Amy MacBeath

I had all the best intentions tonight of doing some work, I really did.  Somehow the night has slipped away from me and all I seem to have done is browse youtube and random band websites.  It got me wondering how many hours you can actually waste doing this…people do it for a living somewhere I am sure…anyway it just doesn’t bear thinking about on a Friday night.  It’s sad enough that I am sitting writing a blog!

Although I have discovered others this year I have found myself drifting back to the good old classics I have been brought up with – Dylan, Springsteen, Neil Young, Black Crowes, The Cure, Wilco, Creedance Clearwater, Gram Parsons…It’s really embarrassing when you grow up trying to get out there and find new music and then you end up listening to the same stuff as the folks anyway!

2008 has brought about a wave of pretty decent acoustic and so called indie bands that it seems there are just too many to choose from.  Having been away from Glasgow I was a bit out of the loop so it’s been fun catching up.  Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, lastfm.com has been pretty helpful!  I have never considered myself an indie fan…I feel as though I have cheated myself by admitting it but since it’s the latest label these bands have been slapped with I guess I will have to go with it.

Wonder how long this latest shift with the formerly emo kids listening to bands like the Foals, MGMT, Vampire Weekend…and the Ting Tings (eugh!) will last.

Once I have read a few more of the inevitably endless lists of top tracks/bands/albums of the year you can all look forward to a blog on my personal favourites and new bands of the year!

The Scottish Sun St Andrew’s Day in aid of Versus Cancer…that’s a mouthful!

Moved fairly late in the day to the Carling Academy, a wise choice me thinks, Scottish bands came together last Friday to support the charity which aims to make musical and medical history.  As did the Amys (aka Amy MacFerson).

Set up in 2005 by ex Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and Nova Rehman the gigs are held to promote awareness as well as fundraise for cancer research and support.

The Scottish gig featured..you guessed it…Scottish bands. 

There seem to be a lot of changes to this gig so I am not entirely sure if Sergeant actually did play, but it was printed on my ticket so I am going to say they must have and stick with it.

Unfortunately, due to the unecessary and ridiculous queuing being done outside, we also missed Attic Lights..who I actually did want to see!  I wasn’t the only one as it seemed their guest list were lined up in the cold while they played…and it was very cold!  Travis also walked past at this time (with a Fran Healy cleverly disguised with a tartan scarf round his face and a 6ft odd bassist you could spot a mile off..not literally but he is just pretty recognisable).  Perhaps they wanted a beatles-esque moment of screaming fans, I don’t know, but it didn’t seem to work.

Once into the warmth of the Carling we saw The Fratellis who were good and played some of their newer stuff and then of course Travis came on.  I think for many our age, Travis is a bit of a blast from the past with songs like ‘Why does is always rain on me?‘ – for me it brings back memories of a rainy but glorious day Tynecastle many moons ago!

Safe to say they went down well though with the set being belted back at them being more than enough proof!  The bopping hey jimmy hats and sea of lit mobiles just adding to the atmosphere and it looked like the band were having fun too.

Afterwards it was off to Sloans on Argyle Street to mingle with the stars…that being Greg Hemphill from Still Game and some [insert appropriate comment based on outfit's lack of appropriateness here] girl from River City]….both of whom we actually didn’t talk to.

At least Attic Lights played again at the after party so we had a chance to see them again.

Following ejection from Sloans after it all ran on a bit long, the hunt for the great unknown on a saturday night species…otherwise known as a taxi..began!  Good night though!