The Skinny issue 39 by The Skinny

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ISSUE 39 :: DECEMBER 2008 :: FREE

Top ten albums of 2008

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27/11/08

12:52:25

SAY HELLO TO 2OO9

WELCOME EDITORIAL This month Alex Salmond ﬂew up to Aberdeen on Remembrance Day to attend the announcement of a £50m endowment from businessman Sir Ian Wood for the development of Aberdeen city centre, even though the details of the endowment were somewhat sketchy, and likely to come with strings attached. Why the shortnotice trip from the First Minister? Because £50m is a hell of a lot of money (see p. 8 for a survey of Aberdonians’ reactions).

Join us the at the newly refurbished Opal Lounge for the Gold Party. Gold dancing girls, Gold cocktails, Gold Champagne goblets flowing with Moët & Chandon.... It’s the only way to guarantee entry to Opal on Hogmanay. —

Wednesday 31 December from 7pm til late / entry £30 —

51a George Street Edinburgh eh2 2ht Tel. 0131 226 2275 info@opallounge.co.uk www.opallounge.co.uk

It is a wonder, then, that the cost of the redevelopment of the centre of a nation's third city can be put in the same bracket as the acquisition of a couple of paintings. The images I'm referring to are the two Titians that the National Galleries of Scotland are trying – in partnership with the National Gallery in London – to raise funds for, at the cost of £50m a pop. They are currently on loan from the Duke of Sutherland, but he has stated that he needs a down-payment of £21m to secure them for the nation, prior to the raising of the full whack sum. There seems no easy way to summarise this situation (though the introduction of a 100% inheritance tax over £5m would be one way to start), because while the Sutherland family are effectively issuing an ultimatum to the people, the price they're asking is in fact miles off market value, which would be up around £150m. For sure, these aren't ordinary paintings. Though Britain has a comparatively large number of Titians (over 20), both in the National Gallery in London and in stately homes in England, and any Titian is a big deal, the two in Scotland's collection are particularly ﬁne. Art historians will trace inspiration to everyone from Rubens to Cézanne in their ﬁgures and landscapes, and their themes, while classical, are full of drama and popular appeal.

So Good it’s sinful. Celebrate Hogmanay at Lulu with the Seven Deadly Sins party * Chocolate fountains * Casino tables * Moët & Chandon * Champagne and canapés It’s the only way to guarantee entry to Lulu on Hogmanay Wednesday 31 December from 7pm til late / entry £30

For a city with such a strong tourist industry, and a nation with such strong ties, both contemporary and historical, to creative culture, it could certainly seem a shallow move to lose such great assets.

DECEMBER 08

Currently showing at the Gagosian Gallery in London is a commercial exhibition of American sculptor Richard Serra’s vast steel structures, which already exist in spectacular fashion in other European cities, not least at the Tuileries Gardens in Paris. How great would one of these pieces look, on the concourse next to the RSA and the National Gallery on The Mound? Great. And there would be some nice conceptual undertones too… For a city built on a bloody great rock, yet a city, perched as it has ever been between Scottish and English culture, not even the nation’s ﬁrst capital, a rock-city that is almost a kind of non-place, how appropriate would it be to have a fantastic sculpture, centrally placed, with an enormous hollow centre that people could walk into and feel the simultaneous space and protection? I don’t know really, but it’d certainly be an interesting addition to the city’s central spaces. This is, of course, The Skinny’s Christmas and Hogmanay issue, so season’s greetings to all of you from us at the magazine. Our run-down of the albums of the year starts on page 31, and be sure to have a good look at David Lemm’s fantastic cover, as the identities of all the bands we’ve nominated are in there (with varying degrees of allusiveness, and a few misleading additions).

In her Art section editorial this month, Rosamund West argues strongly that the money these

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK:

PUBLISHER

SOPHIE KYLE

E: hello@theskinny.co.uk

EDITOR

RUPERT THOMSON

THE SKINNY

P: The Skinny, The Drill Hall, 30-38 Dalmeny St, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG Issue 39, December 2008 © Radge Media Ltd. The Skinny offers a wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business. Get in touch to find out more: E: sales@theskinny.co.uk T: 0131 467 4630 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the printer or the publisher.

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4 THE SKINNY

I ﬁnd it impossible to come down heavily on one side or the other in this debate, but certainly one thing needs to be borne in mind: you can get a lot for 50 million quid. One idea I do like is that Scotland continues to be a place to view the very best art. And with this in mind, there's one tangent I'd like to throw into the debate. What else could we get? Either instead of keeping the Titians; or, seeing as we're already striking out for £100m, a (relatively) petite additional sum.

And, if you’re feeling a little too warm and lovely what with all the goodwill, there’s always Malcolm Middleton’s bleakly hilarious Christmas message (p. 39) to place you, amongst a full-issue’s worth of exciting wintry goings-on.

Printed by Trinity Mirror

125b George Street, Edinburgh Telephone 0131 225 5005 www.luluedinburgh.co.uk

paintings would cost would be much better spent on grass-roots arts projects to build a stronger and more rounded Scottish arts scene. Certainly there's a strong case there: consider that the Scottish Arts Council's funding for 2007/8 was £59.9m, and you'll have a sense of how much could (and I do mean could) be achieved.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MATT MACLEOD

ENTERPRISE MANAGER

LARA MOLONEY

PRODUCTION EDITOR

DAVID LEMM

SALES EXECUTIVE

BECCA POTTINGER

ABERDEEN EDITOR

JACO JUSTICE

ONLINE & MUSIC EDITOR

DAVE KERR

CLUBS EDITOR

CHRIS DUNCAN

HEADS UP EDITOR

ERIN MCEILHINNEY

DEVIANCE EDITOR

NINE

FASHION EDITOR

LINDSAY WEST

THEATRE EDITOR

GARETH K. VILE

FILM EDITOR

GAIL TOLLEY

DVD EDITOR

MICHAEL GILLESPIE

COMEDY EDITOR

LIZZIE CASS-MARAN

BOOKS EDITOR

KEIR HIND

GAMES EDITOR

JOSH WILSON

ART EDITOR

ROSAMUND WEST

FOOD & DRINK EDITOR

RUTH MARSH

CLUB LISTINGS

ANDREW COOKE

SUBEDITORS

ROSAMUND WEST PAUL GREENWOOD ALLY BROWN PAUL MITCHELL EUAN FERGUSON

SHOWCASE CURATOR

ROSAMUND WEST

LISTINGS EDITOR

BECCA POTTINGER

CONTENTS

Contents

DF CONCERTS & TPF EVENTS PRESENT

Showcase

Edward McGowan’s “digital screen prints”

W A R E H O U S E PA R T Y

Heads Up

HAPPY MONDAYS 808 STATE SLAM

Aberdeen’s new arts centre

Fashion

(ACID HOUSE SET)

Geek chic and Craft Mafia

MORE ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED

PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE - ORIGINAL TICKETS STILL VALID

Food & drink

Local and global foodie treats

GLASGOW CARLING ACADEMY

Edward McGowan :: P6

Deviance

SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER

‘Transphobia’ in mainstream gay rights movements

3PM - 1AM

www.myspace.com/fac51thehacienda www.thehaciendamustbebuilt.co.uk

Film

GLASGOW CARLING ACADEMY THURSDAY 11TH DECEMBER NEW ALBUM ‘M.O.R.’ OUT NOW WWW.ALABAMA3.CO.UK

Going Gonzo with Alex Gibney

Games

koko brown

Taking on the world with Guitar Hero

Books

Buy a book for Christmas! Geek Chic :: P12

+ ISOSCELES

LEVELLERS plus special guests

Theatre

Divokej Bill + Frank Turner

GLASGOW ABC

Thursday 18th December

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay theatre spectacular

New Levellers studio album ‘Letters from the Underground’ out now www.levellers.co.uk www.myspace.com/levellers

GLASGOW ABC Friday 12th December

comedy

Comedians look back on a year in comedy

Art

GLASGOW KING TUTS

+ UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER

glasgow king tuts sunday 7th december

Malcolm Middleton saves christmas :: P41

+ KALEIDOSCOPE EYES

Jean Muir and Project Slogan

+ PLAAYDOH

Music

Glasgow King Tuts

Best ‘o the year round-up

+ LAWRENCE ARABIA + CONNAN MOCKASIN + LOUIS MACBETH

Tuesday 23rd December

GLASOW KING TUTS THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER

Records

Top albums and singles of the month.

+ CALL TO MIND + LIONS.CHASE.TIGERS

GLASGOW KING TUTS

SUNDAY 14TH DECEMBER

Clubs

SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER

ben ottewell from GOMEZ

Festive clubbing guide

Listings david anderson

6 8 10 14 16 18 22 23 24 27 28 30 42 50 54 67

Issue 39 :: December 2008

Competitions Tell us what you think and win stuff!

www.theskinny.co.uk

Frightened rabbit:: P36

EDINBURGH EDINBURGH LIQUID ROOM CABARET VOLTAIRE

SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER

WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER

TICKETS: 24HRS: 08444 999 990 & www.gigsinscotland.com IN PERSON: GLASGOW Tickets Scotland, EDINBURGH Ripping, DUNDEE Grouchos and all Ticketmaster Ticket Outlets. ONLINE: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

December 08

THE SKINNY 5

Contents

DF CONCERTS PRESENTS…DF CONCERTS PRESENTS…DF CONCERTS PRESENTS…

THE SKINNYShowcase Edward McGowan grew up in the Kingdom of Fife and spent most of his youth reading comics, riding his bike and drawing monsters. He graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2006 and briefly worked as a graphic designer before making the jump into freelance illustration earlier this year. His work can best be described as digital silkscreening. Taking influences from various sources he creates mostly digital work for commercial clients and prefers to use traditional methods for his personal work. Since graduating his work has been published internationally in publications like the New York Times, Business Week, The Times, Research World and Canadian Business. He currently works out of his studio at the Owl & Lion Gallery which he co-founded in November 2007 with bookbinder Isabelle Ting. Edward spends his days drawing, listening to Jim Morrison, and drinking copious amounts of Moroccan coffee. He hopes to live in San Francisco one day. More artwork can be found at www.edwardmcgowan.com FOR THE CHANCE TO SEE YOUR WORK HERE, EMAIL PICS AND INFO TO SHOWCASE@THESKINNY.CO.UK

HEADS UP Caring Christmas Trees

Don’t you just love trees? We do! If you buy a real tree from Caring Christmas Trees this year, you’ll actually be performing a conscience-placating double whammy: an environmentally-friendly manoeuvre, and a donation to a local charity. Real Christmas trees are 100% recyclable and for every tree that is uprooted another is planted, making the whole process neatly sustainable; discarded plastic trees, on the other hand, can only look forward to lying around in trash heaps for the next few thousand years or so. Christmas is a very wasteheavy time of year already, with all the wrapping, food packaging and general consumption producing an estimated three million tonnes of waste over the seasonal months, so using real trees is one way of significantly

reducing the impact. Consider the carbon footprint aspect too - Caring Christmas Trees are home-grown in Scotland whereas fake trees have to be flown (aircraft = bad carbon, remember) across the world. Plus, all profits are split between four charities- Bethany Christian Trust (Edinburgh and Fife), Kibble, (Paisley), Impact Arts (Glasgow) and Gowrie Care (Dundee) - so your money goes straight back into the local community. If you feel inspired to help out further, you can also volunteer to help flyer or distribute - check out the website for details on where your free time can best be put to use: www.caringchristmastrees.com. [Edward Whelan]

Emma

Anita

Stuart

Phil

Tommy

Gutter Talk the mean streets of aberdeen

by Jaco Justice

Elly Rothnie, Campaign Director, Peacock Visual Arts WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU? I went to see a phenomenal production of The Deep Blue Sea starring Greta Scacchi at His Majesty’s Theatre earlier this year. It was truly inspiring, but such a shame there wasn’t a bigger audience there to appreciate it.

Ethical Christmas Fayre

WHERE DO THE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF ABERDEEN CURRENTLY CONVERGE FOR SOCIALISING AND NETWORKING?

@ the Winter Festival

I think the problem currently is that there isn’t a main social hub, and as a result the arts scene is terribly fragmented; there really needs to be a city centre facility dedicated to the contemporary arts.

Returning to Edinburgh this December is the glorious Ethical Christmas Fayre, a giant array of booths brimming with fairtrade goodies and perfect for unique present hunting. Hosted by Hand Up Media, the Fayre will be held in Castle St from 6 – 14 December.

COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES?

It is easy to be overwhelmed amongst the moneygrabbing high street stores at Christmas, and the Fayre proposes to offer a friendly haven of ethically minded shopping. There are over 25 stalls including The One World Shop, Christian Aid, World Women Trade Fair, Zuri and RSPB. Children can speak to Green Santa about their Christmas plans - even if it does involve lots of plastic toys flown over from China - and there will be the usual goodie bags, giveaways and competitions.

Yes, but if it’s going to happen the Council and the universities must drive the agenda forward by putting in the infrastructure and that, I’m afraid, requires investment. If we build it they will come.

It’s not just about shopping, though: Hand Up have also invited the founders of Divine Chocolate along to speak about their success as a fairtrade company, and joining them will also be several women from World Women Trade Fair, an organisation that promotes women entrepreneurs in the developing world. Add to that the food tastings, film showings, musicians and the general peace of mind the Fayre offers and we’re thinking it’ll be one of the few stress-free shopping experiences of the season. [Edward Whelan]

Also on...

the skinny highlights some bits & pieces coming up in December comedy awards, David O’Doherty, does two nights at The Stand Edinburgh and Glasgow on 9th and 10th respectively. Saturday 13th will see Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall sparkle with old-school glamour with the Bizarre Bazaar, Scotland’s first craft fair dedicated to promoting the cream of Scottish burlesque crafters. Then back to Eden Court for a rather intriguing double bill: The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter and Dumb Waitress by Danny McLaughlin opens on 17th… and all that’s just the first half of the month. See www. theskinny.co.uk for more details on all of the above.

December 08

WHERE DO THE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF ABERDEEN CURRENTLY CONVERGE FOR SOCIALISING AND NETWORKING? Although we have places like Peacock Visual Arts and Kilau, Aberdeen is missing a central hub, which is why I was so disappointed about threats to the planned new contemporary arts centre. COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? Yes. I am concerned that we invest in creativity in Aberdeen because it is so intimately linked to our individual and community health in every sense. FROM WHICH ABERDEEN LOCATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESS THE CITY?

WHERE DO THE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF ABERDEEN CURRENTLY CONVERGE FOR SOCIALISING AND NETWORKING? I am not aware of anywhere; a central place is much needed. COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? It could, but it currently lacks infrastructure; The Northern Light (the proposed centre for contemporary art) is an absolutely essential part of creating that. FROM WHICH ABERDEEN LOCATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESS THE CITY?

Anita Stewart, Artist WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU? Gutted I missed DO IT! Jon Reid, Alex Horne executing visuals, Al Allan launching his zine Entrails. DIY culture, love it.

COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? Yes yes yes! I know many talented folk who would like to live, work and stay here. There’s people, history, culture, ideas, money and a good lack of pretension.

FROM WHICH ABERDEEN LOCATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESS THE CITY? Stand him on top of the World War Two pillboxes just a short walk north of the Don at the beach. They’re gradually returning to dust; it would make an impressive image.

From any of the great community projects people are running throughout the city; maybe the home of SHMU FM?

WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU?

The Castlegait.

8 THE SKINNY

The opening of a new clothes shopcum-dressmaking recyclers called Rose Hip & Tutu in Rosemount; it brings fun and creativity back into getting dressed in the morning.

If he can’t do it in Peacock’s new Centre for the Contemporary Arts then I’d quite like to see him in the Fittie Bar.

Gray’s School of Art’s sculpture students show, Conceptually Transmitted 2, which was held in the basement spaces near The Tunnels. It was great art in a hitherto inaccessible urban space.

www.handupmedia.co.uk

WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU?

Phil Thompson, Creative Cultures

WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU?

www.edinburghswinterfestivals.com

Emma Kid, writer

FROM WHICH ABERDEEN LOCATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESS THE CITY?

Stuart MacDonald, Head of Gray’s School of Art

www.fairtrade.org.uk

The A96 Artists’ Collective open their month-long exhibition at Eden Court in Inverness on 1st. King Creosote brings his melodic folky sound to Stirling’s Tolbooth on Friday 5th, Dr Sketchy’s Edinburgh presents its Christmas Bonanza with Vixens of Silk on 6th. Later on that day QMU in Glasgow are holding a comedy night to raise awareness of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; all profits go to Amnesty International. Alien Wars, the Arches’ real life extra-terrestrial experience, also opens that weekend, while the winner of this year’s if.

Elly

I have to say the FOUND guys (Ziggy & Tommy) speaking at the Creative Cultures / Cultural Enterprise Office networking night. It’s great to see how art, fun and partnerships can result in amazing work – as well as a well-lived life.

Tommy Perman, FOUND creative and ex-Aberdeen student WHAT WAS THE LAST ARTS/CREATIVE EVENT IN ABERDEEN THAT INSPIRED YOU? Hearing Sarah J Tingle speak at the Creative Cultures / Cultural Enterprise Office event this November at Transmission; I was extremely impressed with her attitude towards independent, noncommercial art in Aberdeen.

TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHERE DO THE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF ABERDEEN CURRENTLY CONVERGE FOR SOCIALISING AND NETWORKING? I am pleased to say that Creative Cultures is now seen as a way of networking with a wide representation of the creative community. COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? Absolutely, just like Dundee became renowned for gaming. Aberdeen has its fair share of amazingly talented, creative individuals; we need more support for these people, including outlets for their talents.

TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHERE DO THE ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS OF ABERDEEN CURRENTLY CONVERGE FOR SOCIALISING AND NETWORKING? I don’t have a good knowledge of the current scene, but I would imagine they converge at exhibition openings, or perhaps in the pubs down on the docks.

COULD ABERDEEN GROW INTO A CITY FAMED FOR ITS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES? Definitely. If the new arts centre in Union Terrace is given the go ahead then it could become a beacon of culture in

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE BANKSY PAINT YOUR HOUSE OR DAMIEN HIRST PICKLE YOUR PET? I’d like Brian Ross (local artist extraordinaire) to paint my house and David Blyth (another talented local artist) to pickle my cats.

the North of Scotland.

WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE BANKSY PAINT YOUR HOUSE OR DAMIEN HIRST PICKLE YOUR PET? I’d rather Hirst pickled Banksy.

HEADS UP

HEADS UP Robin

Babs

Jenny

Duncan & David

Sam & Anthony

Ryan & Sophie

Gutter Talk

by Paddy Kondracki

l! Hogmanay Specia Robin J Thomson, 31

Babs Turner, 24

Jenny Malcolm, 27

WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2008?

Living in Holland and getting stoned for the whole year.

One of my friends gave me a free ticket for T in the Park, which was brilliant.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009? Edinburgh changing a little bit - more theatre hopefully because of me and some other likeminded people who work with me at the Forest Café.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009? The first step to my new career…in photography. Hopefully going to do a course in it.

BEST MEMORIES OF HOGMANAY?

Not drinking but still having a good time with my mates back in 2000.

The fact that there’s never any memories.

WORST MEMORIES OF...?

Working in Vegas (the club). Had to walk to work in the worst weather Scotland has ever seen.

Looking after people who have sick in their hair.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THIS ONE? Having a quiet one with the family. WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? Kate Winslet – she’s underrated.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THIS ONE? Studio 24 - nothing beats a bit of air guitar when the bells sound. WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? Simon Amstell.

BEST HANGOVER CURE?

Obama. BEST MEMORIES OF HOGMANAY? I’m from the Shetlands and we go from house to house with a special soup; you go in and share the soup with whoever’s house it is…except by the end of the night you hate the soup. WORST MEMORIES OF...? I had a bad boyfriend experience… *shudders* TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING NEW YEAR INTACT? Having something to get rid of the soup in: a pot plant, down the loo... WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? Clive Owen…,cause he’s hot. BEST HANGOVER CURE? Water, water and more water.

Never stop drinking…and a blow job if you can get one.

BEST HANGOVER CURE?

Duncan Scott, 27 David Venables, 26

Sam Smith 25, Anthony Benson 28

Ryan Moore, 21 Sophie George, 21

WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHLIGHT OF 2008?

SS: Turning 25 and buying my car.

RM: Aberdeen winning against Dundee United back in August.

DS: My brother getting married. DV: Hogmanay party lasting till the end of May, so half the year is just a blur… BEST MEMORIES OF HOGMANAY? DV: When the street party was cancelled a couple of years back. We won some tickets to stay in the Sheraton but when we couldn’t get into Princes Street, we just started our own wee party right outside. DS: And harangued this piper to play some tunes…by the end we had a huge crowd doing little congas everywhere. It was brilliant. People were stuffing fivers into his hat… TOP TIPS FOR SURVIVING NEW YEAR INTACT? DS: Fall asleep on the 30th and don’t wake up till the 3rd. DV: Don’t stop till you’ve got to go to work. WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? DS: Angelina Jolie….the stereotypical answer I suppose. DV: I think I’ll be putting my lips on a bottle of Jameson’s.

www.theskinny.co.uk

Bacon roll and a can of Irn Bru

AB: Arsenal beating Manchester United 3 weeks ago. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009? SS: Summer - come on summer!…Warm summer.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009? RM and SG: Graduating…we’re sick of doing exams.

AB: The end of the economic slowdown.

WORST MEMORIES OF...?

BEST MEMORIES OF HOGMANAY?

RM: Street party of 2006 - it was crammed and I got crushed.

SS: Going to Las Vegas: I didn’t gamble a dime and partied my arse off.

SG: No bad memories.

AB: Mine would have to be for the Millennium when I went to South Africa. WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? SS: Jamie Redknapp AB: Lucy Liu BEST HANGOVER CURE? SS: Oros, which is a South African juice which you have to dilute. AB: Personal time with one’s partner which induces sleep…and maybe some OJ.

RM: What about, like, the let down of Hogmanay? SS: No…I always have a good time. (bickering ensues) WHO WOULD BE YOUR DREAM PERSON TO KISS AT MIDNIGHT? SG: I’m not sure….no…of course it’d be Ryan. RM: Now I’m not so sure, like! BEST HANGOVER CURE? RM: Irn Bru. SG: A hot water bottle and a DVD.

December 08

THE SKINNY 9

FASHION

SKINNY Jeans

ALL WE WANT FOR XMAS IS…

BY LINDSAY WEST

You know if it’s a choice between covering Christmas or New Year, that here in the fashion cupboard, we’re always going to roll out in favour of Christmas. The one time of year at which it’s perfectly legitimate to both shop ludicrously in quantity and kind, and to make obscene, materialistic demands on friends and relatives? Versus an overpriced winter night spent fenced inside a city centre, awash with ﬂat beer, punctuated only by the wailings of Amy McDonald and Paolo Nutini? Forget it, son – no contest. And since we’ve succeeded in ﬁlling the rest of our fashion pages with a suitable orgy of shiny debauchery, we’ll exit ‘08 with a modest, two-prong, give-and-receive list for the festive season.

THE SELFISH WE WANT: A MINI-BREAK TO OTSEGO, MINNESOTA Why Otsego? Not because of its prime location on the ‘Great River Road’ in Wright County, where the Crow River joins the Mississippi. A logical assumption, but not the case. No, Otsego is our destination of choice due to its being home, we are told, to the largest SuperTarget store in all of those great fifty states. SuperTarget, being the supersized, bigger volume brother to normal Target, is, we figure, the best place to park ourselves come March ‘09. For why? Well, my uninitiated chums, on a date TBC in March ‘09, Target is set to receive delivery of a capsule, pocket-money-priced, diffusion collection by Alexander McQueen. McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, as it’s wordily titled, is reported to be a collection filled with bubble dresses, denim jackets, and signature scarves, designed in mind of McQueen’s muse, Leila Moss of the Duke Spirit. If we were lesser mortals, into ‘I-toldyou-so’s, we’d remind you that we indicated many moons ago on these very pages that Ms Moss was a style icon worth channeling. But given that we’re above all that, we’ll give that a miss and rather spend our time fixated on thoughts of the clothes. And given that it isn’t available here, you now have three months to: a) make friends with a lonely American who can negotiate both a shopping trolley and the US postal service; b) save up and sharpen your claws to fight it out on eBay; or c) arrange that mini-break to Otsego. You’ve been warned.

oddball items fit for even the most awkward of recipients. Is your uncle a fly-fisherman who’s into letter writing? Got a niece with a habit of wandering off in supermarkets who happens to be a Pokemon fan? With its thousands of specialty sellers, Etsy is surely the only place that offers the carp-emblazoned envelopes and personalized Pikachu name badge you’ve been looking for. Set up like an eBay for the handmade, Etsy leaves out the bidding wars and allows its mostly independent business-based sellers to sell their stock to an international audience at fair prices. Thus, an extraordinary range of unusual items, from jewellery to art prints, searchable by keyword and even colour, is at your fingertips. Given that the personalization option garners extra brownie points in the gift-giving stakes, and that the shopping process doesn’t involve listening to Slade on a loop (unless your iTunes library is seriously lacking), we’re going to be doing all the Xmas shopping we don’t get done at the GCM markets right here. And if a few items with our own names on them should fall into our virtual trolley, is that really our fault? It’s Christmas, after all, and that, my friends, is the beauty of the festive season. God bless us, everyone.

The Flash Mob FANCY A DIFFERENT WAY TO XMAS SHOP? GLASGOW CRAFT MAFIA'S UPCOMING WINTER MARKETS MAY PROVE JUST THE TICKET, WITH THEIR ECLECTIC RANGE OF INDIE DESIGN GOODS, FASHIONED BY THE CREAM OF GLASGOW'S CRAFTING TALENT. RACHAEL MACINTYRE TAKES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS... Founded in 2007 by indie entrepreneurs Jo Gurney (of label Stella My Star) and Tracey Burns (of TBoo), Glasgow Craft Mafia is part of the larger, original Craft Mafia which was initially fashioned in Austin, Texas in 2003. With the aim to promote alternative independent crafters in Glasgow and beyond, the GCM, run by chairperson Clare Nicholson, is now the largest Craft Mafia branch in the UK. The GCM spread their creative word in a variety of ways, the most popular being the Winter Indie Market season. The first upcoming market, Va Va Vintage at Qudos, Queen Margaret Union, sees the GCM members promoting the art of craft by selling their eclectic range of products such as jewellery, clothing and fashion accessories. The mafia then moves on to stints at Mono and Hillhead Library, but before indie market season gets rolling, here’s a heads up on some of our favourites - four stalls well worth seeking out.

T-BOO www.t-boo.com Co-founder, Tracey Burns, will be there selling her handmade T-Boo jewellery. As an “unashamed hoarder of broken jewellery, rogue buttons, fabric scraps and things that sparkle,” Tracey’s passion lies in making vintage and reclaimed objects into beautiful new pieces. Our favourite? Her kitschy ‘Scrabble Love’ bracelet.

THE CURIOUS SWIFT www.curiousswift.com

Look out for the Curious Swift, whose new jewellery range ‘Kowai-Kawaii’, literally translated as ‘scary-cute’ in Japanese, combines designer Gini’s love for odd creatures, weird monsters and graphics with classic silver and kimono fabric. Each item in the range retails at £35 and they are hand-crafted from sterling silver. It’s not all for women though; every item is also available as a lapel pin for men.

ELECTRA FRENCH

www.electrafrench.com

Electra French offers quirky printed bags and t shirts for men and women which epitomise electro indie cool. An independent clothing company, Electra French’s main inﬂuence is modern Japanese culture, bringing bold and exciting prints to a European market. Cutting every stencil design for the t shirts by hand not only creates less pollutant waste by not having to reclaim screens with harmful chemicals; it also means that each design is unique.

THE SELFLESS WE’LL BE CLICKING THE HELL OUT OF: ETSY.COM In addition to being home to many of the wares of members of the Glasgow Craft Maﬁa (see article, right), etsy.com’s store inventory is packed to the rafters full of

And introducing...

LUCE KNITS

ELANORMEREDITH.CO.UK

GCM also nurtures new talent, with recent Glasgow School of Art graduates, CU CU (jewellery), Weird Wild Dog (printed accessories) and Luce Knits all attending the Va Va Vintage event at Glasgow QMU. Seen here, Luce Knits’ intricate hand knitted gloves, cuffs and scarves incorporate geometric forms and bold colours. GLASGOW CRAFT MAFIA’S WINTER MARKET SEASON KICKS OFF AT QUDOS,GLASGOW UNIVERSITY QMU ON 4 DEC, 12-6PM; THEN MOVES TO HILLHEAD LIBRARY ON 13TH DEC (10.30AM-4PM) AND ENDS AT MONO ON 14TH DEC (1PM-6PM). ENTRY IS FREE TO ALL MARKETS. WWW.GLASGOWCRAFTMAFIA.COM

10 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

FASHION

THIS CHRISTMAS, TREAT YOUR ANGELS AT SILVERBURN STARRING

MARKS & SPENCER ★ DEBENHAMS ★ NEXT ★ 3 STORE (3G) ★ ARGOS ★ BENETTON ★ BODYSHOP ★ BUILD A BEAR ★ BARRATTS ★ BEAVERBROOKS BARRHEAD TRAVEL ★ BANK ★ BURTON ★ BOOTS ★ CARPHONE WAREHOUSE ★ CLAIRE’S ACCESSORIES ★ COAST ★ CLINTON CARDS ★ COSTA COTSWOLD OUTDOOR ★ COFFEE REPUBLIC ★ DOROTHY PERKINS ★ DOMO ★ ERNEST JONES ★ EVANS ★ FUEL ★ FRANKIE & BENNY’S ★ GAME GRAVITY ★ H&M ★ HOLLAND & BARRATT ★ HAWES & CURTIS ★ H SAMUEL ★ HOBBS ★ JANE NORMAN ★ JACK & JONES ★ JD SPORTS JAMES LAKELAND ★ JJB SPORTS ★ KURT GEIGER ★ LK BENNETT ★ LA SENZA ★ LITTLE VIPS ★ LA TASCA ★ LIME BLUE ★ M&S CAFÉ MUSE ★ MONSOON ★ NANDO’S ★ NEW LOOK ★ OPTICAL EXPRESS ★ O’BRIENS ★ OFFICE ★ OASIS ★ ORTAK ★ PREZZO ★ PHASE EIGHT PASSION FOR PERFUME ★ PAST TIMES ★ PRINCIPLES ★ PIZZA HUT ★ PURE SPA ★ PHONES 4U ★ PARCHMENT ★ QUIZ ★ REPUBLIC ★ RED ★ ROX REMUS UOMO ★ RIVER ISLAND ★ SCHUH ★ SISLEY ★ STARBUCKS ★ SUPERDRUG ★ SUITS YOU ★ SWAROVSKI ★ T-MOBILE ★ THORNTONS TK MAXX ★ TESCO ★ TOPMAN ★ TOPSHOP ★ TRESPASS ★ VERO MODA ★ VISION EXPRESS ★ WAGAMAMA ★ WALLIS ★ WAREHOUSE ★ YO! SUSHI ★ ZARA ★ ZAVVI

OPEN TIL LATE a FREE PARKING a MINUTES FROM GLASGOW CITY CENTRE a WWW.SILVERBURN.COM WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

“SHOPPING HEAVEN” ★★★★★

DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 11

Steven wears: Shirt by Diesel, £60; Tie by American Apparel, £11; Jeans by All Saints, £55 ; Trainers by Topman, £15; 2079 Glasses by Oscar & Fitch, from £125 with lenses. Lauren wears: Cropped Cardigan by Topshop, £28; Prom Dress by Warehouse Spotlight, £75; Knee Socks by Primark, £1.50; 2021 Glasses by Oscar & Fitch, from £125 with lenses; Bracelet by Accessorize, stylist’s own; Earrings, model’s own

Lauren wears: T-Shirt Dress, £18; Overlayer Fluff Skirt (worn underneath), £30; Heart Bag , £25; Suede Shoe Boots, £70 – all by Topshop; Headband by American Apparel, £4; 2087 Glasses in Black by Oscar & Fitch, as before; Bracelet by Hilary Laing, £30; Ankle Socks – stylist’s own. Steven wears: Cardigan by John Smedley, £90; Shirt by Fred Perry, £65; Knit Tie by House of Fraser, £35; Jeans by All Saints as before; Trainers by Topman, as before; 2038 Glasses by Oscar & Fitch, from £125 with lenses.

Steven wears: Vintage Tank Top, £15; and Vintage Polo Shirt, £10 – bo Raw Vintage; Trousers by Kenneth Cole, £90; 2021 Glas by Oscar & Fitch, as before; Trainers by Fred Perry, mod

Lauren wears: Sweater by French Connection, £85; Placket Leggings by American Apparel, £20; Bracelets by Hilary Laing, 2087 Glasses in Pink by Oscar & Fitch, from £125 with len

12 THE SKINNY

December 08

Fashion

Lauren wears: Dress by Topshop, £50; Bracelets by Hilary Laing, from £10; 2087 Glasses in Black by Oscar & Fitch, from £125 with lenses; (on bench) Bag by Topshop, £30; Necktie (tied onto bag) by Hilary Laing, £25. Coats on pegs, crew’s own.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Koko Brown www.kokobrown.com

HAIR & MAKEUP

by Kylie Macbeth using MAC cosmetics www.kyliemacbeth.com

ART DIRECTION

Lindsay West

STYLING

Lindsay West & Clare Cameron

MODELS

Lauren & Steven @ Model Team

Oscar & Fitch

Multrees Walk, St Andrews Sq, Edinburgh. 0131 556 6461 www.oscarandfitch.com

Hilary Laing

www.hilarylaing.com

Raw Vintage

3 Abbot St, Shawlands, Glasgow. 0141 649 2752 www.re-cycleandwear.co.uk

With Many Thanks To Broughton Primary School, Edinburgh; House of Fraser & all of our stockists.

oth by sses del’s own.

s from £14; nses; Shoes by Aldo, and corsage – both stylist’s own

www.theskinny.co.uk

Lauren wears: Shirt Dress by Danielle Scutt for Topshop, stylist’s own; Over-Knee Socks by H&M, £2.99; 2021 Glasses in Black by Oscar & Fitch, as before; Shoes by M&S, stylist’s own. Steven wears: Nylon Snow Vest, £35 & Fine Jersey Tee, £13 – both by American Apparel; Cords by DKNY Jeans, £80; 2038 Glasses by Oscar & Fitch, as before; Trainers by Fred Perry, model’s own.

December 08

THE SKINNY 13

Fashion

Steven wears: Duffle Coat by Gant, £190; Shirt by Fred Perry, £55; Cords by DKNY Jeans, £80; Bow Tie by H&M, £5.99; 2079 Glasses by Oscar & Fitch, as before.

Food and drink Wasabi, Monkey Tea and Advocaat:

Must Be Xmas! Debbie Martin and Ruth Marsh hunt down some festive foodie treats and, whether they’re from Hawaii or the Inner Hebrides, they’re all just a mouse click away.

Christmas shopping on the high street? Pah, only if you enjoy slush, the cold and grumpy families. The sensible among us pour a gin and tonic and purchase our festive global goodies on the net. Chin, chin.

Monkey-Picked Tea £9.95 for 25 grams, www.firebox.com

Rare Hawaiian Organic Winter Honey

$14 (£9) per jar, www.volcanoislandhoney.com

Last year The Skinny brought you Civet Coffee. This year we present Monkey Picked Tea. Tea-picking has been a noble simian profession in China for 1,000 years, with monkeys trained to gather rare plants from cliff faces. The tea produced is fragrant and golden with a delicate flavour. The moral: if you want a truly tasty brew, leave it to your fur-coated compatriots.

Auntie Quaint’s CocAuLait Lavande

Hawaiian-based Volcano Island Honey have created an exotic flavoured blend, gleaned from the wild flowers that flourish in winter on the Mauna Kea volcano. Your toast has got a crush on it.

Wasabi and Green Pepper Sauce £10.50 for gift box of two 250ml bottles, www.woodchesterfinefoods.com

$12 (£7.70) per box, www.auntiequaint.com

‘Auntie Quaint’ of Tennessee is a true eccentric, having devoted her life to promoting the wonders of lavender. But when you try her “secret family recipe” cocoa with its rich blend of Mexican chocolate, lavender and chilli, her mission doesn’t seem so strange after all…

Dragon Beard Candy $17.50 (£11) per box, www.yuzumura.com

Two thousand years ago the Emperor of China demanded a treat, so his imperial chef whiskedup some Dragon Beard candy. 8,000 strands of hand-spun sugar wrapped around shredded coconut, peanuts and sesame seeds make this a rare and unusual delicacy.

Advocaat (oh yes!) £12.49 for 70cl, www.drinksdirect.co.uk

Advocaat gets a bad press, but this tasty blend of eggs, sugar and brandy needn’t just be for your mad auntie. It’s a festive classic that deserves a revival, and the campaign starts here...

White Truffle Cream

$19.99 (£12.85) per jar, www.trufflecafe.com

Nothing compares to wasabi, the only food that turns itself into a Japanese endurance style game-show before you’ve even swallowed it. This ‘Gold Taste Award’ winner from the Guild of Fine Foods is begging to be tried.

Christmas 2008 Cheese & Chutney Selection

OK, if all those food miles are making you baulk, here’s some ideas that will keep your money in Scotland and your conscience in clover. All are local products and can be ordered online:

£45, www.houseofcheese.co.uk

The Chocolate Tree

Connage Dairy Gift Box

House of Cheese have compiled a selection of award winning French and British cheeses, including Le Montagnard and Vintage Poacher. They also throw in a nice jar of festive chutney. A good excuse to drink wine (as if you needed one).

Bars from £2.20 www.the-chocolate-tree.co.uk

Cheese box, £17.50 www.connage.co.uk

These East Lothian-based organic chocolate makers began as a travelling chocolatier, going from festival to festival. Now you can also buy their products online and many of their goodies, from 72% cocoa bars studded with rose pepper, mango and blueberries to dairy-free chocolate and hazelnut spread, make ideal vegan stocking fillers. Due to their refusal to use preservatives and additives, make sure you wait until early December before you order any as pressies or you’ll just have to scoff them yourself (shame).

A bargainous box of all five of the Highland dairy’s award winning cheeses, plus some homemade organic oatcakes to provide a little roughage. Highlights include their ‘heaven on a spoon’ pasteurised curd cheese Crowdie (as good in a cheesecake as it is topped with salmon and black pepper), its soft and silky brie-style Cromal and the Dunlop, a nutty, unpasteurised hard cheese cloth-bound and matured for seven months.

Exotic Chocolate Truffle Collection

$40 (£25.50) per box, www.vosgeschocolate.com

New York-based Vosges Haut-Chocolat continually raises the bar with chocolate experimentation. With centres like sweet Indian curry, ginger-wasabi and anise-fennel, your tongue will think it’s died and gone to heaven.

Kalvert’s Rose Syrup

$3.99 (£2.56) for 700ml, www.ishopindian.com

Seattle-based La Buona Tavola have drawn upon 3,000 years of Italian gourmet expertise to select some divine truffle-based products. A grown-up gift for your posh uncle.

Keeping it Scottish...

Pour a couple of drops of this Indian favourite into a glass of champagne, and you’ll have a blush-hued beverage that’s even more thrilling than the time you dyed your pet poodle pink.

Pig’s Nose Whisky

£17.99 (70cl), www.spencerfieldspirit.com

This blended five-year-old malt is created by Richard Patterson, Scotland’s only third generation master blender. Disarmingly easy to drink, its soft, lightly fruity and floral taste means it’s an ideal gateway malt for the curious – and so-called because it’s as soft as a pig’s nose. The makers say it’s for week days, not for the Christmas cake so you don’t need to wait ‘til the big day to crack it open.

Smoked Langoustines £27.95 per kilo, www.skye-seafood.co.uk

With serious concerns recently raised about the environmental and chemical damage caused by intensive prawn farms in Asia, Scottish langoustines will give you that crustacean thrill minus any guilt. Skye Smokehouse buy all of theirs from Inner Hebrides fishermen and dub them ‘visually stunning and gastronomically astonishing’- wowzers. Their lightly smoked option, available to buy online, will make a sexy wee change to ye olde smoked salmon on Christmas Day.

Get hundreds of restaurant reviews online

www.theskinny.co.uk/restaurants

14 THE SKINNY

December 08

Food and Drink

SOFI’S, EDINBURGH 65 HENDERSON STREET, EH6 0131 555 7019

Acting as something of a flower of light in a field of darkness that is the fairly rough Henderson St, Sofi’s is simply the daintiest little boozer on Earth. Incongruously set against the concrete background of Leith’s banana flats, it is colourful and almost dream-like in its arrangement and atmosphere. The bar staff are an imaginative lot; they have recreated moments from famous films and decorated the bar with all kinds of miscellaneous paraphernalia- and it works in a quirky kind of way. A splendid wine rack graces the top of the bar and a good selection of continental beers are on offer. Fancy little tables give the pub a kind of quixotic layout, whilst candles glitter proudly upon the tables. The toilet walls have some pearls of wisdom for anyone in doubt why since they first tasted alcohol they’ve become nihilistic hedonists; like a classic goblet of sagacity from WC Fields, ‘I never drink water - have you seen the way it rusts pipes’. Sofi’s is part of the Swedishowned quartet of bars in Leith (the other three being the Boda, Victoria and Joseph Pearce) and it is the most prescient example of how a little continental class can differentiate a pub from the bulk of the drinking dens which surround her. At least some of the barmaids are Swedish (no bad thing) so you will feel somehow nearer to Stockholm than The Shore. It’s gained a loyal following from an eclectic mix of punters, all lured by the Scandinavian siren’s charming appeal. With regular film and knitting nights, this is a top-draw pub that’s leading the way in banishing all memories of Sickboy, Renton et al. [Dave Hynes]

www.theskinny.co.uk

STRAVAIGIN, GLASGOW

28 GIBSON STREET, G12 0141 334 2665

Many years ago, I lived in a chaotic house on Otago Street, with bust-up cars in the garden and a landlady who stored butter and lino cuttings in the garden and, my flatmate swore, walked backwards. The urge to escape to Stravaigin, literally on my doorstep, for their ginormous fish and chips and a pint of the best-kept Deuchars in the city was irresistible. However, despite my loyalty to their pub staples, I’d yet to experience their full-blown restaurant menu. We settled in to a comfy corner table in their just-the-right-side-of-dimly-lit basement restaurant, nestling underneath the typically heaving pub. Here I happily tucked in to firm and sweet smoked eel, backed up in a summery fashion by a crunchy green apple and slivered almond salad soaked in reisling - boozy and sprightly in the same mouthful. My other half’s starter was more of the season, a hearty slab of duck and chanterelle terrine with a nicely salty sauce gribiche. Mains for me was a pheasant, doing the noble thing and sacrificing itself as a last-minute replacement for the advertised pigeon. Excitingly, the one item that nearly made me avoid

ordering the dish was the one that held it all together- big but subtle chunks of liquorish carrots heroically destroyed all my memories of gagging on Allsorts. My missus’ bouillabaisse brimmed over with Scottish seafood - we counted mullet, clams and mussels, all huddled under the watchful eyes of a whole langoustine. Pudding seemed avoidable until we saw the menu and promptly cracked. Nectarine was again slightly more of a sunshine dish than the howling winds on Gibson Street would suggest appropriate - sweetly fruity, but slightly swamping its accompanying miniature jelly. The real star was raspberry roly poly with carnation milk ice cream; the stuff of the school canteen, but I can guarantee your dinner ladies never made it like this. Proper, crusty suet pudding rolled around unashamedly sugary jam and set off with a pearly white frozen milk. This is cheeky credit crunch food, 1950s-style. If you can bear to drag yourself away from the suppers and bevies upstairs, you’ll be richly rewarded for the journey. [Ruth Marsh]

WIN A BOTTLE OF

BULLEIT BOURBON® Already popular with bartenders in the know, Bulleit Bourbon has a smoky-smooth taste and stylish packaging which has made it a must-have for every drinks cabinet. A true blend of taste, quality and heritage, Bulleit Bourbon is still inspired by the high rye content recipe, pioneered by Augustus Bulleit in 1830’s Kentucky. Aged for no less than six years, Bulleit Bourbon is full flavoured with hints of vanilla and honey, and there’s no fear of that classic whiskey burn. Try it on the rocks or simply add some cola or ginger ale for a longer refreshing tasting drink. For a chance to win one of five bottles of Bulleit, just answer the simple question below. If you’re not a lucky winner you can pick up a bottle from your local retailer, or why not enjoy a glass of Bulleit with friends at Sofi’s.

How long is Bulleit Bourbon aged for? A) a minimum of four years B) a minimum of five years C) a minimum of six years Enter online at www.theskinny.co.uk/competitions by 30 December 2008 for your chance to win. You must be over 21 to enter. Regular Skinny T&Cs apply, available on request. The BULLEIT BOURBON word and associated logos are trade marks of Bulleit Distilling Company. © Bulleit Distilling Company 2008

December 08

THE SKINNY 15

Food and Drink

BAR REVIEWS

DEVIANCE EDITORIAL

More T, LGB?

I'm thirty years old and I've got a really obvious hickey on my neck and I'm hoping my dad doesn't notice when I meet him shortly. I'm behaving like a teenager, except when I was a teenager I never met Latin Americans who were into zines and revolution and subverting the binary gender system. You know, once in a while I go on Friends Reunited and see that most of the people I went to school with are married with children, which presumably makes them happy but seems like an alien world to me. Mostly I'm out gallivanting and hopping around countries with no idea what's going to happen next, and I expect this to continue indeﬁnitely.

THE TRANS SECTOR OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BE SEEN AS DISPOSABLE BY CAMPAIGNS SEEKING MAINSTREAM ACCEPTANCE, CLAIMS ALMA CORK

But I saw no point in rocking the boat with tattoos when I already knew his feelings on the matter. But I am thirty years old and maybe it's ﬁnally time to come clean. /Nine

PREVIEW THE MAGIC LANTERN’S MERRY XXXMAS The Magic Lantern promises to steam things up a bit this winter with its independent Christmas film programme, XXXmas. The event, held for one night only at Glasgow’s Centre for Contemporary Arts, will examine the representation of sex in cinema, focusing on the dilemmas of sexual expression. The programme will offer a small selection of shorts from around the world, screening works from renowned filmmakers such as Stephen Dwoskin, Maria Abramovic and Carolee Schneemann. Set to be a highlight is Impaled, from contemporary director Larry Clark (Kids, Bully) - a close look at the effect of porn on attitudes towards sex that controversially encourages the documentary’s participants to live out their desires. There will also be the chance to see a classic ‘blue’ movie – French film La Fessée à l’École, a scandalous tale involving a sadistic teacher-schoolgirl relationship. In addition, Jean Genet’s seminal and once banned work, Un Chant D’Amour, deals with prison homosexuality but from an unexpectedly lyrical standpoint. Deemed as a tour de force of the sixties underground movement, this provocative piece will appeal to fans of Warhol. Whatever your views on sex on screen, this will certainly be a stimulating event. [Sarah Nisbet] 7.30PM, WED 3 DEC. £5/3. OVER-18S ONLY.

