stuff, a mouthwatering taster for the forthcoming album. Highlight had to be
steve's lighter dring the start of Bring Her Head Back, that got a wee laugh. But jesus, what about
that piss-poor pub-band of a support act, where did the promoter drag them up from, a fucking
talent-night in cumbernauld? Fuck me...


STEREOLAB
5th december
Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
support : er....

Still don't own a single Stereolab record, does it really matter? The kind of band you feel
you should just go see whenever they're in town. A bit rough around the edges again, but it was a patient and
appreciative crowd tonight, and none of the tables and chairs nonsense either. Surprised they didn't do the
seeming and the meaning, I was looking forward to that-still, there was a saddo's paradise at the t-shirt
stall afterwards, shirts, 7"'s and would-be barmaids, nice one!


POLICECHIEF
12th December
Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
supporting : Basement Jaxx

"Excuse me, where are your toilets?"
"Whit?"
"Yer TOILETS!"
"Oh sorry, I don't work here doll"
"Aw, right, sorry, then why are ye' dressed up like that?"
"I just came to see Policechief"
"Who?"
"The support band, Policechief, didn't you see them?"
"Are you not here to see Basement Jaxx?"
"Nah, no' bothered about them. Just waiting till things quiten down a bit, gonna' get
my jacket, and head back to my local for a few beers"
"You paid fifteen quid just to see the support?"
"We paid thirty-seven to see them at T in the park. it's not an issue..."


THE PROCLAIMERS
31st December
Princes St. Gardens
support; Mull Historical Society, The Rezillos

I sooo wanted to hate Mull Historical Society, I really did. I'd heard about them, read the reviews and
all the hype too, didn't like the sound of them at all. And of course, I may have a slight bias against
people from Mull of that particular age-group from that particular school! However, as it turned
out, I couldn't keep my darned toes from tapping, they actually had the nerve to be bloody good! Feather
boas, inflatable sheep, choir boys and bloody good songs, including a storming Santa Claus is coming
to town. But if MHS exceeded our expectations, The Proclaimers fell well short. It was all the same
stuff (folkin' shite), scottish folk-pub nonsense, yeurgh! I thought there might be trouble when they
played Sunshine On Leith (what a fucking dirge that is, eh?) with junkies holding up their Hibs
scarves, jambos throwing cans and bottles, and Grant Stott trying to get them to shut the fuck up 'cos
they were over-running and it was mere seconds to midnight. Still, they did finish with that song
about coming back from Killie after a doing, so that was something. As for The Rezillos, well, not everyone
hung about for them, but we did. You can only do so much with punk though, and it was vaguely
 amusing, watching these forty-somethings going through their paces in a kind of B-movie
sorta' way. The Dalek at the end was a nice touch though. And at least this year it wasn't too cold, plus
 we saw the fireworks this time. But who was that big fearsome security guy at the gate...

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