Song, by Toad

As you can see I have complied with Mrs. Toad’s request to stop featuring cutesy Edinburgh pictures on these little posts and put up some pictures of radgy wee neds instead. This is something I think she feels is more representative of a kind of Edinburgh life that tends to be ignored (for more such pictures, go here, it’s hilarious).

I play football regularly in Craigmillar, often against teams from there or alternatively from lovely places like Craigour, Niddrie and other delightful Edinburgh tourist spots. I’ve actually been threatened with being knifed something like three or four times during various matches when we’ve played out there. It is a little unsettling actually, because for all you always have to respond with bravado – ‘Yeah fuck off – I’m more scared of your Mum you little poof’ or something equally erudite – there’s always the slender chance that one of the weaselly little fuckers is just crazy enough to mean it.

The biggest question I have with neds (pikeys, scallys, radges, whatever you local variation might be) is how they manage to find the stamina to go through life so CONSTANTLY FUCKING ANGRY. Honestly, where does that rage come from, how can they summon that level of anger, all of every day, about nothing at all? I suppose having lost at everything doesn’t help. Maybe the anger is why they live such short lives too – the rage must just burn you up.

Anyway, all that’s by the by really, isn’t it. What’s on this week then? Not much, but one absolute corker: Fence Club.

Wednesday 17th September 2008: James Yorkston & the Athletes, Malcolm Middleton, and Pictish Trail & Rozi Plain at The Caves.
In terms of lineups you’d struggle to beat this. James Yorkston’s new album is gorgeous, and given his tour is necessarily going to be a solo affair I really recommend you take this chance to see him now. The lush beauty of the sound is going to be perfect for The Caves, especially with full Athletic accompaniment. Malcolm Middleton’s literate, witty, downbeat indie takes little introduction, I would hope, and the dynamic duo of Pictish and Plain should be a treat. Tickets are getting close to selling out, too, so I’d buy one now if I were you. The official line is that there should be tickets left to sell on the door, but they aren’t certain. Book here to put your mind at rest.
James Yorkston – Queen of Spain
Malcolm Middleton – A Brighter Beat

Saturday 20th September 2008: Jonquil at Henry’s Cellar Bar.
One of Edinburgh’s own has recently agreed to become their manager, so they must be good. It’s a sort of experimental folk sound, broadly speaking, and is really bloody marvellous live. It’s a late one too, so don’t get so plastered you fail to appreciate the music. I do that all the fucking time, and it irritates the shit out of me.
Jonquil – Apparency

And, you know, I really think that’s it.

Sick of hearing about these guys yet?  We’ll I’m bloody well not, so you can bugger off.  I’ve been watching Broken Records for almost a year now, and coninute to be impressed.  Their playing is getting better and better too.

It never ocurred to me when I first saw them play that there was anything at all rough about their performance, but watching them now they are so much tighter and more coherent as a group.  A lot of gigs have been played this year and they seem to be functioning better and better as a group, which makes for better and better gigs.  Their capacity for going from the heartbroken gypsy lament to a thunderous tornado of noise has been honed to a very sharp point indeed.

At this one they actually had something of a mosh pit going, but seeing as it was a student party that was hardly surprising.  The audience loved them, but I actually think I preferred the response when I saw them play just before Christmas.  Towards the end of the set Jamie asked if anyone had seen them before, and the cheer was huge – most of the crowd, it seemed.  And then, during the dramatic pause towards the end of set closer Slow Parade, there was absolutely total silence, until the band broke into the last swirl of the song.

These people were fans and the knew all the songs.  The students on Thursday were hugely enthusiastic and must have been great fun to play for, but I think that silence is what has most impressed me about the impact Broken Records are making in the city.  There may even be an official single release on the horizon too, which is just brilliant news.

Broken Records – The Slow Parade
Broken Records – If the News Makes You Sad, Don’t Watch It

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