Kirkcaldy hopes to keep Brown (03/11/14)

70% of people believe that Gordon Brown should not step down as MP, following Alistair Darling's resignation announcement yesterday.

Brown and Darling infamously worked together during Labour's last run in office. Darling's decision to step down at the upcoming 2015 general election has created discussion around whether the ex-prime minister should also refrain from standing. His seat, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, is the second safest seat in the UK and he has been their MP for 31 years.

In his constituency of Kirkcaldy however, the majority of people believed Brown should remain in his role of MP. "I've not got a lot of thought for any politicians," said 61-year-old James White, "But I do like Gordon Brown. He's very good at what he does."

Following last week's polls showing that Labour may lose more than 30 of their Scottish seats, people were talking about the potential swing towards the SNP. "I have always liked Gordon Brown and I have voted Labour all my life. But after how Labour treated Scotland during the referendum debate I think I indentify more with the SNP. Next year, I'll probably vote SNP," said 42-year-old Margaret Galloway.

However not everybody thought highly of Gordon Brown. An elderly man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Get rid of the bloody lot of them. As far as I'm concerned, Gordon Brown changed the vote to a no. My wife and I have been voting SNP since 1963, and I hope they force him out next year."

Some people also thought Brown's long run at Westminster has made him unable to properly represent his Scottish constituency. "He's been doing this too long and he's lost touch with the real people," said 27-year-old Michael McDonald. "This may be a Labour stronghold, but I think it'll be interesting to see what happens next year."

La Roux, 02 ABC Glasgow

"La Roux? I remember her, she had a few tunes a few years back, didn't she?" was the response I had from my mother as I headed off to Glasgow on a last minute trip, to make use of a friend's free gig ticket. In all honesty, all I could do was agree. I hadn't heard anything from La Roux since I was in first year at high school.

Ultimately, everything about what my mum said was wrong. La Roux, at the release of the debut, self titled album in 2009 anyway, was a duo. Producer Ben Langmaid, and singer Ellie Jackson, teamed up to make catchy synth pop goodness, and singles "Bulletproof" and "In For The Kill" received plenty media attention, notably getting constant air play on Radio 1. Unfortunately, their platform in the mainstream media fizzled out after that. I wasn't even aware that La Roux was now a solo project and that Jackson had released a new album until I got to the gig.

It's a genuine shame that major stations like BBC Radio 1 haven't provided much coverage to Jackson's latest musical adventures. It doesn't surprise me though. Radio 1 is increasingly obsessive over what is new and what is now. If an artist has difficulty with album production, and release dates get pushed back, mainstream radio stations seem to consider them irrelevant. Note The Horrors latest album, Luminous. It's release was only delayed by a matter of months, yet their airplay was significantly lower than the singles from their previous albums. The music industry is a dangerously fast paced place.

Nevertheless, La Roux probably hasn't been damaged too much by ignorant radio stations. The 02 ABC is surprisingly full when I arrive, as Meanwhile, the support band, are already playing. I meet my friend, who tells me, "There's a man in a turtleneck grinding against synthesiser." This is something I have to see.

They're entertaining, undoubtedly. They're memorable too which is more than I can say for a lot of support bands I've had the misfortune of seeing. They make funky, 80s grooves. Imagine Prince, if Prince was white, and also a five piece synth led band. They play quite a long set but it's enjoyable, it's fun. It's an ideal set up for a night of electronic pop.

La Roux surprises me from the second Jackson takes to the stage. She walks on to "Let Me Down Gently", a brilliant track from her new album "Trouble In Paradise". The song's intro is made up entirely of samples of Ellie's distinctive, breathy voice, creating an almost angelic chorus for her entrance. It's gorgeous, reminding me of more alternative electronica like Purity Ring and Thom Yorke, but as the song develops it's clear that the focus is synth pop. I take no issue with this, as what La Roux does, she does it well. The fact I'm watching a synth centred artist perform with a full band makes me smile too. I appreciate when artists put effort into their live shows.

