Tag: music

  • We’ve finished writing our tenth album

    We’ve finished writing our tenth album

    We are really doing this...

    When I found myself trawling through holiday let websites, I couldn’t quite believe that we were embarking on recording another album. We did consider other options, perhaps going professional and finding a studio and an engineer. Noting that Greg and I (along with Byrne) had spent a neat sum on Social Dancing’s (may I humbly say excellent) debut LP we decided against this and opted for a week away. Its still costing us money…and time. (when people buy music from artists its an incredible support)

    band picture
    Weird Decibels assemble!

                The search for a suitable cottage proved challenging, four guys, wanting four separate bedrooms and a large open living room for that unique room sound you can’t get with FX and plugins. Eventually, a few candidates emerged, then we reached a final two, with Teviotside Lodge near Kelso a frontrunner alongside a familiar site…the legendary Springfield Cottage, the space where we recorded Weird Decibels 2 back in 2015.

                When I emailed about Springfield a familiar response came from the letting agency, the price quoted on the site was for two adults…extra charges would be implemented. I remember the last time we contacted the owner, and he agreed to waive that fee but on this occasion it out is off, plus Teviotside looked too dam appealing. After a few clicks our sixth cottage was booked, it was real and it felt like the band was back.

    Writing the tenth has now taken nearly fours years, that is very unusual for us. By now we had had two Slange sessions, both fruitful, we now had a collection of new songs.

    Greg and Derek writing some new tunes

    Derek, more than the rest of us insisted that we were still short of tracks, especially now that we had dropped ‘My Internal Wasted Mind’ and ‘Bad Things Happen’. Time was pressing, it was now creeping towards February.

    On the 23rd January one of those special creative moments happened, we just started jamming a basic major C and G riff, two chords…but we structured the distortion well to build this epic tune. Lyrics just came to me, as they sometimes do, thinking of Scotland at the 2026 world cup I started singing ‘Toe to toe. Nose to nose, here in Scotland we call it a Square Go.”.

    Lewis was there, filming some footage for a future documentary, he captured the moment we created the song.

    Another tune came to us very much in the same way, as a three piece, when Stu was unable to join us, we started jamming a thick riff in the key of F sharp, with hints of Tad (Derek argues that it is Nirvana’s Blech) we created ‘I Make Great Mistakes’ in just minutes.

    A few weeks later, when Stu returned, he added his guitars and the song just came alive. We had also discussed dropping ‘I Try to Be Strong’, it was a bit slower, but Stu was having none of it and insisted it stayed in contention for recording. I’m glad we did as it has a much-needed change of pace for the album.

    Song list for our tenth album

    1. My Internal Wasted Mind

    2. Fire in the Garden

    3. Science Will Save Me

    4. Bad Things Happen When You’re Bored

    5. If Heaven Exists, It’s in Little Bits

    6. I Try to Be Strong

    7. Derek’s Piano riff which became ‘Will We Be Ok?”

    8. I Talk To You

    9. Cocaine Cop

    10. Caught the Virus

    11. Ain’t Stopping

    12. Stu’s idea that would become, You Want It

    13. Let Me Out Or Let Me Know

    14. Square Go

    15. I Make Great Mistakes

    16. Bones

    On the 25th to 2nd May we will be recording our tenth album (no title yet), stay updated here and on our socials throughout the week.

    Pabs

  • Shuffledown Day at the Dobbie 2025

    Shuffledown Day at the Dobbie 2025

    Shuffle Down Day at the Dobbie 2025

    With the sky grey with the promise of rain what better way to spend a May Saturday afternoon with a few hours of live music at the Day at the Dobbie, I mean Celtic were surely going to secure another Scottish Cup right?

    This year was the tenth anniversary of the first Shuffledown. The festival grew over the next few years, becoming a highlight in the Falkirk music scene. The 2020 pandemic came along and many festivals were never re-established.

    After a surprising and welcome return late last year the spiritual successor to Shuffledown found its feet, but this year, now back in its more traditional April/May slot the festival found its swagger.

    Its home is definitely the Dobbie Hall; this year it was decorated with subtle lighting scattered around the hall and below the stage. Green, blue and red hues painted the artists in an array of colour. Of course the traditional lamps took centre stage.

