Bands

Friday Night, Saturday Afternoon

bruceonthefringe 2025, Bands, Gigs, Live bands, Pubs, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Yay! Normal service has resumed on my telly! Well, I got a man in. New aerial and cable, apparently it’s a great view from the roof of my tenement block (not sure that will ever tempt me up there). I stayed inside and watched for the cable reel when he dropped it down the front of the building (in case there was anyone passing below!), the bit when he was more outside my window than in the flat, trying to put the cable neatly by the downpipe was unnerving, honestly, I had a strong urge to grab hold of his legs, convinced that he was going to tip right out! He didn’t.

I celebrated with a Strawberry Shortbread snacking bar I bought at the Farmers Market last Saturday from the wonderful Co Co Co. Oh, my goodness, Rob has come up with another masterpiece, they are divine! White chocolate, strawberry mallow and blondie shortbread with a dash of strawberry white chocolate for decoration. All those flavours and textures in every bite!! He’s a chocolate alchemist.

I thought I could do some clever twist there, something about music alchemists turning the same old notes, instruments and voices into a magical, awesome sound. Would you have gone with that or is it only me?! I googled alchemy in music for some validation of my thoughts, hmmm, yeah, no. So anyhoo, Awkward Family Portraits played the Speakeasy at the Voodoo Rooms a couple of weeks ago.

Pure gold, an enchanting, other world atmosphere! Their sound transports you on whims of fancy, a tour through a golden age Hollywood movie lot; there’s some soft shoe shuffle on one stage, a hoedown next door, a charleston, americano, every scene a gem with light and shade, wit and melancholy. The mixture of AFP‘s upright bass, violin and guitar along with Julen Santamaria’s very distinctive voice and the harmonies, all blended to perfection in the intimate setting of the Speakeasy. Oh, my heartses 💛

I floated out afterwards with a contented grin and a need to stroll in the Edinburgh night air. My meanderings took me by the Jolly Judge and through the Grassmarket, where bless my soul, if I wasn’t catching a faint strain of Babestation somewhere nearby! Ah yes, Mr Marah was in Maggie Dickson’s, I’ve never been in before, so obviously it was time I gave it the once over! Not really my style, but I liked it and the bar staff were great, and it’s always fun to hear Carl in pub singer mode. We had a wee chat in his break, then I headed home, er, via Whistlebinkies where The Full Kitkat were in full swing rocking the joint. Yes, one more for the road. Hey, as Friday nights go, it was up there.

The following afternoon I was back in Whistlebinkies to catch the Scat Rats but not until the around the start of the second set (it was a sunny day outside). Now I regularly turn up into the second or third song of the first Scat Rats set, which, by coincidence is often Babestation, a fact that had made Friday night’s encounter extra amusing to me; so imagine my complete surprise that I walked into Binkies and they were playing, yes, you’ve guessed it Babestation! They never play it in the second set, never. I was freaked, but not as much as them…

It being a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon, Binkies was dead, so the guys decided to have fun, mix things up, play whatever came to mind (wish I’d bloody turned up earlier now!) When I still hadn’t appeared by the second set, Carl jokingly suggested they play Babestation as it was a surefire way to conjure me up. Yes, they were more freaked than me when I sauntered in, hahaha!! I was treated to In The Morning (not played in ages), Give It To Me a Logan’s Close classic that I don’t think I’ve ever heard the Rats play before, and newby White Lies played at the last Logan’s Close gig ( I’ve put a reel on my Instagram with two very bad splices between the two versions).

I’ll leave you with one more picture taken on that Friday evening, the old Bank of Scotland building has never looked lovelier. Toodle pip!