16 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

ZOE O'CONNELL

Speaking of marriage, though, and despite my lack of any experience in that department, I got word a few days ago that a submission of mine will be included in a forthcoming Seal Press anthology called Ask Me About My Divorce. I'm delighted, not least because it's my ﬁrst appearance in a book that isn't porn, which means I can tell my dad about it. That said, there's plenty of material in it that he may be none too thrilled about: I swear like whoa, I get off with lots of people, and perhaps worst of all, the working title is 'Why I Got This Tattoo'. This is controversial because I've spent the best part of a decade making sure my shoulders were strategically covered any time my dad was around. I was able to come out as queer to him: that was important enough that I felt he should know (though I wonder if he hasn't conveniently forgotten).

A brief history of trans inclusion post-Stonewall

The modern LGBT rights movement harks back to one pivotal event in Greenwich Village, New York, where a group of Latina and AfricanAmerican street queens, queer kids, leathermen, dykes, and transgender people, with nothing to lose in the face of constant police oppression, decided enough was enough and fought back. The ever increasing shockwaves filtered through a slowly emerging underground gay press until the riot became a symbol in the fight for queer equality. A month after the Stonewall riots, a group of activists formed the Gay Liberation Front, members of whom left later that year to form the Gay Activists’ Alliance (GAA). Included among these activists were Sylvia Rivera, a trans woman who threw the first bottle at Stonewall, and Brenda Howard, a bisexual member of the BDSM community who was responsible for the first annual remembrance of the event – what we now call Pride. However, there seems to be continuing resentment between both trans and bi people and the mainstream lesbian and gay movement. How, after a riot that involved transgender people and bisexuals, did we end up in this situation? I did some digging, and picked the brains of an activist and writer who was involved with the early GLF in the UK: Roz Kaveney. The early days post-Stonewall were beset with anti-transgender sentiments. The GAA dropped trans concerns from its civil rights agenda, as they were considered too ‘extreme’, despite Sylvia Rivera’s work to get a gay rights bill passed. Then, in 1975 a Democratic senator opposed trans inclusion in a gay rights bill as he felt it would cause the bill’s defeat. As lesbian and gay groups began to find their own voice they seemingly denied the chance for trans people to have theirs. As Roz Kaveney says, “Trans people were thrown off the bus so long ago; what they are trying to do is to stop us getting back on it.” Anti-trans sentiments came from the lesbian separatist movement, most notably with Janice Raymond’s The Transsexual Empire in 1979, which argued that transsexuality is a patriarchal plot to infiltrate women’s space. This text,

according to Roz, “gave a lot of people a sense of entitlement about being horrible to trans people in public”. Lesbian-identiﬁed trans women came under verbal and printed attack, as did their friends and lovers; if one accepted a trans woman as female then “you are guilty yourself”. Lesbian clubs, spurred on by anti-trans rhetoric from radical feminists such as Sheila Jeffreys, started to exclude trans people. Other groups were also facing exclusion, such as the banning of BDSM practitioners and bi people from the London Lesbian and Gay Centre in 1985. All the while, the face of gay liberation was becoming increasingly conservative and mainstream in an effort to appear ‘respectable’ to the prevailing culture, thereby excluding ‘undesirable’ elements. Trans attacks continued into the 1990s, especially with Germaine Greer’s vicious outing of Rachel Padman. The same period saw the beginnings of organised trans visibility: Press For Change, a trans lobbying organisation, was founded in 1993, and in the later part of the decade the internet enabled a disparate ‘trans community’ to start connecting with each other. Debates amongst trans people also gained pace, including whether or not the T should be in the LGB at all, given that trans is about gender, not sexuality. However, advances were happening, such as the 1999 employment protections for trans people and the repeal of Section 28 in 2000. Lesbian and gay media representation seemed to become less hateful, although they did not advance greatly for trans people. The LG community even contributed to misrepresentations of trans people, such as the suggestion that Calpernia Addams, whose lover was beaten to death, was actually a gay man rather than a trans woman. Jim Fouratt, who was present at the Stonewall riots, also asserted that transsexuals were “confused, crazy queens” and transition a forced “cure of homosexuality”. Around the same time Germaine Greer published The Whole Woman, calling genital reassignment surgery “mutilation”. In 2003 another academic attack came from J. Michael Bailey’s The Man Who Would Be Queen, which argued that trans women are either extremely effeminate gay men or simply men who

are aroused by the idea of being a woman. The uproar this caused was only intensified when the LGBT Lambda Literary Foundation nominated the book as a finalist for its transgender award. Protests were made, and the nomination was eventually dropped. Then, in 2004, Julie Bindel published the Guardian article Gender Benders, Beware, where she trotted out similar tired old clichés, and in a moment of paranoid delusion suggested that “Kwik-fit sex changes are on offer to all and sundry”. Further rifts occurred in both the US and UK over 2007-2008. With echoes of 1975, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act in the US dropped its cover of trans people as a means to try and get the bill passed, and similar arguments also arose in the UK over trans inclusion in the Equality Bill. On Radio 4 Julie Bindel asserted her belief that sex change is unnecessary mutilation and that trans people should instead be offered “talking therapies”. And, in the last few months, Stonewall England nominated her for Journalist of The Year. The waters broke, and the largest known trans protest in UK history was staged outside Stonewall’s annual awards ceremony. Trans people and allies attended to show their frustration at being left out in the cold for so long. Of course, not all is sour between the LGB and T. Organisations are becoming increasingly inclusive, with Stonewall Scotland, unlike its Welsh and English counterparts, representing all LGBT people. Younger queer-identified campaigners and activists, who don’t share the strict identity politics of their forebears, are also finding their voices. Thanks to easier and quicker methods of communication, increasing visibility, a common goal of equal rights and an understanding of intersectionality, the movement is becoming more cohesive. Hopefully, very soon the issue of T inclusion will be relegated to the past and trans people can work on including others, rather than just trying to get their own voices heard. After all, when we’ve got every letter of the alphabet working together for equal rights, then surely we’ve succeeded.

DEVIANCE

Deviance

The Cynical Slut:

On Love, Monogamy and Sex Work Slutty McWhore's occupation gives her a specific angle on relationship insecurities

alasdAIR BOYCE

I have been involved with Michael for over seven months now, and was honest about what I did for a living from the very beginning. It certainly hasn’t been easy for him to come to terms with my choice of profession - and he would definitely prefer me to do something else – but he has finally reached a stage where he can tolerate, if not totally accept, my lifestyle. If we argue, then our fights now are very rarely about sex work but have more to do with the typical problems that afflict ‘normal’ relationships – lack of money, taking each other for granted sometimes, annoying habits or personality flaws. In other words, there is nothing particularly unusual about our relationship. Many people may be incredulous that a sex worker can find a partner who can cope with his/ her choice of career, but I am certainly not the only one. Jenny de Milo, an LA-based sex worker blogger, has a boyfriend who is fully aware and supportive of her decision to work as an escort. They apparently have an open relationship, which means that he is free to sleep with other women, and even to pay for sex with other escorts. I would personally be far too jealous to have such a polyamorous relationship, but if it works for them, then who am I am to judge? Michael and I love each other, after all, although our own arrangement would be seen as highly unconventional by some. Despite the fact that sex workers can sustain ‘normal’ loving partnerships, I can’t deny that being involved in the sex industry has affected my view of men, and my ability to have long-term relationships. I hesitated before writing this last sentence, as I hate the assumption that sex work

www.theskinny.co.uk

is always psychologically damaging. It need not be so, I imagine, but probably has been for me. Most of my clients are married, so it is very hard for me to believe that men are capable of fidelity. It would be easier for me if I could pigeonhole punters as perverted weirdoes who are nothing like ‘nice’ ‘decent’ men, but a fair share of my clients actually are ‘nice’ and ‘decent’. In some cases, I would never have imagined that a guy would be the ‘type’ to get an erotic massage because he seems like such a loyal, devoted family guy. In some cases, he is exactly that, and obviously loves his partner. I feel sorry for their wives who surely don’t suspect what their husbands get up to, and I am terrified of one day being that clueless woman myself. As a result, I am hyper-vigilant in all my romantic relationships, always looking out for the tiniest sign of lying or betrayal. The problem with this is that if one looks close enough at a partner’s life to find dirt, one will inevitably find something – perhaps trivial but still hurtful - which would have been better left alone. Certain friends have told me that I have no right to have insecurities about Michael, given that he ‘puts up’ with my involvement in the sex trade. The implication here seems to be that sex workers are ‘damaged goods’ who should be grateful to any partner who takes them on. In my early twenties, I stayed in a very abusive, dysfunctional relationship because I had clearly internalised society’s belief that I deserved no better. Luckily, this is not the case with Michael. The only thing wrong with our relationship is my own cynicism. December 08

THE SKINNY 17

FILM EDITORIAL The Scottish Bafta Awards took place this month and Robert Carlyle, whose forthcoming film Summer won Best Feature, took the opportunity to make a damning criticism of the Scottish film industry. His frustrations lay, in particular, in the difficulty encountered in completing production of his upcoming film The Meat Trade, written by Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh. As Carlyle acknowledges, it’s not a problem unique to Scotland, financing a film anywhere in the UK is incredibly difficult and something that even established directors struggle with. But that’s not to say that it’s not possible or that people in Scotland aren’t achieving success in film-making – there’s so much more going on than most of us know about and often right on our doorstep. So that’s where our new column comes in: it’s called The Skinny Close-up and each month we’ll chat to someone who’s making tracks in the Scottish film industry. This month it’s Tim Barrow, who wrote, produced and starred in The Inheritance, a film that was made on a tiny budget of £5000 and achieved fantastic success including winning the Raindance award at the British Independent Film Awards last year. So whilst there is often doom and gloom in the media it’s worth remembering that at the same time there are a few out there who are proving the rest wrong. Keep your eyes open for them! /Gail

TOP FILM EVENTS

DECEMBER

Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride GAIL TOLLEY CATCHES UP WITH ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY MAKER ALEX GIBNEY ON HIS NEW FILM GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR HUNTER S. THOMPSON.

There are few writers as eccentric, or notorious, as Hunter S. Thompson. His politically incisive journalism during the 60s and 70s fused the bizarre, the imagined and the actual to create a distinct style of journalism that became labelled ‘Gonzo’. He wrote several books the most famous of which, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was made into a film by Terry Gilliam in 1998. Based on true events, it is a drug-fuelled journey that came to represent everything that Hunter was about – the surreal, the politically-challenging and the lost ‘American Dream’. The Skinny chatted to Alex Gibney the director of Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson about his upcoming film. Gonzo has a substantial political content because of the nature of the work Hunter was involved in. This aspect is something which is more in line with your previous films (Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) and Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)), did you intend Gonzo to have such a strong political content from the outset? I think inevitably I’m inclined to go there. In some ways I started out wanting to make this as a respite, as something different, but inevitably I get drawn back. Hunter was drawn there too, he called himself a ‘political junkie’. We included some stuff that was fairly recent including a brilliant piece he did on 9/11 on the very day the towers came down, but also the older political reporting that he did back in the 60s and 70s turns out to be very enduring. It has a lot to say about our condition today. So for all those reasons it seemed to make sense. Do you think there’s a need for a challenging style of journalism, like Hunter’s, especially in today’s political climate?

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIVE

There’s a whole host of film treats happening across Scotland in December. If you’re looking to indulge in some Christmas nostalgia head to the Glasgow Film Theatre for two festive classics: It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Whilst in Edinburgh, to celebrate this year’s Hogmanay dance theme, The Filmhouse are showing 4 dance films that will have you tapping your toe: Strictly Ballroom, Saturday Night Fever, Dirty Dancing and Top Hat. Also in Edinburgh, at the Cameo on 11 December you can catch the surrealist 1928 classic The Seashell and The Clergyman with a live soundrack by Steven Severin (founder member of Siouxsie & The Banshees and acclaimed solo artist). And don’t miss The Magic Lantern’s programme of short films exploring the representation of sex on the screen on 3 December. The screening includes Larry Clark’s short film Impaled which looks at the impact of pornography on attitudes to sex. It’s at 7.30pm at the CCA.

18 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

I think there is. I don’t think it’s useful for everybody to write like Hunter or to have that kind of style. But one of the things I think is great about him is that he was a novelist and a journalist embodied, so a lot of his writing mixes fact and fiction in ways that get to a deeper truth. He also uses humour that way too, he takes a righteous anger and channels it into a wicked humour which can be very invigorating. It also has a way of penetrating the kind of stage-managing that politicians do today that always seeks to hide the rough edges and to sugar-coat their messages. Did you think about taking a ‘Gonzo’ approach to the style and making of the documentary? We did think about, and I think we did have fun with a more playful approach, something that would mix fact and fiction. We’re inter-mixing photographs and movies and different types of music and sometimes even with archive footage - as you pan the faces of a crowd suddenly one of them turns into a lizard head and sticks its tongue out at you. So in a subtle way we did. The other thing we had going for us was these tremendously anarchic and wildly angry and talented images by Ralph Steadman which really give the film a kind of pop that it might not otherwise have had.

DAVID LEMM

Yes, there’s a fantastic part of the film where we see Ralph Steadman’s illustrations before he met Hunter and then what they became after. Oh, it’s fantastic! It looks sort of like an uptight Ronald Searle or something and then you see them afterwards and they’re unhinged, it’s fantastic. He’s reached back into some recess of his psyche and pulled something fantastic out. They’re really capturing a kind of central truth. You have Johnny Depp narrating the documentary and lots of people will make the connection with the voiceover he did in Fear and Loathing, how important was it to have him involved in the film? It was critical because I wanted the narration not to be narration but I wanted it to be Hunter’s voice. So if there are readings it is Hunter doing the reading. We constructed the film out of bits and pieces of his writing so you feel like he is narrating or telling his own story. Only one person could really do that and do it justice and that’s Johnny because he could be Hunter. He’s the guy who went up and lived with Hunter for a number of weeks just before Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. And now I think he breathes the same air that Hunter breathed.

How much do you think Hunter was a character of a certain place and time? I think he was very much a person of his time and place. He really inhabited a role in that culture that was fundamental. At the same time what’s interesting about Hunter is that there’s an enduring truth, even to the stuff he wrote way back. I was surprised when I went back to read Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 1972 and you think what relevance is this going to have to anybody today? These strange names that nobody remembers; Ed Muskie, Hubert Humphrey even Richard Nixon is fading into obscurity, but you read it and it feels fresh. It feels like he’s writing about the campaign between McCain and Obama. He was certainly of his time but I think he has this enduring quality that really makes him special. Hunter had a certain philosophy and attitude to life, are there any aspects of that which you think the world would be a better place if people would adopt today? [laughs] That’s a good question! I’m not sure if we’d all be better off if we all acted like Hunter. But I think what there is about Hunter that I think is a great joy to everybody is this ability to turn anger and sometimes rage into a wicked humour. That has tremendous ability and is a powerful tonic for everybody without ignoring the stuff that goes on around you. If we could all

And he was close friends with Hunter too… He was great friends with Hunter, right to the end and he paid for his funeral - the spectacular funeral that I shot for the ﬁlm where they blasted Hunter’s ashes into outer space. They mixed his ashes with the gunpowder in the ﬁreworks.

GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON IS OUT ON THE 19TH DECEMBER. GAIL TOLLEY WILL BE REVIEWING GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR HUNTER S. THOMPSON ON BBC RADIO SCOTLAND’S MOVIE CAFE ON 12TH DECEMBER AT 13.15 WWW.HUNTERSTHOMPSONMOVIE.COM

FILM

Oh My Gort!

VENUE THE GREEN ROOM

WITH THE REMAKE OF THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL HURTLING TOWARDS OUR CINEMA SCREENS BECKY BARTLETT INVESTIGATES THE TREND OF THE 1950S REMAKE.

DECEMBER 08 LISTTHU 4th AD LIB

LIVE MUSIC FROM ALL AT SEA, DEAD ON THE LIVEWIRE AND THE NANOBOTS FOLLOWED BY DJS JOHN TINSLEY, SCOTT L’ORANGE AND JACK GIBSON, PLAYING ELECTRO, FUNK & HOUSE. 10-3 £4 ENTRY. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

Imagine sitting down in the cinema, popcorn in hand, ready to watch the new Keanu Reeves film. Trailers have shown a great orb rising from the ocean, football arenas disintegrating, and the briefest of brief glimpses of a laser-emitting robot. The film starts, and the first lines are uttered: “Holy mackerel! Call Headquarters! Get the lieutenant!” Profanities from the fifties may inspire many things, but urgency is not one of them. So Scott Derrickson’s remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still is less of a remake, and more of an updating, similar to Spielberg’s War of the Worlds. It is not the only film of its kind to be remade; the 1950s films that offered a different concept to the traditional alien invasion, namely They Come In Peace (or at least, varying degrees of peace), are now reappearing. Some, like The Day the Earth Stood Still, while undoubtedly dated when viewed today, deserve a place among the classic ‘atomic’ movies of the time. Alien Klaatu and his terrifying robot Gort come to warn Earth of the perils of continuing warfare and development of weaponry, and understandably so. This is the fifties - World War II may be over, but the horrors of the nuclear bomb are fresh in people’s minds. Two years later, It Came From Outer Space offered a slightly different outlook, capitalising on the suspicions towards the Russians at the beginning of the Cold War. As aliens crash land on Earth, they are forced to inhabit the bodies of humans - these peaceful but misunderstood extraterrestrials are used as a way of emphasising the need for tolerance over violence. Perhaps most surprising as a candidate for remaking is Plan 9 From Outer Space, Ed Wood’s ironically termed ‘masterpiece’, also known as the worst film of all time. Wood’s success in his attempt at social commentary is questionable, but

behind the wobbly gravestones, undead Vampira and tenacious link between the plot and the last remaining footage of Bela Lugosi (who had died three years previously) is a reiteration of Klaatu’s original message: be wary of scientific progress in times of political strife. Of the three, only one remake, that of The Day the Earth Stood Still, will see a cinematic release. Times have changed dramatically since Robert Wise’s film, and a direct reproduction would probably not excite today’s cinemagoers. The original’s meandering scenes of everyday life in America and the majority of the population’s surprising lack of panic at the appearance of a flying saucer makes for a slow-paced film by modern standards. Yet Derrickson believes the core message is still relevant today. Inevitably, The Day the Earth Stood Still will not remain an ‘atomic’ movie - this concept no longer applies. Even the use of the wise alien is obsolete; in the 50s the space race was just beginning, capturing the public’s imagination and desire for discovery of the unknown. Now science has shown space to be a largely barren place. Meanwhile the threat of the A-bomb is replaced with another, more modern man-made issue - global warming. The revised topic jars somewhat with the original’s social distrust; while characters previously pointed the finger at the Russians, will they now blame the Middle East, and if so, of what? Derrickson’s new vision seems more comparable to recent films such as The Happening or The Day After Tomorrow (whose title, incidentally, is a possible reference to a comment made by Klaatu in Wise’s original). Regardless, now viewers are being given the choice - watch the original, watch the remake, watch both. As Klaatu informed the world, “the decision rests with you”. THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL IS RELEASED ON THE 12 DECEMBER. WWW.THEDAYTHEEARTHSTOODSTILLMOVIE.COM

TIM BARROW You don't have to look too far afield to find talented people working in film. In our new regular column we chat to an up-and-coming figure in the Scottish film industry. This month it's Tim Barrow, who wrote, produced and starred in The Inheritance. Set in Scotland the film was made for the tiny sum of £5000 but created a huge impact, winning awards at the Raindance festival and the British Independent Film Awards as well as screening in cinemas across Scotland. Along with director Charles Henri Belleville, Tim and the rest of the team are now working on a documentary about how they made the film which will be included on the soon-to-be released DVD of The Inheritance. TELL ME ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON.

FRI 12th DIRT

DIRT’S BIRTHDAY, THEY HIT THE BIG 1, & ARE JOINED BY RADIOCLIT (COUNTERFEET/UPPERCUTS)! EVERYTHING FROM HIP HOP, ELECTRO, MASH-UP & GRIME TO STRAIGHT-UP PARTY CLASSICS. A PARTY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS! 10-3 £7 ENTRY.

SAT 13th THE FOUNDATION SCRATCH REVIVAL

SCRATCH OLD TIMERS, THE FINEST HIP HOP CLUB IN EDINBURGH, SCRATCHING, BREAK DANCING, BEAT BOXING AND THE BEST BEATS IN TOWN. 11-3 £5 ENTRY. 11- 3 £5 ENTRY.

THU 18th NAPIER LIVE

LIVE MUSIC FROM MC SOLAREYE, CITY CITY BEAT & CALLEL, HIGHLY RATED YOUNG PERFORMERS FROM ACROSS BRITAIN, FOLLOWED BY NAPIER DJS TO TAKE YOU TO THE WEE, SMALL HOURS. 10-3 £3 ADVANCE £4 ON THE DOOR.

FRI 19th RIDDIM TUFFA SOUND

NEVER ONES TO DISAPPOINT, RIDDIM TUFFA BRING YOU YT, THE UK’S NO. 1 REGGAE DANCEHALL MC SENSATION, IN HIS SCOTTISH DEBUT. SUPPORT FROM ADHAM, EMINENCE, JAMMIN J & MANIA. INNA FINEST STYLE! 11-3 £6 IN ADVANCE £8 ON THE DOOR.

THU 25th TASTE MERRY CHRISTMAS AS TASTE CELEBRATE THEIR 15TH CHRISTMAS PARTY. £8/£10 ONLINE AT TASTE-CLUB.COM OR PAY ON DOOR. SAT 27th SHOOT THE PUMP

GARETH SOMERVILLE & NICK YUILL CELEBRATE THE LAST SATURDAY OF 2008 IN STYLE WITH THE BEST IN HOUSE, TECHNO, FUNK & SOUL. 11-3 £5 ENTRY.

WED 31st MODERN LOVERS HOGMANAY SPECIAL KAISER CHEIFS AXEMAN WHITEY TAKES IN A TRADITIONAL MODERN LOVERS NEW YEAR! MOTOWN, SOUL, TROJAN SKA, JB FUNK, 60’S BEAT AND MORE. THE ONLY WAY TO KICK OFF 2009! MYSPACE.COM/MODERNLOVERSCLUB AFTER A SUCCESSFUL NOVEMBER LAUNCH, THE WHITE ROOMS CONTINUE TO BUILD THEIR REPUTATION AS AN OUTSTANDING PARTY VENUE. A SELF CONTAINED AREA WITH TWO ROOMS ON THE UPPERMOST FLOORS OF THE GRV, THE WHITE ROOMS ARE A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACE TO SUIT ALL REQUIREMENTS. ONE ROOM HAS A BAR & AN AMBIENT BACKGROUND SOUND SYSTEM, IDEAL FOR RELAXING WITH FRIENDS. THE SECOND ROOM IS “THE CUBE”, WHICH CAN BE TRANSFORMED INTO A THEATRE, CINEMA OR A PRIVATE NIGHTCLUB FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTY TO ENJOY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIRE THE WHITE ROOMS PLEASE CALL US ON: 0131 220 2987 OR EMAIL: THEGRV@GOOGLEMAIL.COM

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WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE INHERITANCE AT WWW.THEINHERITANCETHEMOVIE.COM

YOGI HAUGHTON BRINGS THE RAREST OF THE RARE & THE FRESHEST OF THE FRESH IN ALL THINGS HOUSE, FUNK & SOUL. 10:30PM - 3:00AM £8/6 ENTRY

TRE

Often we’d show the film and I’d give an intro and then

I’m always amazed by the wealth of talent that Scotland has, for being such a tiny place. I think in writing, acting, directing it punches well above its weight.

SAT 6th

IR S

HOW DID YOU FIND THE RECEPTION TO THE FILM?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FILMMAKING IN SCOTLAND TODAY?

MORE TECH TECHNO TEC HNO GOODNESS AS STEPHEN STEP TEPH HEN BROWN BRO TAKES TO THE STAGE PERFORMING WHAT PROMISES TO BE AN INCREDIBLE LIVE SET. WITH SUPPORT FROM WOLFJAZZ & GEE DUBS. 11:00PM - 3:00AM £8 ENTRY.

BLA

With the film we’ve got this ethos that we all came together because we wanted to make a film and make a road journey through Scotland and showcase what an amazing country it is. So when it came to working out what we were going to do afterwards, we decided we wanted to put it on DVD and distribute it to as wide an audience as possible. Rather than a simple ‘making of the film’ [to include on the DVD] we thought what we should do is show exactly how we did it and try to explain how to make a feature film, from the concept until the distribution. The hope is that we can inspire other people to make their own films and show that it’s possible to get your projects off the ground.

I’d speak to audiences afterwards. I was really intrigued because I know that people in my age range, in their late twenties, were possibly quite interested because it’s a story about growing up in contemporary Scotland. But I discovered that a huge diversity of age ranges were really interested in what we did. Throughout the country it does resonate with similar audiences. Unlike the blockbusters, when it comes to having stories about national character and national identity, I think audiences are there and eager.

FRI 5th

MBE

CHA

For live music info please see: www.myspace.com/thegrv www.thegrv.com 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh T: 0131 220 2987 DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 19

Film Reviews Patti Smith: Dream of Life Director: Steven Sebring

rrrr Shot in a mixture of crisp colour, grainy sepia and monochrome over ten years, director Steven Sebring does not attempt to inform viewers of a timeline in Patti Smith: Dream of Life. A beatnik, rock and roll mix of poetry and visuals merge together to show Smith as a creative, insightful, chaotic artist, declaring she will not move from one corner of a room until the documentary is finished. The room in question is cluttered and full of old memorabilia; from her ancient, battered guitar (Bob Dylan once tuned it for her) to her box of nostalgia from childhood, her tastes are as eclectic as her image and music. Sebring includes footage from gigs, where Smith is shouty, rambling, a blurring of punk-rock. Off stage she is rather quieter and more earthbound than one might expect, witty and soft-spoken, spouting William Blake and politics. It is the latter that jars slightly – one questions the authority any musician, even Patti Smith, has over others about Iraq, and a brief shot of Bono simply aggravates further.

Dream of Life is what it says it is. Overlapping dialogue, poetry recitals and songs mean viewers are invited to drift in and out, to focus on what they choose to. A lack of structured time or colour scheme reiterates this dreamlike quality, so that those who have followed her career will not be bored, and those unfamiliar with her work will be intrigued. Smith states she always felt the need to be pushed, to be simultaneously creative and destructive, and it is delightfully refreshing to see a musician who has not allowed her creativity to be her personal destruction. Instead, Patti Smith has “wandered through the debris of the sixties”, experienced fame, loss, happiness, birth and death, and come out smiling. [Becky Bartlett]

Starring: Patti Smith Release Date: 5 Dec Certificate: 15

Far North

The Secret Life of Bees

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Stunning landscapes and letterbox cinematography might link Far North with civilisation dramas like the admirable Mongol and the abysmal 10,000BC, but Asif Kapadia’s folk tale is a darker and more daring surprise. Heading to the polar opposite of his desert setting in The Warrior, the director chooses desolate Arctic tundra as a foil to his characters’ raging inner emotions. Forced to leave her collective by a shaman, the cursed Savia (Michelle Yeoh) now lives in isolation with her adopted and flowering daughter Anja (Michelle Krusiec). With food and morale scarce the mother breaks her own rule of scavenging and leaving for dead any weary soul who might cross their path, by nursing the injured stranger Loki (Bean) back to health. A love triangle then ensues which grows restlessly towards devastating consequences. Ironically, this timeless and oneiric tale suffers only from its brevity. Yeoh holds court in a mesmerizing performance of foreboding that never allows one to easily soak up the beauty of the wilderness. However, this leaves little time for any serious engagement with the love Savia and Anja share for Loki, and inevitably renders a startling climax all the more ridiculous as only moderate identification with the trio prevails. [Andrew McWhirter]

In The Secret Life of Bees, Lily, as portrayed by Dakota Fanning, is a 14-year-old girl searching for someone to nurture her in the absence of her deceased mother and her disturbed father. Following a hint on a relic belonging to her mother, she arrives at the bright pink Boatwright home in South Carolina, where she eventually finds everything she needs.

Director: Asif Kapadia

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Queen Latifah brings warmth to the tale as matriarch August, a woman gracefully fighting for her rights. Unfortunately, Latifah is not allowed to shine as brightly as she is capable, relegated to the stale role of the “wise elder minority”. The gentle additions of fragile May (Sophie Okonedo) and aspiring Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), greatly compliment the several stronger roles. Hudson quietly steals the picture with one line: “Apologizing to those men would only be a different way of dying, except I’d have to live with it.” On the verge of being overly sentimental, with one too many bee references, this film is saved by its cast and a few unexpected turns, not to mention a divine 1960s style. [Sara Nowak] Starring: Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo

Starring: Sean Bean, Michelle Yeoh, Michelle Krusiec

Release Date: 5 Dec

Release Date: 26 Dec

Certificate: 12A

Certificate: TBC

Julia

The Man from London

rrr

rrrr

Director: Erick Zonca

Director: Bela Tarr

In an interview with Tilda Swinton in the Guardian in 2007 she talks about seeing Bela Tarr’s The Man from

London for the first time. In particular she mentions a scene where the main character Maloin walks along the wharf and a wave rises up and breaks, perfectly timed. For a moment she wondered how Tarr had managed to control the waves. Of course he hadn’t, but Swinton’s comment stands testament to the remarkable command Tarr has with the medium. It seems that every detail in The Man from London, which tells the tale of a modest working man who comes across a briefcase of money, is planned and deliberate to great cinematic effect. Carefully and slowly paced, Bela Tarr’s use of successive long takes creates a sustained, Reaching the half way point of Erick Zonca’s new film, you wouldn’t be blamed for not wanting to continue much further. Enduring almost an hour of our protagonist Julia (Tilda Swinton), a desperate, egotistical alcoholic, is somewhat trying, and up until this point we care very little about her or her story. Particularly grating are the scenes with her psychotic neighbour Elena (Kate del Castillo) which teeter on descending into caricature as the two – both irrational and volatile – plan to kidnap Elena’s son, Tom, who lives with the boy’s wealthy grandfather. However, the second half of the film more than redeems itself. As Julia embroils herself in the kidnap her character takes

20 THE SKINNY

December 08

on a new meaning as we see her negotiate increasingly

bleak and existential atmosphere rarely achieved

bizarre and daring situations. Her conversations with Tom

so powerfully in film. However, this is at the expense

are especially revealing as Julia reframes the situation

of action and the pace of narrative progression that

and her role in it for the child’s (and perhaps her own

audiences are used to, meaning that whilst incred-

ego’s) benefit. A series of genuinely unexpected turns

ibly beautiful, the film is also painfully slow, something

in the plot leave the audience unsure how the whole

that makes The Man from London, as with much of the

debacle will end, transforming this film into a refreshing

director’s work, inaccessible to the majority of cinema-

take on the heist movie. [Gail Tolley]

goers. [Gail Tolley]

Starring: Tilda Swinton

Starring: Miroslav Krobot, Tilda Swinton

Release Date: 5 Dec

Release Date: 12 Dec

Certificate: 15

Certificate: 12A

Film

HANCOCK

THE WACKNESS

ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE

STARRING: WILL SMITH, CHARLIZE THERON, JASON BATEMAN

STARRING: JOSH PECK, BEN KINGSLEY, FAMKE JANSSEN

STARRING: MELONIE DIAZ, NICOLE VICIUS, GUINEVERE TURNER

DIRECTOR: PETER BERG

DIRECTOR: JONATHAN LEVINE

DIRECTOR: JAMIE BABBIT

RELEASE DATE: 1 DEC CERTIFICATE: 12

RELEASE DATE: 29 DEC CERTIFICATE: 15

RELEASE DATE: 8 DEC CERTIFICATE: 15

rrr

The Spiderman films taught us that “with great power comes great responsibility”, but what if you chose to spurn your super powers in favour of cheap liquor and even cheaper girls? Smith is Hancock, an anti-hero who has fallen by the wayside, losing both his reputation and self-respect. In steps Bateman, a PR exec spying a golden opportunity. In a summer bookended by Iron Man and The Dark Knight, a comical play on the archetypal superhero traits promised to be an entertaining endeavour. Unfortunately, the film falls a Hulk-stride short of its promise, and feels like two separate movies. At first an enjoyable rites of passage action comedy in which Hancock attempts to become more super-man than super-bum, a second act shift takes the film in a completely unwarranted direction. Smith puts in a decent shift, and there’s enough to appease most families and superhero fans, but it still feels like an opportunity wasted. [Gavin Sturgeon]

One of the busiest men in showbiz – he appeared in 11 films in 2008/2009, according to imdb.com - Sir Ben Kingsley is usually a sign of quality in even the most mediocre cinematic offering. The Wackness, winner of the Audience Favourite award at 2007’s Sundance Festival, sees Kingsley as Dr Jeffrey Squires, prominent New York psychiatrist and customer of recreational drug dealer Luke (Peck). Having just left high school, Luke plans to soon go to college, only to find everything going (quite literally) to pot during the long, hot summer of 1994. With love, life and sex weighing heavy on the minds of the two men, the scene is set for their parallel journeys to unfold with fine performances and a consistently witty script. Although there are few belly laughs, this is worth seeing for Kingsley’s slow-burn performance alone, which eclipses memories of Sexy Beast and is something of a revelation. [Jonathan Melville]

With Obama soon to be in the White House and a renewed sense of hope amongst the American left, Jamie Babbit’s follow up to But I’m A Cheerleader may be the last of its kind. A punk romance, the film follows buttoned down receptionist Anna (Diaz), who joins radical feminist group Clits In Action (or CiA), less from a desire to change the world than to cosy up to ringleader Sadie (Vicius). Taking gleeful pot shots at breast enlargement surgery, marriage and raunch culture, the film plays like The Strawberry Statement re-written by Ariel Levy. In the end, however, it is a fairly conventional coming-of-age tale, structured like standard Robert McKee fare and packed with more music montages than your average Rocky. While it may not be as punk as it thinks, then, it still manages to be charming and disarming, with a finale involving the George Washington monument that will make you think twice about reading any more DH Lawrence.[Michael Gillespie]

CASS

THE LOVE GURU

MAN ON WIRE

STARRING: NONSO ANOZIE, NATHALIE PRESS, LEO GREGORY

STARRING: MIKE MYERS, JESSICA ALBA, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

STARRING: PHILIPPE PETIT

DIRECTOR: JON S. BAIRD

DIRECTOR: MARCO SCHNABEL

DIRECTOR: JAMES MARSH

RELEASE DATE: 29 DEC CERTIFICATE: 18

RELEASE DATE: 26 DEC CERTIFICATE: 12

rrrr

The 90s saw a new and still present cultural phenomenon emerge: the New Lad. As well as embracing binge drinking, football and pseudo-porn magazines, new lads were also quick to lionise gangsters and criminals. One such figure was notorious football hooligan Cass Pennant, who overcame the racism of 70s Britain to be both feared and admired on and off the terraces, and who would become a successful author after a spell in prison being shot three times. That this biopic manages to avoid exploitation or hagiography is testament to Scottish debut director Jon S. Baird. Shot on 16mm, the film has a washed-out palette preventing any risk of sexiness, and while the drama is entirely conventional, the characters are so well drawn it is hard not to engage with the still relevant issues the film addresses. Admittedly raw and at times awkwardly paced, Baird’s film nonetheless succeeds where his earlier production, the puerile Green Street (on which he was associate producer), did not. [Michael Gillespie]

Mike Myers has plunged to new depths for cheap laughs in his first onscreen performance since 2003. As well as playing the leading role, Myers is on writing duties, and plays it well and truly safe: knob gags are lazily in abundance. Did it really take him five years to concoct this absolute horror of a film? There is almost nothing of merit in this story which feels all too familiar, especially if you’ve seen 2002’s The Guru, in which self styled sex guru Jimi Mistry attempted to break Hollywood as a mixture of Hugh Hefner and Oprah. Pitched somewhere between Ace Ventura and Ghandi, this infantile outing doesn’t let you wait long for the first gag, but you certainly won’t be laughing. Speaking of Ghandi, not even he can save this one, and why Sir Ben Kingsley wanted to tarnish his CV with this outlandishly feeble exhibition is mind-boggling. [Gavin Sturgeon] WWW.LOVEGURUMOVIE.COM

Almost every American film made since September 2001 has been probed and prodded for a post-9/11 subtext. Directed by James Marsh, The King (2005) explored the rise of the Christian right in the Bush era, with a family drama of Old Testament proportions. With Man On Wire, Marsh has crafted a documentary about the World Trade Centre that never once mentions that day the earth stood still. Instead, it focuses on Philippe Petit, a French tightrope daredevil who, in 1974, danced on a wire strung between the Twin Towers. The film mixes new interviews with archive footage, home movies and reconstructions with tremendous flair, never resorting to documentary cliché: the film is structured in flashback; interviews are shot from high angles; and the reconstructions are modelled on silent comedies and thrillers. The whole amounts to a ripping perfect crime yarn, the charismatic Petit proving an irresistible narrator whose determination mirrors that of Elvis in The King, but without the bloodshed. [Michael Gillespie]

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DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 21

FILM & DVD

DVD REVIEWS

GAMES

THE SKINNY'S GAMES CONTENT IS PROVIDED BY SQUARE-GO

Present and Correct:

A Gamer’s Christmas by Josh Wilson

Christmas, it has to be said, is a stressful time. Standard family issues apply - where to go, who to dine with, how drunk to get. Don’t want to piss off relative X, but you haven’t seen Y in time… It’s a logistical nightmare getting wherever, and you have to be happy and chatty with a whole bunch of people you wouldn’t normally hang out with. And then you have to give them things. It’s a goddamn mineﬁeld of hassle is what it is. Presents + people + vegetarians = Hassle! Which is why, us loveable Skinny souls have come up with a bonus buying beacon of hope in such dark, dark times. In an effort to remove the grief of present buying for a gamer. Read the following paragraphs and, with very little knowledge of who you are buying for, you will be able to do so, with utmost conﬁdence. Aren’t we lovely to you?

For those with a PS3; similar things can be expected of Resistance 2: Fall of Man. Another epic sequel to a great game. And one that won’t go wrong for an avid gamer. Things to remember: ﬁnd out the console – each game is speciﬁc; and both are violent, so not for the young ‘uns. A Twenty-something with a Console: they have a console, but you wouldn’t call them a ‘gamer’. They spend some time playing, probably multiplayer, but won’t be playing games over t’ interweb any time soon. These people will always appreciate a good sports game. Middle of the road if you will; but FIFA ‘09 will sate anyone with a console and a love of football. Guitar Hero: World Tour will do the same for those with a love of music. People who don’t like music or football don’t exist (or, if they do, get a racing game).

FIFA ‘09

budget buy. It’s been out for over two years, but has been overlooked – think a labyrinth style tilt game, but with an extra layer of puzzley goodness on top. Otherwise Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is another aged classic, but for those who don’t already have it is a mine of simple but quality mini games, playable by all, and enjoyable by all having a whole host of recognisable characters, playing easily recognisable and understandable games. A perfect companion to the Wii.

which can entertain a drunk and soporific family equally as well. Buzz! (or any similar quiz game) is a simple concept - fastest finger first general knowledge - and is a welcome alternate to Trivial Pursuit. Singstar (on Playstation) or Lips (on 360) are both classic games for any party scenario, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much people will like this - the scoring of karaoke could not be done much better. Both are really, really, games for everyone.

Other options: Outside of buying games speciﬁcally for a person, Christmas is a good time to break family into the new way of gaming. Boardgames are the traditional fare, but there are many available games

So there you have it, a few options to cover most scenarios. If these fail you - apologies. Ask the guy in the shop. Or don’t get them a game, fuck the good present idea entirely. Get them some ‘smelly’ and a cookbook with a leering cockney, you won’t see them for another year!

MIRROR’S EDGE

GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR

GEARS OF WAR 2

rrr

rrrrr

It was always inevitable that Guitar Hero would follow Rock Band’s lead, adding more instruments into the mix. Lower the accusing fingers and cries of ‘copycat’ and believe the hype: this massive sequel offers would-be rockstars an insane amount of creative freedom. First off, the tracklist is pure gold. Imagine a set comprised of Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, The Middle by Jimmy Eat World, Everlong by Foo Fighters and Beat It by Michael Jackson. Each song is immense fun to play with friends. This emphasis on social interaction is what made Guitar Hero so appealing to begin with. Here, it is done with splendour.

Alongside standard graphical improvements over the original and a longer, Epic Games have added a slew of tweaks and touches which keep the core gameplay perfectly intact, but fix a few of the niggles that arose with the first game.

The Gamer: any guy you know, aged 18 and above who you could describe as playing ‘a lot of computer games’ is a simple one to buy for. They will have either an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3. Fact. And if they don’t already, they will appreciate a good and true shooter. For those with a 360, everyone needs to have Gears of War 2. Aliens, guns and chainsaws on guns. It is a seminal shooter that any avid gamer will be happy to play.

The Wii Buyer: everyone knows one, they went and got themselves a Wii after playing a mate’s but don’t really know what to buy/play/do now. It could be anyone: a mother, a workmate, your dog – but they got sucked into the world of gaming and are now a wee bit confused. Not to worry, as they can be easily catered for. If they like puzzles, a good bit of sudoku or anything a bit cerebral, Mercury Meltdown Revolution is an excellent

REVIEWS EA

ACTIVISION

As Faith, a ‘Runner’ for an elicit courier service that uses the rooftops of the city as its information conduit, the skyline is your playground. The story mode takes you through the (wafer thin) plot in around 8-10 hours, freeing up speed run options for each of the nine chapters. Time trial mode gives you a selection of the locations visited in the game and tasks you with hitting a number of check points as fast as possible.

“blues” as the game would have you believe) as you run desperately for a safe place to hide.

The basic controls are just that: basic. One button to jump, one to crouch, one to attack and one to look directly behind you. However, when combined with momentum, position and the cityscape itself, these simple options open up a surprising array of balletic moves.

On top of this the combat system is designed to make players want to choose the flight over fight, but this is frustrated by level design that occasionally leaves no option but to engage.

Mirror’s Edge is very much a game of two halves, both of which work relatively well in their own right. First, there’s the path-finding puzzle element involved in getting Faith from A to B across the rooftops without plummeting to a very messy death. Secondly there’s the high adrenaline, fast action, flight from the cops (or

22 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

Where the game breaks down horribly however, is where these two disparate sides of the game are thrown together. It’s hard to work out which platform you should be trying to scale whilst being drilled with automatic weapons fire.

Gameplay is essentially the same, but for newcomers there are tons of in-depth tutorials to get you started. The most notable differences are new slide bar notes for the guitar; open notes that really make bass play a hell of a lot more interesting; and the all-important improved drumkit. The Guitar Hero drums are far superior to Rock Band’s, boasting three rack toms, two cymbals and a kick pedal, all coated in rubber so they don’t make that irritating ‘clack’ sound when you hit them. There are some 80-odd tracks here, plus appearances from legends such as Zack Wylde, Sting, Travis Barker and Ozzy Osbourne. It’s obvious no expense has been spared during the game’s production, but this is no mere gimmick, as every song is a joy to play and every single one is a master recording — no cover versions here!

At its best, Mirror’s Edge is a contender for one of the best games of the year, but at its worst it’s poorly designed and frustrating beyond all reason. If DICE can manage to iron out the creases and tweak the gameplay, then a sequel could be something really very special indeed. [Neil Robertson]

Should you ever get bored of the on-disc tracks and the slew of weekly downloadable content, head over to the GHTunes music maker, where you can record your own tracks. The scope for creating new content is phenomenal, and while the editor is a real pain to learn, it is tremendously rewarding to put a fully crafted song online for others to enjoy. World Tour is a game that could potentially last forever if you have the patience to learn the song creator. The torch has well and truly been passed back to Guitar Hero. Rock Band just kept it warm for a little while. [Dave Cook]

WWW.MIRRORSEDGE.COM OUT NOW ON XBOX 360, PS3 AND PS3, £49.99

OUT NOW ON XBOX 360, PS3, WII, £39.99 - £180.00

MICROSOFT

The game plays out with you ducking and weaving your way through various battles, fighting against the evil and alien (maybe?) locust. The single button ‘run and cover’ system (which is genius) returns and is, thankfully, unaltered. Aiming remains a simple affair and you instantly dive back into cover when not aiming for your ugly enemy’s mug. Which combined makes every battle a painless (ahem) but intense affair, which anyone can get to grips with relatively quickly. Weapon selection is via the directional pad; and the seminal ‘active reload’ system also makes a welcome return. This allows you to tap reload twice (within a specific timing window) for a much faster reload and damage boost. The battles in-game are more varied, but still as hectic as before, with a real and intuitive use of cover required to progress through those bastard hordes at any pace. And what a load of hordes there are! The single player game is considerably larger this time round, making Gears 2 even more bang, duck, cover, rev and chop for your money than you could imagine. Co-op is as solid as ever, and still the only real way to play. Splitscreen or online.

Gears of War 2 is a prime example of “if it ain’t broke, tweak it”. No major changes appear, but why would they? And a load of small improvements only add to the experience. So if you need to kill something, grab your Lancer and get a chopping, you won’t regret it. [Josh Wilson] OUT NOW ON XBOX 360, £49.99

GAMES

Books For Your Stockings... BOOKS ARE THE FAST FOOD OF CHRISTMAS PRESENTS - EASILY PICKED UP, AND APPRECIATED BY ALL BUT THE MOST DEDICATED WHINGERS. IF YOU'RE STUCK FOR PRESENT IDEAS, HERE ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS FROM KEIR HIND... FOR...

KIDS OF ALL AGES The Tales of Beedle the Bard Bard, by JK Rowling

FOR...

AWKWARD CUSTOMERS

FOR...

A Mercy Mercy, by Toni Morrison

Stickboy, by Shane Koyczan. Stickboy

AVID READERS

POETRY LOVERS

Just What I Always Wanted! by Robin Laurance

The Tales of Beedle the Bard was a plot device in the last Harry Potter book, but JK Rowling has expanded it into a complete book in its own right. It’s a book destined to be enjoyed by children everywhere, and destined to be secretly enjoyed by their parents. You may be wondering if Rowling needs to write a Harry Potter spin-off at this point, but rest assured she’s not cashing in – the proceeds of this book will go to charity. Those proceeds may be considerable, because when the one and only preview copy was auctioned, it fetched £1.95 million, again for charity. The version being made available to the public will be a much more affordable £6.99. It’s a shortish book, at about 130 pages, and it contains 5 fairytalelike stories that, in the context of the Harry Potter series, wizards and witches have read whilst growing up. It’s not really another Harry Potter book, but it will almost certainly sell just as well. It’s actually a signiﬁcant departure for Rowling to go from increasingly large books to short stories. But if there’s any Christmas book that you can practically guarantee will please its target audience, you’d have to say it’s this one.