    We arrived early, the bar setting up and to the delight of some festival goers Stranger Brewery has dropped off a keg of their excellent Lone Goose…which eventually sold out!

    With the crowd wandering in and the buzz building, Stirling’s Haver stepped up first, their sound was excellent, every chord change was on point, the acoustics and chiming guitars were a great backing to the soaring vocals, it was good to catch up with the band, cracking group of lads.

    Haver on stage at the Dobbie Hall

    We followed (Social Dancing), we didn’t have time for a soundcheck which is normal during festivals, so it was plug in and play. The sound engineers at Blue Audio were superb and after a couple of adjustments we were up and running. More on our set at a later date.

    After we finished to a welcome applause from the crowd we could finally settle to a few beers and the remaining artist. I enjoyed the flowing rock of Talking About Ray the three piece filled the stage and the venue with their songs and the growing numbers clearly enjoyed them.

    Intrigued by a solo set from Pictish Trail (I have their album Island Family; its quirky beat driven tunes make for a fine record). Singer Johnny Lynch donned a large puppet head halfway through his set of acoustic songs, occasionally backed by some beats. He had a few tales to tell the crowd; it was a good change in momentum for the day as we headed to the last couple of acts.

    A mask wearing Pictish Trail on stage at the Dobbie Hall

    I nipped upstairs for food, by this time I was hungry. This year the food was provided by local business Brina’s Jamaican Kitchen, its home found in Wooer St. Falkirk. Having the food stall upstairs gave it a nice feel. The food…I loved it, I had the Jerked Chicken and raved about it to about everyone I saw.

    poster for Brina's Jamaican Kitchen

    Davy Horne returned for another show at Day at the Dobbie. Backed by an excellent band he delivered americana tinged rock that filled the venue. I really enjoyed the set, and it set everything up for the finale The Crystal Teardrop their psychedelic keys and guitar driven rock suited the headline slot, with excellent guitar leaps from their singer Alex, the kind of leaps that made my hamstrings tremble with fear. It was some show and a fitting end to perhaps, one of the better editions of Shuffledown.

    The new shorter format is working, the crowd is a healthy mix of ages, and it was fantastic to have my son attend a festival and watch us (and the other bands) live. The festival feels more family friendly than ever, and the vibe of this year’s event was one of warmth and people connecting again.

    Every time I write a blog about Shuffledown I do stress its importance to the local music scene; my narrative isn’t changing after this years’ experience. It is such a vital avenue for local bands, some of which rarely get to play stages of this size (I include our wee outfit in this).

    I think the line-up was spot on, the day started well and reached a satisfying crescendo. Some people I spoke to didn’t want the night to end but the evening finish feels just about right.

    The happy crowd wandered off into the Saturday night, Greg and I were not finished. We had some old friends to go see playing live up in Falkirk. the mighty Buzzards of Babylon.

  • Shuffledown – Day at the Dobbie

    Shuffledown – Day at the Dobbie

    The second festival within a year marks a confident return for Falkirks greatest music festival in recent times.

    Photograph Sweet P

    On the 24th May 2025 Day at the Dobbie takes place at the ethereal Dobbie Hall, the line up is a captivating mixture of local and national acts this year we will see:

    The Crystal Teardrop

    The Pictish Trail

    Davey Horne

    Talking About Ray

    Social Dancing

    Haver

    You can find out more about these artists by hitting the links. Now is a good time to take you back through the history of Shuffle Down and Day at the Dobbie. Below are links looking back to some of the best editions of Shuffledown at the Dobbie Hall. The line ups have been, for me, a rich discovery of artists, some that have went on to ascend the astral heights of the Scottish charts. There have been some engaging headline acts and hidden gems. (to this day I will never ever forget Paddy Steer)

    Shuffledown 2019

    Suffledown 2018

    Shuffledown 2017

    Shuffledown 2016

    And here is a little summary of why the festival has lasted so long in a world where the attention deficit is growing Reasons Why You Should Go To Shuffledown (Day at the Dobbie)

    Lets not forget the hours that the organisers Rikki, Laura and their team put into this festival. After the 2020 lockdown Shuffledown suffered the fate of hundreds of musical events across the country, but somehow they found the spark to bring it back in 2024.

