1997

MADDER ROSE/SOUL COUGHING
10th April
The Cathouse, Glasgow

Phew! I was beginning to think I would never get to another gig again. The first time I'd been to
 the small but perfectly formed Cathouse, and the first time I'd been to a double headlining
show. Madder Rose were first, and very fine they were too ,but they only did two songs from
"Panic On". which was a little disappointing. Also, the setlist I pinched didn't seem to bear
much resemblance to the set they actually played. Ah well. Hung around for Soul Coughing,
who weren't too bad considering I'd never heard of them.


LUSCIOUS JACKSON
16th April
Astoria Theatre, London
support : Bis

Not a band who play over here often, so, had to go down to see them really. A very groovy
night indeed, more like someone playing records for their friends than an actual gig. Most
memorable moment was probably that girl getting on stage to plug her website. And we
were treated once again to the dulcet tones of Bis in support, who continue to grow into
a mighty pop machine with every listen. Didn't have much time to hang around after the
show though, 'cos it was staright back up the road to Glasgow for the lovely Cerys...


CATATONIA
17th April
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
support : The Diggers

I can barely make out what it says, but Cerys' autograph made up for the disappointment of
this gig being cancelled at very short notice in November. A slightly shorter set than I think we
would all have liked, but then, poor Cerys looked as if she could barely stand up, bless her. It
was a rioutous old half hour though, and I did get a cool t-shirt too.


LINOLEUM
9th June
The Venue, Edinburgh
support : ?

Now this was a cracker. Oh yes. An excellent up-for-it crowd, a good bellyful of beer beforehand,
and some cracking tunes to rock the house. I love this band's sound, pure misery and bitterness,
beautifully put into sound onstage. Real presence about them when they play. "She's sick", was
outstanding, as were "Marquis", and "Dangerous shoes". A fabulous, fabulous night, and I
didn't even have money for a t-shirt.


ADVENTURES IN STEREO
15th August
Cas Rock Cafe, Edinburgh
support : Future Pilot AKA, Appendix Out

This wasn't quite what I expected after hearing the album, but it was still cool. The band were very
 tight, and despite the looks we drew from the more reserved locals, me and my friends had the
best time grooving away to the stereo sound. Pinched a set list, got my "Airline" 7" signed by the
band, and just had the best time ever. Cas Rock's a great wee venue too, that could really rock
out with the right band.


TANYA DONELLY
19th September
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Intercity Crawl

What a great idea. One ticket, five venues, tons of great bands. Well, a few good bands, but
there was only one person I bought the ticket to come and see. A slight change from seeing
her at Murrayfield in front of 50,000 people, but maybe this was even better,(although maybe
she should've been put on at the Garage, apparently quite a few people were locked out)
Anyway, the pixie with the amazing voice rocked the house, and even did "Low Red Moon", and
"Dusted", much to the delight of the severaal Belly t-shirts in the crowd. Took a camera too,
and got at least one classic pic.


ADVENTURES IN STEREO
26th September
The Cathouse, Glasgow
support : The Secret Goldfish, Future Pilot AKA

I'll never forgive Jon for making us go for a pizza with those slappers from his work. It was bad
 enough missing The Secret Goldfish, but we nearly missed the whole damn thing. More or less the
same gig as last month, except there was a slight line-up change (hello Gayle!) Musical
differences, as they say.


CATATONIA
28th October
The Venue, Edinburgh
support : Big Leaves, Cruyff

Ooh, this was an all-time cracker. We had a great spot right at the front, and we were armed
with those bubble blowing things you get in Woolies. Cerys kinda' swatted at them a few times,
don't know if it was being playful or if she was pissed off. Every song kicked ass, especially
"I am the mob", and we all moshed away happily from start to finish. Apparently there was a
wee spot of bother going on behind me, but Jen and Julie sheilded me from it, and I was free
to enjoy the show in blissful ignorance. This was the last time we saw them before "Mulder and
Scully", turned them into megastars overnight, sad to think you won't see them at such an
intimate show again. And I lost my lucky poker chips, but even that couldn't ruin what was
easily the best gig I'd been to.


PORTISHEAD
20th November
The Barrowlands, Glasgow
support : Spacehog

Portishead and the Barrowlands doesn't sound like a great match, but this was pretty good. No
real moshing obviously, but some concentrated gyrating and swaying going on in a typically
sweaty, physical crowd. The show was every bit as beard-strokingly dark and intense as you
would expect, though the singing along with "Sour Times", shattered the image a bit. Good one.


ECHOBELLY
8th December
The Garage, Glasgow
support : Rialto

Whoever said Brit-pop was dead forgot to tell Echobelly, this was an excellent, rip-roaring
moshpit of a gig to rival Catatonia a few months previous. All the hits you could hope for,
Sonja cheeky as ever, and a mad crowd. Great encore of "Dark Therapy", and I got a nice
t-shirt too. What more can you ask for?

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