More on Marah

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And the world keeps turning – into what it’s difficult to say but it’s not looking very pretty right now, unlike Mr Marah who’s continuing to delight audiences across the UK with his Siren Song Single Tour. This week it’s been Birmingham on Tuesday, down to London town on Wednesday, tonight it’s Round The Corner in Liverpool, a circuitous route home! Next weekend he heads back up north to Inverness and then over to Ullapool on the west coast – if the weather’s good that will be a stunning drive! But for now, last week…

Last Wednesday evening Carl Marah took his solo show over to Glasgow, a venue called the Red Door Club. Put the name into Google and it takes you to a pub called The Old Toll Bar, a bit confusing initially (especially when you’re glancing through the details without your reading specs!) The pub itself is a real gem with the original Victorian decor and a good range of beers, while the club is down in the basement with a wee stage and walls covered with murals of famous Scots, though it’s a tad odd to have Billy Connelly constantly looking over a performer’s shoulder at you!

See what I mean? It’s a tad distracting

It was originally Julen Santamaria as the support, but he had to pull out (a shame as I’d been looking forward to seeing him playing solo), so instead it was one Adam Thom who I thoroughly enjoyed, a worthy replacement. A great voice, some cracking lyrics and a country sound, all nicely set up a warm vibe in the room; and after another drink up in the pub, it was back down for the man.

Really, I’m looking at this thinking, but what can I actually write about it? Yes, I know that sounds daft, but for me Carl’s music is so right, the sound grabs me, swamps me, defying me to describe it adequately. I can’t but here’s a few moose musings….. first off, his voice has such wonderful tone and timbre, occasionally reminiscent of Bobby Goldsboro. And when Carl performs You’re Always Right it’s like hearing an old Gilbert O’Sullivan song, sweet, quirkily honest with a teensy plaintiveness. Lost and Found would make a great second single, at least a studio recording (on an album?), it is rather scrumptious; Cat’s Eyes would be a fine edition to anyone’s driving playlist, especially in summer, hint, hint!

On a more serious note, Carl’s song 39 is his tribute to the 39 Vietnamese nationals who were found dead in a refrigerated trailer in Grays, Essex in 2019. Such a beautiful song, Carl’s poignant lyrics will still you, and the ending, the room paused, before a warm applause. How to follow that and bring the mood back up? A harmonica, apparently sales have soared since a certain recent biopic in the cinemas! And Mr Marah couldn’t possibly not play some blues, come on, so there’s I Don’t Wanna Love You No More (potentially an LC song when it was first written some years back, when the boys were beatniks) with some juicy, snappy lyrics along with some shredding.

A big favourite of mine is Stags and Hens another fine example of Carl’s lyric-writing, it may be based on Edinburgh pubs but the pictures he paints will be familiar in many towns (I did find that particular song popping in my head a lot as I walked around Newcastle on Saturday). Siren Song is like the cherry on top of the icing on top of the cake by the end. Yes, this show is too good not to be seen a third time – I went to Newcastle at the weekend.

I’ve only ever been to Newcastle once before (passed through plenty times on the train), that was many years ago to see Stevie Ray Vaughan at the City Hall. Time for another visit, cheapest trains there and back, a bunk in a hostel, breakfast, just about sixty quid; oh, and Nando’s before the gig, sweet. Had a great time wandering round, admiring the architecture, browsing in shops, chancing upon Newcastle’s vampire rabbit. Yup, a vampire rabbit!! How have I not heard of it before?! How is it not famous, or infamous? Neither was I particularly aware that there’s a castle in Newcastle, well, the keep and gatehouse are still there, worth a look round.

Behold, the Vampire Rabbit!

The gig was in the Head of Steam a fine boozer close by the train station. Again, like in Glasgow, the gig room was in the basement. Support was AJ Potter, a good northern lad complete with flat cap and a pocketful of great tunes, one of which I’ve found on Spotify One Night, loving the studio arrangement! Interestingly, two other bands, from London and Spain, who had been due to play at a sister pub to Head of Steam were shifted over and played after Carl, four bands in one evening! The London band were good, a tad eclectic for me, they didn’t seem to gel right to me, they seemed to be off in different directions at times, but it was fascinating to watch. Unfortunately the final band had the drums way, way too loud which was a shame as the female singers/guitarists were all very enthusiastic and bubbly, it would have been nice to hear them.