She sings flawlessly, impressive considering her famously high pitched songs. Her vocal ability is astonishing. Alongside her energetic stage presence, it's difficult to take your eyes off her. She's stunning, dressed simple in a black long sleeved t-shirt and gold loose trousers. Her androgyny makes her even more fascinating. Everything about her is elegant, simplistic, and yet on stage she takes huge steps, dancing boldly.

The songs from the debut La Roux album aren't as strong as those from "Trouble In Paradise". She feels more polished, more confident than she did five years ago. They play hit "In For The Kill" quite early into the set, and Jackson is noticeably more confident. Her vocals soar effortlessly and she looks so content and comfortable on the stage.

The highlight of the set is "Silent Partner" a seven minute exploration in synth from her new album. Jackson plays electronic drums while dancing her signature skipping motion. The song is almost New Order-esque and the passion in which she hits the drums is impressive. It's a perfect pre-encore number, and the crowd goes wild for her. "La Roux, La Roux, La Roux is on fire!" chant the audience in a thick Glasweigan accent. She even receives a marriage proposal during this song.

I could not be more impressed by Ellie Jackson. The extent that she and her music have grown since my last interaction with her in 2009 is admirable. It's clear that the split from her previous band mate was a blessing, not a curse. Although it does seem to have put a spanner in the works in terms of media coverage, but people are still listening and attending gigs on an international scale. Azealia Banks just released her debut album independently and the media also appear reluctant to assist her in advertising her work. Perhaps what we need to see more of is powerful women becoming successful on their own, in a way that works for them. It's time to see mainstream artists prove that the mainstream media is not a necessity for them to thrive in the industry.

8/10

The Horrors & Telegram, 02 ABC Glasgow, Friday 26th September

Appearing at their first Glasgow date in two years tonight are The Horrors. Performing at the same venue they did in May 2012, they only have a different support band, a new album, and a slightly older crowd to distinguish between tonight and their previous gig here. Despite this apparent lack of development in the band's popularity over what is a long period of time in the music industry, I am excited nonetheless.

Firstly, I'm looking forward to seeing Telegram, the opening band for the entirety of the UK tour. I've only heard the songs they have online (which is actually at this point only a single, "Follow") and I've overheard a few comments from some younger members of the crowd. "He wears eyeliner!" says one girl, "AND he looks like Morrissey!". I'm also quite excited for The Horrors too. Their new album Luminous, was one of the best of the year, and I can't wait to hear how it translates live.

Of course, as all support band crowds are, the crowd for Telegram is, well, dull, and that sort of amplifies how underwhelming the band themselves are. I understand the attraction. It's undeniable that The Horrors attract a very specific type of NME reading teenage girl, and clearly they share a fan base with Telegram. I get it, I do. When I myself was 14 I would quite honestly listen to anyone who had a long haired guitarist with a fringe, and a skinny leg band policy. Although these bands would almost definitely disagree, this part of alternative music does place a lot of emphasis on aesthetic, and Telegram fit that aesthetic perfectly. Their music is ok. I listen to it and I nod my head. If it was on the radio, I wouldn't turn it off. But there's no getting away from the fact that this is just a lot of electric guitar strumming, pedals, and a constantly unchanging drum beat. I practically develop repetitive strain injury from tapping my foot as they offer absolutely no rhythmic change. Perhaps this is too harsh. The sound really wasn't excellent, in fact, I'm not sure the 02 ABC is the best for sound, the room is curved and often distinctive guitar riffs and bass lines because distorted or just lost altogether, but that isn't their fault. I have to try hard to pick out the song I already know, "Follow". I don't dislike their set, but I can take it or leave it, and I know this because when I get home I have no motivation to like their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, or listen to them again.

The Horrors are (unsurprisingly) the stars of the show. Coming on stage after the sound system has played Atomic by Blondie proves a good choice. The crowd cheer loudly, but their feet stay planted firmly on the floor as they get into "Chasing Shadows", the first track on most recent album Luminous. I can't really understand why nobody is dancing or even moving because everybody is singing, everybody is smiling. I come to the conclusion that the kind of person who attends a gig like this maybe thinks they're a bit too cool to dance.