Everyone knows someone who claims they don’t want anything for Christmas. Those friends or relatives who are awkward to buy for, but who would never be grateful if you didn’t buy them anything. So get them Just What I Always Wanted! this year, and tell them to do their research for next Christmas with it. This is a book about the birthday presents that the rich and famous have given each other, or simply odd presents that have been given arranged with one entry for every day of the year. You might not wish to give anyone Gold, Frankincense or Myrrh, but something like a diary, like Anne Frank got for her 13th Birthday, might be the start of something. Actually, this book is more of a humorous read than a present-giver’s manual though. You would be unlikely to have a $11 million marble mansion made for anyone, as tycoon William Vanderbilt did for his wife, or a DVD of all your movies, as Tom Cruise did for his. Still, if someone is infuriating you with their inability to suggest any present whatsoever, then this is a good present to give to show them how you feel about their indecision.

Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize winning author of Beloved, takes her time writing books – her last came out in 2003, and she’s written 9 books in total over 38 years or so. It should be mentioned that they’re usually worth the wait. A Mercy is the ﬁrst time Morrison has written about slavery since Beloved, this time setting her book in the late 17th Century when the slave trade was beginning. The story is grounded with a strong central relationship, that of a 16 year old slave girl, Florens, with her absent but remembered mother, who allowed Florens to be used as collateral to settle a debt between slaveowners. The central question of the book is whether this act was the Mercy of the title, or whether it should be understood in different terms. It’s a powerful story, and it’s told in language that has a simple clarity that nonetheless cleverly expresses a complicated jumble of emotions. Morrison uses a series of monologues to build up a picture of Florens’ life, and it culminates, almost inevitably, with a monologue by her mother which forms an extremely well-judged climax to the novel. The sort of book you should give to the bookworm who’s looking for a memorable read.

A book for poetry fans? Well, we at The Skinny would be remiss in our duties if we failed to suggest Stickboy by Shane Koyczan, the Canadian performance poet who sold out his Skinny-supported event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Koyczan’s story here is autobiographical, about a boy who is bullied, and gradually ends up turning into a bully himself. Now, Koyczan may be a performance poet, but his words can perform just as well on the page without his assistance. And that’s the case here, where Koyczan’s free-verse type of poetry is adaptable to suit his subject, or the actions described on the page. Some people find poetry hard to read – but this is not that type. Here you’ll find free-flowing words that hasten, not hinder, the pace of your reading. If you do want this book – and I recommend it highly – it’s best to order it online, because it had a low print run, and copies can run out fast. Someone clearly underestimated how popular poetry like this could be, and that’s a shame. But as any of you who saw Koyczan live, or any of you who’ve seen clips of him on the net will know, he’s extremely entertaining, and there’s ample evidence of that here.

RELEASE DATE: DEC 6. PUBLISHED BY BLOOMSBURY, £6.99

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY QUERCUS, £9.99.

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY CHATTO AND WINDUS, £15.99.

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY HOUSE OF PARLANCE, £7.99.

FOR...

AND FOR...

The Shakespeare Handbook Handbook, by R.W. Maslen and Michael Schmidt.

Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers

The Paris Review Interviews Vol 3 3, by Various.

Everything and More More, by David Foster Wallace.

ENGLISH STUDENTS

BUDDING GENIUSES

VERY AVID READERS

MATHS STUDENTS (HEAR ME OUT!)

Know anyone who’s going to be studying Shakespeare? Get them this handy guide quickly then, before someone teaches them the plays in a way that sucks all the fun out of them. The Shakespeare Handbook presents a digested complete works, taking the most famous scenes from each play and adding text to explain some of the more obscure phrases used, the ones that have been lost to time. The book arranges the plays chronologically, with a short piece of writing introducing each one, and this approach gradually builds up a picture of the themes and motifs that Shakespeare used, and how they evolved over his career. The analysis of the plays comes across as learned without being over-complicated, and the theories about the plays that are advanced here are surprisingly entertaining – I’d point to the piece describing Titus Andronicus as Shakespeare’s revenge on his Latin teachers as an example of this. It’s a well put-together book, laid out well and with high quality photographs throughout complementing the text. And though this may not be the complete works – the edition I’d recommend there is the Norton Critical edition – it’s a worthy companion to them, and a nice gift item for anyone with even a spark of enthusiasm for Shakespeare’s plays.

Malcolm Gladwell’s previous two books, Blink and The Tipping Point, showed how adept he is at illustrating complicated theories about our modern world with simple anecdotes. His new book, Outliers, looks at what makes people successful. Now, we’re not talking ‘get a promotion’ success here. We’re talking about what makes people successful in their ﬁelds at a level approaching genius. Gladwell’s theory is that perspiration is far more important than inspiration – in fact, working harder than others is about the only important factor. His theory is that the truly successful, from Bill Gates to The Beatles, put in hours of work at a young age, which makes their skill level head and shoulders above everybody else’s. The magic number he arrives at is 10,000 hours – which would take people with a moderate amount of time on their hands about 10 years to achieve. You’ll need to read the book to see how he arrives at these ﬁgures, and also how he analyses why Asians in America seem to do better at Maths, and why “demographic luck” suggests that people born in the 1830s or 1930s had a better chance of becoming millionaires. Know anyone who is shooting for the moon? Get ‘em this book.

The Paris Review Interviews are close to legendary for having featured almost every leading author they could get their hands on. The exception was Thomas Mann, who died whilst the interviewer was ringing the doorbell (if you believe their story, that is, and I choose to). The interviews simply get various authors to explain their writing processes. The interviewers generally ask short questions, and let the authors get on with telling us how they go about their craft. This third volume of collected interviews is notable for its variety, featuring everyone from Evelyn Waugh to Salman Rushdie. There’s Harold Pinter, famous for the use of pauses in his work, and Georges Simenon, famous for barely pausing whilst he worked, able as he was to write 60-80 pages per day! That the subjects are all fascinating about their own work is a credit to the Paris Review’s practice of just letting them talk. Writers who can sometimes come off as over-defensive or arrogant seem human here, discussing the subject that, it seems they love the most. Martin Amis, for example, is downright amiable. So this is maybe the book to give the aspiring scribe you know, just to show him or her how it’s done by the experts.

This is not a new book, but it’s a good one. It comes to mind because Foster Wallace, an extremely talented writer with a style all his own, committed suicide after a long period of depression earlier this year. Foster Wallace was best known for Infinite Jest, a massive work of fiction that was hard work, but worth the effort. Everything and More is similarly hard work: it’s non-fiction, and about the concept of Infinity in Mathematics. Foster Wallace looks at how, while the laws of Mathematics may suggest that there is an infinity, seeing a horse and any horned animal suggests a unicorn – it may exist, but where is it to be found? Foster Wallace shows us how mathematicians have gone about trying to prove that it is more than just a concept – and poignantly makes mention early on of three great mathematicians, Cantor, Gödel and Boltzmann, who all suffered mental illness, the latter having taken his own life. It’s poignant in retrospect, but this is far from a sad read - Foster Wallace shows that maths is not the cold discipline it’s often stereotyped as in what is, very surprisingly, a funny book. And you’ll have to read it to see how he pulls it off...

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY QUERCUS, £15.00.

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY ALLEN LANE, £16.99

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY CANONGATE, £14.99.

OUT NOW. PUBLISHED BY PHOENIX POPULAR SCIENCE, £8.99.

MORE BOOKS ONLINE AT THESKINNY.CO.UK WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 23

BOOKS

THEATRE EDITORIAL The Skinny doesn’t sleep over Christmas. While the sensible world tucks into mincepies, chortles at faded celebrities and shouts at the baddies in pantomimes, our writers have been out in the cold, seeking the difﬁcult and complex, checking up on the avant-garde and patrolling venues' seriousness. Yet the spirit of goodwill cannot be halted: those same Live Artists who terriﬁed us in the summer are now celebrating, directing children’s shows and reminding this editor how experimentation doesn’t have to mean ugly or incomprehensible.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay Gets Performative HOGMANAY IN EDINBURGH IS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL AND PARTYING. THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, IT IS CHAMPIONING A MORE CULTURAL EVENT THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THE CREAM OF SCOTTISH THEATRICAL TALENT. GARETH K VILE ADMITS THAT EDINBURGH HAS TRUMPED GLASGOW

There are plenty of big runs over the holidays, but enough small shows and one-offs to keep things interesting. The Traverse culminates its project with Polmont Young Offenders Institute with Outwrite on 4 December: our roving reporter Agata Maslowska has caught up with this fascinating scheme, and her interview with its coordinator is now online. Forced Entertainment are bringing their mini-Spectacular to Glasgow: this show has polarised critical opinion. FE can be erratic, but are always worth the entrance price, even just to argue about them in the after show bar. Not everyone shares my dark and experimental tastes – I castigated two much-anticipated shows last month for lacking the sheer monstrosity that their scripts offered – and Christmas entices far more people into the theatre, allowing ambitious and magical productions to thrive. The traditional pantomime is going strong, but the development of new approaches, whether it be the Citizens’ mixed programme of fun or the Lyceum’s CS Lewis fantasia, is a ﬁne indicator of a healthy, adventurous theatre-land. /Gareth

TOP 5 EVENTS THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, SCOTTISH BALLET

VARIOUS VENUES, FROM DECEMBER THROUGH TO FEBRUARY. Paige’s sumptuous imagining of this classic Classical ballet manages to include both the romantic pull for youngsters and the slightly more abrasive contemporary house style.

THE DUMB WAITER AND THE DUMB WAITRESS EDEN COURT, INVERNESS 17-23 DEC

A double bill that sets Pinter against a Glasgow drunken comedy: not just for fans of odd twins but an evening of Anglo-Scottish art rivalry.

JUNCTION 25: ONE NIGHT ONLY TRAMWAY, 13 DEC

A brilliant approach to young people’s theatre, that takes on the lessons of devised, experimental work and lend them intimacy and enthusiasm. It’s free and their past shows have been assured and moving.

BABES IN THE WOOD ORAN MOR, 1-20 DEC

The guys from Wildcat do a pantomime in an hour at lunchtime.

WHITE MAGIC

PRINCES STREET GARDENS, 28 NOV - 4 JAN Hip hop dance, old school cabaret, sock puppets and drag queens.

24 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

On the first day of 2009, while the majority will be nursing hangovers or spending quiet time with their families, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile will play host to many of Scotland’s most exciting performers. From old lags like Mischief La Bas, who have been erupting at happenings across the world for over a decade, through the masters of mobile monument Puppet Lab, with Al Seed leading his diploma students through Windows of Opportunity, to Iron Oxide and Boilerhouse’s aerial finale, the new year will be welcomed by the nation’s vibrant creators. Paul Pinson, founder and artistic director of Boilerhouse and co-director of the Feet First project, has a clear mission in mind. Despite his company’s international reputation, he was concerned that his city base was getting a raw deal. “We did a feasibility study looking at creating an outdoor theatre event in the city: it’s been an ongoing area of interest for quite some time, to do some work for Edinburgh. Much of work in the past few years has been for export.” Having worked on site-specific pieces from Glasgow’s Kingston Bridge through to French beaches, Pinson has developed a powerful outdoor aesthetic.

Symon MacIntyre can explain this vision in more detail. “Our idea is to collect the thoughts and hopes and dreams of the people for the new year and put them into a giant processer.” This will be done through three linked, huge puppets. He continues, “The ﬁrst sculpture has lots of ears on it, and you whisper into it. That’s the gatherer. The second one is the broadcaster and it is moving through the crowd. And eventually the ﬁnal one is the giver, which gives you your dream in the form of a love heart: a sweet dream.” Puppet Lab’s work emerges from a deep appreciation of mythological resonance, a sort of all-ages work that patronises no-one: comprehensible for children but satisfying for adults. This inclusivity – and accessibility - were the main parameters set by Pinson and Dear. Despite the adventurousness of many artists, Pinson is quick to point out that “the main thing is entertaining the public. Ten thousand people are going to come along and have a great time. A fantastic mix of stuff for them to experience.”

“Over a year ago, the council approached me to create something for Hogmanay, and I said I was more interested in creating an event than just a show,” he remembers. “I wanted opportunities for many artists. And they were open to that. I got hold of Chloe Dear from Iron Oxide and Feet First was born as an idea: the council said yes.”

But Pinson was almost as concerned with the potential for the performers. “Also it offers opportunities for people to collaborate together,” as well as, for Scottish artists, to present their work to a home crowd. “There are lots of really strong artists, and this is a chance for that talent to show that it exists in Scotland. We know it does: it just gets very few opportunities here. Those artists are proven over many years: their international proﬁle is great.”

Feet First will be taking over the Royal Mile from 7.30pm on Hogmanay, inviting the audience to travel through a series of works that draw from visual and performance traditions. Orkestra Del Sol will be knocking out their brass-driven tunes, Eric MacLennan will be preaching from the battlements and Puppet Lab will be making dreams come true.

For Pinson, this is more than just a one-off event. Future large-scale, outdoor shows are on the horizon, and Feet First stakes Scotland’s claim to have the performers who will generate them. “On the horizon are the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: are Glasgow going to import all the artists from abroad? I would hope not.”

TOP: PLUTOT LA VIE ABOVE: PUPPET LAB

Feet First works on multiple levels: it is an audition piece for Scotland’s experimental artists, demonstrating how they can create pieces that are accessible and challenging; it is a celebration of indigenous ability and skill; it is an attempt to fuse rich traditional symbolism with contemporary aesthetics; and it is a long street party with a parade of dreamers and musicians, dark alleyways and closes revealing hidden art, brilliant architecture housing fascinating choreography, all culminating in a trapeze display from Wired Aerial Theatre. It is an evening of inspiration and optimism, proclaiming Scotland’s creativity on a day that usually suffers from the excesses of the previous night. 1 JAN 2008, 7PM - 9PM. THIS EVENT IS FREE. WWW.EDINBURGHSHOGMANAY.ORG/FEETFIRST

THEATRE

Alan McCredie

It all begins with a wardrobe. With a little magic and some imagination that’s all you need to create new worlds and great adventures. This Christmas, C S Lewis’ classic is lovingly brought to the stage by Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre. The Christmas show always aims to be a family crowd pleaser and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is no different. “The best Christmas stories have a thrilling storyline, vivid characters and take children on a fantastic adventure where good and evil is explored in a way they can identify and empathise with,” says director Mark Thomson. There are many memorable aspects to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. For Thomson, it’s the characters that he loves, from the “deliciously frightening White Witch to the sweet faun Mr Tumnus, the mad Beaver family and the great Lion Aslan.” And that’s not forgetting the children Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan. “Every one of them discovers themselves through the trials of Narnia and each one is so distinct that every single kid will be able to identify with one of them or every Granny will say, ‘Aye, that was me right enough.’” Staging a timeless text has its challenges.

www.theskinny.co.uk

“Whenever I’m working on an adaptation and someone says it’s their favourite book I’m both excited and terrified about celebrating their book in a way that thrills them.” Thomson and his cast and crew face the task of making the book work on the stage; this requires finding a way to recreate what imagination can do without limit, and what film can do with a much bigger budget. So how do you represent a journey onstage? “As theatre people we have to invent ways of giving a sense, a flavour of those journeys in a vivid visual and musical way - so we celebrate theatre. That’s what makes this show magical; surprising visual storytelling that has the audience feeling involved with the story, with these amazing characters right in front of them.” Thomson sums up by saying “what is particularly satisfying about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is that I genuinely think it is for the clichéd ‘kids of all ages.’” With the promise of snow, ice and tempting Turkish Delight, it’s high time to get in touch with the 12 year old within, or failing that treat your niece or nephew.[Susannah Radford] Royal Lyceum, 7pm and 2.30pm, until Saturday 3 Jan, £8-£22

Theatre

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Even if it snows this Christmas there will still be Sunshine on Leith

Performed by Dundee Rep Ensemble, Sunshine on Leith follows the highs and lows of Ally and Dave as they return home from the army. Families, relationships and life in Leith are not all plain sailing in this truly exceptional love story about everyday life in Scotland. This fun and deeply moving musical features over 20 classic hits such as “I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)”, “I’m On My Way”, “Letter from America” and lots lots more.

“One of the hottest tickets of recent Scottish theatre” ★★★★★ The Scotsman “A show worth walking 500 miles for, if not more” ★★★★ The Guardian Limited Run

Book NOW!

Fri 5 December 2008 – Sat 3 January 2009 Tickets on 0131 529 6000 or online www.festivaltheatre.org.uk 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT

Booking Fee Applies

13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh 9FT byFestival CityCity Theatres Trust,Trust. Registered Charity Charity SC018605 The King’s and Festival Theatres are EH8 managed Festival Theatres Registered SC018605

www.lyceum.org.uk

December 08

THE SKINNY 25

Previews

The Saturnalia & Troop Traverse Theatre

Fri 19 Dec and Sat 6 Dec respectively

Described by co-creator Gerard McInulty as “more like

A description which could easily encompass another

a happening than a play”, The Saturnalia is a rather

one-night-only event at the Traverse this December. Even

unique event, typical of the Traverse’s commitment to

the most culturally unaware have realised that burlesque

exploring new theatre. There is no fee, and audience

has been making a large comeback in recent years; now

members can come and go as they like, watching

the movement has taken the next step, acting as source

what is essentially a rehearsal. Don’t underestimate it’s

and inspiration material for contemporary theatre. Troop

worth, however; witnessing a piece in one of its vital

is a new dance piece from choreographer Jane Turner,

stages of development can often be just as rewarding

long drawn to exploring female “representations and ex-

as attending its opening night. Lasting 10 – 15 minutes,

pressions”, and herself a former showgirl at La Scala Ballet.

The Saturnalia will be looped for the duration of an hour, and even McInulty and Carolyn Allen – the core members of production company 12 Stars – aren’t sure what it will consist of yet. They just - quite rightly - knew they didn’t want to turn down an invite by the Traverse “to develop a... piece for a multimedia night we’re going to curate in Glasgow next year”. Called Skyline 9, and held at the CCA, the upcoming night will be a mix of performance, music and film, from a variety of artists. Add that together with the origin of The Saturnalia – one of the most popular Roman festivals commemorating the dedication of the temple to said god – and you should find something that is, as McInulty says, “something of an alternative to the usual Christmas fare.”

Working with authour Andrea Stuart – who wrote the definitive guide and history of showgirls, entitled the same, and whose first editions now go for a tidy sum – Turner’s

Troop explores the illusionary world of these creatures, hugely confident but inevitably objectified. The piece is also interesting for its use of technology, particulary the Isadora software, which “enables you to capture live performance and project it back into the performance... creating live reinventions and exotic hybrid displays of live and projected dynamic images.” Translation: even without the geekery Troop will probably look pretty good; with, it’s heading for amazing. [Erin McElhinney] www.traverse.co.uk www.janeturner.net Troop is presented in association with Dancebase, www.dancebase.co.uk.

Sunshine on Leith Edinburgh Festival Theatre 5 Dec 2008 - 3 Jan 2009

Sunshine on Leith, Dundee Rep’s musical that uses the tunes of The Proclaimers, is back. Musical Director Hilary Brooks says that Sunshine differs from the other ‘jukebox musicals’ in that the story comes first. Rather than letting songs dictate action, the numbers either further the story or heighten the drama. Brooks admires Craig and Charlie Reid and the freedom they gave the writers to re-interpret the songs. Unlike most acts, they have had no say in how the songs are used but instead gave full support to the project. Brooks’ concern was to allow the songs to work for the cast but maintain their ‘original integrity’. These songs were tailored to the Reid brothers’ voices: she adapted them for actors with vocal ranges different to the originals.

Douglas Mcbride

There have been rewrites since last year: the chief change was the addition of recent hit Life with You. Brooks called the new song ‘a blessing’, as it works

perfectly in the second half of the story. With the musical back on its feet, Brooks returns her attention to her favourite aspect: the musicians. “It’s the icing on the cake,” Brooks says of working again with her nine handpicked musicians. She is currently in the middle of producing the official soundtrack. Brooks hopes the production has an international life, as The Proclaimers have a fan base around the world. As for now, Brooks is enjoying her return to Leith. “And cross your fingers that people will think it’s a great night’s entertainment.” [Michael Cox] Fri 5 Dec - Sat 3 Jan 2009: no performances on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Evenings: 7.30pm Matinees: 2.30pm 6,11,13,18, 20, 24, 26, 27, 31 December 2008 & 2,3 January 2009 Tickets £8-£27. www.eft.co.uk

Snow Queen The Arches 3 Dec-4 Jan

Sleigh bells, snow, a poor, misled child and a frosty leading lady: it’s time for the festive tradition, the Christmas Production. Except The Snow Queen at the Arches, is not your average work of Christmas fluff. Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale has been given a contemporary adaptation by Megan Barker. Expect “trolls, ice caverns, slivers of glass getting children’s hearts, shape-shifting frogs, and a journey to the ends of the Earth,” states director Al Seed, “full of danger and fantastical creatures.” Megan Barker and Al Seed have both established themselves at the Arches, with previous successful productions to their name. Seed received much praise for his recent production, The Fooligan, which was shown during the Fringe this year, and he won a Herald Angel for his work. The show also marks a festive debut for new artistic director Jackie Wylie, as well as recent performance costume graduate, Ruth Webster.

Although definitely designed for a younger audience, The Snow Queen is certainly not just for children: “Tiny fellows are demanding and merciless critics,” states Seed, so expect high standards. Light and sound play an integral role in Al Seed’s work, and both these elements have been incorporated into the set and costume. A white and sparkling festive set, with lots of shadow puppetry and cutwork designs, with the help of Emily Hogarth, who has recently worked with Jasper Conran. “High fantasy in the fullest,” The Snow Queen is a magical tale of the battle between good and evil, with a strong team of writers and designers which will hopefully satisfy the most humbug of Scrooges. “Most importantly there will be laughter,” predicts Seed, “lots of it. And kissing.” If you weren’t sold before, then I’m sure that’s done it![Mhairi Graham]

Get more theatre coverage online theskinny.co.uk/theatre 26 THE SKINNY

December 08

Theatre

Comedy Scottish Comedians on 2008:

katecopeland.co.uk

How was it for you?

Scott Agnew on winning HaHa Comedy’s Scottish Comedian of the Year Until September I’d only ever won one thing in my life - a Blue Peter annual from the nuns for having drawn a nice wee picture of Jesus. How times have changed - now folk were handing me MDF Bananas and taking my picture for spouting homosexual filth to 800 folk in the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow. Pretty much all comedy competitions are for ‘new talent’ and I still don’t understand this obsession - no one wants a plumber that’s only been on the go for six weeks. Why should our comedians be any different? That’s why the SCOTY is so refreshing - anyone can enter. Those new talent competitions had passed me by and as one of the Old Guard (at 28 - shocking), SCOTY gave me a chance I might not otherwise have got to perform in front of some industry. Suddenly I’m gigging a lot more nationally. Oh and the £1000 quid was nice and I’m sure the month gigging in Australia will be even more so! Paul Sneddon on the Edinburgh Comedy Festival as part of this years Fringe “The coalition was motivated by greed and cynicism. They branded themselves as the Edinburgh Comedy Festival so that it would make more money. If that was the image they wanted to cultivate,” Sneddon tells The Skinny, “I think they should have the courage to take it out of the Fringe programme for a start and actually they should hold it at a different time of year, see how many people turn up then. Other people have festivals at different times of year. If they wanted to do that they absolutely should, but they shouldn’t do it off the back of the Fringe. They were using the Fringe brochure, they were using the Fringe box office. Sponsorship might make a difference if they moved the Edinburgh Comedy Festival to a different time of year completely.” But would they have the nerve?

www.theskinny.co.uk

Susan Calman on Those Phonecalls ‘It’s censorship! It’s a restriction of my art!’ This is my Top Annoying Complaint from comics on the Brand/Ross saga, and it’s the thing that annoys me the most. Never has there been more freedom to disseminate your thoughts. Just because you aren’t on the BBC doesn’t mean that no one will listen to you. Set up a podcast, get on a digital radio station, make a film and stick it on YouTube. The times when censorship seems at its most vicious are the times when the most humour and creativity can prevail. So I implore you. If you are angry about it all then good! Do something about it. Embrace live comedy. Write more. Be political and edgy and offensive any time you like. Brand/ Ross doesn’t stop that – so stop being lazy and get off your arses, put down your picture of Bill Hicks and make some people laugh. Greg McHugh on winning a Scottish BAFTA for Gary’s War After starting life on the Scottish stand-up circuit, Greg McHugh is now caught in the exciting zone where important people in suits recognise his name, read his scripts and pat him on the back at parties. Popular character Gary: Tank Commander, the perma-tanned soldier with a unique take on the war in Iraq and Cheesy Pasta, recently led to a Scottish Bafta win - an event he describes as a ‘great honour’. However, the success of Gary and his creator does lead to some serious questions about the state of the Scottish creative industries. McHugh explains: “I do not understand why we don’t do more. Edinburgh has nothing... there’s not enough money put in.” It may feel that we’re missing out up here, by creating such strong talent and then letting it slip away down south. Maybe a land which can produce such gems should invest more in not letting them go. www.scottagnew.co.uk www.myspace.com/susancalman www.myspace.com/garytankcommander

December 08

THE SKINNY 27

ART EDITORIAL As I write, the clock is ticking on the National Galleries’ bid to raise the £100 million needed to keep the two paintings by Venetian old master Titian within their clutches. The paintings, created for King Philip II of Spain, were reputedly acquired by the family of the Duke of Sutherland from the Orleans collection in the murky aftermath of the French Revolution. Important, evidently, that such works should remain on British shores. The Titians are indeed beautiful. It’s lovely that they’ve been in Scotland for so long. I’ve been to see them a fair few times. But I haven’t ever noticed them to be particularly popular. I would never, as NGS director John Leighton is quoted to have done, liken their popularity to that of the Mona Lisa. On a fundamental level, £100 million is a ridiculous amount of money. That’s roughly a quarter of what the Scottish Parliament cost to build, and people were moaning about that for years. If that kind of money is available for the arts, why are we spending it on two paintings that have no historical link to this country bar their owner being the holder of the title forever linked to the perpetrator of the Highland Clearances? Why is it not being spent on supporting art that reﬂects the nation and its character, on fostering local talent and buying works that could perhaps grant some form to our identity beyond the commonality of constantly griping about devolving? That kind of money could support 500 artists for over a decade. Perhaps a little excessive, most artists aren’t that good. Still, the concept that such money could exist, and is being raised simply to be passed back into private hands, when it could make such a demonstrable difference to so much else, frankly, shocks me. /Ros

TOP 5 EVENTS 1. SANDY SMITH & ALEX GROSS NEW WORK SCOTLAND

COLLECTIVE GALLERY, EDINBURGH. 20 DEC – 31 JAN

How can the man behind juniorbestfilmever.com be wrong?

2. THE GOLDEN FLEECE MACLELLAN GALLERIES, GSA, GLASGOW. 6 DEC FROM 6PM

IN THE THIRD PART OF OUR SERIES OFFERING ADVICE TO NEWLY HATCHED CREATIVES LOOKING FOR SUPPORT IN THE REAL WORLD, FRASER DENHOLM DISCUSSES A FAST-ASCENDING VENTURE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE IN THE GRANITE CITY Leaving art school can be hard. After four years of experimentation, freedom and the faith that whatever you do will be considered as art, you leave to face the cold harsh reality of jobs, taxes and no student discount. The culture shock can be especially harsh in Aberdeen, which lacks the comparatively strong network of galleries, initiatives and artrelated jobs which have mushroomed in Glasgow and Edinburgh’s scenes in recent years. As a result, the majority of graduates from Gray’s School of Art annually migrate southward in search of sunnier cultural climes. With graduates forming a mass exodus there is no one left to facilitate the initiatives needed to renovate the city, creating something of a vicious circle. Lately, however, the tide has started to turn, with those few hardy souls left behind beginning to stand up and be counted thanks in part to the emergence of Project Slogan, Project Slogan is the brainchild of artist and musician Sarah J Tingle, and its remit is clear: “to support emerging contemporary artists through exhibitions, projects, collaborations, events and community encouraging experimentation and new art.” Slogan offers film nights, collaborative opportunities, mini-residencies, studio space - at heart a place to create, and also to meet and greet those like-minded souls who can so easily slip away once the college doors are closed. Since Slogan opened at 179 Victoria Road it has played host to more than fifteen shows and events from both local and national artists, and a year after the initial launch it received a birthday present in the form of a new space, set up in collaboration with both Gray’s and Wasps Artists’ Studios. This rapid rate of growth is testament to how much Aberdeen needs something like Project Slogan. It intentionally avoids reliance on SAC funding in order to maintain creative control for the artist, rather than forcing them to endure the traditional, arbitrary hoop jumping and lengthy delays of state funding. Life after art school can be quite grim, in particular for those of us fighting our corner in the North East. The current environment in the city doesn’t provide much for creative people, but things look set to improve. Even before the new Aberdeen Centre for Contemporary Arts opens, hope exists in the form of an orange, star-shaped light shining in the darkness. WWW.PROJECTSLOGAN.COM

Bid for some Glasgow superstar art and raise money for aspiring Glasgow superstar artists.

3. TWO ALASDAIRS

ALASDAIR GRAY & ALASDAIR TAYLOR GSA, GLASGOW. 'TIL 10 JAN

Two artists who met at GSA and became lifelong friends. One’s famous, one’s not.

4. CONCRETE SHADOWS

KATE DAVIS, INES SCHABER, LUCY SKAER, CATHERINE STREET THE CHANGING ROOM, STIRLING. 'TIL 17 JAN

Curatorial project exploring relationships between three generations of female artists.

5. HARMONIELEHRE MICK PETER

GENERATOR PROJECTS, DUNDEE. 'TIL 7 DEC

Well-received solo show of new work by the Glasgow sculptor.

28 THE SKINNY

A Post-Graduate Survival Guide Part III: Aberdeen

DECEMBER 08

REVIEWS JEAN MUIR

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, UNTIL 15 MARCH

rrrr Though perhaps not as instantly recognizable outside the fashion industry as her contemporary, Barbara ‘Biba’ Hulanicki, designer Jean Muir’s impact on the British fashion scene was every bit as profound. A specialist in fluid yet complex construction, Muir’s silhouettes were built on precision pattern-cutting and a dexterity with fabric, defining the ‘60s and sustaining her own-label collection until her death in 1995. Starting out in the stockroom at Liberty, London, Jean Muir worked her way through a design stint at Jaeger to the inception of her first label, Jane & Jane, eventually founding the prolific Jean Muir brand in 1966. Also responsible for the era-defining wardrobe (including that catsuit) for Dame Diana Rigg in The Avengers, Muir’s

fashion bibliography includes work for long-standing house model, Joanna Lumley, the star of much of Muir’s contemporary publicity imagery. As a proud Scot-by-lineage, and longstanding supporter of the National Museums of Scotland, Muir’s first ever major exhibition comes first to Edinburgh, offering a glimpse into the workings of one of the UK’s most prolific and influential fashion brands. With an inventory of over 30 finished garments and accessories, the exhibition also includes Muir’s own sketches, pattern pieces, unfinished toiles, and fabric swatches. A rare opportunity to trace the formation and design process of a fashion icon, and to see up close some of the most iconic garments of the ‘60s and beyond – not to be missed. [Lindsay West]

ART

Art

reviews Langlands + Bell

Talbot Rice Gallery, until 13 Dec

Gerhard Richter

rrrr

One of the most important artists of our time

Top: Boulogne/A Blind Date, 2008, Film Still Left: A Muse Um, 2007, Still from digital animation Right: Borough Market, 1986, Film still

Having spent the preceding week building up our critical stamina by bench-pressing the hardback big-print version of Gombrich’s History of Art, The Skinny glissaded into the Talbot Rice knowing exactly what we were up against. Showing thirty years’ worth of film and video art in one space is a big ask, and given the number of lunchtime visitors we witnessed pinballing at speed between the exhibits, it seemed that the curators may have overestimated their audience’s attention span. Thank heavens they did, however, for although a fair chunk of time is indeed a prerequisite for a full appreciation of this show, once your mental processes begin to fall in with the rhythms of Langlands and Bell’s art, being three hours late from your lunchbreak starts to make a surprising amount of sense. In retrospect, the most impressive thing about this show was the lack of a discernable style or aesthetic. Works such as Virtual World - despite being rather clumsy and obvious attempts to create ‘animated poetry’ using internet domain codes - have a stripped back, no nonsense Open University kind of quality to them. And yes, even though no aesthetic can indeed be interpreted as

an aesthetic of sorts, there is simply a lack of cleverness or irony here that makes the work very easy to engage with. Even when hijacking the modes of digital media - as with The House of Osama bin Laden, in which the viewer must use a computer joystick to navigate a virtual recreation of a real terrorist hideout - the appropriation is so total that the artists’ conceptual concerns rise naturally to the surface. Perhaps I’m being rather generous here, as this show is not without its conceits. NGO, another animated work created during their tenure as war artists in Afghanistan, is a lamentably guileless affair that hammers home the reality of the hostilities with all the subtlety of a Cillit Bang commercial. The film work is by far the strongest, however, revealing Langlands and Bell to be accutely observant artists. In both the simplicity of the work and the sense of timing - with shots lingering occasionally to wonderful, unexplainable effect - we have a sense of the invisible network of connections that exists between images, sounds and all things. It is this feeling that unites these works and reveals the exhibition to be more than the sum of its parts. [Mark Shukla]

UNNATURALHISTORIE: Douglas Gordon Le Palais des Papes, Avignon, 6 Jul - 2 Nov

rrr Douglas Gordon’s video installation, UNNATURALHISTORIE, takes place in the grand chapel of the Palais des Papes, Avignon, and consists of a number of video works showing various animals going about their usual, albeit displaced, animal business. Each of the animals, we are told, has been specifically chosen for its symbolic, religious significance. Taking centre stage are two massive projections, each depicting a snake charmer antagonizing a couple of very deadly looking snakes. Standing upright in attack position, the snakes are utterly entranced by provocation, occasionally snapping their venomous jaws at the charmers’ annoying gestures. Oddly, for a Gordon work, this particular piece suffers a dearth of drama and intrigue – the charmers lack any kind of finesse and the only power they seem to cast over the poor reptiles is the ability to properly piss them off. More interesting than any snake-sparring is the lowly

www.theskinny.co.uk

donkey. Walking around in the enormous grand chapel, it represents a kind of Christ-like modesty, all doughyeyed and unassuming against the imposing stone walls. And it is here, against this backdrop, that the donkey highlights the degree to which Christian art and architecture veers so completely from the modesty of the New Testament. The Palais des Papes, after all, is not a symbol of Christian piety and devotion but of Papal authority and power. Here the poor little donkey, dwarfed by the Gothic monumentality of the chapel, seems to represent this very irony. The Scottish, Turner Prize-winning artist is said to holiday in Avignon every summer, thus the city is also host to a generous retrospective show just down the road at the Lambert Collection. If the installation at the palace lacks any venom, the retrospective thoroughly makes up for it. [Andrew Cattanach]

National Gallery Complex The Mound, Edinburgh 8 Nov 2008 to 4 Jan 2009 For tickets and information visit www.nationalgalleries.org £6/£4 Under 22s free Media partner: The Scotsman

Gerhard Richter, Kerze, 1982 © Gerhard Richter Photo: Frieder Burda Collection, Baden-Baden National Galleries of Scotland is a charity registered in Scotland (No. SC003728)

December 08

THE SKINNY 29

MUSIC EDITORIAL

Orange Juice:

Indulge us for a minute; it's that time of year when a gang of know-all music hacks trade a few dozen e-mails and several hours of drunken patter about which albums they'd stick in a Blue Peter time capsule to represent the last twelve months in music, given the chance. Here's hoping some Armando Iannucci doesn't sabotage the whole idea by slipping jazz mags in once its buried though eh? Wait, did somebody just say Death Cab?

CELEBRATING ORANGE JUICE'S RECENT REUNION TO COLLECT A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, MILO MCLAUGHLIN CHARTS THEIR LEGACY AND SPEAKS TO FRONTMAN AND SOLO ARTIST EDWYN COLLINS.

So with that whole timeless argument over what really constitutes a show-stopping LP going on amongst the ranks, it was a ﬁne opportunity to invite a few guest writers in to enhance the craic. Warming our cockles this December, The Pictish Trail makes like a stalker and tracks down his favourite band in Aberdeen, while Pink Eyes from Fucked Up offers his self-proclaimed "D-lister" perspective on the cult of celebrity, and Malcolm Middleton gets all Dickensian on our ass with a frank account of christmases past, present and future. Of course, it's appropriate to the season that we should ﬁnd ourselves in the company of auld acquaintances: even Axl made it to the party, waving around the Apocalypse Now of rock 'n' roll albums and sipping on a well earned (or is it?) Dr Pepper. See our review of Chinese Democracy on page 46 for Euan Ferguson's analysis of what a post-Slash Gn'R sounds like. What? Of course you care. Anyway, enjoy the lot and feel free to jump on the website forums to tell us how we got it all wrong. See you in 2009. /Dave

A MUSO’S TOP 5:

MASTODON Supreme guitar maverick and all-round ambassador for quality facial hair Brent Hinds recently took a break from putting the finishing touches to Mastodon’s forthcoming fourth LP - Crack the Skye - to talk about the origins of his style and the records that lit his fire as a youth. “I got an acoustic guitar for Christmas when I was 10 years old, I was in my room for the duration of the next 5 years after that. I had an uncle on my mum’s side who played banjo – Uncle Tom – I think I’m influenced by that just from watching him play it as I grew up. I’m a southerner, so I tend to play guitar with a southern tinge to it because of where I’m from. “I only started listening to heavy music when I was in my early 20s, when I was a kid I really liked this band called The Guess Who. You ever heard of them? ‘No Sugar tonight in my coffee / No sugar tonight in my tea, No sugar to stand beside me / No sugar to run with me… bap baddam ba ba ba baowww’. What? You never heard that song? I was also into this black guy named Jimi Hendrix – had an afro, played a Stratocaster – really liked him when I was younger. I dug the Doors a lot too. Love the Doors; I’ve met Robbie Krieger and he was super nice, that was a dream come true. Then there’s AC/DC, ZZ Top, I could go on…”

1. THE GUESS WHO – NO SUGAR TONIGHT 2. JIMI HENDRIX – IF 6 WAS 9 3. THE DOORS – THE SPY 4. AC/DC – WHAT’S NEXT TO THE MOON? 5. ZZ TOP – PRECIOUS AND GRACE CRACK THE SKYE IS DUE FOR RELEASE IN EARLY 2009 VIA WEA. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MASTODON

30 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

More than a Consolation Prize Scottish music industry shindig The Tartan Clef Awards, held last month in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, was notable not only because of a brief on-stage appearance by rotund funnyman Peter Kay - it also marked the first time that the original members of Orange Juice had been together in the same room for 20 years. The seminal Scottish band put aside any lingering differences to receive the ‘Glasgow: Scotland with Style Life Time Achievement Award’, an event given added poignancy by the fact that frontman Edwyn Collins was able to attend at all. In 2005 he suffered a very serious cerebral haemorrhage/stroke, for which he underwent a brain operation and spent six months in hospital. As a result of his ordeal Collins is no longer able to use his right hand and for a time couldn’t speak or even walk, but has shown remarkable bravery in regaining his strength and abilities. This inspirational courage in the face of such adversity was evident in the moving BBC Scotland documentary which followed him and his wife (also his manager) as he took his first tentative steps to recovery and incredibly, towards playing music live again. Speaking ahead of the awards ceremony, Collins relates: “I love my life, I love to work. It’s fresh and new to me. I’m glad to be alive.” He also talks about the personal importance of the charity which the ceremony was in aid of, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland: “Nordoff Robbins do great things, especially with children. I’ve been involved for a long time. But I actually received help from one of their therapists, Matthew, when I was in hospital.” The awards raised £93,000 for the charity on the night. Good cause aside, it might surprise some that a band considered to be one of the great post-punk acts of the 80s would choose to reunite at such a mainstream event, with tabloid-friendly fare like the Fratellis and Sharleen Spiteri also in attendance. But then Orange Juice and Collins himself have never had any problem with both courting and achieving mainstream popularity. As documented in Simon Reynold’s brilliant book on post-punk Rip it up and Start Again, which takes its title from the band’s most famous and successful single, Orange Juice emerged at a time when the alternative music scene was still reeling from Ian Curtis’ untimely death. But rather than attempting to fill that vacuum with the then fashionable trend for staring-into-the-abyss existential angst, Orange Juice were the perfect antidote, combining the jaunty pop sensibility of Talking Heads with danceable rhythms which owed as much to disco act Chic as the Velvet Underground. They soon hooked up with ambitious hipster Alan Horne who became their manager and founded the hugely influential Postcard Records, through which the band released their debut single Falling and Laughing in 1980. Horne went on to sign the Go Betweens and Edinburgh’s Josef K as well as Aztec Camera, who collectively became known as ‘The Sound of Young Scotland’. Postcard’s bands also earned themselves a reputation as ‘New Puritans’ as they had little interest in getting trashed or taking advantage of groupies, something else which set them apart from the pack.

Pop success was something that was high on the agenda for Orange Juice though. Despite gaining them critical acclaim, Postcard didn’t have the ﬁnancial clout to make it happen, so they signed to Polydor. The backing of a major label and a personnel shake-up led to the band ﬁnally gaining mainstream success with their signature song ‘Rip it Up’, which utilised the new technology of a Roland 303 and slicker production values to take the Orange Juice sound to the heights of the charts in 1983. Collins was to replicate that success as a solo artist in 1995, a decade after the band split, with the irresistible Girl Like You. The success of this saw him make a surreal appearance on Vic and Bob’s Shooting Stars performing his hit in the ‘club singer’ stylee - just in case anyone doubted that the writer of the self-deprecating classic Consolation Prize was in possession of a wry sense of humour.

Will set up a MySpace page for this purpose). He cites this as an important part of his therapy: “It’s very important to me. More than you can imagine. Before MySpace and my letters I couldn’t read and write without a lot of help. Now I can do quite a bit myself.” After his stroke, Collins had to learn everything again from scratch: reading, writing, even drawing. But he persevered and having his drawings of bird life exhibited in London was a major step in his ongoing recovery process. “Drawing is another important thing for me. I draw with my left hand now. Crude at ﬁrst, but I’m still improving. I’m going to have an exhibition in Glasgow next year.” And as for the music? The ﬁrst single released after his ordeal, though it was recorded beforehand, was the haunting and eerily appropriate Home Again. But as for any new material Collins simply says: “I’ve just started. A bit at a time.” EDWYN COLLINS PLAYS CELTIC CONNECTIONS AT ABC,

Now - despite his current challenges - Collins is determined to continue with his career and maintain the connection with his fans (his son

GLASGOW ON 23 JAN WWW.MYSPACE.COM/EDWYNCOLLINS

MUSIC

A LOT HAPPENED IN 2008, MUCH OF IT DIRECTLY INTERTWINED WITH THE SUCCESSES OF DEMOCRACY. NOT THE LEAST OF THOSE EVENTS WAS THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SKINNY’S ‘TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2008’ LIST, IN WHICH WE POLLED OUR ENTIRE TEAM OF MUSIC WRITERS ON WHAT ROCKED THEIR WORLD THIS YEAR. THEN WE ASSEMBLED THE RESULTS, IN ORDER. HUGE.