It was another fine performance from Carĺ. This time it was the catchy World Keeps Turning that really snuck into my head, snippets of it still keep popping out! I love the in-between patter of musicians, when some bits will be almost word for word the same every time and other stories may be expanded on or cut to barely more than the title; this is the mark of a relaxed, self-assured performer, this is the Carl Marah who’s worked hard to get to where he is. The lad’ll go far.

Toodle pip!

Holy Moses!

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I’d pondered on how much I’d enjoy the Amos Moses sound; did a change in lead singer also point to a change musically? Ha, never fear, the lads are every bit as cracking as they were before, different but still the same.

Whistlebinkies was fairly quiet when I rolled in, the band were just setting up, em, not quite all the band, they were one short, one guitarist. No matter, Colm stepped up and played a mixture of both guitar parts. Oh, it was grand, basking in that late 70s rock sound again. It fair took me back to another place and time of heads down, no-nonsense, mindless boogying; friends long gone felt very close by.

The usual Tuesday night eleven o’clock one set suited Amos Moses for a run through of their set on the High Fade tour. The lads were quite obviously enjoying being back in Binkies, almost as much as I enjoyed having them back?! I had thought it would be my one opportunity to see them (not being a big fan of HF I hadn’t bought a ticket), but, well, sometimes, just being my own sweet, unassuming self can bring unexpected joy – reader, I got to see them again on the Friday night in Sneaky Pete’s!

How good was that? Amos Moses before The Scat Rats late Tuesday night in Binkies, then early Friday evening Amos Moses in Sneaky’s before popping along to The Caves for Logan’s Close!! Oh, my heartses!! Manuel arrived in town from Argentina on the Wednesday in time for the HF gigs, so it was a complete Amos Moses that I saw on the Friday. Oh boy, that was such fun! So exhilarating! Some mighty fine rockin’ and rollin’ going on there; really, if you get the chance to see them live, go!!

I couldn’t leave without buying their new cd Live At Oran Mór (from another AM/HF gig in Glasgow last year). Six live tracks to keep me going ’til next time, including my favourite of the band’s new stuff The Lobster it’s a whole heap of fun, I was pleased to see it on there (maybe the next single? Hmm?!) Oh, and new on Spotify is Amos Moses‘ latest single Rock n’ Roll, a great song for that, just waitin’ on summer playlist.

Toodle pip! Next time, that Elsie gig.

A new year, hello

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Errr, Happy New Year everyone! Yes, I know, it’s appalling, ten days into the new year, sorry! I’ve kept meaning to write something, but Gotham keeps getting in the way. I reclaimed my three season boxset from a sibling at Christmas; it’s actually impossible to only watch one episode I’ve decided. No matter how determined I am, it can’t be done. So I’ll at least start something now before I stop for tea and the Scat Rats at Stramash at seven.

It’s now only a week to go until the next full Logan’s Close outing at The Caves, yay. The last update this afternoon said there’s 20 tickets left so I doubt there’ll be any left on the night, just sayin’. On ticket sales, did I mention that the talented Mr Marah has announced a small solo tour, tickets now available? Well, more like quick darts around Scotland and England, so far; if anyone has a sweet local space where he could do his thang, just let him know, help him spread the gospel according to Carlos!

It’s a solo single tour – his first single Siren Song is coming out on St Valentine’s Day, five days before the first show at Sneaky Pete’s (where else!?). You could pop along to Carl Marah on social media and pre-save it, why not? And it turns out, my Instragram reel of Carl playing in the Auld Hundred in December is the Siren Song! See, I just know a great song when I hear it.

More music news, the band previously known as Ol’Times will be back over in Edinburgh next week. Now known as Amos Moses they’ll be supporting Edinburgh band High Fade on their UK tour, but before that starts Amos Moses will be playing in Whistlebinkies on Tuesday night before the Scat Rats at midnight, sweet!! Well, at least that’s what Binkies are saying, for now, you know why I’m a little dubious.