Despite the totally mind-numbingly frozen crowd, The Horrors are excellent. They are the kind of band that really, really care about music, they aren't there to put on a show, they aren't performers, they're the kind of focused, clever musicians that only want to create the most gorgeous soundscape they can. A rare trait for artists very much set into that category of what the NME thinks is worth listening to.

They are accompanied by the most stunning light show, not a stage gimmick to distract you from the music, but quite the opposite. The lights are so intense they actually plunge the band into darkness and they merely become silhouettes for the entirety of their set, hiding behind colours, smoke and lasers, perhaps trying to rid themselves of the labels placed upon them, as both their fans and the media have at times focused more on their look than the music they're producing. That music, by the way, is crisp clear. They play the majority Luminous and the odd track off Skying and Primary Colours. I forgive them for not playing my personal favourite, "Dive In", because everything they do play is perfect.

The synth. Oh god, the synth. Their infamous triangular synth gets put into use a few times during their set, and every time my heart skips a few beats because it's absolutely genius. How many modern bands have the sheer skill to design and then create their own innovative instruments? What they're doing is modern but it's reminiscent of 60s psychedelia and girl groups and 70s prog rock and 90s shoegaze and it's all these genres lumped together and it becomes this dream like sonic attack on your senses and it's incredible. And I even cry a little during "Change Your Mind". Yeah.

The crowd finally livens up during the final songs, and "I See You" is the highlight of their performance by far. With synth harkening back to 70s disco (I Feel Love by Donna Summer springs to mind) and 80s electronica (Cars by Gary Numan), the song is a pure pleasure. It's almost like waves of sound swirling around you. It's fantastic.

The general consensus is "wow". There are people leaving the venue who are quite honestly lost for words, unaware they could be this affected by music. I, for one, just keep repeating "amazing", as I feel like I've been on some strange 1960s acid trip for the last hour and a half. The Horrors may not have grown in size, but they have grown up, and that has proved to do them more good than any amount of fans ever could.

9/10

University information day held at Fife College

Fifeife College’s St Brycedale campus had its university information event today.

The event, which was organised by the college guidance team, featured a multitude of stalls from Scottish universities and student organisations. Held annually, the guidance team said the event “ensures students know as much as possible about where they can go when they leave us.”

Universities from across Scotland were on hand to offer students information on their futures. Stall holders gave out prospectuses and literature on their universities and explained to students the benefits their courses would give them. The widening participation officer for Stirling University said “It’s essential that students pick a university that suits them and their needs. I don’t try to convince anyone that Stirling is the best and only option. It has to be the student’s choice at the end of the day.”

There were many students at the event, but some seemed reluctant to leave the college at the end of the academic year. 60% of students asked said they were going to continue into the second year of their HND at Fife College, despite the other options available to them. “Although there’s obviously other places I could go next year, bigger cities with better student life, I’m set on staying here to get my HND,” said Kyle Johnson, a fitness student, “I love my class and the lecturers and equipment are top notch really. I’ve only been here two months and I really love it.”

Skills Development Scotland were also at the event, helping students already in the process of applying to university, as well as talking about careers and apprenticeships. The Open University had a stall too, providing help to those interested in further education but without the time or money to attend a physical university.

Overall, the event seemed successful, as students armed with brochures and free tote bags headed back to their lectures. “Events like these are really good because they help me know more about my future options,” said hair and beauty student Ashley George, “and I get loads of freebies”.

Tomorrow's Modern Boxes/Thom Yorke review

Forget The King of Limbs, ignore Atoms For Peace, and put aside critics comments calling Yorke’s choice to release Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes for free via a file sharing website a “gimmick”. Go into this album without your pre-conceptions and scepticism. This album is indicative of Thom’s transition into smarter, more mature electronic music.

Thom Yorke’s undeniable distinctive sound is still here and there are obvious similarities between this and his most recent work, but there is an air of something fresh and new between the bars. I won’t pretend this album is going to change the way the electronic genre is heard or claim this kind of music has never been made before. This is not the Kid A of the 2010s. It is however, important to recognise that Thom’s sound IS undoubtedly developing into something more beautiful than he has ever been able to achieve before.

Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes takes the things you like the most about Amok and The King of Limbs and Kid A, and puts them together into this gorgeous, distorted yet smooth little ball of computerised emotion. First track “Brain In A Bottle” provides an Actress-esque, synth led introduction to the record, complete with chillingly classic Yorke vocals, repeated layered airy “aah”s providing those hair standing up on the back of your neck moments. Within the first minute of the album I found myself smiling, captivated, and absolutely desperate for more of this.
The following track “Guess Again!” is equally stunning, featuring a lower than usual vocal from Yorke. The track is piano led and uses repetitive claps throughout, allowing the main focus to be on the powerful lyrics. Thom creates a disturbing, dream like image, crooning effortlessly over the melody. “While dogs are howling / Behind the curtains / I hold onto my children / The creatures staring in”.

The best track of the album for me, is “Truth Ray”. Slow, prolonged synth is accompanied by a slow electronic drum beat, reminiscent of Codex, though far more interesting, and a lot more heart breaking. It’s the kind of music that almost feels like it’s encouraging you to lie down in a dark room and stare at the ceiling, it wants you to focus on it and it alone. Towards the end Thom uses a typically Thom Yorke vocal effect and repeats short samples of nonsensical half words, engineering them to sound different each time. Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes wouldn’t be complete without this kind of disjointed, uncomforting yet oddly lovely little Yorke-ism.

“Pink Section” is the track that proves Thom Yorke is capable of more than what people expect. Sounding as if it belongs in the Cristobal Tapia de Veer soundtrack to Channel 4 drama Utopia, this short piece is absolute ambient art. Every instrument and every vocal sample on this song has been altered in some way, creating this distorted, dystopian, moany sound. It’s almost like a cracked vinyl playing on a dysfunctional record player. It’s completely fascinating.
Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes is without a doubt the most impressive and most complex piece of music Yorke has put out in years. I have every bit of faith that whatever he and his various band mates release in the future will be as totally, genuinely lovely, as this album is.

4/5

Twin Peaks, Sega Megadrives, and 1950s Erotic Novels: An Interview With Passion Pusher

If you like alternative, mumbly noise pop, you need to listen to Passion Pusher, the lo-fi solo project from Edinburgh based James Gage. With a prolific bandcamp full of his bedroom recorded, drunken fuzzy melodies, and live sets featuring a changing set of talented Scottish musicians, Passion Pusher is captivating. Likening to early Wavves demos, U.S surf rock and Mac Demarco, he is a ray of sunshine on a relatively gloom filled Scottish scene - despite all the lyrics about being rejected by girls. I sat down with James to find out more about the past, present, and future, of Passion Pusher.

Luna: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me! First, let's talk about the origins of Passion Pusher. Where did the name come from?

James: It’s an erotic novel from the 50s about lesbians who steal high school students and fill them with heroin and cocaine and then fuck them repeatedly. I read that at about 11 years old and wanted that to be me. Making music was just to get girls, basically. Ugh, I’m such a lame-o.

Luna: Sounds like a book I need to read. Moving on from vintage drug smuggling lesbians, what, or who influences you when you're writing and making music?

James: Pavement mostly, I think every song’s a rip off of a Pavement song, or, I like to do the sneaky thing and go back to like Los Zafiros or The Flamingos and then steal lines from them, because nobody really listens to them anymore. Mostly Pavement to be honest, and Daniel Johnston’s a big thing. A lot of the stuff I’ve been writing lately has been about Nintendo 64s, and Sega Megadrives. I was listening to Alex G and that reminded me I’ve got all this old gaming shit, so I started digging through it, and basically writing about my friend’s accident last year, and then my ex girlfriend...uh, there’s a lot of bad blood there. Or maybe it’s just me, you know. I’m a terrible guy.

Luna: You're not! I noticed online that you're really into Twin Peaks, like, the header on your Bandcamp profile is the Twin Peaks logo, and your music is influenced by it too. What do you think is it that fascinates you enough to keep it as a running theme in your songs?