#10

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE NARROW STAIRS

“When we made Plans, there was pressure involved. It actually felt like making a record for a major label – forced, like something critical was about to happen. There was this overbearing anxiety about it. But this felt more like making a Death Cab record, it felt like coming home. It felt good.” So says Chris Walla of the Seattle brigade’s Narrow Stairs. Now Plans is a great album, but there’s a deﬁnite sense of trying to recreate its predecessor - Transatlanticism - for wider public consumption. Subsequently,

it propelled them to the bigtime: job done. The fact is, Death Cab’s increment was inevitable and the unavoidable growing pains of a band in transition manifested themselves in Plans. Had their hands not been forced though, it’s not hard to imagine Narrow Stairs as Transatlanticism’s logical sequel. Less saccharine - but still lovely, mind - and more patient, with this record Death Cab seize their independence back. And as if to hammer the point

home, they stick a four minute intro onto lead single I Will Possess Your Heart. This is easily the darkest record they’ve ever made too; they’ve always done reﬂective, now they’re downright moody. Cath..., a tale of a reluctant bride, is the best track on the album and despite occasionally dark undertones, encapsulates the sumptuous melodies and smart, borderline kooky lyrics. And after all, isn’t that why we fell for them in the ﬁrst place? [Finbarr Bermingham]

stream appreciation of music but at the very least [people] will get into us,” frontman Yannis Philippakis imparted to the Skinny in March. But while Antidotes may not be a game-changer of a record, it does offer a staggering afﬁrmation that it’s possible to have an intelligent and challenging – yet entirely danceable – pop record that still appeals to the masses. Marrying guitar tones reminiscent of Don Caballero to simpler rhythms, the band achieves its success through avoiding pretension, instead crafting engaging melodies, ranging from anxious

tracks like Cassius to spacey, atmospheric buildups such as Heavy Water. Another triumph of the record – considering it followed a string of glowing live reviews – is that it fully captures the vitality of the band. Their attitude, which seems equal parts ‘Can Do’ and ‘Fuck You’, also makes them ﬁne candidates to overcome the sophomore slump experienced by most ‘hype’ bands. At the very least, though, they’ll be remembered in 2008 for injecting the Antidote for dull and derivative dance rock. [Jason Morton]

FOALS

DEERHUNTER

A SILVER MT. ZION

FLEET FOXES

ANTIDOTES

Coming into 2008, several genres commonly associated with Foals were either in crisis or hampered by growing pains: dance-punk was becoming as stale as week-old bread; math rock had been bolstered by the success and acclaim of Battles’ Mirrored, but lacked commercial viability; and radio friendly ‘indie’ had already been administered its last rites. Music critics, bloggers and fans touted Foals as a superhero that might save the day. The band, however, didn’t set their expectations so high: “I don’t think we’re going to change the main-

MICROCASTLE

Deerhunter ain’t playing hard to get no more. Before, it was a bit difficult to find the patience to absorb a body of work like Cryptograms, an album that craftily shrouded its charming traces of pop with art-damaged atmospheric interludes. But once you found it, the reward was immense. Now, they’re just letting all that melody hang out. The result? Microcastle is, at first glance, glorious. With all the extraneous wildlife noises and reverb patchwork out of the way, Bradford Cox’s weird catharsis be-

comes surprisingly focused, driven towards clarity by the quintet’s bright, utilitarian instrumentation. The album’s track Nothing Ever Happens has ‘ﬁrst single’ stamped all over it with its propulsive drums, eerie hooks, and an extended guitar-solo that’s, well, just a good guitar-solo. No strings attached. The title track is possibly the strongest testament to Deerhunter’s melodic prowess: its slippery quietude suddenly bursts forth with a jangly vocal refrain that should never (ever) end. There’s

a great sense of gratiﬁcation through and through: they are indulging musical appetites shamelessly and maturely. Hence the glistening simplicity of Agoraphobia, which delicately conjures up sunny mirages and comfy pastels. With Deerhunter, the chase has always been more engaging than the catch. But Microcastle sees to it that the conceptual mood-setting devices that pedestalled the songs of their previous releases have at last become the songs themselves. [Jorge Marticorena]

13 BLUES FOR THIRTEEN MOONS

13 Blues For Thirteen Moons essentially unfolds in four elaborate and quite wonderful acts. The pseudo-Gregorian mantra of 1,000,000 Died To Make This Sound and the following title track echo the suspense and anxiety of earlier Silver Mt. Zion records like 2000’s He Has Left Us Alone.... Black Waters Blowed / Engine Broke Blues, on the other hand, continues where previous album Horses in the Sky left off, with numerous distinct sections that rise and fall seamlessly. It also utilises the band’s growing love of the human voice, ending on

a memorable vocal round whilst closer Blindblindblind melts into a gradually more delicate and hypnotic paean; the phrase “some hearts are true” epitomising ASMZ’s innate faith in the human spirit.13 Blues... is also rich in the kind of informed political overtones that have been a trademark of main man Efrim Menuck’s career. Blessed by a careful lyrical balance of disillusion and optimism, the Montreal septet are consistently poetic in their relation of post-Generation-X political, social and environmental disenfranchisement. Taken in the

context of the current musical climate, ASMZ is a beacon of hope. That they can continue to produce work of such ingenious beauty and integrity is crucial to the health of a label like Constellation Records; one of the last and most successful bastions of ethical conduct in an industry awash with exploitation and greed. As such, 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons represents not only a stirring, tectonic collision of folk and classical music, but is also, almost certainly, the most important punk album of 2008. [Chris Cusack]

FLEET FOXES

Since its June release, Fleet Foxes, by the Seattle band of the same name, has become a coveted artefact in its own right; a tasteful ornament for the discerning music fan’s record shelf, with all its connotations of reﬁned taste and timeless quality. But all the lofty praise and Crosby, Stills and Nash comparisons truly don’t do this record justice. While you buy your own copy and observe the perfectly apt Bruegel scene that graces the cover, let me add yet more needless sycophancy. You place the record on the turntable (a

gramophone would be preferable) and drop the needle onto its well-hewn grooves. Red Squirrel, the brief intro track, crackles on like a 1940s field recording from an American religious camp. There follows the crisp guitars of Sun It Rises and then the defining feature of the Fleet Foxes sound: their glorious three-part vocal harmonies. The next track, White Winter Hymnal, is the keynote example of their pre-pop, pseudohymnal songwriting style, while its successor Ragged Wood – at first a straight-up piece of indie – becomes

a very different song by its end. Like Midlake’s The Trials of Van Occupanther, lyrically Fleet Foxes really is timeless, pastoral, pre-iPod: were it not for the line ‘I heard that you missed your connecting ﬂight’ in Blue Ridge Mountains it could have been written a century ago. And like Midlake, Fleet Foxes somehow sound better in winter. So when you don your scarf and gloves and head out to the record shop, just be careful not to fall - “and turn the white snow as red as strawberries in the summertime”. [Nick Mitchell]

A YEAR IN RECORDS CONTINUES ON PAGE 34... WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 31

MUSIC

A Year in Records

I HEAR

ORLD W

EW AN

UNUSUAL AND INNOVATIVE MUSIC FROM SCOTLAND AND BEYOND. COMPILED BY MILO MCLAUGHLIN London-based Wichita Recordings are home to a dizzying array of bands that practically define contemporary indie cool - Espers, Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst, Bloc Party, Los Campesinos, Saul Williams, Those Dancing Days - and as if they needed the bonus kudos, the label also released the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ early EPs. Here are four IHANW-approved tracks from albums they’ve released throughout the course of 2008. Lovvers - Human Hair Not sure what the reference to human hair is, but it sounds like Lovvers frontman Shaun Hencher has swallowed a whole ball of the stuff, as he sneers and snarl like a caged rat, starved and pumped full of faulty testosterone. There’s nothing romantic about this delirious gaggle of lascivious Lovvers. The Bronx - Knifeman From brand new album The Bronx (III), recorded with Dave Schiffman (Mars Volta, System of A Down, Rage Against the Machine), that Knifeman bears more than a passing resemblance to the Ace of Spades by Motorhead is no bad thing. In fact, it’s a refreshing blast of shameless riffery and baws-to-the-floor Lemmy-esque vocal attitude that I for one can only commend, whilst being slightly scared at the same time. Les Savy Fav Meet Me In the Dollar Bin In March, Wichita released Inches, a compilation of this notorious New York indie band’s 7” singles from the last 5 years. Meet Me In the Dollar Bin refers to that destination most feared by all musicians - the bargain bin, irrefutable confirmation that you are neither hot property, most wanted, or in any way cool. In my youth, I would scour the bargain bin at Woolworth’s for the latest New Kids on the Block 7”. Now, Woolie’s itself is being sold off for the unbeatable price of a single quid, proving no-one is immune. The Dodos - Paint the Rust Discovered by French Kiss Records in the US - which just so happens to be owned by Les Savy Fav’s bassist - The Dodos combine innovative, African-influenced drumming rhythms with guitar and vocals to create their modern twist on the timeless San Francisco psychedelic folk style. Paint the Rust is a rollicking countrified blast from the album Visiter. FOR A LIMITED TIME YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A 15 TRACK DIGITAL SAMPLER INCLUDING THE ABOVE TRACKS, ABSOLUTELY FREE AT: WWW.WICHITA-RECORDINGS.COM/FREEMUSIC

32 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

The Pictish Trail vs. Hot Chip JOHNNY LYNCH - AKA THE PICTISH TRAIL - TRACKS DOWN HOT CHIP TO SEE FOR HIMSELF HOW THEY SOLIDIFIED THEIR REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE UK'S MOST ENTERTAINING LIVE ACTS THIS YEAR. Without even the faintest silhouette of a doubt, my top album of 2008 is Hot Chip’s Made In The Dark. Sure, there’s been some other great albums out this year but this is the one I keep going back to. There are times when I think it pretty much accomplishes everything I’ve ever wanted to do with music: the heavy grinding stomp of Shake A Fist; the carefully crafted pop of Ready For The Floor; and the sublime slooow-motion jam ooze of We’re Looking For A Lot Of Love. It’s a fun album, but also – and most importantly - a beautiful one. I’m well jel, yo. So, when I was approached by The Skinny to do an interview with the band before they took to the stage, I was overcome with thrilledness. So here I am, in Aberdeen, at a place called The Forum. The gig is something of a last minute addition to the Hot Chip tour, being part of the Tennent’s Mutual series of shows. It’s a really nice venue, this – decent size, but certainly a bit smaller than some of the venues the band have played on the tour. My friend Mark tells me it’s not used all that regularly for gigs - which seems a bit of a shame. But, then, maybe that makes it all the more special. This interview is going to be a bit weird. The thing is – and I don’t want to get all Perez on you - I’ve kinda known the band for a while now. Alexis, the lead singer, used to work at Domino Records, and I’d see him from time to time at King Creosote shows. Oddly enough, it was only after I’d bought (and fallen in love with) Coming On Strong, HC’s debut album on Moshi Moshi, that I realised he was in the band. We later played with them in Sweden, as part of a touring festival – and kept bumping into each other at UK festivals. And so we stayed in touch. In fact, just last month, Joe – the band’s co-founder – did a remix of a Pictish Trail song, Winter Home Disco, which is being released this month. Ooh. The interview, then. After they soundcheck, I go up to the dressing room, and sit down with Alexis and Joe. I commence with an anecdote: Christian Madden, keyboardist with King Creosote and full time maestro with The Earlies, once told me about an Earlies gig at SouthBySouthWest, in Texas, about three or four years ago. Hot Chip had been playing immediately before them, and were packing away their stuff, while The Earlies struggled heaving Leslie cabinets, drum kit, amplifiers and massive analogue synthesizers on to the stage. Apparently one member of Hot Chip felt the need to smugly point out that all of their equipment fitted into one flight case… Joe: “It was probably, like, one of those orange cases that we have. And now we’ve got about seven of those, and we’ve got boxes to put them in, and trucks to put them in. It’s changed since those days.”

JOHNNY WITH HOT CHIP’S JOE AND ALEXIS MARTINSENYSZAK

Indeed it has. The band’s set-up now is huge. The entire stage is swamped in various keyboards, amps, percussion – and now a full drum kit. Alexis: “Has it changed for the better though?” Joe: “It’s changed for the louder!” I think it is better. There’s a real sense of Hot Chip as a band now. Having seen you play in London a few weeks ago, with live drummer in tow, there’s deﬁnitely something happening with the sound. There’s so much going on, it feels like every frequency is being catered for – it’s like a brain massage!

seems to slip into these gentle moments for three or four songs, and people go along with it. And we’re still working on doing that.” For me, as a fan, the exciting thing about seeing you live is seeing the songs evolve. With Over And Over in particular - every single time I’ve seen it there’s been a different arrangement in the band! Is this done on purpose to keep the songs fresh? Alexis: “We’ve got really bad memories, and we have to relearn the songs. And the words are different each night, like Bob Dylan.” Joe: “Like a goldﬁsh Bob Dylan...”

Joe: “The whole frequency range - even dogs get something!”

Alexis : “People think Bob Dylan is reinventing himself, but he’s just really forgetful.”

But with all this stuff on stage and the inevitable amount of time it takes to transport and set up, do you ever feel the urge to go back to the stripped down days?

Haha! Do you rehearse?

Alexis: “Yeah. Sometimes I hear Al soundchecking the 101 on its own, and I think someone should do a complete set on that! Sometimes I wonder if it’s all necessary. But it’s nice playing in a smaller room like this, where on stage I can hear everything a lot more acoustically, or just from the amps rather than just through the monitors. If other people can hear a similar sound to what we hear on stage, that’s the ideal.” Joe: “It’s something we’re always thinking about and wondering how to deal with. We like playing these big energetic gigs, it’s fun, it’s a great adrenalin boost, it’s exciting, and we all love it. But it’d be really nice to do a show in a completely different fashion, and you want the audience to be into that, and it’s hard to make that work. People go along wanting this big dance experience - they’ve been to the pub before and it’s supposed to be a big night out.” It must be quite difﬁcult, trying to establish that balance in a live show, as you’re a band that does have a lot of ballads – particularly on the latest album. Joe: “Yeah. Ideally it’d be really good to work these different kinds of music in to the show to a greater degree. You go and see someone like Prince and he

Joe: “We went for a long time without ever rehearsing, but did do some rehearsals at the beginning of this year to try and make ourselves better.” Alexis: “After we did those rehearsals we almost felt we had rehearsed too much! I remember, for years when we weren’t signed - being impressed by terrible bands who were really tight. I didn’t like the music but they had something we could never have tried to do at that time. It’s ﬁnding that balance. It’s nice to have a fast-paced show, but the songs have got to be up to scratch. Joe: “Yeah. It’s like when people DJ, and it’s very slickly mixed but no good songs... it’s much more important to have the good songs.” Well, Hot Chip don’t need to worry – they have great songs in spades. Their show that night is phenomenal – the entire crowd going bezerkoid. Kenny comes along to the show, and we pogo up and down bear-hug style. After the gig we meet up with Alexis, and head along to a club where Joe is DJing. A great night out. A LONGER VERSION OF THIS INTERVIEW IS ONLINE WINTER HOME DISCO IS RELEASED ON 8 DEC VIA FENCE RECORDS AS A 7” SINGLE. THE PICTISH TRAIL PLAYS KING TUT’S, GLASGOW WITH HMS GINAFORE ON MONDAY, 9 DEC. HOT CHIP PLAY A DJ SET AT CABARET VOLTAIRE, EDINBURGH ON 31 DEC (10.30PM - 5AM, £15) WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEPICTISHTRAIL WWW.MYSPACE.COM/HOTCHIP

MUSIC

IT’S †HE T˙OUGH† T˙A† Cø¨NTß. SHOW T˙éM YøU’Rí å DE´P †˙IñKE®. HAPπY ˙OLIDå¥S, FRøM YOU® ƒRôíN∂ß AT JåCK ∂ANIéL’S.

Make this a season to remember. Please enjoy responsibly. DRINKAWARE.CO.UK

A Year in Record #5

PORTISHEAD

WHY?

THIRD

Let’s admit it: Third is a ﬂawed album. A handful of songs, including the mesmerising opener Silence, end too quickly, and Hunter is ambitious but lifeless. But then again, ﬂawless music doesn’t necessarily mean great music, and criticism of some parts doesn’t preclude appreciation of others. Third arrived 11 years after Portishead’s second, selftitled, but it borrowed just as much from two other brilliant 1997 releases: Bjork’s Homogenic, which shared a song title ‘Hunter’ as well as similar fore-

Not that you’d want to linger too much on dissecting Yoni’s frankly bizarre lyrics, delivered in his own inimitable style, pitched somewhere between singing and rapping. “I tend to start pretty loosely with random ideas that might just come to me in a quiet hour when I’m not thinking about it. I prefer

DECEMBER 08

pigeonhole that some detractors marked then as ‘smartarse surrealism’. Now ﬂeshed out to a full band, Yoni admits the name-consistency helped him keep what ‘few fans’ he had made. Yet despite these tags of ‘surreal’ and ‘experimental’, Alopecia is also full of memorable pop tunes, probably best displayed by the song Fatalist Palmistry, with its Sleepy Jackson melody and west-coast Byrd’s-esque guitar trimming.

Musically, Why? have developed over albums, gradually encompassing the notable indie aesthetic prevalent on Alopecia. Back in 2001, Yoni collaborated with British lo-fi act Hood on their album Cold House. It was a humble yet rewarding experience for Wolf. “Before we ever worked with Hood we were huge fans of them,” he admits. “They definitely influenced us quite a bit. Listen to any of my old guitar riffs and it’s a straight lift of any Hood guitar riff!” Why? was once Yoni’s handle with experimental hip-hop trio cLOUDDEAD, a band so difficult to

“The attempt is to always make things more accessible without losing depth,” suggests Yoni. “I’ve never wanted to make experimental music for ‘experimental’s’ sake. It’s just what has always come naturally I guess, and as time goes on we ﬁgure out how to relay ideas in a way that people can understand, but still keeping the ideas as unique as they may be. I think that’s the goal.” And with Alopecia, Yoni and Why? have scored a blinder. [Darren Carle]

DEAR SCIENCE,

the other side expectantly. But what of all this talk that TVotR have mellowed since Return to Cookie Mountain? Remnants of that album’s worldly frustration can still be heard on the incendiary Dancing Choose or in the existential numbness of Red Dress: “Hey jackboot, fuck your war / ‘Cause I’m fat and in love And no bombs are fallin’ on me for sure / But I’m scared to death that I’m livin’ a life not worth dyin’ for.” For the most part Dear Science, loosens the coils

of angst and sonic density the band once wound so tight; like Talking Heads before them, TVotR realise that funk stylings don’t necessarily entail dumb fun music. Crying ﬁnds Tunde Adebimpe trying on his best Prince falsetto, while Golden Age employs a catchy off-beat guitar hook. This new-found peppiness doesn’t always work – Stork And Owl and Shout Me Out are the only ﬁllers – but this enormously talented quintet have still delivered on the daunting expectation they set themselves in 2006. Dear Indie Rock, you’ve got some catching up to do. [Nick Mitchell]

BON IVER

FOR EMMA, FOREVER AGO

Music doesn’t exist in isolation from real human life. You might be able to separate the art from the artist to enjoy music made by bad people, but a musician’s background or personality is always capable of inﬂuencing a listener’s take. This is where backstories come in, precious narratives for journalists looking to meet word quotas, and for artists wishing to create an image or a legend. Robert Johnson’s crossroads deal with the devil meant something; 50 Cent’s nine bullet wounds meant something; and Justin Vernon’s

34 THE SKINNY

those ideas rather than any kind of forced concept. Then I tend to just hone in on it over time and do a lot of crafting, especially these days, especially on Alopecia. But I don’t expect people to follow what the hell I’m talking about.”

TV ON THE RADIO

The title of TV On The Radio’s third album offers a small insight into the kind of intellectual japes behind their creative process. Dear Science, (the comma is intended, punctuation fans) was the opening gambit of a letter written by guitarist Dave Sitek that he posted on the wall of his Brooklyn studio during recording. It demanded of science itself that it “ﬁx all the things you’re talking about” or shut up. Although playful, it demonstrates the band’s artistic integrity: they may ply their trade on the creative side of the fence, but they’re still looking over to

Parts of Third may underwhelm, but that’s OK, because it’s not adherence to preconceived standards that make us really love music, it’s the unexpected moments of glorious invention that gives us the little squirt of dopamine and the reﬂexive smile. In this case, imagine instead a wall of monitors lighting up in terror to alert HQ to the bursting of a reservoir wall: Third doesn’t cause smiles, it creates gapes. [Ally Brown]

ALOPECIA

“Sometimes I claim to know a guy, but I can’t tell you what his hands look like,” mutters Jonathan ‘Yoni’ Wolf part-way through Alopecia. Speaking in relative terms, it’s a moment of lucidity and, with a hand-collage adorning the album’s artwork, one of very few threads you can pull at and glean any semblance of narrative. “There’s a lot of hand imagery within different songs,” admits Yoni, relaxing in his San Francisco home. “A lot of imagery related to the idea of fate or not really having control over one’s fate. So I used the palm imagery, like everything’s written on your palm already.”

boding, jittery atmospherics; and OK Computer. Radiohead’s version of pre-millenium tension is extrapolated and realised by Portishead’s Third as paralyzing post-millenial fear. Plastic’s enclosing and vanishing chopper; We Carry On’s militaristic technological threat; the bare, unrelenting violence imagined by Machine Gun; the ghoulish guitar slashing of Smalls; and the deep bass alarms that close out Threads; combine to form some of the most affecting passages of the decade.

self-imposed three month isolation in a cabin in Wisconsin woods means an awful lot when you hear the results on For Emma, Forever Ago. We all feel like getting away for a while when things get tough, to ﬁnd the peace and space to be honest with ourselves, and to start again. That story really struck a chord with those who heard Vernon’s cry but could not interpret the words. Vernon found his true voice in a falsetto stripped of all pretence and presented as bare

as could be. The end product was a love letter to Emma - whoever she is - stark in its intimacy and honesty, but just mysterious enough to bear public consumption too. Put the pieces together and it‘s simple, but profound: from the hurt and confusion came anger, regret, acceptance, and fresh resolve, three months of reﬂection distilled into 37 minutes. For Emma, Forever Ago revealed just enough to get us interested, while leaving plenty of space to dream the in-betweens. [Ally Brown]

MUSIC

FRIGHTENED RABBIT

THE MIDNIGHT ORGAN FIGHT (OR THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT)

This time last year Frightened Rabbit were playing in city centre bars around Scotland and not selling them out. Tonight, every ticket has gone, and we’re in one of the biggest venues in the country. Sure, they’re playing Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange as support for Seattle indie darlings Death Cab For Cutie, but the suspicion that the Rabbit are a strong draw for much of this crowd is confirmed by the almost capacity attendance during their brief support slot. Frontman Scott Hutchison twice bigs up Death Cab for the crowd, seemingly because he can’t quite believe that so many people would be there for his own group. The truth is Frightened Rabbit have taken a huge leap forward in 2008, thanks to a fantastic second album in The Midnight Organ Fight and a relentless touring schedule, and they’ve become a hot ticket. The Skinny first featured them in September 2007, but we were more focussed on FatCat mates The Twilight Sad last year; 2008 has been, in Swing Out Sister terms, their breakout year. So let’s go back to the beginning lads: talk us through a life less ordinary in The Year Of Frightened Rabbit. “This time last year the album had been done for three or four months,” says Scott. “I think I knew it would be quite well received, cos I was very pleased with it. I’m not gonna lie, when I finished it I thought it was pretty good.” Hold on a sec - so the second album was finished before the first was even released? Scott’s brother Grant, the drummer, chips in: “We always saw the first album as a kinda demos album, but when we gave FatCat the remixed mastered version they decided to put a full campaign behind it, so that meant pushing the next album back a bit”. “This time last year we were pretty much sick of Sing The Greys,” Scott says. “We were saying goodbye to that record and just really itching for people to hear the new one.”

DAVID ANDERSON

Early reports were good. “People were coming up and saying ‘new album’s fantastic by the way’,

and we’d ask where they’d got it, and they’d say ‘Jetpacks’!” Apparently allowing friends (and now labelmates at FatCat) We Were Promised Jetpacks to hear early copies wasn’t the best idea. “By about March, Jetpacks had given it to pretty much everyone in Glasgow!” Praise from the west coast of Scotland directly followed, but the album was also attracting attention from international publications like Spin and Paste, as well as online zines like Pitchfork, Drowned In Sound, and of course The Skinny. The acclaim was almost unanimous - I say almost: “We got one from this guy from the Costa Del Sol Tribune, or something like that. He gave it a really scathing review, it was quite funny. He was saying ‘I don’t understand what they’re trying to do, it’s all over the place, they need to be specific and consistent’. One of his favourite things of the year was a book signing by Mick Hucknall, but, we’re saying nothing.” So the big day arrives, April 14th, and it’s a huge relief. “I was in Edinburgh actually” Scott says. “I went to Avalanche and bought a copy, and they were already playing it when I went in. I was like [clenches fist]!”. “I went into FOPP and it was the same” says Grant, “they were playing it in there. We played the album from start to finish at Mono for free the day it came out. It had been such a long time, we’d been waiting for ages, so for Mono to fill up so quickly that they had to stop letting people in... that was quite a big moment. It felt real then.” But because the album hadn’t dropped until late spring, most summer festivals had already booked their line-ups, and the Greys-era Rabbit weren’t chosen for too many. They played T, Belladrum, Connect and Summer Sundae before embarking on a massive tour of the States which even led to an interview with ABC News in New York when a reporter became a fan. “The shows were getting busier, and as we got closer to Washington and New York we found out that those shows had both sold out. We’d never sold shows out well before the night, even here [in Scotland]. So Washington DC was technically our first sell out.” As we talk in Edinburgh, they’ve just come off another US tour,

PINK EYES: “I MADE THE D-LIST!” This is the summer that I will forever remember as the time that I went from an F-list celebrity to a D-list celebrity. Now I know what you must be thinking: “What is a D-list celebrity and what differentiates it from the lesser F-list?” Well fine readers, allow me to explain. At the top you have the A-list. This is a place reserved for your real deal superstars: Jay-Z, Noel Gallagher, Posh Spice and apparently in this part of the world some woman named Jordan. This group of privileged people have the world at their fingertips. They are exceedingly wealthy and yet you will find that they are rarely expected to pay for anything. Following right behind this would be the B-list. On the B-list you find people that are still very famous but not so much that you are allowed to be shocked if, say, your grandmother has not heard of them. They are guest-listed in all the right clubs and enjoy all the perks of the fabulous lifestyle that rock stars expect. Then comes that C-list. The stars that make up this list normally believe they are much more

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during which they had to swap with the original headliners because crowds were leaving after their support; and tonight is the third leg of a packed European schedule with Death Cab. One new song that’s received a particularly rapturous live reception is Keep Yourself Warm. “It’s now the standard closer for the set because people always want to sing along, and they really sing those lines with gusto,” Scott says, referring to the jarring opening lyric. “I’ll get my hole” is such a strange line to be sungalong-to because it’s male-only, distinctly Scottish, and really, horribly crude. But it’s true - men, women, and probably children, of every background at every gig they play, roar along jubilantly. Does Scott think everyone actually understands what it means? “They might interpret it as whole, with a w, as in ‘I’ll become complete’. But actually no - it’s about fucking!” As is the album title, of course - The Midnight Organ Fight isn’t something a band has when musical differences arise. So it’s nearly 2009. Frightened Rabbit will see in the bells down under with a gig in Sydney before taking a well-earned break before yet another US tour. I ask Scott whether he’s had any time to think about the future. “Well touring has become such a habitual thing, there’s not much brainwork going in to what we do these days, so yeah I’m starting to think about what to write about. I can’t do another break-up album, cos I haven’t had one this year! Maybe it’ll just be a bit less focussed on me”. What does that leave, politics? “OK, that’s track one, ‘Yes, You Can‘! And there, bands still struggling to sell out city centre bars, is your encouragement: in one thousand words, or right there in just three. [Ally Brown] FRIGHTENED RABBIT PLAY THE LIQUID ROOM, EDINBURGH ON 9 DEC; FAT SAM’S, DUNDEE ON 10 DEC AND MOSHULU, ABERDEEN ON 11 DEC. THEIS LAST GIG ON SCOTTISH SOIL THIS YEAR WILL BE IN SUPPORT OF BIFFY CLYRO AT SECC ON 20 DEC. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FRIGHTENEDRABBIT

AS HE BASKS IN THE GLORY OF HAVING SHIMMIED HIS WAY FURTHER UP THE FOOD CHAIN IN 2008, GUEST COLUMNIST PINK EYES FROM TORONTO PUNKERS FUCKED UP FINDS HIMSELF DISSECTING THE CULT OF CELEBRITY.

famous than they really are. It is the wallowing ground of ex-Big Brother contestants and indie rock stars. The realm of the quasi-famous, if you will. They can look forward to the odd drink getting bought for them or the odd heckle being shouted at them by a passing motorist. And after these folks, dear reader, you will ﬁnd me. I have now, through sheer tenacity and good looks, found myself on the D-list. And what does this mean? Well, to start off, it means that when you ﬁnd yourself in line behind Dizzee Rascal at a festival catering tent and he accidentally makes eye contact and feels obliged to talk to you, he will ask you if you have played yet. In no way can you presume that he knows who you are, but he does seem to recognise you from somewhere. It also means that when you get to a show you can rely on having to sign at least one shirt and posing for a photo or two with a fan who may or may not have heard you before. This is opposed to the F-list where only your parents think you are anything special. It truly is a charmed life. THE CHEMISTRY OF COMMON LIFE IS OUT NOW VIA MATADOR. LOOKINGFORGOLD.BLOGSPOT.COM

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MUSIC

ds: The Top Five

De Rosa:

Not In It For The Money

SPONSORED BY:

Favela folk

CHRISTOPHER MACK CHATS TO NICK MITCHELL ABOUT BEING SCOTLAND'S MUSICAL AMBASSADOR TO BRAZIL If you had to stick a pin on a map of the world and then emigrate to that point, you might well find your hand drawn to Brazil. For Scot Christopher Mack, there was the added incentive of appeasing his homesick other half: “My wife is Brazilian. She had itchy feet and after eight cold, dark and unforgiving Scottish winters she was ready for a change. She wanted to go to Spain. In the end I convinced her that if we were to move, then we should go the whole hog. Three years later and we’re still surviving in São Paulo.” Mack, better known in musical circles as the James Orr Complex, is quick to stress that the reality of life for a non-native in the world’s fourth most populous city is less like a holiday than one might imagine: “I came here with no guarantee of finding work, nowhere to stay and no Portuguese whatsoever. I was already a qualified English teacher, so finding work wasn’t difficult. Getting to grips with the language and overcoming absurd levels of bureaucracy to obtain a permanent visa demanded much more patience. Now, thankfully, I can say that all those really tough moments were worthwhile.” It was in São Paulo that Mack wrote and recorded Com Favo, his recent second album as the James Orr Complex. It’s a multi-tonal brew of folk, blues and much more, shifting between moods as effortlessly as Mack’s fingers navigate the fretboard of

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his steel-strung acoustic guitar. “I’ve been playing for almost 20 years,” Mack says, explaining his elaborate technique. “I reached that plateau that everyone who picks up an instrument knows, when I felt I wasn’t getting anywhere anymore. But for some reason I kept playing. Most people get bored up on that plateau and give up.” Unsurprisingly, a strong Latin ﬂavour pervades Com Favo, due in no small part to Mack’s accomplices: “Two friends of mine play on the record. Thomas Rohrer is Swiss but has lived here for about 12 years. He plays rabeca, which is a kind of primitive violin cut from a single piece of wood. Mauricio Takara is from São Paulo and plays drums and percussion.” But, Mack says, the effect wasn’t artful intention: “I didn’t for a minute sit down and think about how I could inject a Brazilian sound into the record. It came out the way it did naturally.” Rather than sign to a local label, Mack settled on Mogwai’s Glasgow-based Rock Action - a decision based on auld alliances: “I’ve known the Mogwai chaps since the pre-Mogwai era. Stuart drummed for a while in a band I was in. They approached me shortly after they launched the label. I had already started to become quite cynical about the music business so for me it was perfect - people who I was already friends with wanted to put my record out.”

Which only leaves the obvious question: Why the James Orr Complex and not the Christopher Mack Complex? “I thought that if there was a chance that I might go on to commit some serious musical crimes, then it would be better to commit them in someone else’s name rather than my own.”

James Orr, if you’re reading, you might have a few fans out there. Especially in Brazil. COM FAVO IS OUT NOW ON ROCK ACTION. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEJAMESORRCOMPLEX

MUSIC

Malcolm in the Middle HAVING CALLED IT A DAY WITH HIS FORMER BAND ARAB STRAP, MALCOLM MIDDLETON IS ON THE VERGE OF DOING THE SAME WITH HIS SOLO CAREER. DARREN CARLE FINDS OUT WHY, AS WELL AS GETTING SOME SAGE ADVICE ON HAVING A NOT SO ‘MERRY’ CHRISTMAS. As a recording artist, if you found yourself fronting a media onslaught to usurp the latest X Factor muppet from the Christmas top spot one year, then preparing to play a festive-themed gig at a working man’s social club in Govan the next, you’d be forgiven for thinking that something had gone terribly wrong in the intervening twelve months. Not so for Malcolm Middleton, one half of the seminal Arab Strap, whose solo career is certainly not in freefall. Last Christmas, the perpetual misery guts released We’re All Going To Die, his rather un-festive and somewhat tongue-in-cheek reaction to the monopolisation of the hallowed Christmas charts by Simon Cowell and co. However, chatting with him almost one year on, Middleton, it seems, took things a little more seriously than we all may have thought. “It started out as a joke,” he confirms, “but then I got carried away and by the last couple of weeks I was thinking that since I’m doing this much work, it [had] better achieve something. I think a little part of me was, not ‘believing’, but sort of ‘hoping’ - just to see what might happen, and that was a bit weird. I still had my feet on the ground, but I was taking it too seriously.” With time to reflect, Middleton is suitably proud of his endeavour, though he has obviously learnt a lot from the experience. “I felt uncomfortable with the exposure, but at the time I was also thinking it was funny, but I’ve realised that I don’t really want to sell that many records or be in the charts,” he asserts. This may explain his decision to make more down-to-earth plans for this yuletide season. Burst Noel will see Malcolm headline said working men’s club in Govan, along with some hand-picked local favourites such as De Rosa and Strike The Colours. “It’s like Phoenix Nights or something,” he laughs. “It’ll have the bingo next door and the pool table and stuff, and really cheap drink. Second to that was to get some bands that I really like to play.” It promises to be the antithesis of last year’s frivolities, and with good reason too, as Middleton continues to explain of his minor brush with celebrity. “I just had one word going through my head the whole time and it was Nizlopi,” he laughs, referring to the English duo who scored an unlikely Christmas number two with the JCB Song in 2005. “Even though people who like that band know they’re not a one hit wonder, the general consensus is that they are. But that’s what people must think anyway; people who saw me in the Daily Record, thinking ‘where is he now’? But I’ve just being doing the same as I’ve always been.” This is good news for us, if not so much for Scottish tabloid readers. As we chat, Middleton is taking a break outside Cava studios in Glasgow, where he is currently trying to flesh out his fifth solo album. He is initially hesitant about

the details; “It’s um...it’s coming along,” is how he responds when I ask how it’s coming along. However, he is far more deﬁnitive about its place in the Middleton canon. “I think this’ll probably be my last solo record,” he coolly states. “I’d like to do something different, whether it’s under a different name or start a new band or something. I’m starting to feel like I’ve done as much as I can with this creative voice. I think I’m getting to the point where Arab Strap were, where we felt like we couldn’t do much more once we were placed in our pigeonhole.” Scratching a little deeper, he admits to a current crisis of conﬁdence as being an underlying factor. “I’m not very comfy with presenting myself,” he confesses. “When I wrote Into The Woods, I remember thinking that it was going to be for a band. Like, I’m going to record and produce it, but get someone else to present it. Maybe I’d just like to do that; write songs for people and produce, without having to go and stand on stage and act

like a fanny, you know?” But having acted like a ‘fanny’ for some years now, has Middleton not adapted himself to it? “No matter how much you tour, you go out and you feel the same lack of conﬁdence,” he assures us. “It’s not like you can accrue what you’ve learnt before and take it with you.” Such crises, it seems, have also followed him into the studio. “In the past with my solo records, I’ve pretty much been really conﬁdent, thinking I can tell straight away if what I’m singing is good or if it’s just crap. But right now I’m not so sure of that, or whether there’s any reason to be singing about these things, or if it’s just someone complaining. I think that’s what I miss about being in a band; you don’t have other people to bounce off, which, after being in Arab Strap for so long, I needed to get away from, but now I miss it a wee bit.” Don’t take this as a sign of an impending ‘Strap reunion, though. “I think it was a good time to

call it a day,” he states of his former band. “Unless there’s a deﬁnite need and desire for us to play, I don’t think we should ever get back together.” However, neither Middleton nor Arab Strap’s other half, Aidan Moffat, have ruled out future collaborations. “We always said we would [collaborate again] when we split up, but I think maybe it’s still too soon,” he muses. “Maybe in a few years when we’ve got time, we’ll maybe try something for a laugh. Who knows?” On that upbeat note I can’t help but ask if Uncle Malkie has any advice on how to have ourselves a merry little Christmas this year. “Avoid alcohol and don’t buy any presents,” he cautions without a hint of humour. “That should take the stress out of things.” Bah humbug indeed. We wouldn’t have it any other way. MALCOLM HEADLINES BURST NOEL, AT THE FAIRFIELD WORKING MEN’S CLUB, GOVAN ON 19 DECEMBER.

MALKY’S CHRISTMAS THOUGHT My earliest Christmas memory is of running into our living room and punching an inﬂatable Spiderman punch-bag, whacking it off the corner of something and bursting it, spraying the room with water, sand and disappointment. At Christmas my Mum always went to a lot of effort for my sister and I to make it special and Disney-ish, while my Dad grumbled in the corner about all the “didn’t haves” from when he was a lad. Christmas at my grandparent’s in Aberdeen one year had me trying to kick a door down while my Granddad held it closed from the other side, warning me that Santa was stuck in the chimney. Wanting to catch a glimpse of the old guy, it made me all the more eager to get in. Children believe

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everything so people should be careful. I was in my late teens when it dawned on me that pickled gherkins weren’t really the preserved tips of dinosaurs’ tails… I wasn’t gullible. Just pre-cynical. Yet Santa was ﬁt and breathing throughout my childhood until one summer, when sat round the table the news was gently broken that he had died in a sleigh crash. There would still be a Christmas apparently, but it would be different, and less. My blackest Christmas was in my late 20s. After a bad year of confusion, loss and dramatic irony, I found myself in a fugue of depression,

tearing a set of stainless steel kitchen knives from their camouflage of laughing snowmen and trumpet-parping angels. A sour thought was there as I lay in the thick of it; blue and green neon coming in through the window courtesy of an unforgiving Falkirk District Council Christmas decoration bolted onto the side of my home. Sitting in self-inflicted solitude wondering what present to play with first, I laughed my heart out at the timing of such a gift and decided it’d be easier to continue and maybe just write a self-mocking song about it. Anyway, the black humour of the situation snapped me out of it and I decided to watch Eastenders so that my own life wouldn’t seem so terrifying. Then I wrote a song about it.

Carrying on with the doom and gloom, a few years later I wrote another song called We’re All Going To Die, nothing whatsoever about Christmas, just general life worries. It made it to number 31 in the charts, riding on a small wave of anti-X-Factor feeling and reversereverse psychology. After a month of promoting it I ran back to Glasgow and had a long bath and was ﬁne. Eh, anyway, Christmas to me isn’t about Jesus or Santa or Simon Cowell. It’s about putting another tally-mark on the wall; deciding which failures are worth trying to correct for the next year; buying gifts so that people you love might love you more; and of course, kicking the crap out of superheroes. Merry Christmas!

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Cassette Jam:

Full-Throttle into 2009 by Emma Kilday

Cassette Jam held down one of the biggest bookings in the world this summer, at Amnesia in 'Biza. This month they come to Glasgow to rock the Warehouse Project at Hogmanay The saying goes that ‘two heads are better than one’. People in music sometimes find they can work better in pairs - why go it alone when you can collaborate and (fingers crossed) be twice as good? Maybe this is why there are so many successful duos in the electronic music world: Daft Punk, The Chems, Justice… even The KLF were a (slightly gruesome) twosome. And now there’s a new partnership creating a stir on the scene. If you aren’t already familiar with the name Cassette Jam, then it’s time to get acquainted. Rory Lyons and Will Graney, from Leeds, have been on something of a roll ever since they entered the Cream international search for a DJ competition in 2006. The qualifying heats were the first time they’d ever played together but it was definitely a winning combination, as they went on to claim first place. Since then they’ve done remixes for the likes of The Whip, Alex Gopher and Ladytron and are just back from a summer in Ibiza as residents of Cream at Amnesia. Now they’ve turned their hands to production and started making their own tracks, and it seems there’s no stopping them. When The Skinny catches up with them they’ve just passed the 12-hour mark on a stint in the studio working on their new album. So how did they come to be strolling along a career path that is the envy of so many – playing music for a living? “My Dad owned a record shop in Leeds,” replies Rory. “I was always surrounded by music and that naturally progressed to wanting to play it to other people.” “At first we were just buying tunes and playing them to friends,” says Will. “Our mates encouraged us to get out there and start DJing.” It was a decision they wouldn’t regret. They’ve become renowned for their relentlessly energetic sets with their rapid-fire changes helped along by the fact they use a whopping six decks. “We both are very impatient and I have ADD,” explains Rory. “So I can’t stand there for ten minutes waiting for Will to play two records. So we have a mixer each with 3 decks each - we are always busy adding to the sound!” It was this unique style than earned Cassette Jam their residency in Ibiza, where they followed in the footsteps of the likes of Axwell, Steve Angello and Tiesto playing to thousands of clubbers in Amnesia. “The Terrace at Cream Amnesia, 3,000 people going nuts, it’s unreal. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up the first time you walk in there...” So has it been tough to leave the White Isle and return to the UK to play to smaller crowds in a colder climate? “No, we still love playing over here. Some of the nights such as Chibuku, Wax:On and the Warehouse Project are immense. The line-ups are ridiculous, and we’re proud to be a part of them.” With Cassette Jam, Mylo and The Japanese Popstars on the bill, The Warehouse Project New Year’s Eve party is certainly shaping up to be a belter. And the night could be especially unforgettable for one lucky fan, as the boys have teamed up with Budweiser for their ‘Rising Talent’ competition to find an amateur DJ to warm up for them at the event. Those who fancy themselves as the next Hawtin or Erol can send in a demo mix and the top 5 will be invited down to London for the final in December. “We’re looking for someone who sounds a bit different. There’ll

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be a lot of entries to listen to so it needs to really stand out. As long as you play the music you love and don’t try to imitate what’s already out there you’re on the right track.” Not content with only playing tracks penned by other people, the boys have turned their hands to the production side of things. Their first fourtrack demo was quickly snapped up by Pieces of Eight Records and their debut single Retox quickly became a dancefloor sensation. “It was our first venture into production, we got such a buzz from making it, it kind of spurred us on production-wise. It is getting loads of radio play and great feedback.” Their second single, Don’t Lose Control, is out this month and Rory describes it as their “fa-

vourite track to date”, saying “the energy in the track really represents what we are all about. I’m really excited about its potential!”

We ask if they’ve got anything else of note to tell us before they get back to recording. “Yeah. Stay away from Irn Bru – it’s evil!”

When asking Cassette Jam what the highlight of their career so far has been it’s unsurprising that they can’t narrow it down to just one. “We have been to four continents, played loads of festivals and crowd surfed a few times, but nothing comes close to hearing your records make people go nuts, especially if someone else is playing it and you’re in the crowd!”

Although we disagree whole-heartedly with this slander of our proudest export (and one of the best hangover cures known to man), we really don’t have another bad word to say about Cassette Jam. Keep a close eye on them, for both DJing and production, they’re a pair worth watching.

So will Scottish clubbers get the chance to check out Cassette Jam live any time soon? “Yeah we’re going to play for the Utah Saints at Sugarbeat in Edinburgh in the coming months, so watch this space!”

You can win the chance to warm up for Cassette Jam at the Warehouse Project on New Year’s Eve. For information on how to enter visit www.budweiser.co.uk. Closing date is 5 December. Cassette Jam’s second single Don’t Lose Control is out now. www.myspace.com/cassettejam

Music

Voice of Xperience Legend, pioneer, trendsetter. A few words used to describe UK hip-hop goliath Blak Twang, aka Tony Rotton. With a string of five albums dating back to 1995, you would be hard pressed to find another UK hip-hop artist with as much longevity and relevance as Tony Rotton. Having waved the British flag all over the world representing UK hip-hop, Rotton is the leading ambassador for a scene that is often overlooked on its very own own doorstep. With the wave of chart-topping UK urban music following the success of Estelle, Wiley, T2 and DJ Ironik, it’s hard to believe that the politics of music still hasn’t changed. Each of the aforementioned artists represents the future direction of the urban music scene, and their success is to be applauded. “I think the UK music is still exciting and cutting edge with new talented artists coming out. I’m still not happy with the industry because I still don’t think we have the correct template here in the UK to enable real mainstream success,” explains Tony. In truth, the template is one that has yet to be mastered by any genre. Musicians from all fields struggle to find mainstream success and it is a challenge to find the sound that strikes a chord with the gatekeepers in the industry. Mercury Award winners Elbow chased the glorious overground pastures for over a decade before they were recognised for their innovations. Hardly unique to UK hip-hop, the chase for attention from the masses is one that all musicians endure. Nevertheless, where Blak Twang and a select few other MCs

AFTER YEARS IN THE GAME AS A LEADING EXPONENT OF UK HIP HOP, OMAR JENNING IS PLEASED TO HEAR BLAK TWANG REMAINS SCEPTICAL, BUT IN GOOD SPIRITS

differ is the fact that he remains relevant. Having had his greatest success in 2002 with his third album Kik Off, Rotton reﬂects on his achievements. “Kik Off has been my most successful album so far with smashes like So Rotton, Kik Off, Ain’t Done Too Bad and Trixsta…and releasing the album to critical acclaim and doing all the festivals in that year with Jahmali and Estelle were moments to remember,” he recalls. Fast forward to 2008 and the title of his current album, Speaking from Xperience, rings clear. True to form, his music always conveys a message and at times tackles tricky topics, as he does on this release which is littered with messages that challenge social norms. “Listeners can expect clear and concise real life subject matters, drawing on a lot of my experiences from being in the game for over a decade now. Musically it’s very different to my previous albums, whilst maintaining my traditional hip-hop sound.” With the shift of everyone’s attention to the world economy and the current political climate as of late, you have to question whether consumers will fork out their disposable income on music. “I think we’re in a very precarious economic situation at the moment, in my opinion brought on by greed and carelessness. Somebody somewhere is fattening their pocket on the back of ordinary people’s misery and misfortune. Governments exploit the people and created the mess and expect the people to now rescue them,” Rotton states with gusto. However, he does see change on the horizon. “As far as

Barack Obama becoming the first black president of the USA, I think it is the greatest achievement for Africans in the diaspora; and as you can see it’s resonated all over the world with black people celebrating on different continents. I think it’s gonna do wonders for America, even though the country is in a difficult financial state at the moment - you couldn’t ask for a worse time to become president. Hopefully it will change the perception of how black people are viewed in the West.”

2009 will be no different for Blak Twang on the grind front. With an album to promote, and a younger hip-hop generation to educate, Tony Rotton is one man who stands to prove that anything is possible if you are dedicated, motivated and positive. Sound familiar? SPEAKING FROM XPERIENCE IS OUT NOW ON ABSTRACT URBAN. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BLAKTWANG

Slakah the Beatchild Brings Back the Soul OMAR JENNING MAKES THE CASE FOR SLAKAH THE BEATCHILD, THE FRESH SOUL/HIP HOP PRODUCER FROM CANADA WHO'LL MAKE YOUR WINTER THAT MUCH SWEETER Slakah the Beatchild promises to be your new favourite artist/producer. Hailing from Canada, this multi-talented musician packed his bags, left the sleepy town of Windsor and headed to Toronto to take his musical goals to the next level. Not satisfied with a typical nine to five, he started work in Phase One Studios, one of Canada’s most prestigious recording facilities, and went from running for coffee to running the show as one of their most sought after engineers. Slakah’s magical mix of hip-hop, soul, and beats to die for is a breath of fresh air in Canada’s music scene. “Canada is such a small country that there is not much of a music scene, period. The music world here is dominated by rock and country music. Having been on tour across the country though, it is shocking [in a good way, we’re guessing - ed.] to see hip hop communities in the smallest of towns!” he chuckles. When listening to his latest release, The Soul Movement Vol 1, it is obvious that this Juno Records-nominated beatmaster is influenced by music from the past, and Slakah makes no bones about his observations on the way music has changed since the pre-90s golden era. “Since the introduction and popularisation of digital recording studios, music has actually regressed in quality! As a result, music comes and goes before it has a chance. It’s like fast food compared to a hearty healthy meal. This, along with so many other factors combined, has contributed to a total change in the music scene and to the music it produces as a result. This is why music from the past sounds so much better in my opinion.” And this young man knows what he is talking about, believe me. Having collaborated with some of Canada’s fin-

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est singer/songwriters both in the past and on his current release The Soul Movement Vol 1, he’s had his fair share of experience, and is aiming to deliver a totally fresh sound and concept to his die-hard fans and new listeners alike. “The Soul Movement idea has been brewing in my mind for over 10 years, as a producer I wanted to find a way to effectively share my talents, visions and sounds. It represents musical freedom and liberty for me, a medium in which I can get creative and not worry about what people will think, or have to conform to the “what’s hot” approach of making music. To me great music is timeless, “what’s hot” music is not hot tomorrow. I want to create classics that our children will cherish. On The Soul Movement you will find soulful instrumentals, collaborations with other artists and even solo material!” Now signed to indie label BBE in the UK, Slakah the Beatchild is going on a mission to educate the masses and bring a refreshing new musical movement to a market saturated with formulaic bootyshaking nonsense. With a tour around the UK, Sweden and Germany planned for early 2009, tracks already on heavy rotation on radio stations around the world, and a wealth of innovation up his sleeve, Slakah the Beatchild is definitely on his way to the top. This Canadian import is such a natural, he makes it look like child’s play.