Why the change of name? A slight change in line-up, sadly Gabriele (singer) has moved on, it looks like Colm, guitarist and occasional singer has taken over on lead vocals. But will the new sound move me like the Ol’Times did? Gabriele was charismatic with a raffish charm, exciting to watch; Amos Moses will be a very different band. AC/DC after Bon, Van Halen after Dave, Marillion after Fish; for me, once amazing bands that then barely registered in my ears. But kudos to the band for the name change, it’s a good way to underline the fresh start. Yeah, I’m quite keen to see this new band!

Anyhoo, it’s getting on (did you spot where I broke off for tea?). I could just fit in one episode of Gotham before I turn in. I’ll leave you with my customary New Year Arthur’s Seat pic, my meeting a snowbaby as I headed back down, and Carl Marah‘s tour dates.

My slightly delayed start to the New Year
Even a slight smattering of snow and they appear!!

See, there’s room to squeeze in a few more!

A proper Winfrey feel

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Who’s Winfrey? And is a Winfrey feel something I’d like?! Does Winfrey ask permission before he goes feeling around? I guess that would be an improper Winfrey feel. Anyhoo, it’s late Monday evening, I’m debating whether to go see The Scat Rats later in Stramash, later as in after midnight. I am still up and for once spotted Stramash’s Facebook post for the week’s line-up before Monday ends. See, despite the line-up poster for the month and the website both saying it’s the Gorms playing tonight, it isn’t, yet again it’s The Scat Rats, they’ve played the slot for a wee while now but I’ve either been away or not seen the Facebook post til too late. Okay, so the poster has a time when it has to be printed, so the odd change afterwards will happen, but what’s the excuse for not correcting the website, huh?

The lads will be back at Stramash at a very respectable seven o’clock on Friday, oh, and at Whistlebinkies tomorrow midnight. Should I stay or should I go? Will it be all bangers tonight or might they stick in a new number? Oh yes, there’s plenty of new LC tunes coming in the near future and the lads told me back at the end of September that they’d be trying some out at Scat Rats gigs, so far I’ve caught one (with being away so much). And did I ever mention the Logan’s Close gig in January? No, I don’t think I did; originally it was to be in December at Summerhall, but with all the problems ongoing there, the show has been moved to The Caves on 17th January. If you’re gonna be in Edinburgh then, treat yourself to a ticket for Christmas!

Also out and about with new songs is Mr Marah! Yes, Carl Marah has decided to do something with all his other non-LC music, watch this space!! And if you’re very lucky, you may catch the odd one during his solo sets around town. I happened to catch him in the Auld Hundred on Rose Street some weeks ago; it wasn’t particularly busy so he played about four of his own, and boy, they were good! The Auld Hundred is a fine wee pub about halfway along Rose Street, there’s often live music on from nine o’clock and an Open Mic night on a Sunday.

You know what? I’m just going to pop out a while! G’ night!

My inner night owl loved that! It feels so long since I’ve been in Stramash for the late night band, but tonight was a wonderful return. If you’re quick there’s a story on my Instagram. So glad I chose to go. Just do it!!

Messrs Marah and Rough doing their thang

The end of summertime

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The summer is fast running out now, evenings are darker, the wind is cooler but the sun still been dishing out the odd warm day. We’ve had a few days touching 20° since I last posted, and today was rather nicer than forecast, lucky for me as I was in the Park this afternoon doing a bit more brambling. I’d noticed some rather juicy-looking brambles a couple of days ago (no container unfortunately!), so I headed back today once they would have had one more good blast of sunshine (to raise the sugar content).

Brambles can be very deceptive little sods; they might look shiny black, ready, but nope, still clinging on tightly refusing to budge. Others look ready but are actually overripe, too much juiciness that almost explodes on touch. A ripe, well-formed bramble will come away with a gentle tug; often found in a more dapply light than too much harsh direct sunlight. Believe me, I’ve learnt plenty about the art of brambling these last few years!