James:  It’s like the middle classes of it all, like there’s a really good quote from David Lynch where it’s like, when he was a kid he lived in this really nice suburban area, and then he remembers going out and digging out into the grass on his front lawn, and he found a whole ant hill and they were all feeding off each other, and that just kind of, really fits along with how I view the world, maybe.

Luna: I'm a fan of David Lynch too. So, tell us about your upcoming releases, Couch King and Gawd Bless America. 

James: Couch King was recorded with Billy, Kay [both from Herbert Powell] and Derek from Antique Pony. [Derek] plays saxophone on one song. It’s just like two notes he plays in it. Like, we went out for a fag and came back in and he was like “I managed to record some sweet sax for you”. I was like “Thanks man!” The Gawd Bless America tape came about through Kieran [of Herbert Powell] being like, you should definitely come to my house, and I was like yeah man, that sounds cool. Then suddenly all of Herbert Powell arrived. They just appeared. It was like me, Kieran, and Billy, then suddenly Kay arrived, and I was like, hey, we may as well just finish this entire thing off. We recorded like 3 songs and I ended up getting them to scrap them because I wrote better ones. I’m basically planning for the release show to be “Jim Passion and the Passionate Band”. And I’m gonna buy some American flag track pants to wear.

Luna: That definitely sounds like a good look. Speaking of shows, as a solo artist, what's your live set up like?

James:  I steal most of the band from alansmithie, like Andrew and Ru, and I steal Herbert Powell as well for other shows. They’re great for it. I’m like, hey man, you wanna play against some music for me? They’re just like, yeah, sure man! I got Kieran’s brother Gregor in to play bass for me at the Flat 0/1 show, that was something else. We tried to hand the bass off to someone at a recent Edinburgh gig, but nobody was having it. Not one fucking bit. We got a really terrible review of that show too. It was so terrible, we were so drunk. We were smashing up bottles and saying terrible things about other Edinburgh bands.

Luna: That doesn't sound like your best gig to date. Do you think you have had a "best gig"? Or maybe just one that sticks in your memory?

James: Favourite gig I’ve played, fuck. It depends if I’ve enjoyed it or the audience enjoyed it. There’s ones that I’ve really enjoyed but the audience has like, booed me and shit. I think for me, the Flat 0/1 show in July was amazing, that was such a good vibe, it’s a cool venue and great bands played and it was just a really great night.

Luna: Flat 0/1 is a really cool venue. Are there any other venues you particularly enjoy playing?

James: None in Edinburgh, they’re all terrible. Probably The 13^th Note? Or Flat 0/1. Just because they’re, like the closest thing you can get to a DIY venue here, where it’s kind of like, I just like playing in shit cheap basements really. It fits my music and I love it.

Luna: You've played shows with an array of Scottish artists, could you reccommend a few of your favourites? And not Herbert Powell. We've given them too much free press already.

James: But The Herbies are my guys! Sean Armstrong, The Yawns, Andrew R Burns, alansmithee, Pinact, as well, they’re absolutely amazing, they’re going to like, New York. They’re playing the CMJ festival, I was like, I want to be Pinact.

Luna: So aside from wishing you were Pinact, what are your plans for the rest of 2014?

James:  The vinyl, that’s going out at the end of the year, and I’m trying to book shows in Poland as well. The vinyl is being put out by Song By Toad, and it’s gonna be me, Sean Armstrong, Alan, Andrew R Burns and Now Wakes The Sea, with twenty minutes each. And we’re all shitting ourselves about it because we’re all fucking terrible. Song By Toad have picked the worst people to put on a record together. We’re all talented in our own right of like song writing and stuff, but when it comes to like, “sit down and record this song”, for us, we all freak out and drink too much, or like, it’s the same with me and Sean where with me and him it’s a really spontaneous thing, we record the bass line of a song and that’s it done, but Andrew’s kinda like obsessed with getting it perfect, he spent like 3 days recording a guitar bit for one of his songs, recording it over and over and over again.

