I kidnapped a Bandit!!

So I've kind of neglected the blog recently, mainly because I've not been near a computer. It's not been the best of weeks for me but I decided that I'm doing a wee blog today.

Someone once said "Music is the heart of society" and it's true, so when I hear live musicians it fills me with a certain sense of joy.

On Saturday night I kidnapped a Bandit! Stuart from Brown Bear and the Bandits had no idea what was happening when I hussled him into a flat in the middle of Largs, but in all fairness I did provide him with a beer and a nice wee chat about music and the fact that I don't see it being long before BBATB are off touring the world.

It's a strange feeling when you know that you're sitting down with someone who could possibly be the next big thing. That's not to say that any other bands aren't as good as BBATB but it's just that the last couple of months have saw them rocket to success in and around Scotland.

I'm also not saying that everyone will be as successful because quite frankly I can name a few acts in Ayrshire alone who are absolutely shite! I'm not naming names because I don't want to make people upset and need a cuddle from their mummy.

Music is an art form, it's something which so many people have a passion for and I'm one of those people, and speaking to Stuart the other night I realised that he did too.

A beer and a good chat later Stuart left and my mind started thinking about what other acts I can think of who could go as far as I see BBATB going. It got me to thinking about Stonehouse Violets, a band who a few months ago I had no idea who they were but now watching them live it's a goosebump band. The hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and you just can't get enough of them.

To look at them I was instantly expecting a sound of mush (no offence guys) but from the first chord I was instantly captivated. There's not a note or a beat out of place and in terms of live acts they have to be in my top 5 from the last year.

I then remembered Dirty Looks and without going into a massive speel about them, I have to say that they are astounding. It's not everyday you can look at the stage, see a few guys who (and I mean in the nicest way) look like they should be studying for standard grades instead of playing music. They know how to own the stage, they know how to make themselves stand out and the music just blows your mind.

The last band I got thinking about was Confusion. I feel that the guys are always overlooked and underrated but to listen to their music gives me a certain feeling in my gut that doesn't happen that often. The sound is one that you can picture listening to a decade ago but at the same time it's so modern and filled with passion. I've yet to see them live and I'm sure that one day I will but just the sound of the recordings and youtube videos is enough for me to make my mind up!

I'm not sure who's going to come out of this music scene and earn the big bucks, I'm not sure if anyone will with the way that the music industry is these days. However if anyone does then I bet my last penny on it that it will be either Brown Bear and the Bandits, Stonehouse Violets, Dirty Looks or Confusion

Some musicians do have it and all of those guys certainly do!!!

Eurovision - Good or Bad

For the past 56 years there has been Eurovision, just looking at the name alone you think "Vision, a vision of music bringing together coutries" is that the case though? Is it really a vision, or a Euro-wide Xfactor?

I remember when I was a lad ( I like using that phrase, deal with it) sitting one night a year with my family and watching Eurovision, in all honesty it was one of the only things we done together as a family and maybe that's why I hate Eurovision so much. Musicians from all over would take the stage and perform, some good and some bad, but mostly it was entertaining. I don't remember as far back as "ABBA" and quite frankly I'd glady punch each of them in the face for giving us "Dancing Queen" but I've heard the stories about how good Eurovision used to be.

Now it's a showcase for autotuned, talentless, hopeless wannabes, getting on television in the hope of making a name for themselves. I'm 100% sure that if you asked any of the entrants why they do it, they'll turn round and say "I'm proud to represent my country" which roughly translates as "I could get a record deal and make a shit load of money"

This years UK entrant has to be my favourite ever......We have so much talent around Britain, so many great musicians and songwriters, so it must have been such a difficult decision to choose someone. When it gets that tough, who do we pick? Engelbert Fucking Humperdinck! Surely we deserve points on his name alone?

