James Gilhooly

Deep in a cave in Edinburgh…

bruceonthefringe 2023, Logan's Close, Music in Edinburgh, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Well, that was rather excellent on Thursday night! Most definitely if I had a time machine I’d go back and enjoy it a few times more! Support band the Cumbiatones certainly warmed up the crowd with their South American grooves, bodies relaxed and loosened, gyrating to the band’s compulsive rhythms – warmed up and chilled out!

Scott’s green Gretsch was sat waiting centre stage, it truly is a magnificent creature!

The last time Logan’s Close played The Caves was back in February 2020, to launch the new single Lost In You, played as the final number that night. Quite fitting then to open with it – the crowd went wild with approval, the LC roller-coaster had begun, everyone was onboard, time for some fun!

Naturally, most of the setlist was from the upcoming album Heart-shaped Jacuzzi (and part of the set too – recognise the telly?) with a few classics thrown in the mix. Funny, that, Listen To Your Mother is now an old LC number, most definitely a classic though. I first saw them perform it in Sneaky Pete’s six years ago (exactly six years ago on the 23rd); it’s been the end number, an encore number, now its settled within the set. Party bangers, introspective moods, tales from the Close, they were all there, changing the pace, leading us on.

The crowd were putty in their hands, gleefully bouncy to Eleonara, strung out by Give It To Me (or is that one just me?), punctuating every start and end with rapturous noise. The latest single Gouching On The 33 popped up about midway, bloody great it was! We were pulled sharply from the laguidity of Gouching by a cracking drum solo by Gavin, and how good was that ease into the start of Babestation? Oh, it was good, so succulent a transition.

From possibly the classic from current LC, to their first classic LTYM, on to the heavy stuff, Mock Marble Linoleum is a wondrous creation with it’s heavy guitar sounds, swirly keyboards and Scott’s velvety narrative. After a wander over Curious Terrain it was time for another LC classic, I’m so so glad it’s still in there, I Want You, always a stunner, if it doesn’t give you chills, well.

Swirly keyboards in mind, I was kinda wondering why SeanKeys was seated, he’s usually jumping around! Was he injured? I caught up with him after the gig, nah, he was fine, he’d been told to sit there and although he missed bouncing about, he admitted that his playing was probably better for it. I actually quite liked the little scene with the lamp, SeanKeys isn’t always very visible off to the side, not tonight!

Fantastic Man was on the setlist too, but the lads were running out of time (there’s a very strict ten o’clock finish in this venue); they made a quick dive off the stage to be cheered back on for encores. I’ll just say here that Dans Le Jardin will forever now have a subtitle Sorry Mum for me (you had to be there). Go out with a bang, they say, Hot Blondes In Your Area Tonight did that with bells on.

What a belter of a gig! Again, please! The lads had James Gilhooly of Dislexic Film onstage with them, filming the whole thing (never play Twister against that guy, he’s very flexible). I wonder what they’re planning to do with the results – should be great viewing! And if I were to pick a favourite from the night? Oo, tough choice, Merry-Go-Round.

Toodle pip!

Not your average Sunday evening

bruceonthefringe 2023, Bands, Edinburgh bands, Live bands in Edinburgh Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Oh lordy, so glad I got back up yesterday evening! I knew that The Buccaneers were playing Stramash at ten, which is always good, but I had no idea they would be that good! Wowzah. On fire they were, and with plenty new covers too. I didn’t arrived back in Edinburgh until the back of eight, just time to put things away, eat and faff a while; well, I wasn’t convinced it wouldn’t actually be a ten thirty start in reality.

Nope, it was ten o’clock, The Buccaneers were already getting down to business when I trotted in, with fellow creative James Gilhooly filming them. Did his presence perk up the performances? Was it the new set list? Was it the joy of having Luke Cunningham was back with his keyboards? Whatever it was, the band were soaring and took the crowd along with them.