Luna: Thanks so much James! I'm looking forwards to hearing the upcoming releases.

James: No problem! It's been great.

Keep up to date with Passion Pusher on twitter: @PassionPusher1

Find out more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassionPusher/timeline

Listen and buy on bandcamp: passionpusher.bandcamp.com

Kirkcaldy gets Greener

Greener Kirkcaldy, a community lead organisation specialising in lowering the town’s carbon footprint, has rebranded and is re-launching later this month.

The Greener Kirkcaldy initiative started in 2008, set up by members of Friends of the Earth Fife who wanted to do more practical work with the people of the region. A drop in centre was then opened in Kirkcaldy in 2011, but moved to the current smaller premises in 2012 due to cuts to funding. This year however, the organisation opened their own Fair Trade shop to raise profits and allow them to rebrand Greener Kirkcaldy, and make it more accessible to the public.

 

Although specialising in giving energy advice to those on a low income looking to lower their bills, Greener Kirkcaldy are about more than saving money. “We are just trying to give out clear and simple messages about energy, food, and transport,” said Russell, senior development worker for the organisation, “this is an opportunity to teach businesses and people about renewable energy.”

Alongside their drop in centre and volunteers available for home visits, the organisation has two ongoing gardening projects in the town. Located in Ravenscraig Walled Gardens in Dysart, and Dunniker Park, these are intended to teach the local people about the benefits of growing your own produce. “We have over 30 volunteers split between our projects. We even have our own team of bloggers.” Greener Kirkcaldy have also promoted renewable energy sources to homes across the town. Across their ongoing projects, they claim they have “definitely helped more than 1000 homes”.

As part of their new rebranding, the organisation is hoping to encourage even more green thinking in Kirkcaldy and Fife. Starting in 2015, they intend to promote the benefits of fuel efficient driving and electric vehicles. They have signed a two year lease for an electric vehicle and hope that this will inspire more affluent members and visitors to consider a greener car themselves.  They also have plans coming together to start a community food hub in the town. This would teach local people about food and growing, give cooking workshops in a training kitchen, provide a meeting space for the community and perhaps even feature a shop selling greener produce.

On Saturday  11^th October, the high street hub is officially re-launching, and members of the public are welcome to attend from 10am.

Learn more about Greener Kirkcaldy and get involved here:
http://www.greenerkirkcaldy.org.uk/

Herbert Powell, Antique Pony & Black Cop, Referendum Result Day Gig

As far as feelings of total devastation go, the morning of  Friday 19th September provided me with, perhaps, the most intense ones I've ever felt. The 'No' vote was something that made me, and a lot of my friends, in particular the friends I was planning to see that night, angsty, teary, and generally bummed out.

But you can always rely on music to improve your mood, specifically, weird but strangely melodic post-rock drone-esque music with spooky lyrics about being trapped in a fake Burger King. And after getting caught in the madness in George Square with my boyfriend (another story entirely), a gig featuring Antique Pony, Herbert Powell, and Black Cop, seemed like the perfect way to lift our spirits.

This was the first time I had ever seen Antique Pony, but my expectations were high considering the amount my friends had talked them up before. Having heard them referred to as "the best live band in Glasgow" on more than one occasion I knew the night would not be quickly forgotten. I wasn't wrong. Antique Pony are unique and definitely different to most bands on the Scottish scene at the moment, something that is dominated largely by teenage boys with NME haircuts, leather jackets, and forgettable, predictable guitar riffs - To summarise, Arctic Monkeys wannabees. Antique Pony are none of these things and easily in the top five of the best live bands I've ever seen. Their songs are harsh yet genuinely melodic, something you can easily sing along with but the stabby guitar sounds give them life, harkening back to Captain Beefheart maybe, but with sharper, more distinctive, weirder ideas. The best song of their captivating set is, for me, "Languages of Hong Kong", a track taken off their most recent album "pony". The rhythmic drums have an almost traditional Asian yet pop-esque feel, and instantly force the crowd into life. The majority of people are dancing, which is an interesting thing to see during an experimental band's set. The guitar in this song is brilliant too, reminding me of old video game soundtracks. The rest of the set is equally brilliant, though one of my main memories is the muffled voice of lead man Derek singing the catchy "father, son, and the holy ghost" hook towards the end of the song. Derek's energy is infectious, and as he throws himself around the performing area, the crowd feel increasingly involved, moving more. I'd go as far as to say Derek is the best front man in Glasgow. You can tell how close he is to the music and in turn, this makes you more invested in what you're listening to. A highlight of the night is the end of the set, as they play "Happy Families", and the front man of Herbert Powell  grabs the microphone and begins singing it himself.