I haven't watched eurovision in years, and I have to say that I don't plan to again. I can honestly say that I would much rather be out at King Tuts or even just a wee pub with one man and a guitar. I say next year we start a campaign to get real musicians to represent the UK. I'll even write the damn song if I have to. I have no doubt that Ireland next year will send in Jed (look at us, we like attention so much that we merged our names together, and our mum didn't mean to give birth to us, she just needed an exceptionally large jobby) ward

If next year someone tells me that a great band or singer/songwriter is on Eurovision, then I'll tune in but if not you can be sure that I'll be found with a beer and a real band.

Sun on the brain

The sun never gets tired of rising but sometimes a person gets tired of being under the sun.

(Simone Schwarz-Bart (b. 1938

I don't know much about the human brain, but I do know that when the sun comes out everybody changes, it's like they get injected with life.

I'm sitting here while Emily's getting ready so we can go down to a beach party. The suns out, apparently the BBQ's going to be out along with guitars and beer. Guitars and Beer? Now you see why I'm going don't you?

Ever since I was a wee lad, roaming about the fields and trees during the summer months, I've never been that interested in the sun. Not because I'm a miserable guy, or because I'm not one for getting my top off. I just always thought that there was such a thing as too much heat. I've worked in kitchens most of my life, and so the last I wanted to do was leave a sweltering hot kitchen and go out into the sun to be cooked alive.

I must be one of the only people in the world who couldn't care less about the weather, yeah it's good to get some colour in about you and yes it's good to get out in the fresh air. I love fresh air, I love walking and I love being out. What I don't get though, is the sudden change that everyone goes through.

I can clearly see the weather from my window, so why do I need constant updates via Facebook?
I'm not stupid, I'm not going to doubt my own eyes and then need clarification on facebook. We get it, it's hot outside.

I'm going to go down to the beach today, with my beautiful other half and enjoy the day, I'm not going to enjoy the sun, I'm going to enjoy the music, enjoy the laughter and just have a good time. I don't need it to overwhelmingly sunny to do that.

Maybe I am a grumpy bastard, but that doesn't bother me. I'm sure someone will announce on facebook that.

Give it a couple of years and the weathermen on TV will be out of jobs, and all you'll get at the end of the news is a facebook feed with people telling you what the weather's like.

Does my nut in.

Anyway, better go check facebook to see if it's still sunny.

The Ayrshire Mafia

One of my favourite part of The Simpsons was Fat Tony and his gang. They would show up randomly, cause the biggest amount of hassle you could imagine, walk away from it, get away with it but everyone still loved them. So when you see a band who can do pretty much the same thing, then you start to wonder...

If you know anyone who knows anyone then chances are that you have heard of "A Band Called Cadence" or as they're calling themselves at this point in time "A Beer Called Cadence" 

Sitting here, I'm looking back to the past year and thinking where to start. Do I start with their controversial methods of publicity stunts, do I start with the fact that the mere line up represents a "Scots man, English man and Irish man" Joke or do I start with their musical talents?

Thinking about it, you have to start with their controversial methods.

Start a debate about anything and you can be sure that at some point ABCC will stick their oar in, but not in just any fashion. They always make sure they have all the facts and that they are on the right side before they start, but even then they still make it a debate worth taking notice of. I remember a few months ago a debate began about shady promoters and straight away ABCC had the facebook status updated and were naming and shaming people, publically exposing promoters and at the same time giving us all a good laugh. I've heard stories of people crying because of ABCC's antics, I've heard people being scared to go up against ABCC but it's all relevant because the fact remains that these guys are always sticking up for the music, always caring about the scene and always trying to create a better industry

Music wise the group are as tight as you can get. They cover a vast range of cover songs thrown in with many of their own. There is not one flaw that I can pick up on whenever I've witnessed them live or listened to recordings. Switching vocals between Lee and Xav gives the band a new dynamic, it's not often you hear a band go from song to song with the lead vocals switching from Scottish to English. Whether using a Cajon or a full Drum Kit, Xav's time keeping is always 100% on time, and he does it so effortlessly. Conors ability to change from Guitar to Mandolin makes sure that the on-stage show is kept fresh and interesting. Unfortunately I've not witnessed new member Ian Newlands on Bass, but I have no doubt that he's talented otherwise he wouldn't be allowed in the band. There's no lack of talent from these guys when it comes to music.