I had time to sit a while just taking in the scenery, looking across the big dip to the old quarries and the sweet, slightly treed area to the left (definitely not enough to say wooded just a few dotted about), a photo just can’t do justice to it, at least not with my mobile. Oh, the colours, hues, the movements in the breeze; it struck me just how good my long sight is and how grateful I am to be able to enjoy all the detail.

But I thought I’d take a pic, anyway

Last week we had three beautiful warm days, that slid into the most gorgeous evenings and sunsets. Quite a number of folk headed up to the high areas in Holyrood Park to take in the last of the sun and dusk. Of course, there were plenty of new students in the mix, I wonder if they realise those evenings were nothing like the norm?

Arthur’s Seat – a top spot for a good sunset

Heading home well after 8 o’clock on the Tuesday, I made a slight detour to pass Whistlebinkies as they hadn’t put anything on social media about the midnight band – oh, a wise move, those Scat Rats were on, yay. I’d figured there should be a good chance it would be them, and how, they were buzzing! And tomorrow evening (ah, it’s after midnight, so, later on today…) the Scat Rats are back at Stramash. Oh yeah, that reminds me, last Thursday night I was expecting to see Babyface and the Beltin’ Boys at Stramash.

The sun is sunk, now comes the next colour palate

Erm, there was no Babyface (a bearded face instead), just the one regular Beltin’ Boy on lead guitar, a different double bass player, and a familiar face on drums – Gavin from Logan’s Close! I was thrown when I first walked in, as the tune was not one that would ever feature in the usual BFaTBB playlist; it felt a tad odd but by ‘eck, that chap could sing, Summertime and House of the Rising Sun were particularly fine. And what a joy to see Gavin, yay.

The top of Salisbury Crags always has a few folk at sunset

Oh cripes, it’s very late. I must away to get some beauty sleep. I may well edit this a bit in the morning when I’m more awake but it’ll do for now.

Sweet dreams!

Two rats, a trio and a lord walk into a bar…

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As the clock ticks past midnight and into a fresh week, a few bits about the last one. Yes, I did make it back up, with just twenty minutes to spare before seven o’clock and The Scat Rats at Stramash, on Thursday. Oh, how I needed that! As Dr. Feelgood said, “Everybody needs a shot of R’n’B”, so I went down to the Scat Rats surgery and boy, did they make me feel good all night! The lads were on sparkling form, and what a treat to hear them play Kittycat, a real oldie from the Logan’s Close catalogue.

Turns out they played Kittycat for the guy who was the original bass player in Logan’s Close, (no, not Olly as I think I’ve previously said) one Isaac Webb who was in town and playing the next set in Stramash; I had noticed him earlier, he has a cool retro aura about him, I reckoned him for a musician. Apparently he had to be cajoled into joining up with Marah and Rough, but it was definitely temporary – and then he moved to Shetland.

So, intrigue, what would the Isaac Webb Trio be like? I was definitely hanging around to find out. Such a good choice, pure rock’n’roll! Drums, double bass, guitar, voice, raw, staccato, sparse, serious hip-swingin’, toe-tappin’ sounds (if you can stand stock-still whilst watching them, well, you might need a doctor); my only gripe is that they only played one set!!

On the otherhand, the second set was played by Lord Rochester another cracking roll’n’roll trio. It was a most excellent evening to return to Edinburgh! Lord Rochester are a slightly older band but they sure know how to mess around, with an infectious sound and some very witty lyrics (“I’m a teenage mosquito, I can whine all night”). Oh, and a singer who looks like Tommy Lee Jones, surely I’m not the only one to see that? Maybe not still, but in motion, yeah.

My soul felt so much lighter when I finally left to head to my bed! Such a fine night with three mighty fine bands. Thursday night seems to be the evening for an older sound this month; next Thursday Stramash have Babyface and the Beltin’ Boys back in the ten o’clock slot. I notice that as yet the early evening slot hasn’t been announced yet, erm, are a certain pair of rats available?!

Oh, and I’ll leave you with a new tip for a grand Eggs Benedict in Edinburgh. I just had it today as a main from the brunch menu (also available as a starter) at Three Birds Restaurant on Viewforth. Very tasty, indeed!