    2024’s Day at the Dobbie took tentative steps towards success, very similar in a way to the 2015 edition of Shuffledown. Day at the Dobbie firmly found its feet in a world that had changed so dramatically (cost of living is one consideration for any artist or promoter these days) starting out again after the momentum that carried the festival to confident heights (the 2020 edition had two days of music!)

    Falkirk and Scotland needs Day at the Dobbie, to have it back is incredible for local artists that could do with a little time beside more established acts, an opportunity that is often rare in arriving.

    There are few tickets left, so come along, discover some new music, listen alongside a friendly family oriented crowd. Last year sold out…just saying…

    Tickets here:

    www.thefalkirkcollection.co.uk

    www.ticketsource.co.uk/afterglow-events

    Also at Silver Machine records (great record shop in Falkirk)

    Words Pabs.

  • Gig Diary: Social Dancing

    Gig Diary: Social Dancing

    The Socials played their first gig at Behind the Wall 20th September 2024′

    Words Pabs.

    I’d literally just unlocked the front door to the house when the phone pinged. Greg would be kindly picking me up in thirty minutes. I dropped the works bag and the laid the laptop down, another week done.

    With this much rushing about I didn’t really have a chance to think of the night ahead. Social Dancing’s debut gig, Greg and I’s first gig for some two years, and we hadn’t played in Falkirk since 2017 (again at Behind the Wall) and Kevins for two decades! I guess I was nervous but I felt prepared, the biggest worry was playing as a three piece, with me on guitars and vocals mistakes would be noticed.

    Of course, there is an advantage to being an unknown band, no one knows your songs. If I forget the lyrics? Who cares! Just make them up! (and I did, a little)

    Behind the Wall has recently been synonymous with the local music scene, many nights have been set aside for cover bands during the early 2000s, then progressing to some fantastic nights, including  RiFF, a short-lived rock night that Weird Decibels were part of. Some notable acts have also graced the stage, King Creosote springs to mind (incredible to think, as the last time I saw him live he had sold out the Queens Hall and this year plays the Usher hall).

    To really cement our rock and roll credentials we had some hard coffee (no milk), then gulped down some pizza (BTW do good Pizza, really fresh). Soundcheck followed, It was great to be back on the BTW stage.

    First up was Adam Donaldson, who has taken some of his solo work and developed it with  the band ‘An Opening Lie’  featuring Dario Palazzo, Gavin Paterson & Julián Pombo.

    I really enjoyed these guys, there was a real energy to their set. Well-paced set with hints of Doves and the grittiness of Mastersystem. Thankfully the crowd had arrived on time and these guys enjoyed a god crow who lapped up their music.

    After their gig I nipped back up to the greenroom, I enjoyed the moment of quiet, grabbed a few bottles of water then headed downstairs back into the bustling crowd. It was then that I realised how busy the place was, I was really pleased to see family and friends, it was the first time that many of us were in the same room at the same time.

    After a quick tune up I laid the setlists down.

    We played.

    1. Little Kingdom
    2. Mark as Read
    3. They Asked You a Question
    4. Dracula
    5. You Can’t Have It All
    6. Turn to Glass
    7. Breathing

    I was nervous playing Little Kingdom, a couple of weekends before we were recording at Studio257, my playing on Little Kingdom was all over the place (thankfully the first take turned out well, it was the rest that were a car crash.). I lowered the tempo a little bit and it seemed to work fine. Mark As Read went down well I think, by this time I found myself really getting into the gig. Greg as usual, looked calm, taking things in his stride. Looking back Kevin seemed to be enjoying it, but there was a hint he was holding on for dear life! He nailed it though and our confidence grew.

    We stumbled on They Asked You a Question, coming back into the second verse after a pause we tripped up but after a little laugh it was all good. Dracula is fast becoming my favourite. It’s strange, if you play and write music for years there is an urge to write ever complex chord structures that take you further from your early ideas (and playing). Sometimes however, its good to let the song come alive on its own. Dracula is one of those songs. A possible crowd favourite could be You Can’t Have it All, it was my turn to hang on for dear life, as the only guitarist, one slip up…and the chords fall apart. Just got through it. Turn to Glass is our moment to breath, my inner Belle and Sebastian coming out. It felt like seconds had passed and we were on our final song Breathing. To have the crowd still with us as the end felt great.