THE SOUL MOVEMENT VOL 1 S OUT NOW ON BBE. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ SLAKAHTHEBEATCHILD

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MUSIC

Blak Twang:

SINGLES

THE DIRTY DOZEN

DECEMBER ISN’T ALL ABOUT CLIFF RICHARD AND THE X FACTOR. THERE’S SOME DAMN FINE MUSIC OUT THERE TOO, NICK MITCHELL FINDS

BY NICK MITCHELL

First to shake yer mother’s finest china this month are Belgian rockers dEUS, flaunting their filmic tastes with The Vanishing of Maria ), which proves that bare-cheeked arthouse Schneider (1 Dec, cinema, brooding post-rock and Elbow’s Guy Garvey (guest vocals) are easy bedfellows.

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Teenage indie hopefuls The Wireless can’t thank their PR for describing them as “barely pubescent”, but in musical terms that’s ) is: a bit chirpy and a bit exactly what Been Here Before (1 Dec, superficial. The same can’t be said for Joan Wasser, who, ‘As Police Woman’, has roped in old pal Rufus Wainwright on her latest, To Amer), an evocative ballad that treads the lesser-trod ica (1 Dec, path between Vaudeville and 70s rock. Equally individual but utterly different, The Streets’ Mike Skinner comes over all thirty-something (well, just turned 30) and comfortable on Heaven For The Weather (1 ). As per usual, the lyricism is a cut above the ordinary; as Dec, a song it’s a non-event.

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Stirling band Jack Butler return from an apparent hiatus this month ). And by the sound of it with Are You a Hustler? (15 Dec, they’ve been at funky/indie/disco training camp, because this is a catchy rump-shaker, if not a life-changer. James Yorkston, on the other hand, crafts the kind of intelligent, sonorous balladry that might just alter your life should you let it. Tortoise Regrets Hare (8 Dec, ) comes backed with King Creosote’s fuzzier rendition of the same song. That brings us neatly on to Fence Collective associates Pumajaw, who kickstart the annual Christmas singles round-up with ). the double A-side Spangler/The Holly King (8 Dec,

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More ‘haunting Winter Solstice’ than ‘cosy Crimbo’, Louis Barabbas & the Black Velvet Band also dwell on the dark side of the deep ). Imagine, if you will, midwinter with Writing My List (Out Now, a Santa-suited Nick Cave stalking your living room with a sack full of rootsy country. Yuletide optimism finally arrives in the form of Fright) has been ened Rabbit. It’s Christmas So We’ll Stop (15 Dec, given the choir-and-strings treatment since last year’s release, and

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its exhortation to stop bickering for one day is as cockle-warming as it was last Christmas. Leaving the festively inclined aside, it’s a threeway race for single of the month. October’s Skinny cover stars Neon Neon bombard us with more elemental electronica and automotive allure on Dream Cars (8 Dec, ). Don’t be put off by the concept: Gruff Rhys’ pop sensibilities have never been so sharp. Like Rhys, M83’s Anthony Gonzalez has learned to love the synth-smothered sound of his youth. An exquisite ) piles song from an exquisite album, We Own the Sky (1 Dec, on the giddy romanticism, cranks up the Moog and somehow sounds completely fresh in 2008. It was a photo finish, but German stalwarts ). The Notwist claim single of the month for Boneless (1 Dec, The track itself is about as simplistically flawless as indie-folk gets, and you get a typically dreamy remix from Animal Collective’s Panda Bear for your dosh.

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REVIEWS BLACK CANVAS

CLINIC

HEADS WE DANCE

NOV/DEC, COOL & DEADLY

24 NOV , DOMINO

24 NOV, GOLD CITY

WE FEAR NOT

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These two MCs from Gloucester have tried to make a breaks reggae cocktail and on a passive level it works, but on other levels the single is inane and forgettable. The beat is sufficient rather than skilful and the track screams for some stimulating lyrics, but sadly Mr Melody and Rider Shafique's reggae stylings don’t enthuse. Ed Solo’s production feels like he knew it wouldn’t be released in his name, and is relatively repetitive and austere by his standards. By far the most appealing track is Romanian up-and-comer TRG’s remix, whose two-step grime impression takes the best out of twangy guitars and a bass-driven background to give a more textured single suitable for most dub-step appreciators. [Nicol J. Craig]

TOMORROW

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THE HUMAN TOUCH

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After five albums and several EP collections, new single Tomorrow demonstrates the paradox that Clinic have become: they continue to sound almost exactly the same as they did a decade ago, yet they never grow stale, always finding fresh nuance in their psych/punk/soul amalgamate. Such longevity is perhaps Clinic’s just reward for welding so many rich sounds together in the first place, but on the off-chance ennui has kicked in amongst those fans perhaps wondering whether an aesthetic overhaul is in order, a seven minute DFA remix on the B-side tantalises with a taste of the sonic possibilities thus far uncharted. [Chris Buckle]

Judging by the juggernaut synths and jackhammer beats driving The Human Touch, one can only assume that Leeds electro outfit Heads We Dance witnessed Justice’s success last year and decided to corner a slice of the unsubtle, bass-heavy dance-pop market for themselves. However, their close resemblance to the Parisians’ crunchy floor-fillers is flattering imitation rather than plagiarism: loud, brash and unabashedly singleminded in its desire to encourage sweaty arms-in-the-air rapture during its mid-song breakdown (complete with heartbeat drum throb for added euphoria). They may not offer up original thrills, but second-hand thrills of this calibre are welcome nonetheless. [Chris Buckle]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CLINICVOOT

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/HEADSWEDANCE

MICRON SIXTY THREE

TITUS GEIN VS HEY ENEMY

THE STILLS

15 DEC, DISCERROR RECORDINGS

OUT NOW, PREDESTINATION

OUT NOW, ARTS AND CRAFTS

DEATH IS COLDER THAN LOVE

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You know those foreboding, pitch black and neon industrial dance clubs that cops always seem to walk into in films? The kind often populated by vampires, all virtually naked and gorgeous? This is the music playing in the background as the cops are trying to find that girl. And the other guy is trying to follow them. And everyone that gets in his way is stunning but also potentially deadly. And there are two girls kissing, just to illustrate how racy the whole thing is. And there's a guy in leather. Point being, Death is Colder... is thumping industrial techno-rock. Definitely generic yet also perfectly competent. [Chris Cusack]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MICRON63

SPLIT EP

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BEING HERE

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Titus Gein have succeeded in mixing two shockingly unhip genres –prog and nu-metal - and have somehow found something interesting to say. What should have been a truly hideous union - like catching your mother in bed with (whisper it) an emo kid - turns out to be fascinating, like Queen, Iron Maiden and Joe Satriani scoring a Sega Megadrive game in 1991. Hey Enemy are more derivative, ricocheting between Lower Forty-Eight, Shellac, and The Pixies, but while the vocals could do with beefing up in the mix, this three-piece produce some interesting guitar textures. Both bands do themselves no disservice with this EP, with Titus Gein shining in particular. [Ewen Millar]

Like any attempt at straightforward, anthemic songwriting, Being Here is a long way from being ‘cool’ or ‘edgy’. This is The Stills at their most conservative, ploughing the same sonic furrow as Coldplay or Snow Patrol. But while their behemoth contemporaries stir up the same old minor chords and reverb-heavy riffs to predictable effect, the wide-eyed passion evident here stirs up genuine emotion instead. Perhaps only record sales and radio ubiquity separate them from an MOR eternity of soundtracking X-Factor montages, but the lump in the throat that forms when the chorus erupts suggests they may acquire such mainstream success sooner rather than later. [Chris Buckle]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TITUSGEIN WWW.MYSPACE.COM/HEYENEMY WWW.PREDESTINATIONRECORDS.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THESTILLS

NIGHTJAR

ROB ST JOHN

YUSAF AZAK

8 DEC, SONG, BY TOAD

8 DEC, FIFE KILLS

OUT NOW, SELF RELEASED

THE MOTH TRAP

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The Moth Trap is an enjoyable investigation of the folk and bluegrass influences of Nightjar, who comprise current and former members of Aberfeldy and Grammy-nominated folk singer Kris Drever. The ethereal melancholy of The Dancefloor and the jaunty country-vibe of Salesman Song illustrate the short, sweet attack of the rest of the EP and an easily identifiable, slightly stretched vocal style. Musically recalling the style of Will Oldham and other such folk, Nightjar could perhaps be steeped too far in “traditional music” for those not accustomed. But there are guitars with just enough twang, strings with just enough swell and vocals with just enough heart to win the cynics over. [Lauren Mayberry]

LIKE ALCHEMY EP

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Recorded live one evening in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge Church and accompanied by members of the city’s underground folk scene, this short EP is a fragile and haunting thing. St John’s guitar jangles discordantly from time to time, the harmonium wheezes gently in the background, and the eerie warblings of a saw occasionally rises from the ether, lending the whole thing a comforting, after-hours feeling reminiscent of James Yorkston or David Thomas Broughton. Along with releases this year from Eagleowl, Withered Hand, Meursault and Les Enfant Bastard, this is further proof that the Edinburgh alt-folk scene is burning as brightly as a petroldoused Wickerman. [Milo McLaughlin]

LIGHT PROCESSION EP

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This - the second EP from Aberdeen-born artist Yusuf Azak - is a smorgasbord. Strings, guitars, hushed vocals, and faint percussion all swell into each other like crashing waves. However, occasional flurries of brilliance are allowed to filter through, equating to a short collection of tracks that is both eccentric and often delicately original. There are elements of 60s psych rock here - particularly in opener 19.19 and Yusaf Azak’s singular Light Procession - and frequent hints at the dreamy lull of Elliot Smith. Although there’s an inescapable lack of overall focus on show, it would be a safe bet to say that we haven’t heard the best from Yusuf Azak just yet. Quite exciting indeed. [Ryan Drever]

STRICTLY LIMITED TO 250 HAND STAMPED AND NUMBERED RECYCLED CARD COPIES WWW.SONGBYTOAD.COM

42 THE SKINNY

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ROBSTJOHN

DECEMBER 08

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/YUSUFAZAK

RECORDS

Wichita Recordings If ever there was as an ethical record label, Wichita Recordings is surely its embodiment. Finbarr Bermingham talks measured A&R tactics with Mark Bowen.

Ten Tracks Featured Artist:

Rob St John by Billy Hamilton

On the eve of the release of his new EP, this month's featured Ten Tracks artist Rob St John lets Billy Hamilton know his name’s not exclusive to one but to an entire group of likeminded souls

Having trailed around Edinburgh’s venues unescorted for four years, Burnley-born troubadour Rob St John recently unshackled himself from the baggage of the ‘singer/songwriter’ tag and acquired a brethren of likeminded souls who walk under his own name. As the man himself explains: “I’m very lucky to have found four musicians [Rob Waters, Bart Owl, Emily Scott and Louise Martin] who are in tune with what I want from the songs, and so massively talented that it takes very little time to make them sound good. In fact, we’ve become a band in all but name – is it too late to change it?”

Rising from the ashes of Creation Records' demise in 2000, Wichita was the brainchild of Mark Bowen and Dick Green. Both had been at Alan McGee's side since day dot. “To me the crucial thing about Creation was that almost without exception, all the artists made multiple records for the label," reflects Bowen of his apprenticeship. In a lot of cases, those bands are still going.” He cites the longevity of Primal Scream, Oasis and the Super Furry Animals as proof that working with bands is about building a future, not short term glories. It's an ethos that has proved to be equally successful for Wichita.

Brixton Academy, and have crowds sing every word of the songs we played to people long before and they told us they were rubbish was very, very satisfying too!”

Eight years after the label's inception, the imprint still only has four staff, quite a feat given their relative ubiquity. With the likes of Bloc Party, Saul Williams and Los Campesinos! on their roster, Bowen admits to previously punching above their weight, but is sure Wichita can capably compete at the top level of their specialist fields. “I don't think any band ever outgrows us. I think sometimes bands choose to take more money up front,” he explains, crediting the departures of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Bright Eyes to pastures newer, but not always greener, with being his two personal nadirs of the label's lifespan so far. “That's the hardest bit because it gives you a very rude awakening as to your place in the music business.”

Gut instinct makes good A&R and for Wichita, it's rarely led them astray. As such, Bowen's enthusiasm about his current crop of youngsters is unflinching. He predicts Sky Larkin will take us by storm with a debut album in February (“I didn't think they had this record in them”). He's just signed two young Swedish girls called First Aid Kit (“it's very reminiscent of the Everly Brothers, had they been girls”) and like everyone, is amazed that Lovvers have managed to write and record something that resembles a full length LP (“I see them and think, 'there's something so pure about them!'”). But what tips would he offer to a band looking to put themselves in the shop window?

But rather than cry over spilt milk, Bowen assures that the soaring highs have dominated his time at the helm. “For four people sitting in an office to see this band sell millions of records has been amazing,” he says of Bloc Party's success around the world. “Seeing The Cribs sell out

www.theskinny.co.uk

The Cribs story is one Bowen tells with immense pride, unsurprising given their own underdog status. “Ironically, they're the only act that nobody wanted anything to do with initially. Everybody thought we were wrong, but they've gone on to be our second biggest band. I think that's taught us not to listen too much to what people say straight off and to trust our instincts.”

“Don't go looking for record label interest. Excite yourselves and if you've got that skill people will come naturally to you.” Wichita's next release is The Bronx (III) by The Bronx on 26 Jan, 2009. Read our exclusive interview with the band next issue. www.wichita-recordings.com

A nifty alteration to the group’s handle may appease his all-for-one principles but when the limelight’s up for grabs Rob can’t help but hog it. You see, he has quite a voice. It lilts and swoons, coiling through the air like a spirographing whisper before unravelling itself inside the conscience. Mournful new EP Like Alchemy and stunning cut The Acid Test - St John's contribution to the Police Box channel on Ten Tracks this December - are formidable exhibits of his entrancing tones, with every breathy note leaving a personal message of reassurance. Despite such melodious intimacy, Rob denies his lyrics are drawn from an inner well of emotion: “The last thing I ever want is for my songs to be an open-diary confessional,” says the 22 year-old. “If you can write things with a certain ambiguity, hopefully it'll resonate with people as they tie it to their own experiences. After Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize, Guy Garvey

said they ‘avoid grand statements in favour of quiet revelations’, which really resonates with me - even though I'm not a huge fan of their music.” What Rob is a fan of is something he’s intrinsically involved in: his adopted city’s blossoming subculture: “I think there's a really great and appreciative set of gig-goers in Edinburgh who have come out of the woodwork in the last year or so," he enthuses, "to really embrace the ‘lets find a room, get a PA, put on a gig!’ philosophy. Playing to 20 appreciative people in a tiny gallery or church somewhere sure beats playing to 300 disinterested people in a soulless venue.” With his - sorry, their - luscious spirals of sound, you get the impression Rob St John could inject soul into the most hollow of haunts. And with the dawning of a new year, St John suggests the group’s soundscapes will be hitting more of the nation's venues very soon. “We're talking about doing another UK tour in February, this time as a Rob St John / Eagleowl [a band Rob has been known to join on harmonium] double header. We’re also recruiting a great new drummer, so the songs will add another dynamic,” he says. “We'd love to do another EP as soon as possible, but we need to sell a few of Like Alchemy before we can afford that.” If that’s the case, then Rob St John is one man’s band we should all be digesting very, very quickly. The acid test is available at www.tentracks.co.uk

Download The Acid Test along with other exclusive cuts from FOUND, Neil Landstrumm, The Black Diamond Express and more for a quid by subscribing today

www.tentracks.co.uk Now in its third month of operation, December sees Ten Tracks introducing two new quarterly channels curated by seminal indie labels One Little Indian (featuring songs from Asobi Seksu, Land of Talk and Rose Kemp for starters) and Fat Cat (hosting contributions by The Twilight Sad, Vetiver, Max Richter, Frightened Rabbit and many more).

December 08

THE SKINNY 43

Records

Always Read the Label:

ALBUMS ALBUM OF THE MONTH: MEURSAULT - PISSING ON BONFIRES/KISSING WITH TONGUES 15 DEC, SONG, BY TOAD

rrrrr Much like the vino of their French regional namesake, Edinburgh’s Meursault have been on a lot of lips recently. So, after establishing a fervent following with a string of spellbinding live shows over the past six months, the quartet’s decision to give their debut long-player Pissing On Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues another push via Edinburgh indie label Song, By Toad couldn’t have been better timed. Knee-deep in folkish narratives, rousing numbers The Furnace and Lament For a Teenage Millionaire are transformed into rapacious tidal waves by the gnarling tectonic plates of electronica that underpin them. A Few Kind Words is an aural minefield and the record’s immediate stand-out,

laced with bombastic percussion and the screeching banshee wail of frontman Neil Pennycook. Yet, as time flies, it’s the more gentle A Small Stretch Of Land that springs to the fore: a tortured, weeping lament bound by introspection. Make no mistake, after a spin of this sublime record only one word will pass your lips: magnificent. [Billy Hamilton] WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MEURSAULTA701

KANYE WEST

GLASVEGAS

GUNS ‘N’ ROSES

OUT NOW , MERCURY

1 DEC , COLUMBIA

OUT NOW , GEFFEN

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808S AND HEARTBREAK

A SNOWFLAKE FELL (AND IT FELT LIKE A KISS)

CHINESE DEMOCRACY

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Kanye West’s fourth album 808s and Heartbreak is not a Kanye West album. If you think of it as such, and expect an ebullient rapper with a Jesus complex, chipmunks for backing singers, and big obvious soul samples, you’ll only be disappointed, because this is self-pitying, claustrophobic pop, entirely sung and roboticised by Autotune. In fact it’s such a deviation from everything which brought him fame and acclaim that it marks risk on an unprecedented scale for a world famous musician: 808s will be dismissed by many as the bizarre by-product of a star’s mental breakdown. But for all that, its style and story is compelling, and it’s neither disaster nor triumph overall. Once the initial shock subsides it’s just a slick modern pop album with 80s electro influences and themes of hurt and confusion. There are a few obvious hits (Love Lockdown, Paranoid) and a few misses (Amazing, Heartless), suggesting the one thing Kanye has retained from his previous life is his inconsistency. [Ally Brown]

Scottish indie rockers Glasvegas round off a successful year with their own bleak and distinctive take on that most pointless of concepts, the Christmas mini-album. Instead of taking an opportunity to cash in and desecrate well-loved carols (although they do offer up a plaintive rendition of Silent Night), Glasvegas have come up with an album which reflects the beauty and grimness of Glasgow in winter. Instead of feeding us with inanities like Christmas bonbons, the band hit us between the eyes with lyrical snowballs on compositions with such festive titles as Fuck You, It’s Over. Meanwhile their Mary Chain-esque guitar storm sounds more glacial than ever; you can hear the ice in singer James Allan’s breath. Allan’s plaintive flat vowels are a linguistic idiosyncrasy which never fail to make Scottish misery-guts music sound rawer than foreign counterparts. All in all, a strong effort, but one which, shackled to a particular season, will ultimately remain a footnote in the band’s career. [Gillian Watson]

Reviewing Chinese Democracy is like boxing Muhammad Ali. It might have meant something years ago, but now you’d just feel bad about the inevitable kicking. It cost a reputed $13 million, and you can hear every cent - it’s overblown, over-produced and finally over here. All the elements are there – the bombastic riffs, the show-off solos, the still-astonishing primal vocals. It’s definitely, defiantly a Guns ‘n’ Roses album, and one fans might have been placated with ten years ago, if not quite blown away by. The problem is, rock music has changed since the band’s classic line-up faded out in the 90s. With its stadium ballads and nu-metal posturing, the hard riffing Chinese Democracy sounds dated and irrelevant. But on reflection, how could a new Guns ‘n’ Roses album in 2008 ever be anything else? Irony and good taste have rendered it stillborn. Whether that’s a good thing or not, who knows. [Euan Ferguson]

WWW.KANYEUNIVERSECITY.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/GLASVEGAS

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/GUNSNROSES

SANS TRAUMA

ALL THE SAINTS

REMEMBER REMEMBER

OUT NOW , SELF RELEASE

1 DEC, TOUCH & GO

OUT NOW , ROCK ACTION

RUSHING YOUR DRAGON

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FIRE ON CORRIDOR X

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REMEMBER REMEMBER

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To a pigeon-hole pushing hack, Sans Trauma are a cantankerous swine of a band to pin down. The Edinburgh quartet’s debut mini-LP Rushing your Dragon transcends myriad genres to arrive at something that roughly translates as a medley of shoe-gaze, post-rock and folk, yet it’s sonically so very much more. Gauzy, misty-eyed melodics flutter through the spine of this gently persuasive longplayer, with tender vocals straining between the spider-webbed cluster of strum and drum that harnesses opening number Day 1 Woke Up and the cooing twinkle of Late Nights In Estate Rooms. Such brittle moments are the fulcrum of the record’s deep-seated emotional well, but in the spoken word brilliance of I Left Her One Day or Costa Cana’s incessant chamber-tronica lies an underbelly ablaze with vigour and bite. Certainly, Rushing Your Dragon is - at least initially - a tricky beast to get your lugs around, but once it infiltrates those eardrums it’s quite a triumph. [Billy Hamilton]

If you thought that the return of acid house in all its Global Hypercoloured glory made for an unlikely renaissance, a second coming of ‘shoe-grunge’ (© Swervedriver, 1991) and a record like Fire on Corridor X shouldn’t throw you for a loop. From the opening instrumental, the haunting keys of Shadow Shadow waltz into All the Saints’ Anglo-centric world where the pursuit of the ethereal, melodic qualities of Ride and the mastery of Spaceman 3's elusive drone are mandatory pastimes. In this respect, The Saints clearly kept their heads down until they emerged with an honest homage, dripping with conviction. Sure, there are noconcerted attempts to reinvent the wheel, but sometimes it’s quite enough to invest in the old fashioned buzz of a crashing guitar. Then there’s the unshakable feeling that, with a second album already on the way, this band could become a contender in 2009. [Dave Kerr]

Watching Remember Remember construct a gorgeous wall of looped percussion using the most mundane of objects (sellotape, scissors and staplers) is something you are unlikely to forget. The track in question, Fountain/Mountain, forms the epic two-part centrepiece of this eponymous debut for Rock Action. Within nine minutes it provides a dewy early-morning face wash, followed by a breakfast of clouds before careering off on a soaring flight along the Earth’s inner atmosphere. The name is no doubt a nod to the repetitious nature of their recording: banks of looped, eddying guitar motifs, cascading pianos, flurries of duelling woodwind and snow-crisp xylophone all vie for attention, but snugly fit into a cyclical and dream-like whole. All of which are, seemingly, compacted into just one facet for the 30 minute, four-tiered finale Imagining Things, dwarfing all the grandeur that has come before it. At this exponential rate of increase, Remember Remember will have landed on the first glacier on the moon by Easter. [Darren Carle]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SANSTRAUMA

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ALLTHESAINTS

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/REMEMBERREMEMBER

UNWED SAILOR

DAMON & NAOMI

JE SUIS ANIMAL

AVAILABLE ON IMPORT , BURNT TOAST VINYL

1 DEC , 20/20/20

1 DEC , ANGULAR

LITTLE WARS

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The problem with playing in a genre that’s all about mood is that you’re listener has to be in the right one in order to really appreciate your craft. Post-rock, of course, is an especially difficult beast: Mogwai have written many tracks that sound unfinished without vocals; Tortoise have never quite worked out whether they’re creating challenging jazz or ironic elevator music; Battles ruin it all with daft chanting; Godspeed have been writing and releasing the same (excellent) album for years. Unwed Sailor have, however, produced the goods with the euphoric Little Wars, sounding as Explosions in the Sky might had they realised there is a world beyond delay pedals, or like It’s All Around You-era Tortoise with better tunes. Rock solid drumming supports exuberant guitar work on the first post-rock album in quite some time that neither turns the world grey with gloom, nor exists to soundtrack TV documentaries and Hollywood movies. [Ewen Millar]

MORE SAD HITS

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SELF TAUGHT MAGIC FROM A BOOK

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In their previous incarnation as arch sleep-rockers Galaxie 500, Damon and Naomi carved an interesting niche for themselves in the 80s Sub Pop scene. 17 years after striking out together, the duo have re-released their debut More Sad Hits. Reminiscent of the psychedelia of 13th Floor Elevators and the folky, dreamy soundscapes of Cocteau Twins, it certainly lives up to its melancholic title. Songs like Once More and This Car Climbed Mt Washington are quite poignant American indie, and the simply strummed Sir Thomas and Sir Robert evokes what The Pastels were doing over this side of the Atlantic around the same time. Overall, there is a stark and frail beauty to the work which stands out in 2008. True to the title though, if you make it through the whole 12 tracks in one go you might find yourself reaching for something like Steptacular for a bit of emotional redress. [Euan Ferguson]

These days ‘twee’ may have become a euphemism for bed-wetting and sensitive simpering, but it was once so much more. Je Suis Animal remember those days: the days of The Wedding Present and blissed-out guitar fuzz, of C86, rough edges and Talulah Gosh. It’s there in the reverb wash of Secret Place, the eerie drone chorus of The Mystery of Marie Roget and the lo-fi percussion driving Good To Me’s sighs of ‘I love you’. But all this talk of the past threatens to overlook the inventiveness that flows through Self Taught Magic From A Book from beginning to end. For example, a solo played on the humble school recorder may be Twee cliché 101, but when it interrupts the melancholic melody of It’s Love, it cuts through both sentiment and distortion, preventing the album’s shoe-gaze haze from becoming suffocating. Beautiful yet edgy, dreamy yet sinister - Je Suis Animal are twee as fuck. [Chris Buckle]

WWW.DAMONANDNAOMI.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/JESUISANIMAL

UNWED SAILOR PLAY NICE ‘N’ SLEAZY, GLASGOW ON 2 DEC. WWW.UNWEDSAILOR.NET

44 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

RECORDS

SEMAPHORE

THE JOHN HENRYS

1 DEC , ADA

15 DEC , GLOBAL NET RECORDS

1 DEC , 9LB RECORDS/TRUE NORTH RECORDS

WELCOME TO THE WELCOME WAGON

SEMAPHORE

SWEET AS THE GRAIN

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Fascinating to Freudian theorists it may be, but the parental urge to achieve vicariously through one’s offspring is often doomed. All too frequently, natural ability is stunted by the presence of a misguided father, hitting pitches from the sidelines as though they were his own. So what do you do when the modern day bastion of folksome melodics – aka Sufjan Stevens - offers to produce your debut longplayer? Well, if you’re husband and wife duo The Welcome Wagon you clasp him like a new-born to a teat. Drenched in countrified gospel, Welcome To The Welcome Wagon bears its master’s unmistakable seal of approval. Yet such divine rubberstamping burdens the likes of American Legion and Sold! To The Nice Rich Man, leaving both wheezing as they fruitlessly furrow through the mist of Sufjan’s overbearing legacy. And herein lies the underlying problem with this charming yet disposable debut: the old boy at the helm does it so much better. [Billy Hamilton]

Mark Lanegan, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave, that scary bloke from Crash Test Dummies: you can add Semaphore’s Louis Brennan, a 23-year-old Dubliner with the voice of an aged and evangelical Eddie Vedder, to that list of low baritone growlers. His band’s self-titled debut sounds steeped in red wine, whiskey and heartbreak, and at its best it evokes The National’s minor-key anthems with a hint of Two Gallants’ ye olde mythologising. A more consistent comparison is the kind of blustery post-grunge man-rock ballads peddled in the early 90s by the Screaming Trees, an aesthetic that at its lowest ebb created the hideous Creed but in this context sounds revitalised and refined. Occasionally the fire-and-brimstone sermonising threatens to tip over into parody - see Don’t Look Back’s lengthy “We’re all gonna go to Hell” coda - but for the most part Semaphore are sending out all the right signals. [Chris Buckle]

First impressions of The John Henrys are of a band desperate to be authentic: a matt-finished album cover adorned with a simple line-drawing of wheat, and framed with the band’s moniker in a Wild West font, signposts a country act concerned with tradition over experimentation. The title track, Sweet As The Grain, does little to dispel this impression, practically reeking of bourbon and overweight rednecks yeehawing as they dance in the thousand-odd identikit bars that must have seen this band hone their craft. Underneath the surface of this album however, lies a homage to ‘60s garage rock (particularly The Rolling Stones), and there are even shades of Nirvana and The Clash in places. Having four band members write and sing certainly adds to the schizophrenia, although their attempt to homogenise their sound by drowning everything in country-style guitar work is irritating. One to avoid then, for those who can’t get down to a steel guitar. [Ewen Millar]

WWW.WELCOMEWAGON.CA

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/SEMAPHORE2007

WWW.THEJOHNHENRYS.COM

THE POCKET GODS

KONTAKTE

Q-TIP

OUT NOW , NUB COUNTRY

OUT NOW , DRIFTING FALLING

OUT NOW , UNIVERSAL MOTOWN

LO-FI SCI-FI

THE RENAISSANCE

SOUNDTRACKS TO LOST ROAD MOVIES

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The Pocket Gods claim to sound like nothing else on this planet, but in reality they don’t have to look that far back into the musical history of Earth to find a fair few reference points. Lo-fi Sci-fi calls on variations of classic rock, sounding at points like Beefheart, the Velvets or The Beatles - the riff from their Weekend Revulers is wholeheartedly lifted from Lady Madonna. The fuzzed-up guitars and rudimentary vocals on Night Lights put you in mind of the Jesus & Mary Chain, and the sleazy three-chord thrash of Vvbud is pure Cramps. However, it seems fair to say that the Pocket Gods don’t take themselves too seriously. The track Praise the Lard seems to be a paean to eating pig fat, and the overall feeling of the album is one of quite joyous, anarchic fun. The problem is, it’s hard to listen to without wondering who it is that each tune calls to mind. [Euan Ferguson]

Is there a post-rock band in the world that doesn’t resent that tag? Fact is, those two words conjure some pretty vivid notions and, in this case, if that notion is early Mogwai you’re very close to the mark for opening track Pacific Coast Highway. It’s as close to Ten Rapid or Young Team as can surely be mustered. An obvious difference between this London trio and the aforementioned Lanarkshire quintet is the reliance on synthetic drum samples, more akin to the colder digital fixations of 65 Days of Static. As it progresses, Soundtracks... veers in that more electronic, ethereal direction, the second half comprised solely of remixes by such luminaries as Chris Olley of Six By Seven and Tim Holmes of Death In Vegas. All engaging as Soundtracks... is though, one can’t really ignore the fact that it sounds a little dated. Touching stuff all the same. [Chris Cusack)

Hip-hop legend Q-Tip returns with The Renaissance, his first official solo release since 1999 debut Amplified. In the face of false starts which have frustratingly hampered his career for nearly a decade, Tip has lost none of his calm bravado, declaring “it’s up to me to bring back the hope”. Yet his confidence is not misplaced: he refuses to rest on past glories, exchanging the contemporary style of his last album for a jazzy sound reminiscent of his ‘90s outfit A Tribe Called Quest which is fleshed out by minimalist synths that bring the listener firmly into the 21st century, as on Gettin’ Up, the album’s Dilla-produced standout. In releasing this effort on the same date at the US Presidential Election and by sampling Barack Obama on album closer Shaka, Tip aligns himself with the dawn of a wider hope. It’s a mark of the album’s strength that this parallel, rather than falling flat, retains its credibility. [Gillian Watson]

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEPOCKETGODS

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KONTAKTEUK

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/QTIP

MURCOF

RIBBONS

KELLI ALI

1 DEC, THE LEAF LABEL

1 DEC, OSAKA

OUT NOW, ONE LITTLE INDIAN

THE VERSAILLES SESSIONS

ROYALS

ROCKING HORSE

rrr

Out there, up in the musical stratosphere, lies a crossover point for musical experimentation that shipwrecks journalists, and makes a mockery of all those quasi-meaningless adjectives that get bandied about by musos. Murcof floats somewhere near this nexus point, where Guardian readers commune with avant-garde punks, everyone looks very pleased with themselves, and labels like ‘drone’, ‘jazz’, ‘prog’, and ‘post-rock’ are rendered obsolete by the ineffable. Using 17th century Baroque instruments, Murcof records works by classical composers such as Lully and Couperin. He dissects them electronically, veering between the sort of asymmetrical scrapes and screeches that leave the listener desperately embracing the silences between aural assaults, and then lurches into neo-classical interludes that sound like Nine Inch Nails covering Enigma. More installation project than music, all that’s missing is the art school students painted brown and pretending to be trees growing. [Ewen Millar]

It’s a cruel fact of life that some people’s pain is a marketable commodity, whereas others just sound like they’re whinging crybabies. Jherek Bischoff, a musical collaborator of Xiu Xiu and The Dead Science, had to be coaxed into embarking on this mournful solo album that is so fragile and wispy that it practically floats away in the breeze. Bischoff clearly has some production chops but then self-consciously buries his vocals deep in the mix, pouring his little heart out in the protective ambient haze. There are brief flashes of testosterone: Children’s Song kicks off with a glam-rock start and ends like an out-take from Tubular Bells while Birschoff shreds his guitar like a man possessed, but it’s too little, too late, his vocal delivery so effete that he makes Morrissey sound like David Lee-Roth. Music can be cathartic, sure, but not everybody wants to be involved in the entire therapy session. [Ewen Millar]

Kelli Ali has had an eclectic musical journey since her tenure with Sneaker Pimps, working with Marilyn Manson, Brian Ferry, and Linkin Park. To her bow she has decided to add the string of ‘nu-folk’, and with Rocking Horse she’s drawn upon a batch of songs written during a travelling session around the desert plains of Mexico and California. On a superficial level this reinvention seems reminiscent of the queen on pop, Madonna. Whereas Madonna cheerfully cherry-picks whatever she fancies during her periodic reinventions, happily settling for post-modern facsimiles of the latest zeitgeist, Ali seems to have the opposite problem of trying too hard to return to ‘salt of the earth’ music. Cue many songs about conifers and mountain paths, while guitars are finger-picked and flutes played rather tastefully in the background. When it works it is undoubtedly very pretty (Heaven’s Door), although it probably wasn’t Ali’s intention to write music that could soundtrack polite conversations in Starbucks. [Ewen Millar]

WWW.MURCOF.COM

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/RIBBONSBAND

WWW.KELLIALI.COM

JONO MCCLEERY DARKEST LIGHT

OUT NOW, SELF RELEASE

rrr Apparently, Jono McCleery lives in a barge on the Thames. It’s a very pastoral, romantic choice of accommodation, one which chimes nicely with the undertones of Nick Drake running through his self-recorded first album. Darkest Light is a darkly melancholic take on the classic singer-songwriter set: it’s all pretty serious, introspective stuff, with the whole record mainly acting as a showcase for his rich baritone and intricate guitar work. Now and again, as on Stream or the title track, some haunting Celtic strings add atmosphere to the sparse production. If you’ve heard his guest slots on the uber-cool nu-soul 45s of Part Time Heroes, you’ll know it works well with a bit of back-up. On tracks like You And Me though, the folkier elements are countered by his unexpectedly soulful delivery, which sounds like an acoustic Jamie Lidell at times - rendering his deserved and recent signing to Ninja Tune as no surprise. Overall, Darkest Light is an accomplished and promising introduction. [Euan Ferguson] WWW.JONOMCCLEERY.COM

WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

ONLINE REVIEWS

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4. JE SUIS ANIMAL SELF TAUGHT MAGIC FROM A BOOK 5.UNWED SAILOR LITTLE WARS DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 45

RECORDS

THE WELCOME WAGON

Live Reviews Fleet Foxes

Vampire Weekend / Ra Ra Riot

ABC, 8 Nov

Barrowlands, 29 Oct

rrrr

rrrr A night that pairs two of the best bands to come out of America this year was always going to be a big draw, as the battered floorboards of the Barrowlands Ballroom tomorrow morning will no doubt testify. The last time Ra Ra Riot (****) played in Scotland - at last year's Indian Summer Festival - drummer John Ryan Pike had just lost his life in a drowning accident. That performance was, in hindsight, understandably muted and flat. They were a band in mourning. Since then, they've picked up the pieces and continued on without Pike, culminating in the release of their brilliant debut album The Rhumb Line, largely written by their departed friend. There's a lucid air of loss on the album but, like Arcade Fire's Funeral, the melancholy is fused with a sense of celebration, as if they're trying to preserve Pike's presence through their own emotional vitality. And it's this bullish Ra Ra Riot with which we are faced tonight. The Rhumb Line gets a substantial and breathless run through, with lead singer Wes Miles parading along the front of the stage with urgency and magnetic draw. Theirs is a brand of indie based on the purest of pop melodies and most restless of post-punk rhythmic structures. Naturally, then, the band are at their best when performing at 100mph. Erstwhile poignant tracks like Dying Is Fine are mobilized by blistering energy, the

With their self-titled debut album already jostling for position at the peak of many an end-of-year poll, Fleet Foxes are here to confirm what everyone in the ABC suspects: they are not merely blogosphere darlings but one of the greatest American bands to emerge in a long, long time. Appropriately, singer Robin Pecknold has been kept in storage since 1968 – lank hair, cardigan, awkward but endearing – and he is the star of this hugely talented band, his pristine voice the summit of their extraordinary baroque harmonies. They open, quite ideally, with Sun it Rises before dipping into the Sun Giant EP. But it's the ethereal, pastoral folk-rock of the album that commands our attention: White Winter Hymnal instigates a polite singalong, while Blue Ridge Mountains and Pecknold’s a cappella vocals on Oliver James are magical. Many of the fans must have been expecting to walk home through “the quivering forest”. Instead they were awakened from their reverie by the drunken denizens of Sauchiehall Street. [Nick Mitchell]

string section working overtime to keep up with the rampant Miles. General consensus is, Ra Ra Riot have won themselves legions of new fans tonight. Vampire Weekend (****), on the other hand, need little introduction. Their last appearance at Barrowlands was to a handful of early revellers awaiting The Shins this time last year, but what a difference 12 months makes. One of the major success stories of 2008, their set is duly greeted by much chanting and singing, much fist waving and the kind of triumphalism normally reserved for a homecoming, except these boys come from thousands of miles away – and their music has its roots planted even further afield. The band's performance is a masterclass in proficiency and shows they have stepped up to the plate as headliners fearlessly and oozing with class. Hit singles, Oxford Comma, A-Punk and Mansard Roof which predictably get the loudest cheers, but an interesting take on Fleetwood Mac's Everywhere thrown in on the encore and the surrealist wonder of 2,000 adoring indie kids singing Peter Gabriel's name to the Afrobeat chimes of Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa steal the plaudits of an altogether excellent show. [Finbarr Bermingham]

www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes

Get more live reviews online

Ra Ra Riot's The Rhumb Line is out now on Barsuk Records

Jenny Anderson

www.vampireweekend.com

Neon Neon

Oasis

rrrr

SECC, 4 Nov

Òran Mór, 6 Nov

Marty!! Time to don those Aviators and jump into the DeLorean. For one night only, we are going back to the future. Well, back to the 80s it would seem, as Gruff Rhys and Boom Bip bring their paean to everybody’s favourite playboy car designer, John Z. DeLorean, to town. In keeping with the tone, we have block rockin' NYC hip-hop revivalists Yo Majesty (***) to contend with first of all. Cheesy as hell, but the downright exuberance of the twin female MCs certainly gets the party started.

“This one goes out to Lorraine Kelly, y’know, that fat arse.” The years haven’t diminished Liam’s charm at all. In fact, recent press suggests that time has almost perfectly preserved the Gallaghers’ antagonistic shtick. Rock ‘n’ Roll Star and I Am The Walrus still bookend an Oasis set as they did when Alan McGee first clocked their swagger in 1993 and - sure as monobrows - Liam still sneers at the microphone, pulling his mouth away before he’s finished a vowel, both nonchalant and engaging all at once. Musically, Oasis prove that they’re still masters of pastiche; now owing as much to the bluesy timbre of The Doors (the Noel fronted Waiting For The Rapture is uncannily similar to Waiting For the Sun’s Five to One) as they do the latter day psychedelics of The Beatles. But tonight – regardless of this one trick syndrome that dogs them so many years into their career – their bombastic pub rock stirs a respectable, unfathomable die hard tribalism that few bands will ever sustain. [Dave Kerr]

the dapper Boom Bip it’s just as well he made the effort. It’s the tunes that make this trans-atlantic collaboration work though, all hardwired to an unashamed 80s pop chassis. Synth driven anthem I Told Her on Alderaan and electro-disco number Raquel whip up a frenzy before Har Mar Superstar’s potbellied break-dancing cameo steals the show. Rhys and Har Mar chug Buckfast out the bottle as the crowd belt out the chorus to Belfast and the final organ-driven funeral march Stainless Style descends into Boom Bip driven techno chaos. Great Scott! [Pete Ballantine] New single Dream Cars is released via Lex on 9 Dec.

GZA/Genius ABC, 12 Nov

rrr

Oasis play Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on 17 Jun. www.oasisinet.com

Amongst Wu aficianados in the know, tonight's gig comprised mainly of a complete performance of the seminal Liquid Swords - should be so exciting that it induces heart failure. Unfortunately that excitement is soon replaced with frustration and disappointment as the Genius takes his sweet time getting to the stage. As the album's title track kicks in for the second time (the show is halted only a minute in when he's greeted by a shower of booze), the crowd's restlessness is temporarily stunted.

www.myspace.com/gza

December 08

De La Soul

The Liquid Room, 13 Nov

rrrr Dave: We played in London last week… Crowd: Boooooo! Dave: But you cannot fuck with Edinburgh! Let me hear you say Ahhhh! Crowd: Ahhhh!

Wes Kingston

However, as the GZA mostly stands with one hand in his pocket - grinning at the clusters of fans dotted around the ABC - the mood swings between euphoric and subdued. Once Killah Priest closes the main part of the set with B.I.B.L.E., GZA underlines this lack of mobility by pulling up a stool to perform Animal Planet. Yet when he gets his head in the room GZA can easily work a crowd; conducting enormous chants through a rendition of his fallen cousin ODB's Shimmy Shimmy Ya; pounding fists between rhymes and daring to dance during what few cuts he lifts from the recent Pro-Tools. Still, at barely even an hour, it's difficult not to feel a little cheated. [Ryan Drever]

46 THE SKINNY

www.lisadevinephotography.co.uk

It seems that Rhys is taking this tribute seriously. As Neon Neon (****) take to the stage, he’s looking a tad more trim than usual. Alongside the svelte Cate Le Bon, and

theskinny.co.uk/music

Yep, Dave (a.k.a. Trugoy the Dove/Plug Two) sure knows how to rile up a Scottish audience—-or at least his side of the audience. De La Soul’s live M.O. largely consists of Dave and Pos (a.k.a. Posdnuos/Mercenary/Plug One) mercilessly sizing up their respective territories to find out “where the hip-hop/party” is at. So where is it at? Is it over here? No, not loud enough. Is it over here? Now we’re getting somewhere. Soon everyone is making some seri-

ous noise, clapping along to Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) like it’s 1991 all over again. This is the year De La Soul celebrates its 20-year run (holy shit), so one would go into this party expecting a nostalgia trip a little bit past its prime, but, damn, those beats are still fresh, those samples are still hot, and, in the world of De La Soul, the day is still always Saturday (even though tonight is Thursday). Pos, Maceo, and Dave keep the show alive with their taunting sense of humour (the three often mocking each other on stage). They still are and always have been the self-reflexive hip-hoppers, and they know what the crowd wants to hear when three-fingers shoot up in the air and Magic Number’s bass-beat kicks in. For a few minutes the D.A.I.S.Y. Age (Da Inner Sound, Y’all) is back and we all wish we had hi-top fades. [Jorge Marticorena] www.myspace.com/delasoul

Live music

Records

We See Lights & The Fire and I

One's a raggletaggle collective, the other's a dynamic duo, but both We See Lights and The Fire And I are set to have their chance to impress at The Mill this month...

We See Lights Who are We See Lights? "We See Lights are from lots of places," they say, including Airth, Bo'ness, Edinburgh and Milngavie, and have been about in various incarnations for a while. It's only been the last year, though, in which they've had a fluid line-up. Over the course of these twelve months, they've gradually gathered momentum, receiving airplay on local and national radio and garnering favourable reviews from within these very sheets. "The band started off as a three piece," explains man about band Kenny Forbes, "with Stephen, Allan and Paul coming together to write and record songs with Craig at the helm as producer. During the course of recording various others got involved, including myself, Johnny and Ross. A wee while later we all came together again and decided to start gigging and writing new material as a band and the monster was created!" ‘Monster’ seems like a fairly accurate description of the band. As they say themselves, "there are loads of us!" With four lead vocalists and four songwriters thrown into the mix, this aural behemoth shouldn't be too difficult to spot on the local circuit. Who do they sound like and where do they fit in? There's an ongoing zeitgeist for voluminous bands, pushing big choruses and playing violins, and it seems as though We See Lights could be well positioned to capitalise. Indeed, a name so often bandied about in the press, Arcade Fire, are cited as one of the band's major influences. Other shared inspirations include Ryan Adams, John Martyn and Sigur Ros. On the local scene, the band are fans of Frightened Rabbit and My Latest Novel. "We are probably in the folk/indie bracket if anything," they say. Back in May, we said their self-titled debut EP painted them as "a dreampop-flavoured indie band that could really blossom if they focus on that distinctive sound". However, they've helpfully updated us recently: "Our music has evolved a wee bit since the first EP and this album is a bit more rock-y than anything we had done before."

Where can we hear the band? The aforementioned eponymous EP is available from the band's MySpace for a fiver and is well worth a punt. Despite being unsigned, the band have managed to make it into the studio again, to record their first long player, too. "We are currently recording an album with help from some funding from the Scottish Arts Council," explains Kenny, "Immediate plans are just to get that finished." For a band that have only gone full slog for a year, they've covered plenty of ground: you may have seen them at T in the Park this summer, playing the T Break Stage. They'll take to the stage at The Mill in the middle of this month to bring down the curtain on an eventful 2008. What have been the highlights of 2008 and what are their hopes for the coming year? "We got to do a lot of nice things this year and we hope that next year brings more of the same. We enjoy going to festivals to play so more of that would be good." The band are also understandably keen to let people hear their album, something they hope will see them really take off next year. But in a truly selfless manner that must come with membership of a sprawling, democratic group, some of their main objectives are slightly more worldly and bizarre. "World peace and a new Ghostbusters film would also be good. But only if Bill Murray is involved. And Dan Aykroyd."

The Fire and I

Where can we hear The Fire and I?