Strictly rock’n’roll

bruceonthefringe 2024, A good audience, Bands, Dancing, Live bands in Edinburgh, Live music venues, Logan's Close Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Oh lordy, what a sweet, crazy evening! Oh, yes, last night in Dunbar was as well, but I’m referring to this evening in Stramash. I trotted up there at the back of seven to see The Scat Rats, it was fairly quiet as it usually is at that time, folk just sitting watching the band. Then a couple got up to dance, and how!

I’m not sure who we were all applauding after the number, but the Rats were very appreciative of the dancers; a bit of banter was definitely called for, they were Australian. Well, once Carl started he decided that the group on the other side of the room should show off some dance moves, haha. They didn’t oblige ’til much later but were clearly having a great time.

A few tunes later and Carlos got chatting to the crowd again, the group were from Brazil, as were another table, next two he asked were from Glasgow (oh well, never mind). At the back were a French couple from Paris, but they won’t be there when the Close are playing. Ah yes, that news I knew before – after Logan’s Close play Trento in Italy they’ll be heading to Rome and Paris to support Kula Shaker!!

Now on a definite tour plug, was there anyone in from Germany? Yes! Ah, Frankfurt, not on the tour but not that far from Mannheim where LC are playing on May 5th. No Danes in, he didn’t ask about Italians, how remiss! And back to the music, the aussies were still up to nearly every song, I must say, it is truly a joy to watch a couple dancing and enjoying themselves as much as they were. Oh, to dance like that!

As usual it was John Mackie on sound and lighting, he got a few mentions from Carl. Actually, come to think of it, Carlos may have been a tad drunk, hmm, yeah, he was on the beer tonight (usual for Scotty but not Carl); and there was the shots from the Glaswegian guy. Not that it would ever impair his playing, Paint It Black was particularly excellent tonight. Well, it’s all great but some shine brighter. It all came to a bittersweet end with the usual Bo Diddley cover, of course, the beauty of live music, there’s always sweet little differences and nuances to the playing ❤️

After a spirit deflating day that was a wonderful hug for the soul. I’ll leave you with a lovely pic taken this morning as I headed home from a walk in the park…

If music be the food of love I’m besotted

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It’s Good Friday tomorrow, well, it’ll be good if it doesn’t rain again!! It’s been a very soggy week here in Edinburgh with only short bursts of sunshine to tease us. Sunday is egg-rolling day, but just how far will they roll on the sodden ground? Or maybe more eggs will make it to the bottom without being smashed to smithereens? I shall report back on Monday, okay, maybe sometime later depending on the weather.

It’s been a quiet few weeks on the music front – I was away again and managed to miss my favourite dynamic duo not once, not twice but thrice! They’re playing Stramash on Sunday night but as it’s the graveyard set I’ll probably miss that too. Oo, but it will be a good Friday evening, Jed Potts and Nicole Smit (my second favourite duo) are playing Whistlebinkies at seven, sweet, haven’t seen them there in ages! And according to Binkies website Jed and Nicole will also be back there in a couple of weeks (so it says).

I’ll catch The Scat Rats next Thursday (4th April) at Stramash but only for one set, a pre-gig warm-up before I pop round to the Mash House to see Ol’Times. Yes, the boys from Galway will be back in town! Hallelujah! I’m looking forward to that big time. Hmm, is there something in the air? Two more long-time-no-sees within the following week! Nicole and the Back-up Crew and The Buccaneers are back in Stramash and at reasonable times (am I getting old?!).

It’s all go in April on Sunday evenings too; there’ll be the usual Handsome House Jam on the 7th, but l may save heading out til later for the Harry Higgs Trio in Binkies as I rather enjoyed them last month (rock with a twist of blues and a dash of funky jazz). Yay, The Scat Rats are back in Stramash the next two Sundays in April. Yup, living in the Old Town part of Edinburgh really does have it’s advantages, times like these I feel quite spoilt.