Stramash was up for a good time last night, plenty were out with it being a Bank Holiday weekend, Mr Marah was on fire, yes, he’s always good but last night was one of those special nights, he was totally in his element, oh he shone (shined?) brightly. I look forward to what James Gilhooly will put together from the evening, when it’s out I will let you know, really you will have to see it, it’s gonna be awesome!

Among the new tunes were Heard It Through The Grapevine, The Weight (the song with the line “Take a load off fanny” see now you know the one), Feeling Alright? a classic originally by Traffic. Donavon song Season of the Witch was in there with great keyboard swirly bits and Mr Marah rocking it on his guitar. Oh, and California Dreamin’ had a tasty jam in it (to be seen on my Instagram).

One after 909 stayed in, nice. I got a great quick snippet Carl and Simon Gibb singing, not an easy thing to do filming a drummer – there’s very few angles where he’s visible! I loved Shake Your Hips as did the crowd, all indeed shaking their hips and everything else, and all with the beat; they had the floor bouncing to the rhythm!

For shame that I write a whole blog post about a band and not mention the bass player; there, steady, reliable but rarely mentioned. Ewan Gibson, also part of Nicole’s Back-up Crew, the Black Diamond Express and no doubt others, he’s a tad busy. I’ll also give a mention to John Mackie the best on sound and lighting in Stramash, LA Woman is awesome anyway but he adds the cherry on top!

Hopefully The Buccaneers will be back soon, and they haven’t played Binkies in a while, just sayin’. The Scat Rats are back on the midnight watch at Whistlebinkies tomorrow night and next Tuesday (according to their website). Must get an early night tonight.

Toodle pip for now!

See what I mean?!

Sounds and Visions

bruceonthefringe 2023, Cider, Easter, Edinburgh Farmers Market, Live bands in Edinburgh, Logan's Close, Music, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Easter weekend and the sun has been shining today!! The forecast is more of the same tomorrow and Sunday, anyone would think the rain gods aren’t paying attention. As the sun was out I popped along to Waverley Bridge in case there was anyone playing – there was, and they were rather good (There’s snippets of evidence on my Instagram).

I was meaning to check out Ol’ Times as they’re playing the 9.30 set at Whistlebinkies on Sunday evening, no need to check online now, that was them this afternoon. I may wander back that way tomorrow or Sunday as they do intend to play there some more, yay. Binkies is the first gig of a swift tour around the UK for Ol’ Times, if you like energetic bluesy Irish rock they’re worth a shot; and if you like them, they have a CD and a card reader for those who don’t carry cash any more.

The lead singer has a great voice, reminiscent of someone, took me a while but, and you’ll have to be old to get this one, a mix of the singer of April Wine early 80s and a young Geddy Lee with a twist of Irish. The band sounds like they could be from the late 70s, no bad thing in my book, some amazing music around then.

Oh yeah, on amazing music – the lads have put out another video! Half & Half is the latest visual treat from Logan’s Close shot in the Voodoo Rooms by their go-to film maker James Gilhooly. Rich sumptuous colouring with a slight haze and strange white clouds bobbing around, it reminded me of tv shows from Eastern Europe back when I was a nipper; and the light from the glitterball was such a great effect, sweet.

I’m not really sure what the song is about but hey, the words pour like honey from Scott’s mouth and mixed with the sparse guitar and bass work, awesome – seductive with a dash of melancholy. Half & Half will be on Heart-shaped Jacuzzi but it’s not out as a single, just a little treat for the fans!

In other news, the Jolly Judge is having a cider festival just now. Technically it’s on until Easter Monday but hey, any ciders still left will be need to be drunk up. My favourites so far are Windfall from Iford (6%) and Barn Owl from Perry’s Cider (5.5%). That’s from six that I’ve tried, there’s at least another six to try and I intend to.

Now if I’m going to be up in time to get to the Farmers Market before CoCo Co‘s Easter eggs all sell out, it’s time I hit the sack. I’ll leave you with a couple of pics of the most unusual portable twin decks I’ve ever seen….