A Scots Man an English Man and an Irish Man walk into a bar..........and here's their story. Conor, Lee and Xav are three musicians who came together through music, a love of music a passion for music and basically to form one of the most outspoken, talented, determined and helpful bands around in Scotland at the moment. They've sure had their controversies and even been banned from Radio Stations but the fact remains that these three guys are talented and entertaining musicians. Now with a fourth member the band can only get stronger and more outspoken.

I'm going to start rating bands I think, so I'm going to give ABCC............5 out of 5 sausage rolls.

I could write a film on these guys, and who knows maybe one day that'll happen, I just don't think the censorship laws would allow it to hit the cinema.

Music doesn't lie

Sometimes I can be biased, I always say how Scottish Musicians are the best and sometimes maybe that's true, but sometimes I overlook those from different places. Granted this musician was born in Gibralter and lived in Scotland until he was 7 then spent most of his life down south, in a little place called Telford before moving back to Scotland.

I first met Logan La La Lies about 7 months ago in my old haunt "The Burns" in Irvine. Sunday nights are open mic nights, and I remember seeing this skinny little man looking like he had just walked out of a Top Man photo shoot stand up with a tiny guitar that looked like he had just picked it up out a skip. I can sometimes be too judgemental and in that instant I thought he was going to be god awful. I was proven wrong about 40 seconds later when he opened his mouth.

Logan La La Lies is one of the most talented and passionate musicians I've ever had the privilege to meet. His enthusiasm for the art is matched only by his song-writing talent, showcasing songs such as T-E-L-F-O-R-D and Hope. Logan has the ability to entertain aswell as perform the perfect set with such ease and grace.

If we listen to his lyrics you can instantly tell this this guy has a bucket load of life experience and uses it to his musical advantage. Take "T-E-L-F-O-R-D"  a song written about the town he grew up in, you realise that to Logan that town was more than just a town, it was a home and a place where he has many fond memories.

"Hope" is a song about a girl (I know what you're thinking, but no it's not cheesy or typical acoustic songwriting) and moving on but with that tinge of ache at seeing someone else being with the person you love.

The thing about Logans music is that no matter who you are or where in the world you are, you can relate to it. You feel the music, you feel the lyrics and there's not many musicians who can get a story across in 3 minutes but Logan does it perfectly.

Both as a recorded artist and a live artist, Logan draws you in with his vocal ability and his guitar playing. It's one of those moments in life where you can see someone who loves music put it into action. I remember at Johnny Grahams Album Launch I spoke to Logan after we had both played our sets and he said to me "Martin, I was shit but I don't care I just love music" the thing is he was far from shit. He was one of my favourite acts from the night, infact any line up that Logan is on he's guaranteed to be one of my favourite acts. I truly love his music, I love his passion, I love his talent and above all I love the way he portrays himself.


There's not alot of bad points I could pick out about him, infact all I can think of is that he doesn't have a full studio released album out. That is something I want to hear, it's something I need to hear. I want to be able to listen to studio versions of each of his songs whenever I feel like it.

Logan La La Lies is a talent that deserves recognition, he deserves a push towards big things and hopefully one day he'll get it. For the moment though his music has me "Under the thumb"

Music is what we make it son

A few years back I remember going to a gig, that gig was Atreyu! I don't know if you're familiar with them, but they're a bit heavy and they used to be one of my favourites.

I remember the night well, it was raining, and as usual I thought it was a great idea to get a cheeky bottle of Strongbow (it used to be thee boy) and drink it on the train up to Glasgow. I was set for an amazing night, and I wasn't disappointed. That's not what this blog is about though, it's not about me or the band. It's about a frail old man, who was at the gig.