I've seen Herbert Powell before, as I'm in a band myself with their drummer, and I'm good friends with a few of the members. I promise I'm not being biased when I say I think they are one of the finest new bands Glasgow, and maybe even Scotland, has to offer.

I took an Australian friend of mine to see Herbert Powell back in July, and although she is a regular gig attendee, she said they were the best live music she's ever seen in Scotland, beating 90s shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine. This gives you some idea of the sheer talent every member of Herbert Powell possesses. Their lead, Kieran Thomas, is a unique vocalist as well as an impressive bass player. He is a memorable and intimidating front man. It's easy to find yourself shying away from the band as he directs his sharp glare into the crowd while playing.

Their music sounds like a new, re-booted, more melodic Slint. The band opens with "Birth Mask", Thomas growling his way through while Kay Logan and Billy Gaughan (both incredibly talented musicians) provide the guitar lead structure, and Taylor Stewart attacks the drums, screaming during the intro to the song. The crowd grows as their set continues and rightfully so, as these original, obscure, difficult to define songs deserve as much attention as they can possibly get. The band are the best I've ever seen them, playing with more energy and passion than ever before (perhaps something to do with their decision to give the proceeds of the night to local Maryhill food bank following the 'No' vote. This raised over £200). People are silent and watch intently as they play, giving their full attention to the kind of totally captivating music you so rarely stumble upon for less than £10. Some people are even open mouthed. Friends of the band are smiling, proud, and well aware that these people have the potential to change the face of Scottish music.

Unfortunately I end up missing Black Cop due to a badly organised plan to get home, but I hear from friends on twitter that they are also fantastic. I'm totally gutted that I ended up leaving early but after checking my twitter feed and seeing the venue got partially set on fire after my departure, I'm more concerned for everyone's safety rather than beating myself up about not catching a (very good) band's set. Thankfully everybody was safe, and the evening was a total success.

Without a doubt, this gig was the best live new music I've probably ever seen, and I know now that I will never miss an opportunity to see either of the bands live again. I cannot reccommend Antique Pony or Herbert Powell enough. If you live near Glasgow (or even if you don't, I'm from Fife and I've seen them multiple times, that's no excuse), or ever visit Glasgow, get yourself to one of these band's gigs. A complete sonic wonder. Let them freak you and your ears out. You won't regret it.

10/10

Photos by Megan Daly- 
twitter: twitter.com/demonskeleton
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mortalbodyphotographs

Follow members of Herbert Powell on twtitter- 
Kay: https://twitter.com/kayhlogan
Kieran:https://twitter.com/kieranthethomas
Billy: https://twitter.com/eggsbenedict666
Taylor: https://twitter.com/cooljinzo
Like them on facebook-
https://www.facebook.com/herbertpowellband?fref=ts

Antique Pony-
Bandcamp: https://antiquepony.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/antiquepony?fref=ts

Black Cop-
Bandcamp: https://black-cop.bandcamp.com/

Fife College Fresher’s Fair Arrives in Kirkcaldy

 

The St Brycedale campus of Fife College held its Fresher’s fair today. The fair, organised by the Fife College Student’s Association, is claimed to be “bigger and better than ever before”. Hundreds of new students turned out to see over 30 stalls from various local and national organisations.

The Students Association even booked a face painter and a balloon modeller in order to create a friendly, accessible event. While talking to a new student who was only in the second week of her hair and beauty course, she told me: “College is much better than school, and things like this prove that. This is a fun event with a great atmosphere. I can’t imagine anything like this happening back at my high school.”