Who are The Fire and I? We couldn’t have picked a band that contrast more with We See Lights, well, aesthetically at least. The Fire and I are a duo, Hooligan (drums, synths and vocals) and Gordon Love (bass, guitar and vocals). “I’ll say him,” is Love’s response when we ask which one’s the ‘Fire’. The wonderfully monikered Hooligan moved to Bathgate a few years ago from Mexico City to join up with local boy Love. “We started as a four piece band, and then became two,” Love explains. Of course, they have been plagued with superficial associations to the only other two-piece in the world, The White Stripes, but the band confirm our suspicions by saying “the only comparison is that there are two of us as well.” So who do they sound like and where do they fit in? “We both have very different tastes in music,” asserts Love, so less lazy comparisons ain’t so easy. Theirs is a muscular, melodic sounding brand of rock, with a hint of electronica. The band grew up listening to Nirvana, Queen and the Manic Street Preachers, but more recently it was Biffy Clyro that Love claims inspired him to start a band. It must have been a dream come true, then, when The Fire and I were chosen to support Biffy not too long ago.

“We have just finished recording our debut single Just Face It,” explains Love, “it is probably coming out in March or April. We’re looking forward to a UK tour to promote it.” As with We See Lights, you may also have seen The Fire and I at T in the Park this year along with a couple of high profile support gigs with Biffy and the Dykeenies. What have been the highlights of 2008 and what are their hopes for the coming year? Love is understandably chuffed to have played TitP this year, as well as the Wickerman Festival. “We also had a great time recording,” he admits. “More of the same next year would be great!” Looking slightly deeper into his crystal ball, Love’s ambitions are clear: in two years, he wants to “have the debut album out and be working on the second. It’d be cool to be invited on Jools Holland too!” The Fire and I play The Mill Glasgow @ Oran Mor on Wednesday, 10 Dec. We See Lights play The Mill Edinburgh @ The Caves on Thursday, 11 Dec. www.myspace.com/thefireandi www.myspace.com/weseelights www.themill-live.com

Sign up to The Mill’s website (www.themill-live.com) to enter for an opportunity to score tickets to their upcoming events. The Mill Glasgow – open every Wednesday 10th Dec – The Fire And I, Any Color Black Closed – 17th Dec, 24th Dec, 31st Dec & 7th Jan 14th Jan – Foxface, Woodenbox The Mill Edinburgh – open every Thursday 11th Dec – We See Lights, Chutes 18th Dec – Y’all Is Fantasy Island, St Jude’s Infirmary

www.theskinny.co.uk

Closed – 25thDec, 1st Jan & 8th Jan

the mill glasgow takes place at oran mor, and the mill edinburgh at the caves. for more info see venue listings at www.theskinny.co.uk

15th Jan – Woodenbox, Foxface

December 08

THE SKINNY 47

Live Music

LIVE MUSIC PREVIEWS GOGOL BORDELLO

Highlights

CARLING ACADEMY, 19 DEC

by Ted Maul

Just in time for Christmas, Gogol Bordello, your favorite Eastern Europeans based in New York, are descending on Glasgow. With a sound like a cross between a Klezmer band and The Clash, Gypsy-punk is not a genre that seems to have a lot of competition for the top spot (unless you've heard differently?) but Gogol Bordello clearly dominate. The sheer energy of their performances is legendary, but the vague impression that you should be at your cousin’s bar mitzvah niggles at the back of your mind. Regardless, accordions mixed with crowd surfing can only raise the bar on any night out. [Marta Nelson]

THERE’LL BE ENOUGH PSYCHEDELIC ENERGY TO KEEP YOU TRANSFIXED ON THE BLACK ANGELS ALL NIGHT.

7PM, £15 WWW.GOGOLBORDELLO.COM

HERMAN DUNE ÒRAN MÓR, 14 DEC

Last time Herman Dune played Glasgow, I Wish That I Could See You Soon was the pearl in their heart-warming set. Well, with a new album comes a new tour, and while their time away hasn't been too long, a few things have changed for the band. While the removal of the umlaut in Dune probably won’t faze many punters, the absence of Andre from Next Year in Zion risked jeopardising the band’s winning dynamic. But with songs as strong as Baby Baby You’re My Baby to show off, live they should most definitely live up to their reputation for doling out delightful slabs of quirky pop. [Chris Buckle] 7PM, £10 WWW.HERMANDUNE.COM

THE VASELINES ABC, 12 DEC

Perhaps the most indie and legendary of Glasgow's indie legends, Eugene Kelly and Frances McKee caused a justifiable stir this summer when they reformed The Vaselines to perform at Sub Pop's 20th birthday celebrations after almost two decades in the wilderness. Despite boasting a catalogue comfortably capable of fitting onto one disc, The Vaselines have had an influence extending far beyond the Scottish underground, captivating, among others, a certain Mr Kurt Cobain (nah, I haven't heard of him either). As once in a lifetime opportunities go, it doesn't get much better than seeing the revitalised Vaselines in their home town. [Gillian Watson] 7PM, £12.50 WWW.SUBPOP.COM/ARTISTS/THE_VASELINES

THE WEDDING PRESENT VIVIAN GIRLS, CAPTAIN’S REST, 6 DECEMBER

Fusing bouncy 60s pop, dreamy, soporific harmonising and dirty garage rock guitar tones, the Vivian Girls are rightly one of the most talked-up new bands to emerge from the US in a good old while. Dark, beautiful and swirling with good ideas, we think they might be just the ticket for those of you looking for a brilliant new band to fall in love with. They play Captain's Rest Glasgow on 6 December. At the other end of the sonic spectrum we find Thea Gilmore: honey voiced darling of the broadsheet music supplements, and of all this month's artists the one most likely to soundtrack that bit near the end of each episode of Smallville where Clark stands in his barn looking sad. Although her records may be far too polished, she really shines on stage and her voice will knock you for six (The Pleasance, Edinburgh, 7 Dec).

Perennial psych-rock favourites the Dandy Warhols return to Glasgow with a gig at ABC on 15 December. With another frustratingly sprawling mess of an album to promote, one hopes that the Dandys will be able to fi nd their old fi re tonight and remind the casual fans that there's more to them than that sodding mobile phone advert. The Skinny knows they've got real form, and if Courtney's notoriously shonky voice holds out this show could be great. With the Dandy's pals the Black Angels freaking out Glasgow the following night (Stereo, 16 Dec), fans of both bands may be keeping their fi ngers crossed for a guest appearance - but even if that doesn't happen there'll still be enough throbbing, psychedelic energy to keep you transfixed all night. Given that their most recent album gives such a poor indication of the band's potential, there's all the more reason to go see them in the fl esh. Dark, intense and well worth seeing.

Initially written off as a novelty act, the fact that Alabama 3 are still writing and performing great music almost 20 years after their inception is a testament the enduring genius of this pack of weirdos. Old school techno beats, country stompin' and gospel energy is what fuels these unkillable beasts. Step forward and testify at Aberdeen Lemon Tree on 10 December and Glasgow Academy on 11 December.

Stalwarts of the Edinburgh scene, Isa and the Filthy Tongues will be menacing the punters at Cabaret Voltaire on 29 December. They have spooky pop hooks in spades and a hugely captivating lead singer - a fi ne show is all but guaranteed.

NYC based folk singer Lucy Kaplansky makes a rare appearance, at the Pleasance Cabaret Bar in Edinburgh on 11 December. She may not be the most well known name, having spent a fair chunk of her adult life working as a professional psychologist, but her simple, affecting songs and warm personality make this gig a must-see for fans of folk or classic singer/songwriters.

Love them or hate them, you can't ignore them; Bad Manners make a bid to be your last coherent memory of 2008 with a gig at Dundee Doghouse on 30 December. With the larger than life Buster Bloodvessel still gurning away at the helm after all these years, it would be a cold person indeed who couldn't raise a smile for these legendary apostles of ska.

48 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

MOSHULU, 13 DEC

David Gedge brings the latest incarnation of his cultfavourite '80s concern north of the border for the first time in a year. Although they've cultivated an unfair reputation for being gutless Smiths also-rans, the Weddoes put on, in fact, a blistering live show, with some of the best moments coming from 1990's breakthrough Bizarro and 1991's Albini-produced masterpiece Seamonsters. If anything, they're worth going to see if only for the eviscerating Kennedy: "Have you lost your love of life? Too much apple pie". [Gillian Watson] 7.30PM, £14.50

MARK LANEGAN

ISOBEL CAMPBELL AND MARK LANEGAN

THE PICTURE HOUSE, 14 DEC Having only played four UK dates last year, former Belle and Sebastian vocalist Isobel Campbell and the increasingly ubiquitous Mark Lanegan - one of the most successful voices to emerge from the 90s grunge scene, also performing with Queens Of The Stone Age and The Gutter Twins - return to promote their latest collaborative LP, Sunday At Devil Dirt. Continuing the folk-based approach of 2006’s Mercury-nominated Ballad of the Broken Seas, this is a pairing that will no doubt come alive on stage. With a formula featuring Lanegan's trademark drawl, Campbell's delicate tones and Americana-doused arrangements, this is a match made in heaven and a show not to be missed. [Lauren Mayberry] 7PM, £16.50 SUPPORT COMES FROM JAMES YORKSTON WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ISOBELCAMPBELL

STEREOLAB

ÒRAN MÓR, 16 DEC After 18 years and nine albums, Stereolab continue to fly just under the radar with a status as critically acclaimed darlings and cult favourites that they seem content to occupy. Whilst latest album Chemical Chords contained their most immediately saftisfying pop songs in years, it also reaffirmed their willingness to evolve and experiment, all without losing any of their distinctive edge. Think Yo La Tengo interpreting repeats of Tomorrow’s World – a fusion of futurist electronics and vintage artisanship with an arch edge. And were Tomorrow’s World to turn its gaze on the London six-piece’s upcoming Glasgow show, they’d probably predict dreamy smiles all round. [Chris Buckle] 7PM, £15 WWW.STEREOLAB.CO.UK

ALSO PLAYING THE LIQUID ROOM, EDINBURGH ON 12 DEC AND QMU, GLASGOW ON 14 DEC. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THEWEDDINGPRESENT

JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN

THE LIQUID ROOM, 13 DEC Joan Wasser, the everyday plebeian name of Joan As Police Woman, has some incredible musical credentials. With former links to Jeff Buckley, temporary membership of Antony And The Johnsons during the making of their Mercury award-winning I Am A Bird Now and a long term friendship and collaborative camaraderie with Rufus Wainwright, Wasser has worked up an impressive CV. However, following the positive critical and public reception which met To Survive - her second solo effort, released in June - Joan As Police Woman should truly be respected as an artist in her own right. With a stage presence as soothing and interesting as her voice, this is intelligent, theatrical indie-rock to be revered. [Lauren Mayberry] 7PM, £12.50 THE WEDDING PRESENT, MOSHULU, 13 DEC

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/JOANASPOLICEWOMAN

LIVE MUSIC

RECORDS

METAL UP SANTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASS!

by Austin Tasseltine

THE CLASSIC GRAND PROVIDES US WITH ONE GENUINE REASON TO GET THE NECK MUSCLES FLEXING WHEN CLUTCH GLIDE THROUGH TOWN QUICKER THAN THE MAN CLAUS These days, December has traditionally become associated with a tightening of the belts. Invariably we find ourselves turning down invitations to make social merriment and avoiding frittering money away on little extravagancies like clothes, soap and condoms, as what litle disposable income there is remaining in the UK is held emotional hostage by the dilated puppy-eyes of 60 million children / spouses / friends / parasites. Bah, humbug. It's certainly considerate, then, that the powers that be in the world of heavy metal and its numerous offshoots have opted to encourage us to stay indoors by delivering the most meagre of pickings to our shores this festive period. Perhaps, in the spirit of fair play, the forces of darkness are choosing to relent in their nefarious solo-ing and rampaging double kick, allowing long-term nemesis Mr Christ the chance to relax on his birthday. But that is merely conjecture. Those adherents to the dark arts unwilling to give the aforementioned birthday boy a break can get their blasphemous selves to Glasgow's Ivory Blacks

WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

(3 Dec) and witness the unholy misanthropy of Cryptopsy. If you like your metal t-shirts illegible, this is the one for you. The following night serves up two hefty doses of yesteryear as the Wildhearts visit the Barrowlands and perennial prog-fathers Hawkwind hit the Carling Academy (4 Dec). Thankfully The Classic Grand provides us with one genuine reason to get the neck muscles flexing (5 Dec) when Clutch channel a combination of their latest opus, Full Fathom Five, with a myriad of grinding, jamming cuts from their last 15 years. Edinburgh finally gets with the programme (6 Dec) when DefCon One visit Bannerman's, featuring ex-members of the surely-infamous Venom. They're also ably supported on this occasion by native two-piece Bronto Skylift, plying their cantankerous noise with increasingly assured confidence. For music that packs a nasty punch - the kind with keys pushed between the fingers - Johnny Truant will pay Scotland an emotional visit as they hit King Tut's (11 Dec) for one last hurrah before trailing off

ROLO TOMASSI SARAH ROBERTS

into the sunset. The next night (12 Dec) ushers in some potential dynamite in the form of Stage Blood at Stereo. Describing themselves as the sound of an imploding prism and featuring members of AWOL, jazzy post-punk heroes Eska, riff-obsessed Gringoites Lords and little-known Scots beat-combo Mogwai -- this might get tasty. The quality continues the following evening in Edinburgh as awesome two-headed riff factory Your Loyal Subjects knock

hell out of Henry's Cellar Bar (13 Dec), with the able assistance of The Fatalists. Finally, in one last gallus advance on your financial reserves, King Tut's dangles the decidedly appealing prospect of The Ghost of a Thousand and Rolo Tomassi on the same bill (16 Dec). If money really is as tight as the evening news predicts, arguably that's worth at least one friendship. Think about it.

DECEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 49

CLUBS

Dolby Anol Feel the Tigerbass SIGNED TO HIP GERMAN LABEL TIGERBASS WHILE GAINING WIDESPREAD PRAISE BACK HOME, AND NOW LAUNCHING A SLICK NEW NIGHT: THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR GLASGOW'S ELECTRO PRINCES DOLBY ANOL

LEFT: DOLBY ANOL ABOVE: KID 606, PROPRIETOR OF TIGERBASS

David Gillespie, club promoter for the Glasgow Barﬂy, has a concern. “For quite a while now the Barﬂy has been seen as just a rock and metal venue. It’s been forgotten slightly. We’re looking to change that with the Cancelled night, to bring something fresh in to remind people of how good we are. The venue has been refurbished and John and Graham are the best duo to host this new night, without a doubt.” The duo in question are John Baillie Junior and Graham Peel, Glasgow’s Dolby Anol. Hailed by Mixmag as one of the emerging talents to watch out for, loved by Annie Mac and highly recommended by the very magazine you hold in your hands, the pair are one of Scotland’s top dance acts. So how did they become the powerhouse of infectious glam-electro that they are today? “I was doing this crazy laptop thing called Smile For The Cameraman, and Honey and Graham booked me to play his club night. After my set we DJed together and realised that we had a lot of the same tracks. He then asked me to start producing dance music, somewhere between super gay pop and odd hard electro,” says John. “We got together and began producing music, making remixes and DJing as a pair. When we were trying to settle on a name I wanted us to be called The Pope but John refused,” says Graham. Now signed to cutting edge Berlin label Tigerbass, Dolby have released two singles, and an EP, and have remixed The Gossip, The Futureheads, Errors, AC Slater, Chromeo and The Teenagers to name but a few. Their album is due next year

50 THE SKINNY

DECEMBER 08

and features collaborations with Amandah from Operator Please and Lola from Chrome Hoof. “We played a show in Edinburgh with Kid606 [the Tigerbass label owner]; he listened to our set and came up to us and said he’d put us out tomorrow. Even though tomorrow turned out to be three months, he kept his word. He has such an amazing ear for pop and punk that few people have, which is why his labels Tigerbeat6 and Tigerbass have such great artists. We are lucky to be among them,” says John. The distinctive glow of the Apple logo has infiltrated many clubs over the past few years, as the rise of affordable, portable and powerful laptops, along with the proliferation of popular music production and DJ software Ableton, means that a lot of electronically-minded artists are choosing to use computers within their sets. Dolby Anol are slightly different, they use just their laptops - along with a few external mixers - to create and perform. “To produce music we use Ableton, various VST synths and hardware synths. Usually we will sit down build a track together from scratch, we'll argue over almost everything until a compromise is found and the sound of it is always something neither of us could have come up with alone. More recently, when I've been away on tour with Dananananaykroyd, we've been zipping up Ableton files and emailing them to each other, which feels a little odd but is kind of exciting when you open your email and have what Graham has been working on at home. We'll send tracks back and forth like that and then finish them together when

we meet up.”

deﬁnitely got the substance to back it up.”

After the unfortunate demise of their excellent ﬁrst club Ghosthaus at Classic Grand, Dolby Anol are hosting their new night, Cancelled on 5 December at the Glasgow Barﬂy. The opening night sees the boys DJing alongside Genuine Guy and Kid606.

A quick look at the Tigerbass roster makes for impressive reading, The Six Million Dollar Kid, C.L.A.W.S, Drop The Lime, KNIFEHANDCHOP all make an appearance on Tigerbass’ axis of gutpunch noise. However, what is most impressive about the list of artists is that they come from all across the globe. Berlin, San Francisco, Glasgow, London and New York. So how does Tigerbass gather its artists?

“I like Miles Dyson, Strip Steve, Fake Blood, Blende, Siriusmo, Mr. Oizo, ZXX to name a few. So people can expect to hear us DJ that type of thing. My favourite club in the world is Blast Your Ghetto in Antwerp. It’s run by our friends Fanklub Deejays, who have struck gold in every way possible. They have the perfect venue, a mixed crowd, and they also happen to be among the best DJs I’ve ever heard. Honourable mention to Moscow though, who had strippers at either side of us when we played. For our second night at Cancelled we’re hosting a Boys Noize records party with Shadow Dancer and Strip Steve. The last time with Shadow Dancer the PA blew up then there was a ﬁre which closed the whole club, so we’ll have to top that on December 19th.” Miguel De Pedro, aka Kid606, explains why he signed Dolby Anol after meeting them for the ﬁrst time. “They’re just the best, they’re so funny and are a real dynamic duo with a new take on everything they do. Their personalities compliment each other amazingly: Scots have a great sense of humour and dance music needs more of that. Everything they do has a hidden meaning, from their name to their song titles. They’ve got great style but they’ve

“We meet new artists by touring and in person, playing gigs together," says De Pedro. Sadly most demos are awful and one of the problems with just signing people over the internet is even if they make some good tunes you might meet them and just find out they’re total wankers and then it’s too late. When looking for an artist I want music that sticks in your head, that's not disposable. One of the problems with dance music is even if a track sounds massive, if it is just sick basslines and cool drum programming, or some trendy new style, it is too shallow for me personally and ages pretty bad. Not that I think all music we do is timeless, but at least we can fill a niche. We're not just pumping out EPs of whatever new floorfiller people are pumping out.” “I’m looking forward to playing Glasgow again, it’s amazing for new musicians and I like how everyone seems to know each other. I’m sure it’s going to be a great night.” DOLBY ANOL AND KID606 ARE BOTH RELEASING ALBUMS IN 2009. DOLBY ANOL, KID 606 AND GENUINE GUY APPEAR AT THE GLASGOW BARFLY ON 5 DECEMBER FOR THE SKINNY DIP. WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DOLBYANOL

CLUBS

Festive Clubbing by Chris Duncan

The end of the year is the time where every club night worth their salt throws the biggest party imaginable, all to celebrate Santa’s birthday or something.

Hogmanay at the arches Calum Barr

The Dear Green Place sees its already busy club night calendar become positively rammed towards the end of December, with all manner of Christmas and New Year debauchery taking place across the city. In the seasonal spirit of goodwill, Chakra (11pm-3am, £7/£10) are donating all their proceeds to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital. Taking place at the Art School on 20 December the night spans three rooms and promises house, chilled and tribal sounds throughout the evening. Expect the Art School to be tarted up with decorations, a snow machine, Santa’s grotto, carol singers and lashings of mulled wine. The boys at Pressure (10pm-4am, £20) host a Boxing Day Slam special for anyone who hasn’t stuffed themselves so full of trimmings that they are unable to move. Audio delights come in the form of Slam, Optimo, Fergie and Silicon Soul. Open until 4am so that everyone can ensure there isn’t a drop of sherry left behind the bar. There isn’t a venue left empty on 31 December as every single club night you’ve ever attended puts on an end-of-year spectacular. Optimo (10pm-3am, £28) returns to the Old Fruitmarket again this year, guests have yet to be announced but when have they ever failed to deliver? Club Noir (10pm-4am) makes its New Year debut in the intimate surroundings of The Winchester Club, whilst the ABC (10pm, £12.50) showcases one of Glasgow’s best bands Dananananaykroyd, with support coming from We Were Promised Jetpacks. Huntleys and Palmers (9pm-4am, £15) have an extremely promising line up in Stereo this New Year with guests Errors, Congregation, Ben Butler and Mousepad and, of course, David Barbarossa. The nucleus of the Glasgow music scene that is Nice ‘n’ Sleazy (9pm-3am, free before 11pm) have the Hot Club DJs spinning records

52 THE SKINNY

December 08

at a free Hogmanay party, provided you get there before eleven. Down the road at The Admiral the Melting Pot (9pm-4am) regulars Simon Cordiner and Andrew Pirie play house, techno, funk and soul. Guests come in the form of Mark E, Deportivo Street Team, Johnny Whoop, Jamie Thomson and So Videl Castro. At Woodside Social Club the Superfly Hogmanay Party (10pm-3am) gets into full swing with a run down of fifty years of Motown. And in the West End Oran Mor (10.30pm-3am) invite guests to see in the New Year with live entertainment and music from DJ Bobby Bluebell. Over in Edinburgh the street party seems to smother all other attempts at celebrating the dawn of 2009. Glasvegas, Attic Lights, Peatbog Faeries and Hot Chip are just some of the acts appearing over the four stages. The official street party afterparty takes place at Cabaret Voltaire with a wave of déjà vu as Hot Chip DJ with Ultragroove. Down in The Caves Departure Lounge (10pm-5am) throw an alternative Hogmanay hootenanny with guests Orkestra del Sol and Edinburgh Samba School. Up north in Aberdeen, Deep End (11pm-3am) continues on Saturdays at Snafu with Funky Transport curating the night. At The Tunnels Euan Williamson, Calum Stuart and kidProquo DJ at Everything Else Sucks (11pm-3am). In Dundee on 27 December The Reading Rooms has Back To Our Roots (8pm-3am), expect breakbeat sounds with Chad Jackson, Hometown HiFi and Pills, Thrills & Jaffa Cakes. On the same night London Nightclub opens its doors for White Xmas Glam Ball (10pm-3am, £10), expect some post-Christmas extra overindulgence with Judge Jules, Marcel Woods and Dogzilla. full listings information for these events is available online at www.theskinny.co.uk

Clubs

Stereo, Glasgow, 2 Dec This one-off event is the result of a collaboration between a group of third year illustration students from Glasgow School of Art. Combining displays, visuals, live performance and DJs, the night is based on the African Bakuba myth. Taking place in the basement of Stereo, this promises to be a truly original event. Glasgow is teeming with long-running club nights that concern themselves a bit too much with their reputation and who they want filling their dancefloors, but Bakuba looks set to be a one night celebration of the work of some of Glasgow's most talented young people. All set to the excellent music of David Barbarossa, the man behind the excellent Curious Curious and Optimo's stand-in DJ of choice. [Chris Duncan] www.myspace.com/bakubaglasgow

The Big Freak

Medina, Edinburgh, 18 Dec The Big Freak, the brainchild of Ewan Macintyre of Ruby and the Emeralds, rolls into Edinburgh’s Medina on the December 18 and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Expect a crowd of people looking for a mix of music, cabaret, art, film, vaudeville, fashion and madcap circus inspired fun. Ruby and the Emeralds formed in Perth and The Big Freak followed shortly after. It started with a plea from Ewan and his fellow band members to all artists with a difference to join his circus troupe with no profit for themselves other than to wildly entertain. The first Big Freak kicked off earlier this year and with previous acts including The Banana Sessions, Raise Your Hem, and the TaPooka Beltane team, the night is eclectic in every sense of the word. Their next date on 18 December will see a clothes swap, short independent film screenings and of course Ruby & The Emeralds playing alongside Barney Strachan as he DJs into the night. [Chris Duncan] www.myspace.com/barneystrachansoundart www.myspace.com/rubyandtheemeralds 11pm - 3am, free

Divine 18th Birthday

Vic Bar, Glasgow, 6 Dec Divine has been packing the punters into Glasgow School of Art's intimate deco-styled Vic Bar for a record-breaking 18 years, an unmatched feat in Glasgow and most likely Scotland too. Andrew "Divine" Symington mans the decks, filling the chequered dancefloor with a faithful, loyal and mixed crowd you're as likely to find fresh-faced baggy-trousered hip-hop heads rubbing shoulders with more mature sharp-dressed mods, all united by a love of the music. What makes Divine unique is the blend between tried and tested classics and brand new obscurities: a perfect balance ensuring the playlist is never intimidating for those who weren't born when the club began, or over-familiar for the die-hard regulars. Free mix CDs will be handed out to mark the occasion and live music comes from Glasgow's The Bottleneckers. [Chris Duncan]

Mixtape

Snafu, Aberdeen, 5 & 12 dec

Sick Note

Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, 4 dec The ever-popular blend of indie and electronica that has filtered into a lot of clubs is fully on display here. Clash and Spies in the Wires lay down a varied soundtrack in the Cabaret Voltaire every Thursday night. Their guests on 4 December are Buffetlibre DJs who arrive from Barcelona to provide what could be one of the best sets to grace the capital this month. Their mixtape series has been a massive success online, and they are feted by oh-so-achingly-now blogs such as Kidz by Colette, The Docking Station and Palms Out Sounds. Truly worth checking out and as it's free you really have no excuse not to attend. [Chris Duncan] www.myspace.com/sicknoteclub

www.theskinny.co.uk

Andrew Thompson Huntley’s & Palmer’s Audio Club

Mixtape has made quite a name for itself lately as its Friday night residency at Snafu goes from strength to strength. Mixtape pays homage to the ghetto sounds from around the globe. Baltimore, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Miami are all cut, scratched and blended at the hands of Mixtape residents Giles Walker, A La Fu and Kid ProQuo. The out-of-the-box booking policy has seen guests as diverse as crunked-out partystarters Crookers, Japanese Popstars, and producers Erol Alkan and Alex Metric, to name but a few. Green Velvet appears 5 December and Joris Voorn DJs on 12 December. [Chris Duncan] www.clubsnafu.com

Numbers present Squarepusher ABC, Glasgow, 11 dec

The trustworthy fellas at Numbers prove to be a beacon of light in a somewhat dark winter month as they host the one-man musical juggernaut that is Squarepusher (Warp Records). After a decade of churning out some boundary-shattering tracks that span just about every genre you’ve ever heard of and gathering fans in the form of Brian Eno and Thom Yorke, Squarepusher arrives in Glasgow for his only Scottish date. Expect a setlist that straddles electronica, funk, techno, jazz and everything in between. Support comes in the form of the man who refuses to be pigeon-holed, Nathan Fake (Border Community), and TVO from Numbers. [Chris Duncan] 7pm, £14, tickets available from ABC box office 0844 847 2363, www.ticketmaster.co.uk www.myspace.com/numbers12345678

Death Disco presents Rex the Dog & The Glimmers

The Arches, Glasgow, 13 dec The Death Disco team celebrate the festive season with their XXXmas party on December 13. The Ghost of Disco Future ties the leash of talented electro-househound Rex The Dog to the main Arch, who is appearing fresh from the success of his latest album. Belgium’s The Glimmers return to Death Disco with their fusion of nu-disco and post-punk and as usual support comes in the form of the finest Glasgow music talent. This month The Niallist performs live, and Cotton Cake DJs and Death Disco residents both promise to spin the records that will make the kids throw their Christmas baubles in the air. [Chris Duncan] 11pm - 4am (tbc), £12, available from Arches box office, 0141 565 1000 or www.thearches.co.uk www.deathdisco.info

Hacienda Warehouse Party The Print Factory, Glasgow, 13 Dec

11pm - 3am, £6 (£5) www.myspace.com/divineclub

t r a h C J D

From 1978 to 1992, Factory Records was more than a label: it was a design ethos and way of life in Manchester. The need for an outlet for their musical output led to the FAC51 Hacienda, the best known nightclub of the acid house era. Equally famous and infamous, it embodied all that was good and bad about the unique Manchester scene: the anarchic creativity, pioneering sound and rip-it-up attitude, but also the drugs, guns and chaotic business which eventually brought about the club's demise. Reviving the spirit of Madchester sans pistols and coke, guerrilla Glasgow venue the Print Factory is hosting a special all-day celebration of the Hacienda with a line-up showcasing some of the acts that wrote the club into the history books. Top of the bill are baggy rudeboys Happy Mondays, and DJ Darren Emerson and 808 State will bring back some smiley-faced acid memories. Less hedonistic but just as interesting, original art-poppers A Certain Ratio bring their angular and influential sound to a new audience. [Euan Ferguson]

Marie Laforêt

Adrianno Celetano

(Accord)

(Ruff Edits)

For perfect 60s French Pop, look no further than Marie Laforêt. This is perfect to open a set with.

Greg Wilson lengthens this beast to create a psychedelic disco stomper from one of Italy's national treasures. The video's great too - hunt around on YouTube.

Ivan, Boris et Moi

Congregation Never Forgive (Bonzerat)

Congregation are simply the best band around just now. They make infectious blues music which sounds like nothing that's been made this side of the millennium.

S Job Movement Love Affair (Soundway)

Another treat from the very excellent Soundway label - awesome Afro disco funk from Nigeria circa the 1970s.

Ronnie Jones Soul Sister

(Hot Associated Label)

Quite possibly the best record H&P has discovered this year. Soulful lyrics married with rising strings make this perfect to end a night with.

Alan Parsons Project The Voice (Arista)

Alan Parsons Project were well ahead of their time - the bassline, catchy vocals and breakdown is perfect to get people off their seats.

Ben Butler and Mousepad Super Motion (Unsigned)

Brilliant synth-funk from one half of Glasgow electronic noise merchants Gay Against You.

A Mountain Of One

Ride (Time & Space Machine Remix) (10 Worlds)

Epic psychedelic growling remix - of an already H&P favourite - from Beyond The Wizards Sleeve's Richard Norris.

Kevin Harrison

Ink Man (Daniele Baldelli Edit) (Eskimo)

A classic 'cosmic' record first championed by Baldelli over 20 years ago - proving that good music never ages. Baldelli will be in Glasgow next year.

The Threshold Houseboys Choir A Time Of Happening (Threshold House)

Absolutely spellbinding piece of electronic music from Peter Christopherson's - AKA Sleazy from Coil / Throbbing Gristle - new project. H&P have just managed to confirm a very exclusive live European date next April.

Vapors Christmas Rap Karaoke The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, 19 dec

Edinburgh’s Wee Red Bar has hosted hip-hop club Vapors for a few years now, with residents Mr Biscuits, Fly-T and Bob Disaster inviting clubbers to get down and dirty every month. On 19 December the usual mix of old-school rap, disco and James Brown gets broken up with the arrival of ‘Rap Karaoke’. It really needs no explanation, so if you fancy yourself as the next Roland Pemberton, step up to the mic and wow all in presence with your skills that may or may not pay the bills. 8 Mile style crowd cheers are optional. [Chris Duncan]

13 Dec, 3pm-1am, £26 www.myspace.com/fac51thehacienda

Prisencolinensinaiciusol (Greg Wilson Edit)

Squarepusher, ABC, Glasgow, Dec 11

11pm - 3am, £4 before midnight £5 after, tickets on the door. www.myspace.com/weeredbar

December 08

THE SKINNY 53

Clubs

Club Previews Bakuba

54 THE SKINNY

November 08

Listings

Mon 01 Dec The Pigeon Detectives, Bar-

rowlands, Alt. rock/ new wave, 19:00–23:00, £17.50 Acoustic Jam session, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, 20:00–00:00, Free Jolie Holland, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £12.50

The Hazey Janes, Dodgy, Barfly, Britpop, 20:00–23:00, £15

Official Secrets Act,

Popolo, Intervals, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Indie garage, post punk and some tropical nu-jazz from Ten Tracks featured group Popolo., 19:00–23:00, £5 Loss Leader, Captain’s Rest, Album launch for the weegie black metal outfit, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

Tom Hingley, Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), Stereo, Man-

Hawkwind, Carling Academy, Rock, 19:00–23:00, £18

Four Good Men, Classic Grand, Indie, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

Liam Finn, Lawrence Arabia, Connan Mockasin, Louis Macbeth, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Antipodean singer/ songwriter, 19:00–23:00, £7

the french quarter, the kays lavelle, kartta, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Wannabe continentals fae Tillicoultry, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Copy Haho, No Kilter, Captain’s Rest, Psychobilly, breakbeat and disco house don’t you know, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

Fri 05 Dec plus guests, ECHO SESSION, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free

chunian Frontman from Inspiral Carpets performs solo material and a selection of the band’s hits., 07:30–00:00, £8 Richard Mailey, Box, Irish elder gent playing acoustic/ rock/ folk, 20:00–01:00, £tbc

19:00–00:00, £6

Tue 02 Dec

Quireboys, Panic Cell, The Almighty, The Garage, 19:00–22:30,

HYENA, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free The futureheads, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £12.50

Korpiklaani, The Cathouse,

19:00–22:30, £12

Eli””Paperboy””Reid, Òran Mór,

19:30–22:30, £10

Pino Leto, Classic Grand, Indie pop rock, 20:00–23:00, £tbc Amy Lavere, Pearl And The Puppets, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut,

Runrig, Barrowlands, Scottish folk rock, 19:00–23:00, £22.50 #NAME?, the jack knives, ABC,

£16

20:00–22:00, £tbc

Carrick, Ben Kweller, King

pop-tastic, 19:30–23:00, £5

Callan, Snores Loud, Love Casino, From Paris to Prison, Jackie Damage, The Kamillas, CAG2, Future of Rock III, Carling Academy, Rock showcase, 19:00–23:00, £6

Amsterdam, Tourist, What The Heroes Say, King Tut’s Wah

Wah Hut, Celtic new wave pop, 19:00–23:00, £6 The Gaslight Anthem, The Garage, American punk rock, 19:00–22:00, £14 Cryptopsy, Ivory Blacks, Canadian death metal, 19:00–23:00, £11

Little Comets, Mitchell Museum, Captain’s Rest, Like the Kooks, kind of., 19:30–23:00, £tbc

Thu 04 Dec The Wildhearts, Barrowlands, Rock/ metal pop punk four-piece, 19:00–23:00, £18.50 Concrete Campfire, Brel, Acoustic night., 20:00–00:00, Free

Brother Louis Collective, Little Doses, Live at The Mill, The Mill Glasgow @ Òran

Mór, For more information on these gigs go to: http://www.themill-live.com/gigguide.aspx, 19:30–01:00, Free Dr Feelgood, The Arches, Rhythm and blues, 20:00–22:00, £12.50

www.theskinny.co.uk

19:00–23:00, sold out

Moonshine & Madness, The

Flying Duck, Country, Bluegrass and Americana., 18:00–22:00, Free

The Catch 22s/ The Airspiel/ The Deals/ The Decent Souls & Tinseltown, The Catch 22s and more, Box, Range

Simple Minds, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £35 Iron Lung, The Process, Municipal Waste, Barfly, Thrash

CLUTCH, Classic Grand, Rock/ metal,

Wed 03 Dec

£32.50

Eugene Francis Jnr & The Juniors, Coldplay, SECC,

Sun 07 Dec

Cars Can Be Blue and Schnapps, Hotpants Romance, The Flying Duck, Mancunian

Stereophonics, SECC, 19:30–23:00,

Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Ayr based emotive rock ensemble, 19:00–23:00, £6 danse or die!, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Electronica and disco house. You have been warned... by dyslexics., 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Deacon Blue, Carling Academy,

gressively instrumental stuff, 19:00–23:00, £tbc Katherine Jenkins, SECC, Welsh mezzo-soprano, 19:00–23:00, various

19:00–00:00, £12.50

Call To Mind, Lions.Chase. Tigers, Sucioperro, King

of live musical tastes., 20:00–01:00, £TBC

Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Enigmatic Texan rock singer/ songwriter, 19:00–23:00, sold out

The futureheads, ABC,

Carling Academy, A big bunch of new stuff, 19:00–23:00, £tbc Twin Atlantic, Classic Grand, Alt. rock, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

An ecstatic reverie of cross-generational R’n’B, jazz and soul, 20:00–22:00, £6

Soul and rock, 19:00–23:00, £7

unwed sailor, barn owl, diamond sea, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Pro-

Black Arrows, The Cartoons Raised Me, 4 Day Weekend, The Raw Kings, The Tenemants, Canary Warfare, DaCapo, The Merchants, Sol Diablos, Vox Pop, NEXT BIG THING,

Modus, The Five Aces, Barfly,

Glaswegian poptastic, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

michael hunter group, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Acoustic blues, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

The Down & Outs, Box, The Down and Outs play every Friday a mix of their own rocky and inspiring tunes, with some covers thrown in as well. Just played at the TBreak stage at TitP 09., 20:00–21:00, Free Playtone, Box, Rock/ indie/ pop band., 18:30–19:30, Free

Sat 06 Dec Seditionaries: KICK TO KILL / TRANSFER AUDIO / SHE’S HIT / WELCOME TO SPOOK CLUB, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free

Runrig, Barrowlands, Scottish folk rock, 19:00–23:00, £22.50

crossover from Virginia, 20:00–22:00, £10 Pogues, Carling Academy, Traditional Irish punk rock, 19:00–23:00, £29.50 Sylosis, Classic Grand, Progressive metal, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

Underground Railroad, Eskimo Joe, King Tut’s Wah Wah

Hut, The Aussie trio come forth with their brashy third album, 19:00–23:00, £10 Kings Of Leon, SECC, 19:00–23:00, sold out

Vars Of Litchi, Findo Gask,

Captain’s Rest, Alt. electronica, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

CiRO, Carrie MacDonald, The Viragoes, Coriolis, Caroline Gilmore, Band Night, Box, One of our old interns performs in CiRO and all the bands should get you dancing., 20:00–03:00, Free

Mon 08 Dec The Prodigy, The Prodigy @ The Carling Academy, 8th December 2008, Carling Academy,

various

The essential rave band end the year with a stop off in Glasgow during their winter concert hall tour., 19:00–23:00, £27.50 THE NEGATIVE DIGS, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free Acoustic Jam session, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, 20:00–00:00, Free

#NAME?, vivian girls, Captain’s Rest, www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc, 20:00–00:00, tba

four-piece, 20:00–22:00, £7

apocalyptica, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £12.50

The Skinflints, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £6 Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

Joy Promotions Presents: Hijacked Records 5th Birthday Party, Pivo Pivo, Celebrating 5 years of live music with special guest acts, 20:00–01:00, £5

The Doors Alive, The Arches, The Doors tribute band, 20:30–22:30, £10

Type 23, Manta, Barfly, 20:00–22:00, £6

Listings

Glasgow gigs

Lethargy, The Detours, Pride Tiger, Barfly, Canadian rock

Tue 09 Dec Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

I Am Ghost, Devil’s Gift, Fei Comodo, Blessed By a Broken Heart, The Cathouse,

19:00–22:30, £10

November 08

THE SKINNY 55

Glasgow gigs El Condor Pasa, Paper

various

Barrowlands, Yes, they’re still alive, 19:00–23:00, £22.50

Glasgow blues, 19:00–21:00, £10

Ocean Colour Scene,

Idlewild - Hope Is Important & Others, King Tut’s Wah

Wah Hut, 19:00–23:00, sold out Rush Hour Soul, Box, Three piece band from Dundee offering up rock and indie., 20:00–03:00, Free

Thu 18 Dec Bands tba, is this music?, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free

Concrete Campfire, Brel,

Acoustic night., 20:00–00:00, Free The Levellers, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £19.50

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

Half My Heart Beats presents: The Just Joans, The Middle Ones and The Mountain Parade, The Twisted Wheel, Indie Pop/ Folk, 20:00–00:00, £5

Pendulum, InMe, Pendulum @ The Carling Academy, 9th December 2008,

Carling Academy, The mighty Pendulum visits Glasgow’s Carling Academy as part of their UK Winter tour., 00:19–00:23, £17.50

Day of Days, The Halos, Safe2Say, Another Broken Record, Classic Grand, Varying

degrees of pop punk rock, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

Hms Ginafore, François, The Pictish Trail, King Tut’s

Wah Wah Hut, Lynchpin of the Fence Collective, Johnny Lynch. See what we did there?, 19:00–23:00, £10

MEDICINEWHEELS PRESENTS: Paul Barrere & Fred Tackett, Join the Little Feat Duo Scottish Tour and Gypsy Dave Smith, Òran

Mór, Acoustic, 20:00–23:00, £15

King Biscuit Time, The Vaselines, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £12.50 Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

plus special guests, the pains of being pure at heart, Captain’s Rest, http://www.

myspace.com/thepainsofbeingpureatheart, 20:00–20:00, tba Hell is For Heroes, Barfly, Last show of their last tour, 20:00–22:00, £13

The Velcro Quartet, Gdansk, Palace Ballet and The Child Echo, Music Never Dies In Support Of Cancer Research, Classic

Grand, Charity gig, 20:00–23:00, £tbc James, SECC, Old school rock, 19:00–23:00, £29.50

Wed 10 Dec

100% Pantera (tribute),

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

Regular Music presents The Draytones, The Twisted

Ivory Blacks, 19:00–23:00, £10

various

Lauren Harris, The Cathouse,

19:00–22:30, £7.50

Soulremover, Slow Hands In The Badlands, Warrior Soul, Barfly, Trippy

punk/ metal, 20:00–22:00, £10

Findlay Brown, Satellite Underground, The Cams, The All New Adventures Of Us, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Melodramatic pop, 19:00–23:00, £5

honesty fails, bronto skylift, friday first, mafafi, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Metal and rock,

19:00–23:00, £tbc

Everything Everything, Dupec, Edgar Prais, Captain’s

Rest, Aberdonian indie pop, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

Thu 11 Dec Concrete Campfire, Brel,

Acoustic night., 20:00–00:00, Free Squarepusher, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £14 Jesse Malin, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £10

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

Wired Desire, Heavens Basement, The Cathouse,

19:00–22:30, £5

The Ray Summers, Alabama 3, Carling Academy, Country

rock and gospel, 19:00–23:00, £16

Wheel, Psychedelic garage, 19:30–22:30, £7

STAGEBLOOD (members of eska, lords, mogwai), divorce , roads to siam, Stereo, 19:30–00:00, £10

The Down & Outs, Box, The

Down and Outs play every Friday a mix of their own rocky and inspiring tunes, with some covers thrown in as well. Just played at the TBreak stage at TitP 09., 20:00–21:00, Free Ninecircles, Box, Loud thrashing guitars, 20:00–03:00, Free Playtone, Box, Rock/ indie/ pop band., 18:30–19:30, Free

Sat 13 Dec From the Jam, Barrowlands,

Soundcheck Events Present: Tourist, Marlow, Jumping Flash, Stereo, Perfor-

mances from live rock acts Tourist, Marlow and Jumpin Flash., 19:30–23:00, £10

Fri 12 Dec The Vatersay Boys, Barrow-

lands, Traditional Scottish folk, 19:00–23:00, £15

56 THE SKINNY

Soul-ish punk rock, 20:00–22:00, £6

Dashboard Confessional,

Carling Academy, American rock, 19:00–23:00, £15 Beardyman, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Absurdist Brighton bred funk and a’cappella, 19:00–23:00, £8 Herman Dune, Òran Mór, Surfy folk rock from across the water, 19:00–23:00, £10 Herman Dune, Òran Mór, Surfy folk rock from across the water, 19:00–23:00, £10 THE WEDDING PRESENT, QMU, Rock, 19:00–23:00, £14 Bury Your Dead, Ivory Blacks, Hardcore metal and rock, 19:00–23:00, £11

Dutch Uncles, Washington Irving and Deadman Bed, The Twisted Wheel, Rock and pop,

19:30–23:00, £5

RTX (ex Royal Trux), Captain’s

Rest, Rock, 20:00–23:00, £tbc The Arguments, Box, Rock, 20:30–22:00, Free

Mon 15 Dec Acoustic Jam session, Nice

‘n’ Sleazy, 20:00–00:00, Free Dandy Warhols, ABC, 19:00–19:00, £20

The Phantom Band, There Will Be Fireworks, Iliketrains, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut,

ed Wheel, Rock and pop, 20:00–00:00, £5 Duelling Winos, Box, 5 piece band who call themselves a mix of rock, indie and comedy., 20:00–03:00, Free

The game, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £20 Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

Jo Mango, Niall Connolly and David Rynhart, The Twist-

various

Proud Mary, ABC, Alt. rock,

Tue 16 Dec

19:00–22:00, £10

The Skatalites, The Arches, Jamaican ska collective, 19:00–22:00, £16

Jakil, ABC, Rock/ pop, 19:00–22:00, £5 Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

Right Hand Left, I See Shapes, The Xcerts, Barfly,

various

Kaleidoscope Eyes, Twisted Wheel, King Tut’s Wah

Rolo Tomassi, Casino Brawl, The Ghost Of A Thousand, King Tut’s Wah Wah

Bouncy young Scottish indie trio, 20:00–22:00, £5

soul, 19:00–23:00, £10

The Murderburgers & The

The Begrudgers, Wasted Nation, The Rabble, Barfly,

Free

Drive Carefully Records: BANDS tba, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00,

The Original Bucks Fizz, Tony Blackburn, Bjorn Again, Clyde Auditorium, 20th

Hi-Jacks, The Twisted Wheel, Pop punk, 19:00–23:00, £4

rowlands, Kentucky rockers, 19:00–23:00, £14 Electric Six, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £12

Melodramatic pop, 19:00–23:00, £7

Wah Hut, Lyrical punk rock, 19:00–23:00, £8

Anniversary Show of cult ABBA tribute outfit., 19:00–23:00, various

Black Stone Cherry, Bar-

Alt. indie rock, 19:00–23:00, £20

Blackhole, Energy, Johnny Truant, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Metal, 20:00–23:00, £6

Sun 14 Dec

Counselled Out with Funkilicious, Òran Mór, Funk and Old Solar, Thomas Truax,

The Twisted Wheel, The illigitimate son of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and his fantastical junk gramophone ‘Hornicator’, 19:00–23:00, £5 Primal Scream, SECC, Pillars of scottish alt. rock, 19:00–23:00, £25 Anti Nowhere League, Ivory Blacks, Punk, 19:00–23:00, £11

plus support, Hot Melts, Captain’s Rest, Powerpop punk kids, 20:00–23:00, £tbc

SPECTRUM - full band show from Sonic Boom and co., Stereo, 19:30–00:00, £tbc Dirtbox & Transaudio, Box,

20:00–03:00, Free

November 08

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

Route, Barfly, Ambient indie electronica, 19:30–22:00, £5

In Adaras Oceans, Silvertrace, Dwelling Redemption, Panisia, Barfly, Metal, 19:30–22:00, £5/ 6

Ocean Colour Scene, Barrowlands, And they’re going to play two nights in a row to prove it, 19:00–23:00, £22.50