I remember getting in and having a few pints while I watched the support bands, as I normally do. I was disappointed, as none of them caught my attention, but I was still looking forward to Atreyu. I remember I had a bandage on my arm from an injury at work, and so I couldn't take part in "the pit" so I stood near the back, far enough to be out of harms way but close enough to get a good view and listen. I remember I turned round at one point with my pint in my hand and there he was.

This man could not have been a day younger than 70, and there he was at an Atreyu gig. My friends had all pushed to the front and so I was on my own, so I made my way over to the old man out of curiosity, perhaps he was a grandad of one of the members of the support band, perhaps he worked there I thought. I approached him, and he looked at me and turned his head back to the music. I was intrigued, this old man looked to be loving the music so much, that I felt a strange sense of warmth in me. I made the usual hand gesture to him to see if he would like a drink, and he replied with "JD and Coke" this baffled me even more. I got him his drink and together we watched the band perform. Every song, he would not take his eyes off the stage, he appeared to be into this so much I was amazed.

After the show, I made my way outside just behind the old man and he stopped in the street. I stopped behind him, eager to approach him and ask why he was at an Atreyu gig but before I could say anything, he turned to me and said "Don't stereotype people son, music is what you make it" and he walked off.

Those words still ring in my ears today.

Who says you can't like a certain type of music because you are a certain age or dress a certain way. Music is everywhere, it's all around us. We make music with everything we do, every breath, every word, every footstep. Music is in every single one of us, it's in our blood and it's in our hearts. The day the music dies, is the day the world dies.

It's not an Illusion

You know when MESi Radio started, I did have my doubts about what guff we would get sent to play. We've been lucky enough not to have had any awful tracks, infact most of them have been superb.

One of the first bands to get in touch was "Twisted Illusion" a name that made me think for a good few days about where it came from. To be honest, to this day I still have no idea, but that's what makes me like it. There's an air of mystery about these guys, they sent tracks and then they seemed to disappear. Then last week I saw they had a new video and that's when I was captured.

They don't have the sound you would expect, it's got that psychedelia feel to it, but it works. Not many bands can pull a sound like that off, but they do.

I sat down, with the headphones on as I often do, and watched the video for "Powerful and Cunning" and it hit me, who they reminded me of. It just came to me in a wave of realisation that made me sit up and pay even more attention to these guys.

Back in the day (yes I realise I'm getting old, and so I am allowed to use that phrase) I was obsessed with a band called "Million Dead" a band who I never ever got to see perform live and I hate myself to this day for that. Twisted Illusions video for "Powerful and Cunning" reminded me so much of that, in both the way it was shot and the song itself. Million Dead were one of my favourite bands around and if Twisted Illusion keep going the way they are, I can see them climbing up my top 20 list (that list will never be revealed due to me being a bam)

Powerful and Cunning is a video that as soon as you watch it your first thoughts are "What the hell is this" and to be honest if you watched it on mute, you would think that you were watching the intro to a cheesy horror from the 80's.......BUT.........that's not a bad thing. Look at the way it's shot, look at the angles, the lens motion, the whole thing comes together beautifully and to be quite honest I love it. It's one backward masked wonder walking through the countryside, with not a care in the world, and my guess is that under that hood he's listening to the track itself, which is great. You get the feel that the video fits the music and vice versa. Twisted Illusion are a slowed down version of Million Dead, and if they sped up their music they would be on to a proper winner.

I want you to see what I'm talking about

So I've posted both videos below for you to compare.

Twisted Dead or Million Illusion?

No?

Yeah you're right, lets leave them to their own name

Twisted Illusion

 I want these guys to push themselves and get to the stage where I'll kick myself if I don't see them live. I want them to turn into my new dirty secret.

Because you know what, they have the potential, they have the talent, they just need to get the music up one tiny notch, and I'm not saying that as a criticism, I'm saying that because I know they have the talent to go far, and I'll be frustrated if they don't!

Twisted Illusion - Powerful and Cunning

Million Dead - Living The Dream