    Headliners Aretsan which includes Ronnie Bisset on vocals alongside son Bryce on guitar, on Bass Dickson Telfer who recorded both Kevin and Weird Decibels for his late lunch series which aired back in the mid 2000s, so we did a little reminiscing in the green room. I enjoyed a few beers listening to the tunes of Aretsan, really nice mix of rock and alternative, they fling in a few different instruments for a bit of texture. Really enjoyed their set.

    I had some time to catch up with friends, family and neighbours, it felt like a real community gathering. Our Derek was there, it was great to see him. Of course, our thoughts turned to Weird Decibels and getting the tenth record recorded. I alter caught up with Greg and Kevin, we had some photos taken. It just felt good to be playing live again. Long may it continue.

    A huge thanks to all that paid a fair sum for a ticket. The place was busy, we met some news friends and re-connected with old. We decided that night (we had been talking about it for a while) that all profits from the band will go to charity. Thanks to you guys we have some money to give back to the community.

  • Quitter, “Good Things Come to You.”

    Quitter, “Good Things Come to You.”

    “Good things come to you” Quitter

    *I only write about music that I have purchased, this record was bought on Bandcamp

    An often unsung hero of the Stirling music scene Kenny Bates has had a significant influence within the folds of a rather healthy community within the gateway to the Highlands.

    His lo-fi, alternative carefree approach has resulted in four releases that are available on Bandcamp (and a new album soon) to pick from I had purchased the 2021 release “Good Things Come to You” intrigued by the 4 track approach, namely taped to a Tascam 424 which is the very multitracker on which I cut my home recording skills.

    Kenny sent through a cracking wee parcel with the cassette inside, a little laminate of the Tascam, a handwritten note (nice touch) and the tape itself painted glitter yellow, sparkling under the late spring sun as I loaded it into my old DCC player.

    Slightly nervous, hoping the DDC wouldn’t eat the tape like a pup with a slipper the heads thwumped onto the tape and a little nostalgic pang erupted in my head as my speakers gently hissed.

    The record contributors Mark Lough, Kyle Wood, Andrew Pankhurst and Luc Grindle provide the bass, loops and guitars alongside the composer Kenny, each feature on one of the five tracks. Written and recorded by Quitter over various 4 tracks then posted to the collaborators to add their parts.

    Tremolo drenched opener Full Marks begins proceedings with a nice groove, when the beat stops to allow some space in the track, little snippets of studio talk can be heard, I always like this approach, it gives it a live vibrancy. The dreamy Stone has that warm fuzzy analogue sound I miss from my early days of recording, even the DI’d guitar will remind many musicians of their early approaches to recording, the intimacy of this unhurried track is its strength.

    Never-ending Naval- gazing has that carefree approach to writing and reminds me of Kenny Andersons early musings. Bridging the final act is Evidence Board, part of the joy of recording music is letting ideas and sounds just flow, in essence capturing a moment that is unlikely to be repeated live. Its looping guitar is surrounded by experimental samples and towards the end simple beats as the pace picks up. Finally, Spoil The Island, arrives with other worldly alien like beeps before the guitars and live drums kick in to cap a thoroughly enjoyable 25 minutes or so.

    I often think that supporting the local music scene is far more rewarding than people realise, you just don’t get music parcels like this, indeed Bandcamp still has many artists that fly under their ‘Bandcamp daily’ headline. Other examples include the brilliant Firestations (we’ll get to them later…)

    Check out Quitters music on Bandcamp and grab this great wee record before it sells out at the time of writing there are just 6 remaining.

    Words: Pabs

  • Constant Follower release debut LP

    One of the best bands to emerge from the Forth Valley release their stunning debut LP.

    Artwork for Constant Follower LP Neither Is, Nor Ever Was

    Constant Follower. Neither Is, Nor Ever Was

    Vinyl, DL, Stream Bandcamp

    At time of writing available at:

    Avalanche Edinburgh

    Low Port Music Linlithgow to name just two.