Idlewild - 100 Broken Windows, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut,

19:00–23:00, sold out

ross clark & the scarves go missing, wooden box with a fistful of fivers, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Indie country, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Fri 19 Dec plus guests, JOHN KNOX SEX CLUB , JANET AND THE BOOWALKS, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

Gogol Bordello, Gogol Bordello, Carling Academy,

19:30–23:59, £tbc

The Saw Doctors, Barrow-

lands, Folk rock, 19:00–23:00, £20 Logan, The Garage, Rock, 19:00–23:00, £9

Idlewild - The Remote Part, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut,

19:00–23:00, sold out Who’s Who, Stereo, The Who tribute band., 20:00–23:00, £tbc The Down & Outs, Box, The Down and Outs play every Friday a mix of their own rocky and inspiring tunes, with some covers thrown in as well. Just played at the TBreak stage at TitP 09., 20:00–21:00, Free

New Noise Pollution, Day of Days, Ampersand & The 123s, Box, 20:00–03:00, Free Playtone, Box, Rock/ indie/ pop band., 18:30–19:30, Free

Sat 20 Dec with Capstin Pole, Coldplace (Coldplay definitive tribute), ABC, 19:00–00:00, £10 d12, ABC, 19:00–00:00, £17.50

King King feat Alan Nimmo Album Launch, The Arches, A Bottle Rocket Christmas, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Cupcakes & heart-

breaks on this starry night of dancing around the Christmas twee., 23:00–03:00, £3 Amy Macdonald, Barrowlands, Glasgow tween popper, 19:00–23:00, £17.50 GUN, Carling Academy, Rock, 19:00–23:00, £19.50

[ SPUNGE ], The Hostiles, The Hold Up, Ready2Fall, Classic Grand, Ska, punk and metal, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Idlewild - Warnings/Promises (& acoustic set), King

Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 19:00–23:00, sold out the primary school, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Rock, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Sergeant, The Fratellis,

The Print Factory, Alt. rock, 19:00–23:00, £22.50

Frightened Rabbit, Biffy Clyro, SECC, Experimental rock and

hardcore fae the boys from Ayr, 19:00–23:00, sold out

B Raymond & the Voicettes and Southern Remedy, Box, B Raymond and co offer up

50’s style tunes, so if you like Buddy Holly and something a bit quirky in this indie optimised world head along., 20:00–03:00, Free

Sun 21 Dec The Rezillos, ABC, Punk/ new wave,

19:00–22:00, £15

Carlton Studios present: BO DEADLY, THE ELECTORATE, THE CRUMPLED TENNERS, 13th Note, Rock, 20:00–22:00, Free

Young States, The Bridges, Curly’s Heroes, Sinking Cities, The Verdect, The

Arches, Indie, 19:00–22:00, £6 Amy Macdonald, Barrowlands, Glasgow tween popper, 19:00–23:00, £17.50

Idlewild - Captain & Make Another World, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 19:00–23:00, sold out

The Last Corinthians, Miyagi, Heal, The Last Stand & Andy Hickie, Box, Folk rock

Wed 24 Dec Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00, various

The Sirens Of Titan Choir, Oran Mor Na Nollaig, Òran Mór, Contemporary carols and readings, 17:30–20:00, £tbc

Thu 25 Dec Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00, various

Fri 26 Dec Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00, various

Odeon Beat Club, I See Shapes, The Cinematics, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Alt. rock with support from Glasgow indie mainstays, 19:00–23:00, £7

the raw kings, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Boxing Day... Kings. Biblical allusions...rife., 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Playtone, Box, Rock/ indie/ pop band., 18:30–19:30, Free

Sat 27 Dec Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00, various

AB/CD, The Cathouse, 19:00–22:30, £9.50

IF YOU LIVED HERE YOU’D BE HOME BY NOW, 13th Note, Glasgow based gothic/ classical/ folk ensemble, 20:00–22:00, Free

Barn Owl, My Latest Novel, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Alt. indie, 19:00–23:00, £8

castaway, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Rock/ electronica, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

‘Frankie Sumatra’, ‘Dino Martini’ & ‘Bugsy Seagull’, Vegas, The Ferry, 21:30–02:00, £10 (£8) The Merchants, The People, More TBC, Hi Jacked Recs, Box, Independent record label put on a night of up and coming talent., 20:00–03:00, Free

combos with some catchy and upbeat tunes., 20:00–03:00, Free

Sun 28 Dec

Mon 22 Dec Aberfeldy, ABC, Indie folk rock,

Fangs, John McFarlane (Sluts Of Trust), We Are The Physics, King Tut’s Wah

Joe Strummer Tribute Night, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, A

the counterfeit clash,

19:00–22:00, £10

Wah Hut, Mutant science punk rock... right., 19:00–23:00, £7.50

celebration of The Clash’s lead singer, with proceeds going to the charity Strummerville., 20:00–23:00, £8.50 The Front, Box, 20:00–03:00, Free

Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Punk rock and reggae, 19:00–23:00, £tbc

Tue 23 Dec

Kevin Montgomery, King

The Silencers, ABC, 19:00–00:00,

£15

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

Plaaydoh, The Twilight Sad, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Experi-

mental, 19:00–23:00, £10

Mon 29 Dec Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Guy with a goatie from Nashville, 19:00–23:00, £14

Tue 30 Dec Brian Mclachlan, Kevin Young, Lost Soul Band, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Celtic folk rock, 19:00–23:00, £12

Glasvegas, Barrowlands,

Glasgow’s golden child of 2008, 19:00–23:00, sold out

Hut, Hardcore rock and punk, 19:00–23:00, £7 Stereolab, Òran Mór, Pop, 19:00–23:00, £13.50 Michael Head, The Twisted Wheel, The singer/ songwriter from Shack, 19:30–23:00, £10

The Black Angels, PCL presents THE BLACK ANGELS, Stereo, 20:00–00:00, £9 in

ADVANCE

Wed 17 Dec Hourglass Promotions: GET VEGAS, MULEHOG, RODAN, JOE VITERBO, 13th Note,

20:00–00:00, Free

Scottish Ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal, 19:30–22:00,

various

Listings

Mon 01 Dec

Fri 05 Dec

Sun 07 Dec

Jean-Philippe Collard, Queens

Jazz International presents: Claire Martin & Ian Shaw - Cool Yule, Queens Hall,

Myriad + The T120s + more tbc, The Ark, 19:30–01:00, £4 plus support, INDIAN INK, Ban-

Hall, Traditional French Pianist, 19:45–23:00, £19 / £16 / £11 (concessions available) Steve Forbert, The Caves, 19:30–22:30, £15 Iglu & Hartley, The Liquid Room, Big synth sounds from those Californians that did that song ‘In This City’, 19:30–22:30, £9.50 Ten Kens, Cabaret Voltaire, Four piece signed with FatCat Records UK, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

Jazz Bar 17-Piece Big Band, The Jazz Bar, Probably quite loud and shiny, 19:30–23:00, £4/ 3

Tue 02 Dec Aki’s tuesday heartbreak session, The Jazz Bar, Upfront, driving beats from Funk/Soul Guitarist Aki with his ‘Total Funk Experience’ groove ban., 23:00–03:00, Free

Wed 03 Dec Tina Dico, The Voodoo Rooms presents:, The Voodoo Rooms, 20:00–01:00, £10

feat. Prophet George + Guests (Live), Reggae One Luv Party, Citrus Club, Roots, Reggae and

Dancehall, 22:00–03:00, Students 2 for 1/ £5 entry

The Joy Fountain, Tangled Up In Dylan, The Ark, 19:30–01:00, £4 Brother Louis Collective, Six People Away, Live at The Mill, The Mill Edinburgh @ The Caves, For

more information on these gigs go to: http://www. themill-live.com/gigguide.aspx, 19:30–01:00, Free

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10 Phillipe Guidat, The Pleasance, Folk, 20:00–22:00, £7/6 The Simple Touch, Whistlebinkies, Edinburgh based folk rock, 00:00–03:00, Free

New Rock Chemists, Commercial Break, Whistlebinkies,

Indie rock from the depths of Dunfermline and Glenrothes, 21:00–00:00, Free

Thu 04 Dec Pumajaw, Sparrow and the Workshop, Eagleowl, Limbo, The Voodoo Rooms, A live music dance party, 20:30–01:00, £5 (£4)

Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Faust plays Dvorak, Queens Hall, 19:30–23:00, £26 - £8 (concessions available)

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

plus support, TAMIKAS TREEHOUSE, THE SKY MANGLE, Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4

Sleeping Martyr, Dog Tired, Twenty Inch Kings, The Ark, Indie-

rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

Little Comets, Sneaky Pete’s, Like

the Kooks, sort of., 20:00–22:00, £tbc

Nick Keir, Lindsay Sugden and the Storm, Crypt Acoustic Opening Night, The Bowery, 19:30–22:00, £3

I hear Echoes, Whistlebinkies, Americana and classic rock, 00:00–03:00, Free Esther O’Connor, Whistlebinkies, Acoustic, lyrical pop, 21:00–00:00, Free

20:00–23:00, tbc

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Allo Darlin’ and Meursault, Song, By Toad Christmas Party, The Bowery, 19:30–23:00, £5 PAPER BEATS ROCK, MAGDALENE, Bannerman’s,

21:00–00:00, £4

The DeLoreans + Plats Combinats + White Heath, The Ark,

Indie-rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

The Dastardlys, Dirty Old

Town, Wee Red Bar, Powerpop/ punk/ country, 19:00–22:00, Free Jakil, Studio 24, Rock/ pop, 20:00–22:00, £5 Elkin, Ram Bam Thank You Mam, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Acoustic ameri-

nerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4

Trampoline presents The French Quarter & The Kays Lavelle, Wee Red Bar, Progressive rock

and alt. indie Scottish upstarts, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

PILOTCAN, SKIBUNNY, RTX, Caba-

ret Voltaire, Female fronted hard rock tour de force, 19:00–22:00, £7 THE DOORS ALIVE, The Liquid Room, The Doors tribute, 19:00–22:00, £10 Thea Gilmore, The Pleasance, Singer/ songwriter, 19:30–22:00, £14 Concrete Campfire, City Café, Weekly acoustic night feat. local artists and DJ’s, 20:00–23:00, Free

Prime Suspect, Oatbeanie,

Whistlebinkies, Acoustic rock, 21:00–03:00, Free

Mon 08 Dec

cana, 20:00–22:00, £4 Autobahn, The Drill Hall, Masonic Youth (Carbolic Frolic, Destiny Street) spin new wave, electro, kraut rock, post-punk, industrial and synth pop in this first Friday monthly DJ set. www. myspace.com/autobahnclub, 18:00–20:30, Free Heavy Mama, Whistlebinkies, Blues and jam thank you mam, 18:00–21:00, Free Chil, Whistlebinkies, 21:00–00:00, Free Demons Eye, Whistlebinkies, Classic rock, 00:00–03:00, Free

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Sat 06 Dec

19:30–00:00, £tbc

Evening News/ Guide Battle

of the Bands, The Picture House, Some kind of acoustic fistycuffs, we think., 19:00–23:00, £5 #NAME?, Junior Priest, The Ark, 19:30–01:00, £4

Featuring CARBONA NOT GLUE, RAMONES XMAS Special, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Scotland’s leading RAMONES tribute band are calling out for votes to determine the content of their special Xmas set. www.myspace.com/ScottishRAMONES, 20:00–22:30, TBA

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

I Said Yes, Stars of Sunday League and Jo Mango, Folklore, The Bongo Club, RENEW

aims to empower female victims of prostitution and sex trafficking in the Philippines through an holistic approach to recovery. www.renew-foundation.org, 19:00–22:00, £6/£8

plus support, BRONTO SKYLIFT, DEF-CON ONE, Bannerman’s,

21:00–00:00, £4

Future Rivals presents The Dials, The King Hats & The Planes, Wee Red Bar, Indie alt. rock and

pop, 19:00–23:00, £3.00 tickets/students - £4.00 on door

GOODBYE LENIN, FOXGANG, SEBASTIAN DANGERFIELD, Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh based eclectic pop four-piece, 19:00–22:00, £4

Devilish Presley and Slick’s Kitchen, THE DAMNED, The Liquid

Room, Old school English punk rock, 19:00–23:00, £tbc Findo Gask, Sneaky Pete’s, Alt. electronica, 20:00–22:00, £4

Safehouse, Streetcar, The Pictoids, Whistlebinkies, An experimental

jazz collective, Finish folk rock group and a Burgh based folk outfit., 18:00–03:00, Free

Listings

Edinburgh gigs

John McCusker’s Under One Sky, Queens Hall, 20:00–23:00, £15 Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, The Betamax, That’s what the old man said & he never came back, Diva Abrasiva, Amy Mac, The Foundling Wheel, The Ark, Indie, with an edge., Face Off - Final, The Hive, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

Tue 09 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

plus support, FRIGHTENED RABBIT, The Liquid Room, Indie pop four-

piece, 19:00–22:00, £9

Aki’s tuesday heartbreak session, The Jazz Bar, Upfront, driving

beats from Funk/Soul Guitarist Aki with his ‘Total Funk Experience’ groove ban., 23:00–03:00, Free

Wed 10 Dec feat. Prophet George + Guests (Live), Reggae One Luv Party, Citrus Club, Roots, Reggae and

The Academy, The Ark, Indie,

19:30–00:00, £tbc

plus support, SKATALITES, The Liquid Room, Jamaican ska, innit., 19:00–22:00, £10

plus Justin Rutledge, Lucy Kaplansky, The Pleasance, Singer/

songwriter from NYC, 19:30–22:00, £14

Steven Severin, The Seashell and The Clergyman, Cameo

Cinema, The surrealist 1928 classic with a live soundrack by Steven Severin (founder member of Siouxsie & The Banshees and acclaimed solo artist)., 19:00–23:00, various

Crypt Acoustic Open Mike, The Bowery, 19:30–23:00, Free

Tempercalm, Day of Days, The Mike Kearney Trio, Whistlebinkies, Alt. rock, 18:00–03:00, Free

Fri 12 Dec he Debuts, Sluts of Sub, Bryden Stillie, Solareye, Mega Bash Band, Napier University Mega Bash, The Picture

Dancehall, 22:00–03:00, Students 2 for 1/ £5 entry

House, Indie, rock and pop, 20:00–23:00, £5

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10 Benni Hemm Hemm, The Bowery, Icelandic indie ensemble, 19:30–23:00, £6

Hall, 20:00–23:00, Free

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

plus support, LYPSINC FOR A LULLABY, Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4 The 48, I hear Echoes, Lindsay Sugden & The Storm, Fletcher, The Ark, Indie-rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc Brian McNeill, The Pleasance, Folk,

Faculty of Advocates Christmas Concert, Queens Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

BEN OTTEWELL, Cabaret Voltaire, The

Fresh Air and Dogtooth present: HEARTBREAK, Cabaret

Rooms, Electroacoustic, celtic, country songstress, 19:30–22:00, £tbc Sangsters, The Pleasance, Folk, 19:30–22:00, £7/ 6

plus support, JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN, The Liquid Room, Indie-rock

20:00–22:00, £5

19:00–22:00, £5

Voltaire, Fresh from a world tour supporting the mighty Presets, these Italo electric fantasticos are going to powerpop you until you want a suave 70’s disco tash too., 19:00–22:00, £7

singer/songwriter, 19:00–22:00, £12.50

Your Loyal Subjects, The Fatalists, Clint, Henry’s Cellar

Bar, Funk and punk, 19:30–23:00, £4 Red2Red, Tourettes, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Reggae rock-ska and some indie metal, 23:00–03:00, £4

Bruncheon! Feat The Sound of Muesli, The Drill Hall, Monthly

Saturday brunch and live world music session featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of Vroni and the Raving Roosters and other local talent tbc. Plus your favourite kippers, bacon rolls, scrambled eggs, beans on toast, croissants, coffees, teas and Bloody Marys. Traditional or continental - tell them how you like it. The perfect antidote to the working week., 11:30–15:00, Free

Blue Zinc, Size Queen, UKnow-Hoo, Whistlebinkies, Blues, funk, jazz and rock, 18:00–03:00, Free

Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, The Picture House,

19:00–22:30, £16.50

The Nobads, Souled, Whis-

Uncle Jack, Size Queen, Chinese Jocks, Black Cherokee,

19:30–00:00, £tbc

Thu 11 Dec

Sellotape, Andy Brown, ExLion Tamer and Clintomatic,

19:30–22:00, £7/ 6

tlebinkies, Indie, 21:00–03:00, Free

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

plus support, POISON TEACUPS, THE LEADS, Bannerman’s,

21:00–00:00, £4

21:00–00:00, £5

The Ark, Indie-rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

Wee Red Bar, New wave, post-punk from the Scots with a chunk of experimental indie from the Tel-Aviv/ NYC outfit, roar., 19:00–22:00, Free

THE REMNANT KINGS, YUILL SCOTT & THE HAIGHT, THE LAW,

Cabaret Voltaire, Indie rock, 19:00–22:00, £6

Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves, THE WEDDING PRESENT, Sara & The Snakes, Denghis,

Henry’s Cellar Bar, Rock, blues, 23:00–03:00, £5/ 4

Houserockers, Strange Brew, Jojocoke, Whistlebinkies, Classic rock/ blues, 18:00–03:00, Free

Sat 13 Dec The Vatersay Boys, The Picture House, Traditional Scottish folk, 19:00–23:00, £12.50

Joint Split 7”” Single Launch and Limbo Xmas Party, Kid Canaveral & Come On Gang!, Limbo, The Voodoo Rooms, A live music

dance party, 20:30–01:00, £5, (£4)

Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Adventurer - Points of View, Queens Hall, 19:30–23:00, £12 Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

plus support, FIGHTS AND FIRES, TAKING CHASE, Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4

Charity night, Carbona Not Glue, The Ark, Ramones tribute, 19:30–00:00,

£tbc

Gomez man goes solo, 19:00–22:00, £12.50

The Kaela Rowan Band, Austen George, The Voodoo

plus Blind Witness, Bury Tomorrow, Studio 24, Canadian emo,

Danika Star, Whistlebinkies, Alt. rock,

21:00–03:00, Free

Thu 18 Dec Ruby & the Emeralds, Tankus the Henge, The Big Freak, Medina, 22:00–03:00, Free

Scottish Chamber Orchestra - The Legend of Prometheus, Queens Hall, 19:30–23:00, £26

- £8 (concessions available)

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

plus support, GRANMA, SOUL REMOVER, Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4 plus support, Eskimogo, Wee Red Bar, Avant-garde eskimo indie pop, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

plus support, Eskimogo,

Sun 14 Dec

feat MIYAGI, THE ELECTRIC GHOSTS, AL SHIELDS, JENNIFER CONNACON, SLOW TRAIN RECORDS SHOWCASE, Bannerman’s,

The Liquid Room, Rock, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

www.theskinny.co.uk

Trampoline presents Withered Hand and Small Town Boredom, Wee Red Bar, Acoustic,

New Rock Chemists, Granma, Polar Haze, The Delaneys, Pip Burnett, The Ark, Indie rock, The Second Hand Marching Band, Ross Clark, Concrete Campfire, City Café, Weekly acoustic night

feat. local artists and DJ’s, 20:00–23:00, Free

Oatbeanie, Pearl and the Puppets, Yoshi, Whistlebinkies,

A puppeteer you say? We’d be Pearl’s indie pop marionettes any day., 18:00–03:00, Free

Mon 15 Dec plus guests, The Game, The Pic-

ture House, American rapper, 19:00–23:00, £20

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Wee Red Bar, Avant-garde eskimo indie pop, 19:00–22:00, £tbc The Dyad, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Improv jazz trio, 20:00–22:00, £5/ 3

Interstate six, In Reason,

Mike Kearney Trio, Whistlebinkies, Alt. funk americana-ish., 18:00–03:00, Free

Fri 19 Dec Scottish Ensemble: Green,

Queens Hall, 19:45–23:00, £14.50 / £12 (concessions available)

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

IMMANIS, BLOOD ISLAND RAIDERS, DOG TIRED, FIREBRAND SUPERROCK, Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4 Christmas with Come In Tokyo, Split Swords and Lovers Turn To Monsters, Wee Red Bar, Alt. indie, 19:00–22:00, Free

Vessel, Hitcher, Degrassi, The

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND, The Liquid Room, vaudevillian

Tue 16 Dec

plus Chinese Jocks, Sad Society, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Punk,

Ark, Alt. rock, indie, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

rock’n’roll, 19:00–23:00, £18.50

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

SMOKED GLASS, THE WEE BABY JESUSES, JYM PONTER, ROAD TO TOKYO & SHAUN McWHIRTER, Imported Instruments, The Bongo Club, Indie, 20:00–00:00, Free

Aki’s tuesday heartbreak session, The Jazz Bar, Upfront, driving

beats from Funk/Soul Guitarist Aki with his ‘Total Funk Experience’ groove ban., 23:00–03:00, Free

Wed 17 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Dancing Mice, Fast Escape, Eirrin Todd, Din Eidyn, The Ark,

Indie rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

19:30–22:00, £4

Bluesoul, Modus, Beau Nas-

ties, Whistlebinkies, Funk/ soul and celtic knee slapping good times all round, 18:00–03:00, Free

Sat 20 Dec Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, The Voodoo Rooms presents:, The

Voodoo Rooms, 20:00–01:00, £12

Frankie Sumatra, Bugsy Seagull, Dino Martini, Sam Jose plus Nikki Nevada, The Vegas Showgirls & The Fabulous Scott Brothers, Vegas, The Voodoo Rooms, 22:00–03:00, £9

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

KATANA, REVOLVER (BEATLES TRIBUTE), Bannerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4

November 08

THE SKINNY 57

Edinburgh gigs aberdeen gigs feat. Broken Records, Figure 5, Japan 4, jakil, 8Track Stereo, Ewan Butler, Urbnri, Alfonzo and Black Canvas, Next Big Thing, The

Picture House, A showcase of things that will be big, next., 18:00–23:00, £10

Jaded Playboy, King Bear, Funkspiel, The Ark, Raw indie/punk/ grunge and funk., 19:30–22:00, £tbc

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR with William Douglas and The Wheels, Miyagi, Heal The Last Stand, Andy Hickie, Chris Ingram, The Ark, Indie rock/ pop,

punk, funk and sleigh bells., 23:00–03:00, £tbc

THE SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND, The Liquid Room, vaudevillian rock’n’roll, 19:00–22:00, £18.50

Gasgiant, eagleowl, Rodent Emporium, Bukkake Birthday Party, Norman Silver and the Gold, The Incendiary Bats, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Henry’s Christmas party ..., 20:00–03:00, £4 or invite

Main Street Blues, The Zips, Band of Gadgies, Whistlebinkies,

Blues and rock, 18:00–03:00, Free

Sun 21 Dec B Raymond & The Voicettes + Southern Remedy + more tbc, The Ark, 19:30–01:00, £4 B Raymond & The Voicettes, Southern Remedy, The Caspian Sea Monsters, The Ark, Pop,

rock., 19:30–00:00, £tbc

Concrete Campfire, City Café, Weekly acoustic night feat. local artists and DJ’s, 20:00–23:00, Free Potting Shed Gene, Whistlebinkies, Punk rock, 21:00–00:00, Free

Mon 22 Dec

Gin Goblins, Critikill, Nancy

and the Fawcets, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Horror punk, 20:00–23:00, £5 Band Showcase, Whistlebinkies, 21:00–03:00, Free Aki’s tuesday heartbreak session, The Jazz Bar, Upfront, driving

beats from Funk/Soul Guitarist Aki with his ‘Total Funk Experience’ groove ban., 23:00–03:00, Free

Wed 24 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on

Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10 The Hot Lips, The Coviets, After Me, The Flood, Nine Circles, The Ark, Indie rock/ pop, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

FACE OFF - WINNERS SHOW, The Hive, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

Thu 25 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Fri 26 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Sat 27 Dec King Britt, The Voodoo Rooms presents:, The Voodoo

Rooms, 21:00–03:00, £12

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Regular Music presents Aberfeldy, The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh based folk rock, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

IKE TURNERS FISTS OF FURY, THE TUCK IN’S, DAN GLEN, Banplus DJs, The Soul Foundation, The Ark, Soul, surprisingly., 23:00–03:00,

£tbc

Vantage Point, Sleeping Martyr, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Metal, thrash and

classic rock, 19:30–22:00, £tbc

Wed 03 Dec

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Battle A Dinosaur, Flat Oot, Denied Sons Of Iglesia, The Ark, Alt./ Indie rock, 19:30–00:00, £tbc

Isa & The Filthy Tongues,

Cabaret Voltaire, Indie surf and rock, 19:00–22:00, £10 Open Mic, Whistlebinkies, A big old pillar in the grass roots music scene. If you’ve never stumbled on to the stage at Binkies on a Monday you don’t deserve that myspace page., 21:00–00:00, Free

Tue 30 Dec Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10 Autoclav 1.1, Nathan, The Ark, Electro, 20:00–03:00, £tbc BAD MANNERS, The Liquid Room, Ska pop duo, 19:00–22:00, £15 Band Showcase, Whistlebinkies, 21:00–03:00, Free

Aki’s tuesday heartbreak session, The Jazz Bar, Upfront, driving

Orkestra Del Sol (Live), Mungo’s Hi-Fi ft. Soom T (Live), Gecko 3 & Friends (Live), Dom Servini (DJ set), Astroboy and Mr Zimbabwe (DJ set) and Cammy (Percussion), Departure Lounge Hogmanay Special, The Caves, 22:00–05:00, Limited Early Bird Tickets £20

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Sun 28 Dec

Tickets on sale in bar

rock, 20:00–03:00, £4

Whistlebinkies Hogmanay Party, Whistlebinkies, 19:00–05:00, ‘Frankie Sumatra’, ‘Dino Martini’, ‘Bugsy Seagull’ & ‘Sam Jose’, Vegas, Ocean Terminal, 21:00–03:00, £30

Dundee gigs Thu 04 Dec

Tom Hingley, Ewan Butler,

The Doghouse, Front man from The Inspirational Carpets, 20:00–22:00, £5

Dave Evans Acoustic Night, Drouthy Neebors, Join us for this increasingly popular regular night in the basement., 20:00–00:00, £tbc

Alto Elite, The Hot Melts, Eryka, The Doghouse, Indie pop, 20:00–22:00, £5

Dave Arcari, Drouthy Neebors, Slide guitarist & songwriter Dave Arcari’s music owes as much to trash country, punk and rockabilly as it does pre-war Delta blues., 20:00–00:00, Free

Fri 05 Dec

Sat 13 Dec

Resident DJ’s, Fridays @ Jute bar, DCA, Eclectic Friday night Tunes,

Resident DJ’s, Saturday @ The Jute Bar, DCA, Saturday Night Mix-

20:00–00:00, free

up, 20:00–00:00, free

Sat 06 Dec

Sun 14 Dec

Resident DJ’s, Saturday @ The Jute Bar, DCA, Saturday Night Mix-

Popolo, Shutter, Milk Club,

up, 20:00–00:00, free

Peg and the Bouffants, Punch and The Apostles, Little Comets, The Doghouse, Indie

The Doghouse, Did we mention Popolo’s stuff is available on Ten Tracks? Well it is., 20:00–22:00, £5

I Like Trains, Descartes, The Phantom Band, Dexter’s Lounge

pop, 20:00–22:00, £5

Bar, 20:00–00:00, £7

Wed 10 Dec

Thu 18 Dec

Grace Emilys, Frightened Rabbit, Fat Sam’s, Pop/ folk, 20:00–22:00,

Ben Ottewell, FAT SAMS, The guy from Gomez, 20:00–22:00, £10

FRIGHTENED RABBIT, FAT SAMS, Pop/

Fri 19 Dec

Red Battle 08, The Doghouse,

Resident DJ’s, Fridays @ Jute bar, DCA, Eclectic Friday night Tunes,

£tbc

folk, 20:00–22:00, £8

Regional final - www.redbattle.co.uk, 20:00–23:00, £6/ 7

Fri 12 Dec

58 THE SKINNY

Sergeant, The Fratellis, Caird Hall, Alt. rock, 19:00–23:00, £20

Resident DJ’s, Fridays @ Jute bar, DCA, Eclectic Friday night Tunes,

20:00–00:00, free

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC, FAT SAMS, An ABBA and BeeGees love-in, 19:30–22:00, £17.50

November 08

pop, indie and folk, 2008-12-02, £5

Runrig, The Music Hall, 2008-12-02,

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Charity event: Doc Rodent, Groove Station, The Ark, Local blues

LITTLE COMETS + HEADLIGHT + CURATORS, interesting music promotions and broken friend records present, The Tunnels, mix of rock, £22.50+bf

Rosy Blue, Roadhouse, Dignan Dowell and White, Whistlebinkies, Rock, 18:00–03:00, Free

Tue 02 Dec

Mon 29 Dec

Wed 31 Dec

nerman’s, 21:00–00:00, £4

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Weekly acoustic night feat. local artists and DJ’s, 20:00–23:00, Free

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

The Black Lights, CCJ, Amid Concrete & Callousness, Threethirteen, The Ark, Experimental

Tue 23 Dec

Room, One-off gig, 19:00–22:00, £12.50

Concrete Campfire, City Café,

beats from Funk/Soul Guitarist Aki with his ‘Total Funk Experience’ groove ban., 23:00–03:00, Free

The Ark, 23:00–03:00, £4

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

and post emotive rock., 19:30–00:00, £tbc REZILLOS, The Liquid Room, Ambiguous punk legends, 19:00–22:00, £tbc

THE LOST SOUL BAND, The Liquid

The Soul Foundation + DJs,

Dundee Rep, Sunshine on Leith, Edinburgh Festival Theatre,

Spectacular twins get the musical treatment, 19:30–21:30, from £10

Charity event: Doc Rodent, Groove Station, The Ark, Local blues

rock, 20:00–03:00, £4

Sat 20 Dec Resident DJ’s, Saturday @ The Jute Bar, DCA, Saturday Night Mix-

up, 20:00–00:00, free Who’s Who, FAT SAMS, Tribute band, 20:00–22:00, £10

Levee Breakers (Led Zep Tribute) Xmas Party!, The Dog-

house, 20:00–00:00, £10

Tue 23 Dec A Bombs, Drouthy Neebors, Have a very merry punky Xmas... notorious A Bombsjust started practicing again so get yourself along to hear whatthey’re doing. As mister Aper himself says....The punk rock don’t stop!, 20:00–00:00, Free

Sat 27 Dec THE COMPLETE STONE ROSES, FAT SAMS, Tribute band, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

Sun 28 Dec

Including Rapunzel Wizard, Green Pony + Fiona Keenan, LoSt AnD FoUnD, The Tunnels, A showcase of Local poets and acoustics., 2008-12-03, Free

Including Cranial, Threshhold Sicks, Pryon, Cryptic Hate + Dead Metal 07, Death in December, The

Tunnels, Death Metal, 2008-12-03, £3

Evening Express Carol Concert, The Music Hall, An annual

favourite performed by students from local schools., 2008-12-03, £8

Thu 04 Dec Tommy Smith, Arild Andersen, Paulo Vinaccia, Jazz Aberdeen, The Blue Lamp,

The trio of Arild Andersen, Tommy Smith and Paolo Vinaccia is one of the most exciting new groups to appear on the European jazz scene in years. Anchored by the massively sonorous, muscular double bass playing of Andersen, who has been one of the major figures in Scandinavian jazz since his early 1970s work with Jan Garbarek, the group marries melodic invention with crisp rhythms and rich colouring. Scottish saxophonist Smith’s tough yet tender tenor playing and Italian-born, Norwegianbased Vinaccia’s creative, imaginative drumming combine with Andersen’s remarkable flexibility and use of multi-layered lines to create a sound that’s orchestral in scope and yet superbly mobile. http://www.tommy-smith.co.uk http://www.arildandersen.com http://www. paolovinaccia.com/, 19:30–23:30, £10/8 Esther O’Connor, The Lemon Tree, The countryish K T Tunstall’, 2008-1204, Free

Super Six Funk Machine, Taco, Kimmy, Kimmy Reizeger + Kuda, Tis the Season to be Funky, The

Tunnels 2, Live Funk, Hip Hop + Electro, 2008-12-04, Funk to continue in Aftershow Party, £4

Trio of Arild Andersen, Tommy Smith + Paolo Vinaccia, Jazz Aberdeen,

The Blue Lamp, Scandinavia marries Scotland and bears an inventive mix of muscular double bass, crisp rhythms and rich colouring., 2008-12-04, £10(£* conc.)

University of Aberdeen Music Department, Electroacoustic Music,

Cowdray Hall, 2008-12-04–13:30, Free

Fri 05 Dec Old Blind Dogs, The Lemon Tree, Scottish Folk, 2008-12-05, £10 + bf (£8 + bf conc.)

Tue 30 Dec AB/CD, FAT SAMS, Tribute, 20:00–22:00, £11

Mon 08 Dec DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIOUS PIP, Moshulu, Intelligent beatbox on their

library tour. Thou shalt not regret the journey., 2008-12-08, £10

Wed 10 Dec Alabama 3, The Lemon Tree,

Unclassifiable songsters responsible for The Sopranos Theme Tune., 2008-12-10, £16 + bf

Thu 11 Dec The Graeme Stephen Sextet, Jazz Aberdeen, The

Blue Lamp, Guitarist Graeme Stephen’s sextet is one of the most enthralling bands on the planet. Bringing together jazz and rock influences and flavours from Scottish and international traditions, the band has captivated audiences throughout the UK with its big themes, mighty grooves and bold musical adventures. This homecoming gig for Stephen showcases a brand new suite, Vantage Points, and a special edition of the band, featuring Fraser Fifield (soprano saxophone), Martin Kershaw (alto saxophone), Mario Caribe (bass) and Stuart Ritchie (drums) plus the brilliant cellist Ben Davis from Basquiat Strings in what’s sure to be a phenomenal finale to our current season., 19:30–23:30, £10/8

Kartta, Frightened Rabbit,

Moshulu, Pop/ folk, 20:00–22:00, £tbc Frightened Rabbit, Moshulu, Homegrown, deep reaching folk rock. The boys return to the venue of their first headline., 2008-12-11, £8

THOMAS TRUAX + 7 HERTZ + GREEN PONY, interesting music promotions present, The Tunnels, Thomas Truax is a

feisty sonic dreamer gadgeteer, songwriter and performer, while 7 hertz mix up contemporary classical, folk, jazz, free improv, punk and just plain odd and Green Pony is a favorite Dutch troubadour., 2008-12-11, £6

Music from Brodie Castle, Cowdray Hall, Music from

ensemble, songs and piano music., 2008-1211–13:30, In association with The National Trust for Scotland., Free

Fri 12 Dec The Skatalites, The Lemon Tree,

Pioneers of the Jamaican sound., 2008-12-12, £18:50 + bf Red Festival - BOTB, Moshulu, 2008-12-12, £6

Tue 16 Dec Aberdeen Choral Society, Handel’s Messiah, The Music

Hall, 2008-12-16, £12-£14

Wed 17 Dec Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Christmas Concert, The Music Hall, 2008-12-

17, £8:50-£19

Thu 18 Dec Drew Tulloch (Piano) and Roger B. Williams (Conductor), Christmas Carols, Cowdray Hall, 2008-12-

18–13:30, £tbc

Fri 19 Dec The Rezillos, The Lemon Tree, Scottish Punk, 2008-12-19, £15 + bf

with singer and radio presenter Jamie MacDougall, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Classics Concert, The Music Hall, 2008-12-19,

£9.50-£20

Sat 20 Dec with soprano Elizabeth Cragg and the Mozart Festival Orchestra, Carols by Candlelight, The

Music Hall, 2008-12-20, £18-£27.50

with soprano Elizabeth Cragg and the Mozart Festival Orchestra, Carols by Candlelight, The

Music Hall, 2008-12-20, £tbc

The Lorelei Festive Frenzy, The Lemon Tree, Perhaps

best described as total thrash speed folk or punk ceilidh, 2008-12-20, £5-£7 + bf

FIREBRAND SUPER ROCK + DEADLOSS SUPERSTAR TBC + BLOOD ISLAND RAIDERS + RISE, Fudge Presents . . ., The Moorings, Rock and beyond., 2008-12-20, £3

Sun 21 Dec with leading Jazz singer Jaqui Dankworth, RSNO Big Band, The Music Hall, 2008-12-

21, £8.50-£19

Mon 22 Dec Performed by Gary Mullen and The Works, One Night of Queen, The Music Hall,

The Bash Street Kids, The

Sat 27 Dec

Sat 13 Dec

with Vesuvian + Eskimo Blonde + Edgar Prais + Right Hand Left, Imagine Records Local Band Webcast, The Lemon Tree, Rock and

20:00–23:00, £15

FESTR + BLACK ATOM + ALBYN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, Fudge Presents . . ., The Moor-

ings, Black Atom’s 2nd last gig!, 2008-12-06, £3 Soul Funkin Hot, The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen’s 13 piece soul, funk and Motown band., 2008-12-06, £7(£5conc.) Nicola Fraser, Club Sapphire, Classic Rock, Rock n’ Roll, Golden Oldies, 2008-12-06, £5

with guest conductor Olari Elts + violinist Isabelle Faust., Scottish Chamber Orchestra, The

Music Hall, Programme includes Cherubin’s Overture, Medea and Dvorak’s Violin concerto and Legends., 2008-12-06, £8:50-£19

Papa Mojo + Wolf Train, A Night of Blues, The Lemon

Michael Marra, FAT SAMS, Countryish, 20:00–22:00, £10 Sergeant, FAT SAMS, Indie pop, 20:00–22:00, £8

Musical featuring tributes to Jerry Lee Lewis, The Big Bopper, Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly., 2008-12-07, £17+bf

aid of CLIC Sargent, supporting children and adolescents with cancer., 2008-12-14, £10

THE LITTLE FEAT DUO FEATURING PAUL BERRERE + FRED TACKETT, The Tunnels,

Bad Manners, Root System,

Mon 29 Dec

Ten Years on: Rockin’ On Heaven’s Door, The Music Hall,

Grampian Hospitals’ Christmas Carol Concert, The Music Hall, The concert is in

Ceilidh with Clachan Yell,

Sun 07 Dec

The Doghouse, Ska from English 2-tone band Bad Manners., 20:00–00:00, £15

the new music project of legendary New York musician and producer Rusty Santos and he describes it as cinematic, ambient, experimental and tribal, 2008-12-07, £5.50+bf in advance / £7 on door

Sun 14 Dec

Sat 06 Dec

Michael Marra, FAT SAMS, Country-

ish, 20:00–22:00, £10

The Present + Jackalope + Tom The Noisemonger, Interesting Music Promotions, The Tunnels, The Present is

Tree, Rhythm and Blues from two very different bands., 2008-12-07, £5 + bf

The Music Hall, 2008-12-12, £10

Clubhouse Hotel, Local oldtimers perform rock n’ roll classics with their own style and a tongue in their collective cheeks., 2008-12-12, tbc

The Wedding Present,

Moshulu, Alt. indie, 20:00–22:00, £tbc

The Debbie Cline Band + The Bigsby Spring Trio + DJ Rockin Gogs, King Voodoo, The Lemon Tree, Fuelled up

rock, 2008-12-13, £4-6 + bf

The Wedding Present,

Moshulu, Alternative/Indie, 2008-12-13, £14

Performed by some of Aberdeen’s finest young musicians, Aberdeen Music Centre Christmas Concert, The Music Hall, 2008-

12-13, £6-7

THE HIJACKS + THE HOSTILES + THE MURDERBURGERS + HELLER STATE, Fudge Presents . . ., The Moorings, Rock and beyond., 2008-12-13, £3

2008-12-22, £16.50-£18.50

beyond., 2008-12-27, £5 + bf

Sun 28 Dec The Complete Stone Roses, Moshulu, Tribute band,

20:00–22:00, £tbc

The Complete Stone Roses, Moshulu, 2008-12-28, £15

Mon 29 Dec Bad Manners, Moshulu, This old school ska needs no introduction. Ready to get sweaty lads?, 2008-12-29, £12

Wed 31 Dec Daimh, Hogmany!, The Lemon Tree, Fiery traditional Ceilidh, 2008-12-31, £20 (£16 conc.)

Get your listings online www.theskinny.co.uk/listings

Listings

Mon 01 Dec Marky Mark, Junk, The Buff

Club, Jazz & funk featuring live percussion by Duffy, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric

Shawn Roberts, Passionality, Byblos, Commercial house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Vom, Nalle, Bridget Hayden, Plaque Terror, The Radiation Line Vs. Mills and Boon, w’owfi fest, the BaNG!bAnG! crew, and Radio Six’s John Cavanagh, The Vault of Horror, The Flying Duck, Horror film screenings, visuals and things going bump in the night., 20:00–03:00, £6

Tue 02 Dec

M + Dj sets from Jimmy the Asbo and Spuddbot V.31, Original Fires present: Ming Ming and the Ching Chings, The French Wives, Washington Irving,, The Flying Duck, Variety is spicy., 20:00–03:00, £5

ANDY WILSON, Rubbermensch, ABC 2, A night for indie lovers,

23:00–03:00, £4 (£3), free b4 11.30pm with matric Kaleidoscope Live, ABC 2, Old school rock & roll, soul, funk, from the 1960’s1980’s, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric. After 12am

Fri 05 Dec Euan Nielson, ABC Fridays,

Andy Wilson, Pins & Needles, QMU, Indie., 21:00–03:00, £3

Thu 11 Dec

DJ Eric and DJ Muppet/ DJ Billy & Framie, Cathouse SATURDAYS, The Cathouse, Level 1:

23:00–03:00, £4 (Free for NHS workers)

(£2), free b4 10pm

Classic rock, Metal and Nu-Metal, Industrial, Punk, Alt and Commercial Rock. Level 2: Emo, Pop Punk, Metalcore, Beats, Hip Hop, Indie and Hardcore., 22:30–03:00, £6/£4 Students or free before 11.30pm with Snapfax

DJ Sketch, Geoff M and

Craig Laws., Base, The Tunnel, Up-front, classic and commercial RnB, Hip Hop and Soul in Room 1, with House and Techno in Room 2., 23:00–03:00, £10 Toast, Saturdays, The Bunker Bar, indie bits, rock picks and student anthems, 21:00–02:00, Free

Mr. Divine, 18th birthday!!!, Divine!, The Vic Bar, Northern soul, funk,

ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

ska & mod tunes, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£5)

Shazza Halliwell, Audioculture, Byblos, Chart, cheese, rnb,

of tomorrow, today., 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

snapshot of the ever-evolving house blueprint., 22:00–03:00, £12

DJ Raw, Bambizzle Tuesdays, Bamboo, An eclectic mix of chart,

QMU, Chart Classics & Student Anthems., 21:00–03:00, £3, free b4 10pm

DJ Muppet, Revolution,

QMU, Rock & punk, 21:00–02:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

house, electro and RnB, 22:00–03:00, Free before 11pm (12pm with matric card), £4/3 after

Pod Party - Duck launch,

The Flying Duck, BYOP (Bring Yer Own Pod) and Dez’ll play your songs., 20:00–03:00, Free

C U Next Tuesday - Duck launch, The Flying Duck, Launch

of the Duck’s new weekly night - Indie and electro, punk and pop from DJ’s Paul Higgins (Pin-Up Nights) and Andy Kerr. Quack quack., 23:00–03:00, £4/2 (students)

Wed 03 Dec DJs Madame S & CeeNiven, Unherd! & Afraid of the Dark, Classic Grand, Electro, dirtyhouse, disco-sleaze, punk-treats & technobeats., 23:00–03:00, £3, free b4 12am

Gerry Lyons, After Hours,

The Buff Club, Pick & mix of everything, 23:00–03:00, £3 DJ Darren, Allure, The Tunnel, Scotland’s biggest gay night out., 23:30–03:00, £3 (2 for 1 entry with pocket pages/ matric card)

Gavin Sommerville, Andy Willson & Toast, TONGUE IN CHEEK, Bamboo, R&b, hip hop and indie,

22:00–03:00, £5/4 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

Harvey Kartel & DJ Pumpio, Easy, The Buff Club, Pick & mix of

everything, 23:00–03:00, £3 Octopussy, The Arches, Student night, 22:45–03:00, £7 (£5)

Andrew Divine & David Barbarossa, Curious Curious, Stereo, Yesterday’s sound DJ Toast, Cheesy Pop,

DJ Hushpuppy (Art School) & Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Sound Museum, Brel, Retro soul, 21:00–01:00, Free

Gavin Dunbar, Back Tae Mine, The Flying Duck, Eclectic,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

DJ Billy and Colin, Ballbreaker, The Cathouse, Rock and metal., 22:30–03:00, £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Martin Bate + DJ Billy, Vice, The Cathouse, Indie, emo, dance and party on Level 2., 22:30–03:00, Entry £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Scotty Boy, Marc Anderson Steve Clarke, John Thomson and DJ Geddes, United Nations of Dance,

The Tunnel, Clubland Anthems, Hip Hop and RnB., 23:00–03:00, £4 before 12AM with flyer, £6 thereafter.