Businesses such as Santander, CEX, and Wetherspoons had tables piled high with voucher booklets, special offer coupons, and welcome packs to assist students in their new low budget lifestyles, and even public transport company Stagecoach was providing goody bags filled with bubble blowers and chocolate bars in its promotion of the “Unirider”, a bus pass designed exclusively for students in need of discounted travel. International bank Santander was offering youngsters a 16-25 railcard if they signed up to their student account, however, most people were distracted by the interactive stalls beside them, ran by Safe Drive Stay Alive and the NHS.

One of the most popular attractions at the fair was without a doubt the NHS’s sexual health table, which featured a game in which two students had to sport “beer goggles” (a pair of glasses which gave the effect of the blurred vision experienced when drunk) while putting a condom on a plastic replica of a penis. Although this allowed for laughs between friends, it also gave an important message regarding the necessity of safe sex. The nurse running the stall told the crowds: “Young people under 25 account for over half of all newly diagnosed STDs. You are in the most at risk category for sexual health problems”. The other interactive stall ran by Safe Drive Stay Alive, an organisation promoting safe driving among young people, had a computer simulator allowing students to test out their driving skills under the influence of tiredness, drugs, and alcohol. Speaking to a group of boys who had tried out the game, they said: “This is a lot of fun but at the same time reminds us the seriousness of safe driving”.

Of course, with only a week to go until the upcoming independence referendum, both the Yes and No campaigns had a stall. The 16/17 year old vote has been considered very important throughout the debate, so each campaign was trying to catch the attention of the youngsters at the fair. However, as the stalls competed with tables handing out free cakes and sweets, it seemed politics was not the biggest concern of the day.

Spirit of Independence Hits Kirkcaldy

The Yes campaign was out in force today in Kirkcaldy as renovated 1950s fire engine, the “Spirit Of Independence” rolled into the town centre to mark the two week countdown to the referendum. The vehicle, once a “Green Goddess” fire engine designed to tackle fires in exceptional circumstances, is now painted blue and white to encapsulate the spirit of Scotland, and is being driven around the country throughout August and September by Dundee businessman Chris Law.

Chris, who this year brought the engine back into service and replaced its firefighting equipment with literature on the Yes Campaign, plans to reach up to 2,900,000 people on his tour around the most densely populated cities of Scotland. Standing beside the engine on bustling Kirkcaldy high street, he announced to spectators: “I am not a politician, I am a person, and this is a movement for people”. Although a member of the SNP, Chris insisted that he was not campaigning for them. The literature stored on the Spirit Of Independence came from 18 different sources, that even included a Nigerian print, titled “Nigeria For Yes”. The engine and various other attractions on the street (including a 10 foot dummy in a jimmy wig) attracted large crowds to its position outside the Yes shop – and not everyone was so supportive of the cause.

An older gentleman approached the engine to announce that the SNP’s White Paper was “nothing more than a wish list”. Although Chris calmly made efforts to provide information to disprove him, the man swore and walked away without any flyers.
“You get people like that at least once a day,” said Chris to the members of the public that had gathered, “but I do this because I want to build a better society.”

Another local person arrived to speak to Chris and the various Yes Campaigners on patrol. Kirkcaldy resident and sufferer of Brittle Bone Disease, Alistair Bruce, had come along to show support and further spread the town’s Yes fever. He spoke about Westminster’s “broken system” and it’s failure to support him and his disability in his younger years. His passion for the Yes cause was infectious and as he spoke, a larger crowd appeared around him. Before leaving he told them: “I think we’re going to win, and I think we’re going to win by more than people think.”

On the high street, there were zero No campaigners out spreading awareness for their cause. I asked a local woman if she knew where the “No” hub for Kirkcaldy was located. She told me that she passed it every day on her way to work, but “because nobody was ever there”, she “assumed it had closed down”. When I went to the shop, there was only one customer –a local Yes voter.

It seems that the spirit of independence is still burning brightly in Kirkcaldy, and is likely to continue in the countdown to the big day.