It’s still up in the air about Bremen on the 30th. What do you mean, huh? Go back and read my last post! Missing seeing Logan’s Close at the Heartbreak Hotel in Bremen wouldn’t be too much of a disappointment as I’ll have already seen them twice in April. Oh hell, yeah!! Saturday 13th sees the lads back home in Dunbar for a rare acoustic performance, oh my heartses! That is gonna so amazing. Here’s hoping for good weather so I can make a full daytrip of it.

And there’s more! On April 23rd Logan’s Close head over West to play McChuills in Glasgow, of course I’m bloody going! Then with their sweet sounds still swirling round my head I’ll leave Ol’Blighty for Österreich, before catching up with them again seven or eight days later in Bremen or Berlin. It’s all a tad exciting!

In the meantime do have a happy Easter!

So, any highlights in 2023?

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January 2024, Edinburgh is a tad cold; not that it’s stopped my walks in Holyrood Park, if anything it’s spurred me on! Early mornings up on Nethers Hill in minus degrees temperatures, biting winds. Not quite early enough to see the sunrise but hopefully I’ll make it one of these mornings, that is, if the weather stays clear, hmmm. Early mornings aren’t really my forte any more, Wednesday morning was a real challenge as I wasn’t abed until nearly three. Yes, it was a Scat Rats Late at Binkies Tuesday (generally fortnightly), I needed my fix and the interweb is only showing one more Rats outing for January (another Whistlebinkies but, well, have they actually mentioned it to the lads?!)

I just couldn’t resist a little dig there – some calendars are more reliable than others. Having said that, looking back over 2023, I saw The Scat Rats nineteen times in Whistlebinkies so I can’t really complain (twelve times in Stramash). I’ve been contemplating my highlights of 2023, funny how it starts with, errrrm, what did I get up to? to, ooo that, and, aw that was great! Let’s face it, seeing Marah & Rough on stage is always a highlight for me – a shot of their sound, bliss. I still say a live recording would be awesome!!

The fine weather in April 2023 saw a particular highlight of my year performing in the sunshine on Waverley Bridge – Ol’Times an awesome rock band from Galway. With a sound very reminiscent of 70s rock and a wiry, charismatic frontman, these guys were an absolute blast! They played to a packed out Whistlebinkies twice, I even went through to Glasgow to see them too! August saw them back again briefly, back on Waverley Bridge, back in Binkies, and in Stramash too. Hmmm, so when the summer comes, will the boys be back in town again?!

Another highlight in April was the three days of glorious weather for my road trip up to Melvaig on the West Coast. The scenery was stunning and with great tunes on the stereo, so good! It was just a shame the weather took a turn while I was at Melvaig, the drive back down was as quick as I could make it.

Checking back, I saw 36 films in 2023, erm, two of the titles I have absolutely no recall of, yup, that memorable. Top two film highlights are definitely Renfield and Barbie. Is it just that I only saw Spirited last month or it might possibly class as a highlight? It was highly entertaining – ask me about it in June.

So what about Fringe 23 highlights four months down the line? Grubby Little Mitts splashing about in little paddling pools comes immediately to mind!! Finally entering The Dark Room presided over by the magnificent and shouty John Robertson. Two brilliant impeccable performances by the Voloz Collective in one day. Seeing Aidan Goatley do 10 Films With My Dad again (one of my all-time favourite Fringe shows). More memories are popping up as I think back, but I’ll stop with those that came to mind first or I’ll end up recounting half my Fringe!

Of course, the biggest highlight my year was getting my mitts on my favourite band’s debut album, that’s Heart-Shaped Jacuzzi by Logan’s Close, in case you weren’t aware. Oh, and all the various videos, top spot to Babestation, stylish and retro, hilarious with slapstick violence, big moustaches, green screen guy, there’s a lot to love in there! LC ended 2023 with a sell-out show at the Liquid Room, an epic way to end the year!

No more highlights spring to mind, adieu to 2023, good night to you, and may your god smile upon you in 2024 💛