The Next Big Thing

So let's see, let's have a little resume of the past week... The GEOGRAPHIC day at Triptych was the polar opposite of rock'n'roll action. The Glasgow based label has really established itself as a solid one stop shop for what might be considered "outsider music" but is in effect cinematic in scope. I can't say that I dig much of what was on show but the vibe and the djing was top notch. The action started at the very reasonable time of 5pm which meant Gran'paw here could be back home before it got too late. I'm thinking about starting a campaign for all shows to start at this time, whaddaya reckon?



Fast forward to Wednesday and the Dave Alvin/Guilty Men show on The Ferry. No prizes for guessing that it was a stone gas but in terms of utter entertainment there just ain't many of these to the pound or whatever yer favourite unit of weight might be. With Chris Gaffney now a full time offender also, the troops dragged them blues kicking and screaming into a whole new arena. Dave is a fearsome guitar player and he's out to take the crown off anybody you figure might be better. The stellar set featured a nice cross section of his catalogue and two songs from his upcoming ASHGROVE set due June 15th on YEPROC.

Fellow YepRockers Big Sandy and his Flyrite Boys took the stage at Glasgow's Grand Ole Opry the night after and seemed very at home on that stage. The locals, headed up by one John Miller esq rolled up to the stage with tequilas for the man and he got increasingly pished over the course of the set. Like a true pro though, it never encroached on his sweet, civilised western swingin'. Openers Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers have rattled up a fair old rep on the bush telegraph but I found it all a tad laboured. It's like The Polecats meet Nine Pound Hammer via The Cramps. The schtick is very pantomime inbred and the "singers" antics began to grate very quickly. Imagine Dave Gahan gurning on Stars In Their Eyes as a young Jerry Lee. Sure, it's loud and somewhat in your face but it's all been done better and way sicker. Comparisons to J. Rotten Esq. and The Stooges are wide of the mark I'd say but valid for populist inclusion. I haven't heard their record but i'm thinking that its probably a tempo tantrum too far. They went down well though and that perplexes me as much as anything. Maybe my inability to be bowled over was because of the sheer power that was on display at The Ferry the evening before but on this occaision mine boat was nada floated.

Friday and Saturday have been spent chasing around the countryside trying to cover as many bases as possible. All of which I expect to come crashing down around my heid any minute. It's unlikely that I'll make tonights LOS STRAITJACKETS extravaganza because I'm too plumb pooped to pop and the thought of getting in at midnight and rising at 6am doesn't eleicit much in the way of joy. It's becoming increasingly obvious that I cannae dae it all but I still insist on having a go at it. Maybe that counts for something?