    Over the last five years or so, Constant Follower have carefully navigated their way to this moment, the release of their debut album.

    I caught them a few years back at the Mediterranea in Stirling. My phoned pinged with a message from Kenny Bates, an ever present force within the Stirling scene and a prominent member of the excellent Death Collective. He believed he was breaking an (self-inflicted) oath never to be a ‘spam guy’ by sending messages advertising the fund raiser gig.

    I am glad he did. 

    Several brilliant acts played that night; it was then I first heard Constant Follower. It was a stunning set, I wandered over to the merch stall and purchased the ‘Gentle Teachings EP’, packaged in a neat little envelope with a download code inside it. I couldn’t stop listening to the ‘Gentle Teachings’ EP (When Weird Decibels were in the borders recording ‘February’ I took a wee walk out into the starry sky listening to Gentle Teachings, it’s a moment I won’t forget.)

    It feels like every note on ‘Neither is Nor Ever Was’ is carefully considered, the tones swathe into a canvas of warm autumnal colours. Serval spins of the vinyl unravel subtle notes, neatly panned left and right. The keys and backing vocals provide a light, ethereal air to McAll’s gentle vocals. Indeed, there are many musicians on this record that add depth to the album.

    There are few bands that can master subtle long held notes (Low spring to mind), few bands are comfortable giving their songs space and time. It’s incredibly tempting to fill the gaps. Constant Follower leave the notes ringing, and as one sound fades, another tone gently enters the field, Kurds playing throughout is precise but natural, his guitar adding brightness to the record.

    The album starts with a sway, ‘I Can’t Wake You’ starts gently before the emotive weight builds from the second verse. Synths and keys fly upon the mix. It’s so well structured.

    ‘Merry Dancers on Tv’ is uplifting, the guitars and keys waltz as McAll observes “this thing is real, its blackened broke and dying”, the best artists always find a balance between dark and light.

    Then there is ‘Altona’ a track that cleverly signals the end of the first act. One Word Away is beautiful, it’s impossible not to be lifted by the swelling chorus. WEICHA closes, offering new textures and perhaps a hint to where the band will go from here. I always love tracks that are off centre, landscapes of audio that transport you from the space in which you are listening. As an album it feels complete; it needs to be heard in its entirety.

    ‘Neither Is, Nor Ever Was.’ is a record of incredible warmth and balance. It helps close the door on the white noise that surrounds modern life. The band have (rightly) had plaudits from a wide range of critics from the national press, I hope they stay with the band in this industry of short attention.

    My words may not have the weight of the press, but as a listener, I urge you to buy this record. It will spin on my turntable every time I wish to find a wee bit peace or perhaps, during the longer nights, a bit of solace. 

    Pabs

  • Falkirk punk rockers release a belter.

    Our fellow Riff friends are back with a cracking EP

    Thirteen Ego Trap EP artwork

    Ego Trap EP by Thirteen https://ukthirteen.bandcamp.com/album/ego-trap

    Available on CD, DL and stream

    Back in 2017, at the end of September, the nights were growing longer. Nestled in the centre of Falkirk there was a small, brief, but memorable alt. rock/punk scene playing its first showcase in Behind the Wall. It was (and still is) called RIFF. The explosive music night was driven by Dolly, the indefectible frontman of Falkirk punks Thirteen.

    At the end of the night, when the satisfied crowd disbanded under the watchful ushering of the bouncers the bands involved had a chance to huddle around a table, count the ticket money and plot the next event.

    At that point it felt like the start of something new.

    A second successful night followed, then the momentum fell away. Thirteen regrettably imploded, leaving Dolly to pick over the remains of what was a successful era for the band.

    If you listen to the 2017 pulsating ‘Spirit of Resistance’ EP you knew that this band could put out a great record. https://ukthirteen.bandcamp.com/album/spirit-of-resistance The track ‘We Will Overcome’ would become the frontman’s mantra as he refused to give up on the music.

    Over the months and years that followed Dolly sought and found new personal for the band. Then came the lockdown. This didn’t stop them; instead, they headed to the studio to lay tracks for what would become ‘Ego Trap’.