The only thing a DJ needs is a suitcase….
….. and some 78s (talking about the ol’times!)

A red beret, a megaphone, Action!

bruceonthefringe 2023, Edinburgh Fringe, Fringe history, Logan's Close, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Am I right? Belly nicely full, strong coffee beside me, air scented with essential oil vapours, yes I’m right, time to write something. Oh, today’s oils are grapefruit for levity and clarity, frankincense to ease my still ailing body and fennel, just because it’s been in my oils box for ages and needs using up. Since I last wrote I’ve been lurgied, losing my voice for three days, it’s come back very grudgingly accompanied by a body-shaking cough, bah.

So, I was about to head back to Yorkshireland for Mothering Sunday and Logan’s Close were about to release the video to Babestation ….. didn’t manage to hit the road until the crack of noon, did manage a first look at the video before I left. Honestly it wasn’t a reaction for something more wholesome that had my first travel music choice the soundtrack to Mary Poppins Returns, I happen to think it’s cracking stuff. A thought that popped up while writing my review of the single release “… a seedy wedding band playing unnoticed …” did influence another choice I’d made, a compilation of songs from CDs bought from acts at the Edinburgh Fringe.

I have a few such CDs, this particular one features plenty from Dead Cat Bounce a bunch of talented Irish lads who combined their musical and comedic skills to produce witty, bitingly funny, un-PC songs. This was back 2008 to 2012, oh boy, they who like to be offended would have a field day now!! The scenario DCB painted in Christians In Love was what sprung to my mind while listening to Babestation. From being a song about a young couple on their wedding night, a sudden twist reveals it’s actually being played in the couple’s room by the wedding band who don’t plan to leave until they’ve been paid (the young newlyweds are “possibly deaf or just incredibly focused”). Thank you guys for reminding me to revisit the brilliance of Dead Cat Bounce they had some great songs!

Once down in Yorkshireland it was all go, ’til I was laid low and silent on the Monday; at least I finally had some time to check out Babestation again. That was a week ago, I’ve watched it a few times since. Wow, there’s a lot packed into those five minutes and twelve seconds!! (short, intense, bizarre, like you’ve just been Tango’d) Love it, the eye is in the right place on this duck, LC‘s go-to film guy James Gilhooly is so in tune with their vibe, so many exquisite little niblets (yes, okay, I’ve watched it plenty times).

A few of those niblets to tantalise your tastebuds – the retro television, also seen in the Heart-shaped Jacuzzi video, is sooo cool. Greenscreen guy, ha, a nice touch! Hats, wigs, fake moustaches, perve it up with a nod to 60s looks. Lots of closeup shots, very closeup, eyes, fingers, mouths, and a nipple shot!! That’s a nipple belonging to Gareth Mutch a local comic and actor who plays the Babe brilliantly, going through a whole gamut of emotions within five minutes (I told you it’s intense). The punch-ups look great but Gavin Lamont takes first prize for violence – and he seems so quiet! And the potentials waiting to do Babestation auditions, haha!

The tempo of the action beautifully mirrors the changes in mood and tempo of the music. I like the mixing up of eras, the modern with retro 60s, mirroring the Close‘s sound; even the modern isn’t that modern, apart from maybe the caller’s nails? This “midnight observer” is gorgeous, feisty, sexy – from the glimpses we get to see of her (erm, I’ve no idea of what sorts phone up these channels, yes, I’m that naive, but I’m guessing she’s not what a female equivalent to the usual caller would look like). I had wondered about this particular video, but yay, they pulled it off – how else to film Babestation but by subverting the whole scenario? A highly entertaining fast-paced, fist-flying film, Edgar Wright-like glimmers in there.

Do give it a watch, as Kenny Everett would say, it’s all done in the best possible taste! The next single is already being lined up and it is another beaut, well, all the songs are, but it’s another that The Scat Rats occasionally sing which always adds a little extra sparkle for me. They’ll hopefully do it at Whistlebinkies on Saturday afternoon, some time after four.

Toodle pip!