Tommy used to play in punk bands back in the 70s and 80s, but has now resurrected his career and become a popular entertainer on the Scottish comedy circuit.
He has been described as Edinburgh’s very own Half Man Half Biscuit and praised for his pop sensibility and witty lyrics. As editor of the popular online satirical paper, The Daily Reckless (www.dailyreckless.com), he regularly gives away free CDs.
He has appeared in several shows in the Edinburgh Festival and was a regular guest on the Tommy Sheridan show on Talk 107. He has also collaborated with journalist Robert McNeil, whose reviews of Scottish MSPs Tommy shaped into a collection of songs about Scottish political leaders. The resultant EP was featured in The Scotsman and The Sunday Herald.
Manchester's Amida have been compared to both the Pixies and the Magnetic Fields - due in part to their ability to wrench catchy pop from dark subject matter. This is exemplified on their debut mini-album 'Arts and Crafts' which, rattling through six tracks in under 13 minutes, has been described as "a masterclass in pop economy".
Pushing shiny pop hooks to a lo-fi aesthetic, the Just Joans create tales of heartache and teenage longing in small town Caledonia. Is This Music described their debut album (Last Tango In Motherwell) as "frankly staggering", and probably the best album of that year. This was followed by two mini-albums on the rather lovely Wee POP label: Virgin Lips and Hey Boy, You're So Sensitive.
The Occasional Flickers' main songwriter Giorgos Bouras recorded debut album 'Scattered Songs' in his native Greece. But it wasn't until he relocated to Greece and put together a new live band that the music truly felt at home. Imbued with the lyrical wit of Belle and Sebastian, but delivered in the off hand style of the Pastels - they're the best Scottish pop band to ever come out of Greece. Or maybe the best Greek pop band in Scotland. Either way, they're not to be missed.
Rags & Feathers recently supported a Hawk and a Hacksaw in Glasgow, and rather brilliant they were too. Note perfect folk-pop, kinda like the Handsome Family by way of Fairport Convention.
Ziggy Campbell fronts Edinburgh folktronic popsters FOUND. His solo performances tread a similar path, but the stripped back set-up helps place more emphasis on intimacy and experimentation, helped by his collection of home-made instruments and vintage loop pedals.
Having already recorded and released two albums this year (Apple Tits for Destuction - which has "a 60s vibe", and Dance, which is "mainly all circuit bent instruments and drums"), and with plans for two more (one abstract war concept album, and one straight forward indie), Les Enfant Bastard could just be the most prolific, if not the most diverse, artist in Scotland just now.
sweet rock and roll//it will cleanse yr soul//the lost velvet underground classic exhumed//free limited download now on the myspace//
colours + noise = love//the polaroids x x
That was a great performance you did at the Palistinne Solidarity Campaign Fundraiser on Saturday! You didn't honestly think you'd get away without playing "Big John Smeaton" did you? Thanks for Comming! FreeloadinFrank
Well, as some of you probably know, Lewis is soon to leave for a year of unbridled race hate in Japan. Despite him being the only band member easily replaceable with a machine or a spazzy chimp the other two Dastardlys have decided to call it a day. It just wouldn't be the same without the elderly mong. It would probably be fucking miles better, but still.
We'd like to thank everyone who's supported us along the way, from the Atom Bombs days and beyond. We'd also like to apologise again to anyone who was at *that* Ego gig. Sorry. Really, really sorry.
We'll be playing a Streisand-esque farewell gig at the Wee Red Bar on Friday the 8th of June, supported by our comrades-in-arms Private Jackson. No word on prices and times yet, but I'll wager it'll be cheap and in the evening, so put it in your diaries. And yes, we're well aware of the irony of spending two years railing against art school disco only to play our final gig there, so you can wipe that smirk off your face cunto.
What is the USC Live Showcase and Convention 2007?
The USC Live Showcase and Convention is a celebration of great unsigned songwriting talent and will give those in attendance the chance to network among workers of the Music Industry. The event will feature the winning songwriter and two runner-ups of USC'07 performing their winning material. There will also be stands around the venue featuring Musician's Union, Roland UK, UK Songwriting Festival and more. Click this link to find out more about the USC Live Showcase and Convention 2007 on 14th May at the Colston Hall, in Bristol!
FREE Tickets for Entrants to Unsigned Song Contest 2007!
The are a number of tickets available immediately on a 1st come 1st serve basis to those who entered USC 2007 exclusively. To claim your tickets simply email us at info@unsignedsongcontest.co.uk with the following details;
1. Your Name (If you entered as a band put the name of the band you represent)
2. Your Address (so we can post them to you)
3. Name of the song(s) you entered
4. Number of Tickets (Limit of 4 free tickets per entrant. If your band has more than 4 members then please state this in your email)
(Unfortunatley, we cannot supply free tickets to everyone who entered USC this year due to venue capacity.)