    Press play on the CD, and the guitars leap out, they have familiar tone that had me expecting Axl Rose to start screeching ‘You Could Be Mine’, but Dolly bursts in with his trademark vocals and Thirteen come alive with their own classic, high octane take on punk.

    It’s an excellent production from Bryan Ramage, the pace is relentless, the second track, ‘I Am the Fire’ sparks off a flurry of snarls and guitar screeches. ‘Pearls and Piss’, perhaps the highlight, is uplifting. ‘How did to come to this? Drowning in Pearls and piss!” asks Dolly.

    ‘Trampled Flag’ offers a well-judged change of pace before the EP concludes with the squalling menace of ‘Thirteen’. This is a statement from the band; “I will never tire” asserts Dolly, “We are Thirteen” replies the band.

    This is a great record; created and recorded throughout the most challenging of years. What once was the Spirit of Resistance now appearing to be the Spirit of Resilience.

    ‘Ego Trip’ is Spirited call to arms for all the Punks, Rock and Rollers and we know that they are out there in Falkirk, they’re just waiting for the shout. This could be it.

    Pabs

  • Weird Times 2

    Weird Times 2

    It’s Thursday evening, I made my way downstairs to lock up the house. I look out the window up to the night sky, in the darkness hangs the moon, or the super moon as I would later learn it was called. I’m stunned at how clear it is. I wonder if my eyesight has suddenly improved or perhaps…with the planes no longer flying above us, that I haven’t been aware of how polluted the sky above my home is. It’s a reminder of the weird times that we live in.

    As I write from the heartlands of Scotland I think this is week seven of the lock down. Many people now believe that the pandemic has been with us a lot longer. Slowly and silently creeping unseen through the streets, workplaces and homes of our nation. 

    It was just a couple of weeks ago when I learned of the passing of my friend, colleague and manager Stevie Leslie. He was a gentleman, he guided me throughout my career with a calmness that I have always wanted to emulate. He had a brilliant sense of humour. He knew I was a keen runner and would often drive past me on the way to work. His small car had a sharp horn that he liked to beep every time he passed me as I ran. Every time I would jump three feet in the air. I would look towards the offending car to see Stevie’s broad shoulders shaking with laughter as he drove down the road. I will miss him greatly and my heartfelt condolences go to his family.

    It was a brutal reminder of how horrible this disease is, it can touch anyone, this made me more determined to follow the lock down guidance as much as possible. When I look in horror at the daily increase in the numbers of people sadly passed, I think of all the loved ones that will be forever affected by this tragedy. 

    Weird Decibels, like every other musical artist has had to adapt. We have put out another LiveCast and we are currently stitching together all the live performances for LiveCast 4. It’s our wee effort to try and pass time for people. It’s the most active we’ve been for months! 

    stu

    Just a few days ago I went for a run, I run a lot, but I had been injured so exercise was curtailed for a couple of weeks. As I ran my belly shook, not just a wee wobble but a proper wave. It was like my stomach had a time delay from the rest of my body. Then the wind caught my hair, my growing, peppery barnet that, for some reason I’m refusing to cut until my favorite CrossCuts in Linlithgow reopens. I find myself sweeping my hand through my locks like some washed out middle aged rock star…it feels like I’m growing my hair again, just like I did back in the 90’s when the band started. 

    Its Friday I open the blinds. It’s another morning, the news lasts five minutes before I switch it off. I’m trying my best to home-school. I never took school seriously when I was young, now here I am as a stressed out parent hoping my kid will realise his potential while I’m trying to work out fractions. He’s correcting me. 

    I still have to go to my place of work, I like my job but the thought is always at the back of my head. What if I catch it…It’s good to speak to people, everyone speaks as normal, there are some laughs but every conversation eventually returns to how bloody depressed I looked in Live Cast 3. 

    Untitled

    That was a pain to perform, but yeah I wasn’t in a good mood that day and I think the songs were quite sad. It was however great to get Stu and Greg involved. Derek is laying parts for the next one. I’m loving playing the old songs though. Stripping back the tunes to a bare minimum seems to give them new life.

    The doorbell goes. I open it to find a small man walking to a white van. He returns staggering with a heavy box full of beer, he keeps his distance before cheerful shouting ‘That’s you sorted for the lock-down eh?’. I look around the street hoping the neighbours aren’t watching. I store my lock-down booze in my secret vault. I do some more verbs and nouns with the boy. The door goes again. Another box of booze sits on the doorstep. 

    The 3rd LiveCast has done quite well some people actually liked the more reflective mood of this one,  this lifts my spirits. Shuffledown had a virtual festival online, they played acts from festivals past and it was nice to be included. I got in touch with family and friends and things seem to be ok. There are things I like about the lock-down. The silent skies that give way to birdsong, the clear air. Even just being away from busy roads and masses of people. I worry a little that I’m starting to like being separated from society. That thought leaves when I phone my family and then it hits how much I miss them. 

    greg

    I’m going to keep busy with work, family life and the band. It seems like some people think the lock-down is coming to an end, the roads are getting a little busier and people are going out more. It’s not the end, we have to see this through. Please stay in as much as you can, join us on LiveCast 4 if you can, we are playing some songs from the HMR vaults and our Derek will be involved. Take care.

    Oh the house martins (not the band…the birds) have returned! All is good! 

    Pabs

    20191110_115404

     

     

  • Weird Times

    Weird Times

    The Covid Lockdown: Weird Times

    I often shake my head in disbelief when I comprehend the times that we life in now. Things will get back to normal they say, not so sure about that. Anyway, closer to home I had started to think about the band.

    Before this all kicked off (trying not to be flippant at how serious Covid 19 is) we weren’t practising too much. Greg and Tina had given the world the most beautiful baby boy, his name is Ben, he is a wee gem. That rightly curtailed our practices for a while. After that though, I must be honest, it was easier to not practise, a habit we seemed to be getting into.

    P1010540

    Then, like most of the population, we were forced to be apart. We had a brand-new album to promote and twenty-five years to celebrate. All this was insignificant in the unseen menace of the corona virus. We cancelled practise and, on the text thread, I think I said, ‘see you in the summer’, that might he a wee bit optimistic now.

    We had to adapt. Like many bands have, we now do everything online.

    For some reason, at the start of the lock-down, I remember thinking I was lucky enough to have a garden, but it wasn’t enough. I was growing anxious. The state was telling me I couldn’t do things and my world started to close in. The usual shit started to happen, the shortness of breath and my horizon went a bit slanted. I put it down to the drink, that probably didn’t help, but yeah, I get anxious and yes, I hide it.

    I hide it well.

    The solution? I had to keep busy, picking up the guitar was a good idea. I flicked through the songs that the band have written and, to be fair, there are a few. I had to practise everyday to re-learn the songs. This gave me focus and it felt good. Then I recorded the first session; I didn’t care how it went down. I hoped it would pass some time for people.

    Then ‘I’ll Always be Here’ happened. It was always going to be a single, but now the lyrics seen so relevant, so much that I started to wonder if I was self-isolating before all this shit happened. Maybe just in my head… Anyway, the band couldn’t shoot a video, so we had to catch a theme and it was the video calls that everyone was forced to do in order to keep contact with loved ones.

    I recorded bits of footage in the studio, but Derek took it to another level. He got the kids involved; I was nearly in tears when I saw what he had filmed, I was so happy. Then Greg sent footage of him playing the bass with Ben and I swear I did weep.

    I asked Lewis if he wanted to be in a music video, he said, in kinda pre teenage way, ‘yeah’ but once he got into the studio, he was in his element. My heart danced at his footage.

    DSC_6107

    I put all the clips together, now I was really missing my friends and my family. We all are. But we hoped by doing this video we would give folks a wee bit hope, that this will end, and we will meet up again. (some won’t, and this breaks my heart.) It was well received, and we were happy about that. Fecking miss the guys.

    I started to rehearse a new set of songs for our second LiveCast, I knew Stu would be in the hoose (how did I know that?!) so I asked him if he’d like to get involved (I would love all the band to be involved but I haven’t worked this out yet) to my delight Stu said yes. It took hours to line up all the clips, any recommendations for decent video editing software are welcome.

    I had been worried about one of my best mates, I was concerned that he was finding the lock-down difficult. I was so happy when he got involved. He sent MP3’s back to me with his guitar parts and I manged to put most of it onto our live performance. It felt like we were jamming again. Seeing him on the screen with the guitar was very comforting, the dude hasn’t lost it.

    The second LiveCast went out and it is doing well, I’m happy folks are enjoying it and that it is passing their time. Now here is the weird thing, I’ve felt more connected to the band than I have done in the past few months. Its funny how these things work out.

    We will continue to record mini gigs and as Stu suggested we may put a CD album of the sessions (hell why not). As I write this, I’ve had a few beers (hey, don’t judge, I’m on a weeks holiday) and I know I’m going to sleep (later). Last night I didn’t, I was sober. I lay in bed looking at the ceiling, fighting with my thoughts…one of which was a game of tig. Wondering when the virus was going to tag me and how it would affect my family, my wife who was sleeping peacefully beside me and my son sleeping in the next room. How do I protect my family? Something we are all asking.

    We’ve put out a lot of stuff over the years and we have written lots of stories. If this helps pass some time, then that’s great, have a wee look around the site.

    I recently saw a picture where Chuck Norris was drinking Covid out of a carton. The man is nails. I would normally say we should be more like more like Chuck Norris, but nah that’s not a good idea. Stay in yer hoose, stay safe and help the NHS.

    Before you head off, I would like to give a big shout out to the staff of the SPS. The forgotten service.

    Pabs

     

  • Twenty Five Years!

    Twenty Five Years!

    WDB Original 3 track demo photoshoot
    One of our first photoshoots for our first demo

    On Wednesday the 8th of February 1995 we had our first practise; now as the 8th of February 2020 fast approaches I sit back and can’t quite understand how quickly this time has passed. I often wonder what would’ve happened if certain events hadn’t happened.

    Would the band have continued had the first guy that we hired the room from hadn’t been so stoned? We waited for him to lockup but he never appeared so we left the place open. He’d forgotten all about it and let us book the room the next week (still raging at the punks who had bolted the week before…). The practise room became our home for over twenty years.

    Say we didn’t get conned off Big World Music. Would we have kept our focus as a young band and break out from the local scene?

    What if I hadn’t bumped into Stu in Behind the Wall during his time away from the band?

    There are many junctions in our story, I do regret that we haven’t reached a bigger audience and I often cast envious looks at other bands who, in a fraction of the time, have achieved things we still dream of. I regret we haven’t tried a bit harder, pushed the music, practised more, gigged more, the list goes on.

    But I wouldn’t change a thing.

    Our family and friends have been so supportive over the years, the ability to leave home for a few days and record albums is priceless. The support on gig nights, unflinching. From the first school night forays at the Martell right through to the Glasgow adventures and the recent Falkirk resurgence.

    Every time we’ve put out a tape, CD or dropped albums on Spotify the loyalty has been there. The support has been a huge factor in us being around for so long.

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    Of course, a band needs to get along if it is to stay intact. I’ve had musical differences with people in the past, music becomes toxic, friendships break, but with these guys that has rarely happened. When we recorded February (back in November 2019) work and family commitments meant we couldn’t go away for too long, but it was a fantastic experience none the less. The few days we had away reminded me of the strong friendships that were forged back at the old practise room twenty-five years ago.

    No band can function without music and thankfully we’re still able to write and record records. Sure, we’ve had mixed results but every album we’ve put out has a story behind it.

    Which brings me nicely to our ninth, February. An album that practically wrote itself. These days it can take us over a year to write an album. February was going that way until we decided to get an album out for our 25th. The wee bit pressure got the creative juices flowing, by September we had an batch of songs and I couldn’t quite believe that we were booking a new cottage to record our album.

    The story of this recording has been told, there is no doubt (and the guys will agree) that this was the most fun we had recording an album. Doing most of it live gave the record an energy that we’ve always struggled to capture. Mixing took just a couple of months (Weird Decibels 2 was about a year…) and the mastering was outsourced to Andy Taylor who did a fine job with the recordings, especially when you consider it took us four days on a £300 14 year old desk.

    Thank you for sticking with us, that’s the first twenty-five years in. Who knows what lies ahead? Who knows what dreams we might yet fulfil? We’re still making things work. We’re Not Giving Up.

    DSC_6107
    Picture Kevin Byrne

    Pabs