Tam Coyle & Stevie, Fri-

days, The Bunker Bar, Classic and new indie, 21:00–02:00, Free Gavin Sommerville & Sose, Bamboo Fridays, Bamboo, R&B,

hip hop, rock, indie and electro, 22:00–03:00, £5 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

MILTON JACKSON – LIVE & SEI A (AKA DRIODO) – LIVE, Subculture, Sub Club, Weekly

DJ Barry and DJ Dec, Absolution, Classic Grand, A heavy alternative concoction involving styles from metal to emo, punk to industrial. Drinks offers all night to keep you absolved., 22:30–03:00, £5 (£4)

Orderly Disorder - Duck launch night, The Flying Duck,

OD present their SWEET RETREAT - free cakes and tea, diverse electro, techno, breaks, rock., 23:00–03:00, £4 before 12/£5 after

Ben Brenton (Rectify), Alan Forrest, Gordy R, David Rust, Matt McKewan, Contrast, Ivory Blacks, Tech-

Trance & Hard-Dance., 22:00–04:00, £6 ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk, rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Sun 07 Dec DJ AM-Y plus guests, Cathouse SUNDAYS, The Cathouse, Rock, Metal, Punk, 23:00–03:00, Free Entry

Dolby-Anol and Jodie Harsh, Fierce, The Tunnel, Dress

up, glam up and drag up for a brand new monthly club night of Electro, House, Power Pop, Bass and Disco., 23:00–03:00, £4/3

Craig Loosejoints & Mark Robb, Sunday Service, Òran

Rolando, The Basement,

Mór, Soul, jazz, latin, funk., 23:00–03:00, £4 DJ MUPPET, Distortion, ABC, Alternative rock., 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

DJ Barry & Dec, Damnation, Classic Grand, DJ Barry and

Mon 08 Dec

Soundhaus, Techno, electro & house., 22:30–04:00, £10, £8 b4 11.30pm

guests present a night of alternative alternatives, with dancefloors specialising in rock, metal, industrial, punk, hardcore and emo. The grand setting of the Classic doesn’t even come at a price, as drinks deals run all night and entry is no more than a fiver. An institution in the making., 22:30–03:00, £5 (£4)

Marky Mark, Junk, The Buff

Club, Jazz & funk featuring live percussion by Duffy, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric

Shawn Roberts, Passionality, Byblos, Commercial house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Dolby Anol, Cancelled,

Thu 04 Dec Clatty Pats, Òran Mór, Eclectic, 23:00–03:00, £4 (Free for NHS workers)

Boom Monk Ben, Mixed Bizness, Glasgow School of Art,

Barfly, Upstart electro fun-makers Dolby Anol host a regular dance night, set to attract an impressive roster of guest DJs., 11:00–03:00, £6.00

Euan Neilson, ABC Fridays, ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

23:00–03:00, £4 (£3)

DJ Barry & Harvey Kartel, Alternative Nation, Bamboo,

Rock, industrial, metal, punk and electro, 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3) Audiophile, Maggie May’s, Eclectic., 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3)

DJ Fiona J, Michelle Marsh and Suzie McGuire, Hang The DJ, Byblos, Student anthems.,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£3)

Ross Whitten, Destroy the Decades, Classic Grand, Cur-

rent & classic indie rock, electro., 23:00–03:00, £4, free b4 12am Psyklopz, Stereo, Eclectic, 23:00–03:00, £2 Tight, Sub Club, New weekly Thursday night at Glasgow’s Sub Club, with a varied playlist from resident DJs Jay Sin, Peck, A-Tasket and Pauly. Expect techno, bass, fidget, house, italo and disco., 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2) Alex & John, 45 Kicks, The Buff Club, New York & underground school inspired beats, 23:00–03:00, £3

DJ Dollydaydream & DJ Drewcifer, MISBEHAVIN,

The Cathouse, punk, trash, rock’n’roll, electroclash, new-wave and 80s synthpop., 23:00–03:00, Free Dave Sinclair, Hi-Fi, The Bunker Bar, Indie and rock, 21:00–02:00, Free

Lofi Studio Presents…..,

The Twisted Wheel, An eclectic mix of artists from the studio’s ranks., 21:00–02:00, £tbc

www.theskinny.co.uk

Sat 06 Dec MARSEL, Aroy Dee, Bleep,

Pivo Pivo, Live techno & electro., 23:00–05:00, £8

Big Al, Dominic Martin & Robin B, Homegrown, Bamboo, R&B, street soul, funk, rock and pop, 22:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 10.30pm/12.30am students

Fancy & Spook, Andrew Ingram, Hobbes, Brian d””Souza, Slabs Of The Tabernacle, The Twisted Wheel,

Techno, Detroit, disco, basement party, 22:30–03:00, £5 All Tore Up, Blackfriars Basement, 1950’s record hop, R&B, rockabilly and rock n roll., 23:00–03:00, £5

Robbie Rolex, The Hip Drop, Brel, Reggae, funk and tekfunk., 21:00–01:00, Free

Sal P (Liquid Liquid) & JG Wilkes, Melting Pot, The Admi-

ral, Cosmic, disco, house, 23:00–03:00, £10

Rattitude, SMAC presents..., Bloc, Electro, House, Fidget,

Breaks, Bmore, Bassline., 22:30–03:00, £2, free b4 12am ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk, rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Iain Thomson, Stuart McCorrisken, Paul Rea, Sabado Saturdays, Byblos,

House, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

Tue 09 Dec DJ Muppet, Revolution,

QMU, Rock & punk, 21:00–02:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

Shazza Halliwell, Audioculture, Byblos, Chart, cheese, rnb,

house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

DJ Raw, Bambizzle Tuesdays, Bamboo, An eclectic mix of chart,

house, electro and RnB, 22:00–03:00, Free before 11pm (12pm with matric card), £4/3 after Pod Party, The Flying Duck, BYOP (Bring Yer Own Pod) and Dez’ll play your songs, 20:00–03:00, Free C U Next Tuesday, The Flying Duck, Indie and electro, punk and pop from DJ’s Paul Higgins (Pin-Up Nights) and Andy Kerr., 23:00–03:00, £4/2 (students)

Wed 10 Dec DJs Madame S & CeeNiven, Unherd! & Afraid of the Dark, Classic Grand, Electro, dirty-

house, disco-sleaze, punk-treats & technobeats., 23:00–03:00, £3, free b4 12am

Gerry Lyons, After Hours,

The Buff Club, Pick & mix of everything, 23:00–03:00, £3 DJ Darren, Allure, The Tunnel, Scotland’s biggest gay night out., 23:30–03:00, £3 (2 for 1 entry with pocket pages/ matric card)

Gavin Sommerville, Andy Willson & Toast, TONGUE IN CHEEK, Bamboo, R&b, hip hop and indie,

22:00–03:00, £5/4 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

Harvey Kartel & DJ Pumpio, Easy, The Buff Club, Pick & mix of everything, 23:00–03:00, £3

Clatty Pats, Òran Mór, Eclectic, Boom Monk Ben, Mixed Bizness, Glasgow School of Art,

23:00–03:00, £4 (£3)

DJ Barry & Harvey Kartel, Alternative Nation, Bamboo,

Rock, industrial, metal, punk and electro, 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3) Audiophile, Maggie May’s, Eclectic., 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3)

DJ Fiona J, Michelle Marsh and Suzie McGuire, Hang The DJ, Byblos, Student anthems.,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£3)

Ross Whitten, Destroy the Decades, Classic Grand, Cur-

SIXPEOPLEAWAY, WIREMOTHER, PLUM, KID QUAALUDE, JEREMY BURNS, Tronic, 13th

Note, Electronic., 20:00–00:00, Free Dave Sinclair, Hi-Fi, The Bunker Bar, Indie and rock, 21:00–02:00, Free

Bad Bad Men, The Messrs, The Dirt & The Baltimore Jacks, Mutant Music : Boss-a-nova, The Flying Duck,

Why it’s a Bruce Springsteen tribute night, 21:00–02:00, £5/ 4

ANDY WILSON, Rubbermensch, ABC 2, A night for indie lovers,

23:00–03:00, £4 (£3), free b4 11.30pm with matric Kaleidoscope Live, ABC 2, Old school rock & roll, soul, funk, from the 1960’s1980’s, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric. After 12am

Fri 12 Dec Andrew Divine & David Barbarossa, Curious Curious, Stereo, Yesterday’s sound

of tomorrow, today., 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

DJ Toast, Cheesy Pop,

QMU, Chart Classics & Student Anthems., 21:00–03:00, £3, free b4 10pm

Marcus Rafferty, Daz, Chug, Chinaski and Stamp, Love Music Hate Racism,

Soundhaus, LMHR is an Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) is a music-oriented campaign by the Anti-Nazi League and Unite Against Fascism. The campaign involves concerts aimed at spreading an anti-racist message. It follows in the tradition of the 1970s Rock Against Racism (RAR) campaign, which also involved the Anti-Nazi League. LMHR was set up in 2002 in response to increased support for the far right British National Party., 22:30–03:30, £7 (£5)

DJ Hushpuppy (Art School) & Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Sound Museum, Brel, Retro soul, 21:00–01:00, Free

Wreckin’ Pit: THE HYPERJAX / THE LIE DETECTORS / BUZZBOMB, 13th Note, 20:00–00:00, Free Euan Nielson, ABC Fridays, ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Gavin Dunbar, Back Tae Mine, The Flying Duck, Eclectic,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

DJ Billy and Colin, Ballbreaker, The Cathouse, Rock and metal., 22:30–03:00, £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Martin Bate + DJ Billy, Vice, The Cathouse, Indie, emo, dance and party on Level 2., 22:30–03:00, Entry £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Scotty Boy, Marc Anderson Steve Clarke, John Thomson and DJ Geddes, United Nations of Dance,

The Tunnel, Clubland Anthems, Hip Hop and RnB., 23:00–03:00, £4 before 12AM with flyer, £6 thereafter.

Tam Coyle & Stevie, Fridays, The Bunker Bar, Classic and new

indie, 21:00–02:00, Free

Gavin Sommerville & Sose, Bamboo Fridays, Bamboo, R&B,

hip hop, rock, indie and electro, 22:00–03:00, £5 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

DJ Barry & Dec, Damna-

tion, Classic Grand, DJ Barry and guests present a night of alternative alternatives, with dancefloors specialising in rock, metal, industrial, punk, hardcore and emo. The grand setting of the Classic doesn’t even come at a price, as drinks deals run all night and entry is no more than a fiver. An institution in the making., 22:30–03:00, £5 (£4)

Sun 14 Dec DJ AM-Y plus guests, Cathouse SUNDAYS, The Cathouse, Rock, Metal, Punk, 23:00–03:00, Free Entry

Craig Loosejoints & Mark Robb, Sunday Service, Òran Mór, Soul, jazz, latin, funk., 23:00–03:00, £4

DJ MUPPET, Distortion, ABC,

Gregory Cooper & Graham Erskine, It’s a Secret,

Alternative rock., 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

JOHN ASKEW, Rehab, Byblos,

Mon 15 Dec

Euan Neilson, ABC Fridays, ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Marky Mark, Junk, The Buff Club, Jazz & funk featuring live percussion by Duffy, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric

Soundhaus, 22:30–03:00, £7 22:00–04:00, £10

Mr. Copy, Simon Stokes, Sleaze, The Club (69), House, electro,

Shawn Roberts, Passionality, Byblos, Commercial house,

techno., 23:00–03:00, £5

23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Sat 13 Dec

Tue 16 Dec

Big Al, Dominic Martin & Robin B, Homegrown,

DJ Muppet, Revolution,

Bamboo, R&B, street soul, funk, rock and pop, 22:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 10.30pm/12.30am students

Bangkok Impact, The Binnin Collective present, Pivo

Pivo, Live electro., 23:00–05:00, £8 One More Tune, Blackfriars Basement, Techno, 23:00–03:00, £tbc Galaxy 21, Basura Blanca, Intergalactic funk and other gravity defying beats., 22:00–02:00, £3

Robbie Rolex, The Hip Drop, Brel, Reggae, funk and tekfunk., 21:00–01:00, Free

Happy Mondays, 808 State, Arthur Baker, A Certain Ratio, Slam (Acid House Set), FAC51 The Hacienda Presents: The Warehouse Party, The Print Factory, For one time

only, a line up has been created, in conjunction with the original Hacienda team, to take place in a completely unique venue in Glasgow, The Print Factory. Housed in the former printing warehouse in the old News International Building in Kinning Park, Glasgow, this is the spiritual home of a completely one off show that reflects the entire period of music influenced by The Hacienda in Manchester - from the guitar based early Factory signing, A Certain Ratio though to the acts that pioneered Manchester’s Acid House scene., 21:00–04:00, £26 ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk, rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

QMU, Rock & punk, 21:00–02:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

Shazza Halliwell, Audioculture, Byblos, Chart, cheese, rnb,

house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

DJ Raw, Bambizzle Tuesdays, Bamboo, An eclectic mix of chart,

Wed 17 Dec DJs Madame S & CeeNiven, Unherd! & Afraid of the Dark, Classic Grand, Electro, dirty-

house, disco-sleaze, punk-treats & technobeats., 23:00–03:00, £3, free b4 12am

Gerry Lyons, After Hours,

The Buff Club, Pick & mix of everything, 23:00–03:00, £3 DJ Darren, Allure, The Tunnel, Scotland’s biggest gay night out., 23:30–03:00, £3 (2 for 1 entry with pocket pages/ matric card)

Gavin Sommerville, Andy Willson & Toast, TONGUE IN CHEEK, Bamboo, R&b, hip hop and indie,

Iain Thomson, Stuart McCorrisken, Paul Rea, Sabado Saturdays, Byblos,

22:00–03:00, £5/4 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

Andy Wilson, Pins & Needles, QMU, Indie., 21:00–03:00, £3

everything, 23:00–03:00, £3

House, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

(£2), free b4 10pm

DJ Eric and DJ Muppet/ DJ Billy & Framie, Cathouse SATURDAYS, The Cathouse, Level 1:

DJ Sketch, Geoff M and Craig Laws., Base, The Tunnel,

Up-front, classic and commercial RnB, Hip Hop and Soul in Room 1, with House and Techno in Room 2., 23:00–03:00, £10

Happy Mondays, Darren Emerson, 808 State, Arthur Baker, A Certain Ratio, Slam (Acid House Set)... with more to be announced, FAC51 The Hacienda Presents: The Warehouse Party, The Print

Factory, A completely one off show that reflects the entire period of music influenced by The Hacienda in Manchester - from the guitar based early Factory signing, A Certain Ratio through to the acts that pioneered Manchester’s Acid House scene., 15:00–01:00, £26 Toast, Saturdays, The Bunker Bar, indie bits, rock picks and student anthems, 21:00–02:00, Free

SECRETSUNDAZE (GILES SMITH & JAMES PRIESTLEY), Subculture, Sub Club, Weekly

snapshot of the ever-evolving house blueprint., 22:00–04:00, £12

Hektor Ruiez, Terry, Soom T, Tim B, Scott Confusion, Loaded, Soundhaus, Techno, electro.,

23:30–04:00, £7, £2 off for Primal Scream ticketholders

Harvey Kartel & DJ Pumpio, Easy, The Buff Club, Pick & mix of

Thu 18 Dec Boom Monk Ben, Mixed

Bizness, Glasgow School of Art, 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3) Audiophile, Maggie May’s, Eclectic., 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3) Clatty Pats, Òran Mór, Eclectic, 23:00–03:00, £4 (Free for NHS workers) DJ Barry & Harvey Kartel, Alternative Nation, Bamboo, Rock, industrial, metal, punk and electro, 23:00–03:00, £4 (£3)

DJ Fiona J, Michelle Marsh and Suzie McGuire, Hang The DJ, Byblos, Student anthems.,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£3)

Ross Whitten, Destroy the Decades, Classic Grand, Cur-

THE AMPHETAMEANIES, Stereo, 20:00–00:00, £tbc

ANDY WILSON, Rubbermensch, ABC 2, A night for indie lovers,

23:00–03:00, £4 (£3), free b4 11.30pm with matric Kaleidoscope Live, ABC 2, Old school rock & roll, soul, funk, from the 1960’s1980’s, 23:00–03:00, £3, free with matric. After 12am

The Glimmers and friends, Death Disco, The Arches, Electro,

Fri 19 Dec

ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk,

DJ Toast, Cheesy Pop,

disco, 23:00–04:00, £12

rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

QMU, Chart Classics & Student Anthems., 21:00–03:00, £3, free b4 10pm

November 08

THE SKINNY 59

Listings

Glasgow Clubs

Glasgow Clubs Andrew Divine & David Barbarossa, Curious Curious, Stereo, Yesterday’s sound

of tomorrow, today., 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

DJ Hushpuppy (Art School) & Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Sound Museum, Brel, Retro soul, 21:00–01:00, Free

Minimize, Blackfriars Basement,

Minimal, techno, Detroit techno., 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4)

DJ Billy and Colin, Ballbreaker, The Cathouse, Rock and metal., 22:30–03:00, £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Martin Bate + DJ Billy, Vice, The Cathouse, Indie, emo, dance and party on Level 2., 22:30–03:00, Entry £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Scotty Boy, Marc Anderson Steve Clarke, John Thomson and DJ Geddes, United Nations of Dance,

The Tunnel, Clubland Anthems, Hip Hop and RnB., 23:00–03:00, £4 before 12AM with flyer, £6 thereafter.

Tam Coyle & Stevie, Fridays, The Bunker Bar, Classic and new

indie, 21:00–02:00, Free

Gavin Sommerville & Sose, Bamboo Fridays, Bamboo, R&B,

hip hop, rock, indie and electro, 22:00–03:00, £5 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric) LOCO DICE, Sensu, Sub Club, House & techno., 22:00–04:00, £12

DJ Barry & Dec, Damnation, Classic Grand, DJ Barry and

Room 1 - Joe E (TranceFuzzion), William Daniel (Inside Out), Rob Da Rhythm (Infexious) & residents. Room 2 - Leon Watson & Andy Clark, Michael Hutcheson, Johnny Allen, David Rees & residents, Rectify, Soundhaus, House & techno.,

22:30–04:00, £7 (£5)

Gavin Dunbar, Back Tae Mine, The Flying Duck, Eclectic,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

Euan Neilson, ABC Fridays, ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Sat 20 Dec Dominic Martin & Robin B, Homegrown, Bamboo, R&B, street

soul, funk, rock and pop, 22:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 10.30pm/12.30am students

Robbie Rolex, The Hip Drop, Brel, Reggae, funk and tekfunk., 21:00–01:00, Free

Kylie Minoise, Blood Moon. Plaaydoh, Weenliz, Ultimate Trash, Tayside Mental, Health Divorce, Grozny, Gatr, Dirty Summer, The Niallist, Danananakroyd DJs, No Ho Ho,

Stereo, No Rave, nothing is out of bounds for taking the piss., 15:00–22:00, £tbc

Lord Rochester, Shout Bamalama, Blackfriars Base-

ment, DJs and live bands, country, soul, rock n roll., 23:00–03:00, £5

Jon Virtue (Perc Trax), Optik, The Club (69), House & techno.,

23:00–04:00, £5

Iain Thomson, Stuart McCorrisken, Paul Rea, Sabado Saturdays, Byblos,

House, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

Andy Wilson, Pins & Needles, QMU, Indie., 21:00–03:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

Alexander Robotnick, Lory D, Monox, Soundhaus, Techno & electro., 23:00–05:00, £12 (£10)

DJ Eric and DJ Muppet/ DJ Billy & Framie, Cathouse SATURDAYS, The Cathouse, Level 1:

DJ Sketch, Geoff M and Craig Laws., Base, The Tunnel,

Up-front, classic and commercial RnB, Hip Hop and Soul in Room 1, with House and Techno in Room 2., 23:00–03:00, £10 Toast, Saturdays, The Bunker Bar, indie bits, rock picks and student anthems, 21:00–02:00, Free

60 THE SKINNY

THEO PARRISH (SOUND SIGNATURE, DETROIT), Subculture, Sub Club, Weekly snapshot of the

ever-evolving house blueprint., 22:00–04:00, £12

Pro Vinylist Karim, David Barbarossa, Teamy (Wrong Island), Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club, After Dark, Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club, Stereo,

23:00–03:00, Free

DJ Framie, DJ Am-Y, Voodoo Under 18’s DEAD LEGENDS FANCY DRESS, The Cathouse, Get out your white face paint and black eyeliner., 16:00–21:00, £6/ £3 members & dead legends.

Erick Morillo, Colours Christmas Party, The Arches,

Big room house., 22:00–04:00, £23 ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk, rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Sun 21 Dec Andy Piacentini (Dance Dance Dance), Nasterlie (My Grannies Sound Machine), BP (Disco.Tec), Slabs of the Tabernacle DJs & Chris McEwan (Monkey Puzzle), Countach Crimbo Carnage, The Halt

Bar, My sack is bulging for the holidays., 15:00–01:00, Free

DJ Casanova, Masquerade Ball, Classic Grand, A night to end the

year with a bang! Indulge in the decadence and mystique of Masquerade Ball with live acts and DJs. Dress to impress and enjoy the journey as we entertain you with vintage, retro and modern sounds., 21:00–03:00, £8

DJ BILLY & NICOLA, AM-Y & MYTHIC, I LOVE THE 80’S, The Cathouse, Rock, pop and metal, 23:00–03:00, £2/£1

Craig Loosejoints & Mark Robb, Sunday Service, Òran

Mór, Soul, jazz, latin, funk., 23:00–03:00, £4 DJ MUPPET, Distortion, ABC, Alternative rock., 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Fri 26 Dec Furburger (West Side), FHQ, Furburger is for girls who like girls who like music!, 22:00–02:00, Free

DJ Toast, Cheesy Pop,

QMU, Chart Classics & Student Anthems., 21:00–03:00, £3, free b4 10pm

DJ Hushpuppy (Art School) & Chris Geddes (Belle & Sebastian), Sound Museum, Brel, Retro soul, 21:00–01:00, Free

Figure 5, Friday Street,

Blackfriars Basement, 22:00–03:00, £5

SLAM, Anja Schneider, Hardfloor (live), Twitch & Wilkes, Djulz, Fergie, Silicone Soul, Danton Eeprom (live), Pressure, The

Shawn Roberts, Passionality, Byblos, Commercial house,

DJ Raw, Bambizzle Tuesdays, Bamboo, An eclectic mix of chart,

DJ YAW, DJ ABENA, DJ MUCHI & DJ JUNIOR, Funky Affair, Maggie May’s, R&B, HIP-HOP, FUNKY HOUSE., 23:00–04:00, £5

Wed 24 Dec Xmas Party, COUNTERFEIT,

The Cathouse, Nu metal from the 80’s and 90’s., 23:00–03:00, £3/2 DJ Darren, Allure, The Tunnel, Scotland’s biggest gay night out., 23:30–03:00, £3 (2 for 1 entry with pocket pages/ matric card)

Gavin Sommerville, Andy Willson & Toast, TONGUE IN CHEEK, Bamboo, R&b, hip hop and indie,

22:00–03:00, £5/4 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

Thu 25 Dec Dave Sinclair, Hi-Fi, The Bun-

ker Bar, Indie and rock, 21:00–02:00, Free

BARRY & HARVEY KARTEL, Alternative Nation, Bamboo, Rock, industrial, metal, punk and electro, 23:00–03:00, £4/3 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

November 08

Mon 29 Dec Shawn Roberts, Passionality, Byblos, Commercial house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Tue 30 Dec

house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

DJ Raw, Bambizzle Tuesdays, Bamboo, An eclectic mix of chart,

Tam Coyle & Stevie, Fridays, The Bunker Bar, Classic and new

Gavin Sommerville & Sose, Bamboo Fridays, Bamboo, R&B,

Wed 31 Dec

indie, 21:00–02:00, Free

hip hop, rock, indie and electro, 22:00–03:00, £5 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

DJ Barry & Dec, Damnation, Classic Grand, DJ Barry and

ART OF FIGHTERS, SHARKEY vs MARC SMITH, Twisted & Brainfire, Ivory Blacks, Hardcore.,

21:00–03:00, £12

Gavin Dunbar, Back Tae Mine, The Flying Duck, Eclectic, Euan Neilson, ABC Fridays, ABC 1, Genre mash-up, 23:00–03:00, £6 (£4), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Robbie Rolex, The Hip Drop,

house, 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Gary Mac, We Are Electric,

Martin Bate + DJ Billy, Vice,

The Tunnel, Clubland Anthems, Hip Hop and RnB., 23:00–03:00, £4 before 12AM with flyer, £6 thereafter.

Brel, Reggae, funk and tekfunk., 21:00–01:00, Free Spectrum, Blackfriars Basement, Monthly club night., 23:00–03:00, £5

Iain Thomson, Stuart McCorrisken, Paul Rea, Sabado Saturdays, Byblos,

House, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

Andy Wilson, Pins & Needles, QMU, Indie., 21:00–03:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

DJ Eric and DJ Muppet/ DJ Billy & Framie, Cathouse SATURDAYS, The Cathouse, Level 1:

DJ Sketch, Geoff M and Craig Laws., Base, The Tunnel,

HARRI & DOMENIC REWIND 2008, Subculture, Sub Club,

Weekly snapshot of the ever-evolving house blueprint., 22:00–03:00, £12

Judge Jules, Inside Out,

The Arches, Trance, hard house, house, 21:00–04:00, £tbc ABC Saturdays, ABC 1, Soul, punk, rock & indie dance, 23:00–03:00, £7 (£5), free b4 11.30pm with matric

Sun 28 Dec DJ AM-Y plus guests, Cathouse SUNDAYS, The Cathouse, Rock, Metal, Punk, 23:00–03:00, Free Entry

Lounge, Funk & chart, 21:00–03:00, £5 (£4) JungleDub, The Bongo Club, Dub, dubstep and jungle., 00:00–00:00, Free

Alternative rock., 23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

Shazza Halliwell, Audioculture, Byblos, Chart, cheese, rnb,

Scotty Boy, Marc Anderson Steve Clarke, John Thomson and DJ Geddes, United Nations of Dance,

DJ Jez Hill, Chambles, Opal

Jon Pleased Woman, Buju,

metal., 22:30–03:00, £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

The Cathouse, Indie, emo, dance and party on Level 2., 22:30–03:00, Entry £5/£4. FREE ENTRY before 12 midnight with Snap Fax

Wed 03 Dec

Mór, Soul, jazz, latin, funk., 23:00–03:00, £4

DJ MUPPET, Distortion, ABC,

QMU, Rock & punk, 21:00–02:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

Tue 23 Dec

Shazza Halliwell, Audioculture, Byblos, Chart, cheese, rnb,

Craig Loosejoints & Mark Robb, Sunday Service, Òran

Arches, Hoouse & techno., 22:00–04:00, £20

Sat 27 Dec

QMU, Rock & punk, 21:00–02:00, £3 (£2), free b4 10pm

The Cathouse, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s cult rock classics., 23:00–03:00, Free

DJ Billy and Colin, Ballbreaker, The Cathouse, Rock and

23:00–03:00, £3 (£2)

DJ Muppet, Revolution,

ABCD Aftershow with DJ Nicola Walker, SLIDE IT IN,

DJ Muppet, Revolution,

23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), £3 b4 12am

Mon 22 Dec

Edinburgh Cl

Art School Hogmanay Party, Glasgow School of Art,

Mixed Bizness & The Art School Bring To Y’all.... Live Sets from... Fancy & Spook Sleepless Crew DJ sets from... Boom Monk Ben A La Fu In The Vic Bar... Andrew Divine Chris ‘Beans’ Geddes Extra heavyweight sound... Subcity Visuals... Pointless Creations, 22:00–03:00, £13 (£8)

Mark E, DEPORTIVO STREET TEAM – LIVE, JAMIE THOMSON, JOHNNY WHOOP, PAUL CAWLEY, ANDREW PIRIE, SIMON CORDINER, Melting Pot, The Admiral, Cosmic, disco, house,

22:00–04:00, £10

Friday Street, Blackfriars Basement, 22:00–03:00, £10 DJ Darren, Allure, The Tunnel, Scotland’s biggest gay night out., 23:30–03:00, £3 (2 for 1 entry with pocket pages/ matric card) DJ Robin, BUNKERS HOGMANY HOOTENANNY, The

Bunker Bar, 21:00–03:00, Free

Gavin Sommerville, Andy Willson & Toast, TONGUE IN CHEEK, Bamboo, R&b, hip hop and indie,

22:00–03:00, £5/4 (free before 11pm/ 12pm with matric)

Freakmenoovers, Ooft DJs, Ivy Hogamania Party, The Ivy Bar, 21:00–01:00, £5

Errors, Congregation, Ben Butler & Mousepad & David Barbarossa, Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club, Stereo, 22:00–04:00, £tbc Daiquiri Dusk, Cat Aclysmic, The Rockaburley Ball, Barfly, A Hogmanay mash of

rockabilly, retro rock & roll and high voltage burlesque, 21:00–03:00, £15

ERIC AND MUPPET, BILLY AND FRAMIE, NEW YEARS EVE PARTY, The Cathouse, From classic rock

and metal to indie and hip hop., 22:00–04:00, £tbc

Soundhaus Hogmanay Hoot, Soundhaus, Monox - Smartie &

The WaspDiscoflex - DazPussypower - Terry & JasonFootwork/Rectify - Grant Clayton & Dave KearneyICA - Monsieur DeLargeAnimal Farm/ OTR - QuailConfusion - ScottBasement residentsShift - Phatkat & Graeme DunnSymbiosis - Calaco Jack & Yellow BenzeneWoofer Pitch Dylin & JamCortex / Camouflage - Gusbo Live Set.Visuals - Altronix, 21:00–04:30, £18

STEVE BUG, ANDY WEATHERALL, PRINS THOMAS, HARRI & DOMENIC, SENSU, SUNDAY CIRCUS, PRO VINYLIST KARIM, SUB CLUB GRAND NYE, Sub

Club, 8 Hours / 3 Floors / 4 Bars / 1 Ticket, 21:00–05:00, £25

Agnelli & Nelson & more, Inside Out, The Arches, Trance, hard

house, house, 22:00–04:00, £tbc

DARREN STYLES, THE JILTED GENERATION, QFX, ACTIVE FORCE, Back To The Future, Carling Academy, Old school.,

19:00–03:00, £20

Lulu, 22:00–03:00, £5

Cabaret Voltaire, The city’s leading punkfunk electro-disco party with resident electropunk Gary Mac playing the sounds of Berlin & beyond., 23:00–03:00, £2, free b4 12am Indi-Go, The Liquid Room, Indie & alternative, 22:30–03:00, £2, £1 students The Pit, The Hive, Rock & metal, 23:00–03:00, Free

Thu 04 Dec Gareth Sommerville, Coco Island, Opal Lounge, Party beats.,

22:00–03:00, £5

KING TOM, TAMOBANTER, Z’ETIKET aka SYNKOPATH + EN3MY aka JAMIE BALL, Ghantin, The Bongo Club, A radge

blend of hard and techy d’n’b, technoid, hardtek, breakcore and hardcore, 23:00–03:00, £3 Kinky Indie, Citrus Club, 22:00–03:00, £2 students/ £5 others

Clash!, Spies in the Wires DJs & guests, Sick Note,

Cabaret Voltaire, From indie and new wave to fidget house, Baltimore booty bass to nu-rave., 23:00–03:00, Free

Benetti & Cassavettes, italoBLACK, Sneaky Pete’s, Italo disco, space disco., 22:00–03:00, Free

Jez Hill, Stiletto, Lulu, Electro-

pop, classics & disco, 22:00–03:00, £5 Bump, The Liquid Room, Chart, 22:30–03:00, £2 (£1) Dance Or Die, The Hive, Electro house and hands up dance., 23:00–03:00, Free

Chris & Paul, The Egg, Wee Red Bar, Indie, garage, punk, ska & more at the Art College’s long running institution, 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4) DJs Fisher & Price The Visitor [AKA Jon Pleased Wimmin] and Kaupuss, Fever,

Luna, Gay friendly Saturday house club., 23:00–03:00, £10 (£5) Saturday at Lulu, Lulu, Classic and modern club hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm Tease Age, Citrus Club, All things rock, motown, alternative & soul, 22:30–03:00, Free before 11pm. £6 after.

GARETH SOMMERVILLE, NEIL BETHUNE, GINO (MOTHERFUNK), Ultragroove, Cabaret

Voltaire, Deep house & techno, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

Marc Fuccio (Cream), Cream Anthems, Massa, Cream

anthems., 23:00–03:00, £8

Joe Acheson Quartet, Saturday Night Fish Fry, The Jazz Bar, TRIPTYCH special, hip hop, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11.30pm

Yogi Haughton, Housework, The GRV, House, funk & soul.,

22:30–03:00, £10

babes, Grand Theft Auto,

The Speakeasy @ Cabaret Voltaire, Hip hop and funk., 23:00–03:00, £3

Messenger Sound System,

The Bongo Club, Sweet reggae rocking with Scotland’s original roots & culture sound system, feat MC Ras Echo. 360 degrees of consciousness www.myspace.com/messengersoundsystem, 23:00–03:00, £6.50 [£5 before 12am]

Tall Paul Robinson & Big Gus, The Go-Go, Studio 24, Garage,

The Freaky Family, 100% Organic Hip Hop Live Session, The Jazz Bar, Hip hop & funky beats,

pop, mod, ska, beat, psychedelia, 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4), (£3 b4 12am with a flyer) Luvely, The Liquid Room, Gay friendly house night, 22:30–03:00, £12 (£10) Bubblegum, The Hive, A chewed up, spat out mix of electro. pop, chart, indie and retro floor fillers., 22:00–03:00, £4, free b4 11.30pm

Fri 05 Dec

23:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

Anne Savage, Nuklearpuppy, Luna, Hard dance, house, trance.,

techno, house., 23:00–03:00, Free

23:00–03:00, Free

22:00–03:00, £10

Jez Hill, Friday’s at Opal,

Opal Lounge, Mix of electro-pop, classic beats and disco., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

stephen brown (live set), wolfjazz, Creative Industries, The GRV, Techno., 23:00–03:00, £10 Sweet Potato, Hudson Club,

Classics featuring Motown, Funk, Disco, Classic R&B/Hip-Hop, 80’s, 90’s and 60’s Pop Rock., 22:00–03:00, £7, £5 b4 12pm

the wildebeests, Bubblegum Boogaloo, The Voodoo Rooms, French 60’s pop, psyche, retro., 21:00–01:00, Free

Friday at Lulu, Lulu, Mainstream

Nasty P & Currie, Much More, Medina, Hip-hop & funk cuts,

Findo Gask, Nomad, Pins & Needles, Sneaky Pete’s, Electro,

Sun 07 Dec John Hutchison and Gareth Sommerville, Rise, Opal Lounge, Electrohouse and cherished club classics., 22:00–03:00, £4

Trendy Wendy, Playgirl Mansions, Lulu, Chart pop & glam, 22:00–03:00, £4

Late n’ Live, The Jazz Bar, LIVE MUSIC., 23:00–03:00, Free

HOBBES and DAVA, New Idols, The Speakeasy @ Cabaret

Voltaire, 23:00–03:00, £5 (£3)

ACTION GROUP live + Hobo

club and RnB hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm Planet Earth, Citrus Club, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits, 22:30–03:00, Free entry before 10:30pm. £5 after.

DJs, Hobo, The Bongo Club, Sonic adventures from Transylvania to The Great Wall of China., 23:00–03:00, £3 Sections, The Hive, 2 rooms of Metal/ Rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, EBM/Industrial, Goth/ Grunge and Eighties., 23:00–03:00, Free

Lauriston Hall., 20:00–00:00, £10

Mon 08 Dec

John Stuart & caller Ken Gourlay, Ceilidh in Lauriston Hall, Lauriston Hall, Ceilidh in

RODDY RADIATION (from The Specials) & THIS R 2-TONE, Ska Dance Craze, The Bongo Club, Ska, 22:00–03:00, £10

ROB DA BANK, FUNKY TRANSPORT, YOUNG FATHERS (live), Trouble, Cabaret Voltaire, The sixth birthday bash with Hobbes & Erik D’Viking & Rookie - eclectic dance, 23:00–03:00, £10

TONY K and LIAM G, Our House, The Speakeasy @ Cabaret

Voltaire, 23:00–03:00, £7, £6 b4 12am Evol, The Liquid Room, Indie, hip hop, alternative beats & rock, 22:30–03:00, £5 Misfits, The Hive, Indie, electro, punk, rock, retro & a tequila girl, 22:30–03:00, £4, free b4 12am SkunkFunk, The Jazz Bar, 5-piece funk band, 23:30–03:00, £5 (£3)

Double D & Isla, Get Funk’d, Medina, Hip hop to house, 22:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

Sat 06 Dec Sanctuary, Studio 24, Underage goth

club, 18:00–21:00, £7 (£5) Retribution, Studio 24, Rock, alternative, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 students

Dave Shedan, Saturday’s at Opal, Opal Lounge, Glamorous vocal

DJ Beefy & Wolfjazz, Trade Union, Cabaret Voltaire, Night for

deserving bar & club staff, 23:00–03:00, £2, (£1), free b4 12am

DJ Andrew Taylor, Dirty

Stop Out, Opal Lounge, Funk, R&B, classics., 22:00–03:00, £5, £4 b4 11pm Tales From The Crypt, Jekyll and Hyde, Double bill of all manner of trashy cinema and B-Movies, with emphasise on the horror., 19:00–00:00, Free

Jules Moretti, HED (House Electro Disco), Lulu, House, electro

& disco., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm Backlash, The Bongo Club, Electro, breaks, D’n’B and dubstep, 22:00–03:00, $4/£3 Mixed Up Mondays, The Hive, Hip Hop, RNB, Pop, Chart., 23:00–03:00, Free

The Late, Great Jam Session, The Jazz Bar, Players join the house trio, 23:00–03:00, Free

James Combe, The Latin Quarter, Medina, Salsa, funk & latin

house, 22:00–03:00, Free

Tue 09 Dec Fryer & Gino, Motherfunk,

house, accessible electro, past and present club classics with a hint of R&B., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

Opal Lounge, Original soul, funk, disco, latin & hip hop, 22:00–03:00, Free Split, Cabaret Voltaire, Blend of electro, techno, drum & bass, breakbeat, healthy midweek rave, 23:00–03:00, Free

MR MEAKS, Moovn, Berlin, House & live percussion., 22:30–03:00, £8 (£6)

Little Rock, Lulu, Electro & funky house., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm

MC M.A.D. (GROOVE ARMADA),

Rock Star Culture DJ,

Listings

JAMES LONGWARTH AND JAMIE MORRISON, VIBE, LUNA,

Sexy house., 23:00–03:00, £4 BROKE, THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £2 ANTICS, THE HIVE, Rock, emo, punk & metal, 23:00–03:00, Free

WED 10 DEC DJ JEZ HILL, CHAMBLES, OPAL

LOUNGE, Funk & chart, 21:00–03:00, £5 (£4) JUNGLEDUB, THE BONGO CLUB, Dub, dubstep and jungle., 00:00–00:00, Free

JON PLEASED WOMAN, BUJU, LULU, 22:00–03:00, £5

GARY MAC, WE ARE ELECTRIC,

CABARET VOLTAIRE, The city’s leading punkfunk electro-disco party with resident electropunk Gary Mac playing the sounds of Berlin & beyond., 23:00–03:00, £2, free b4 12am INDI-GO, THE LIQUID ROOM, Indie & alternative, 22:30–03:00, £2, £1 students THE PIT, THE HIVE, Rock & metal, 23:00–03:00, Free

THU 11 DEC GARETH SOMMERVILLE, COCO ISLAND, OPAL LOUNGE, Party beats., 22:00–03:00, £5

KINKY INDIE, CITRUS CLUB, 22:00–03:00, £2 students/ £5 others

CLASH!, SPIES IN THE WIRES DJS & GUESTS, SICK NOTE,

CABARET VOLTAIRE, From indie and new wave to fidget house, Baltimore booty bass to nu-rave., 23:00–03:00, Free

BENETTI & CASSAVETTES, ITALOBLACK, SNEAKY PETE’S, Italo

disco, space disco., 22:00–03:00, Free JEZ HILL, STILETTO, LULU, Electropop, classics & disco, 22:00–03:00, £5 BUMP, THE LIQUID ROOM, Chart, 22:30–03:00, £2 (£1) DANCE OR DIE, THE HIVE, Electro house and hands up dance., 23:00–03:00, Free

THE FREAKY FAMILY, 100% ORGANIC HIP HOP LIVE SESSION, THE JAZZ BAR, Hip hop & funky beats, 23:00–03:00, Free

FRI 12 DEC JEZ HILL, FRIDAY’S AT OPAL,

OPAL LOUNGE, Mix of electro-pop, classic beats and disco., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

THE FUNKI DIVA, DEJAYBIRD, BOY TOY AND DEBI T, FURBURGER (EAST SIDE), GHQ,

Furburger is for girls who like girls who like music!, 23:00–03:00, Free

SIMON FOY, INDEPENDANCE,

STUDIO 24, Trance., 22:00–03:00, £8, £6 b4 12am SWEET POTATO, HUDSON CLUB, Classics featuring Motown, Funk, Disco, Classic R&B/Hip-Hop, 80’s, 90’s and 60’s Pop Rock., 22:00–03:00, £7, £5 b4 12pm FRIDAY AT LULU, LULU, Mainstream club and RnB hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm PLANET EARTH, CITRUS CLUB, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits, 22:30–03:00, Free entry before 10:30pm. £5 after.

RADIOCLIT (COUNTERFEET/ UPPERCUTS), DIRT, THE GRV, Techno, electro, breaks, electronic., 22:00–03:00, £7

HARRI (SUBCLUB) & YOGI HAUGHTON (HOUSEWORK), TELEFUNKEN, CABARET VOLTAIRE, House., 23:00–03:00, £6 (£5)

SIMON HODGE, MONKEYBOY + JOHNNY CASHBACK, FOUR CORNERS, THE BONGO CLUB, Deep

funk, soul jazz, latin vibes, afro beats, dub reggae, 23:00–03:00, £5 [£3 before 12am] EVOL, THE LIQUID ROOM, Indie, hip hop, alternative beats & rock, 22:30–03:00, £5 MISFITS, THE HIVE, Indie, electro, punk, rock, retro & a tequila girl, 22:30–03:00, £4, free b4 12am SKUNKFUNK, THE JAZZ BAR, 5-piece funk band, 23:30–03:00, £5 (£3)

DOUBLE D & ISLA, GET FUNK’D,

MEDINA, Hip hop to house, 22:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

SAT 13 DEC SANCTUARY, STUDIO 24, Underage goth

club, 18:00–21:00, £7 (£5) RETRIBUTION, STUDIO 24, Rock, alternative, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 students

DAVE SHEDAN, SATURDAY’S AT OPAL, OPAL LOUNGE, Glamorous vocal

house, accessible electro, past and present club classics with a hint of R&B., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm CHRIS & PAUL, THE EGG, WEE RED BAR, Indie, garage, punk, ska & more at the Art College’s long running institution, 23:00–03:00, £5 (£4) SATURDAY AT LULU, LULU, Classic and modern club hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK

TEASE AGE, CITRUS CLUB, All things rock, motown, alternative & soul, 22:30–03:00, Free before 11pm. £6 after. FRED DEAKIN, MUMBO JUMBO,

THE BONGO CLUB, Funk, soul, electro & house., 23:00–03:00, £8 (£7), £6 b4 12am

GOLAN HEIGHTS, SATURDAY NIGHT FISH FRY, THE JAZZ BAR,

TRIPTYCH special, hip hop, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11.30pm

SCRATCH REVIVAL, THE FOUNDATION, THE GRV, Hip-hop & R&B., 23:00–03:00, £5

MR MEEKS, GRAND THEFT AUTO, THE SPEAKEASY @ CABARET VOL-

TAIRE, Hip hop and funk., 23:00–03:00, £3

MIKE PINKERTON, RYAN ELLIS, MATT EDWARDS, MARK PRICE, KARNIVAL, CABARET VOLTAIRE, House &

techno., 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

DEREK MARTIN, NEIL BARTLEY, EWAN SMITH, JAMIE MCKENZIE, BLAIR HARROWER, MUSIKA, THE LIQUID ROOM, We Love Space Ibiza party., 22:00–03:00, £10, £5 b4 11pm

GARY MAC, WE ARE ELECTRIC,

THU 18 DEC

SUN 14 DEC JOHN HUTCHISON AND GARETH SOMMERVILLE, RISE, OPAL

LOUNGE, Electrohouse and cherished club classics., 22:00–03:00, £4

TRENDY WENDY, PLAYGIRL MANSIONS, LULU, Chart pop & glam, 22:00–03:00, £4

CABARET VOLTAIRE, From indie and new wave to fidget house, Baltimore booty bass to nu-rave., 23:00–03:00, Free

BENETTI & CASSAVETTES, ITALOBLACK, SNEAKY PETE’S, Italo disco, space disco., 22:00–03:00, Free

JEZ HILL, STILETTO, LULU, Electro-

pop, classics & disco, 22:00–03:00, £5

& bass., 22:30–03:00, £6

Music department of edinburgh Napier University, 22:00–03:00, £4 AUDACIOUS, THE BONGO CLUB, Breakcore, gabba, jungle, dubstep., 23:00–03:00, £3 KINKY INDIE, CITRUS CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £2 students/ £5 others BUMP, THE LIQUID ROOM, Chart, 22:30–03:00, £2 (£1) DANCE OR DIE, THE HIVE, Electro house and hands up dance., 23:00–03:00, Free

THE FREAKY FAMILY, 100% ORGANIC HIP HOP LIVE SESSION, THE JAZZ BAR, Hip hop & funky beats, 23:00–03:00, Free

LATE N’ LIVE, THE JAZZ BAR, LIVE

FRI 19 DEC

MISS KRISS, KAUPUSS, MORE,

JEZ HILL, FRIDAY’S AT OPAL,

MUSIC., 23:00–03:00, Free

CABARET VOLTAIRE, Funky vocal house, electro and club classics., 23:00–03:00, Free

THOMAS TRUAX LIVE + HOBO DJS, HOBO, THE BONGO CLUB, Sonic

adventures from Transylvania to The Great Wall of China., 23:00–03:00, £3 SECTIONS, THE HIVE, 2 rooms of Metal/ Rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, EBM/Industrial, Goth/ Grunge and Eighties., 23:00–03:00, Free

MON 15 DEC DJ BEEFY & WOLFJAZZ, TRADE UNION, CABARET VOLTAIRE, Night for

OPAL LOUNGE, Mix of electro-pop, classic beats and disco., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

BENETTI & CASSAVETTES, ITALOBLACK, WEE RED BAR, Italo disco, space disco., 23:00–03:00, £5

SWEET POTATO, HUDSON CLUB,

Classics featuring Motown, Funk, Disco, Classic R&B/Hip-Hop, 80’s, 90’s and 60’s Pop Rock., 22:00–03:00, £7, £5 b4 12pm FRIDAY AT LULU, LULU, Mainstream club and RnB hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

ragga, dubstep, 23:00–03:00, £tbc

classics., 22:00–03:00, £5, £4 b4 11pm TALES FROM THE CRYPT, JEKYLL AND HYDE, Double bill of all manner of trashy cinema and B-Movies, with emphasise on the horror., 19:00–00:00, Free

PETE’S, House, electro, minimal & techno inspired by the likes of Sonar, Fabric & Pressure., 22:00–03:00, Free

JULES MORETTI, HED (HOUSE ELECTRO DISCO), LULU, House, electro

& disco., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm BACKLASH, THE BONGO CLUB, Electro, breaks, D’n’B and dubstep, 22:00–03:00, $4/£3 MIXED UP MONDAYS, THE HIVE, Hip Hop, RNB, Pop, Chart., 23:00–03:00, Free

THE LATE, GREAT JAM SESSION, THE JAZZ BAR, Players join the house trio, 23:00–03:00, Free

JAMES COMBE, THE LATIN

QUARTER, MEDINA, Salsa, funk & latin house, 22:00–03:00, Free

TUE 16 DEC FRYER & GINO, MOTHERFUNK,

OPAL LOUNGE, Original soul, funk, disco, latin & hip hop, 22:00–03:00, Free SPLIT, CABARET VOLTAIRE, Blend of electro, techno, drum & bass, breakbeat, healthy midweek rave, 23:00–03:00, Free

JAMES LONGWARTH AND JAMIE MORRISON, VIBE, LUNA, Sexy house., 23:00–03:00, £4

ROCK STAR CULTURE DJ, LITTLE ROCK, LULU, Electro & funky

house., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm BROKE, THE LIQUID ROOM, 22:30–03:00, £2 ANTICS, THE HIVE, Rock, emo, punk & metal, 23:00–03:00, Free

WED 17 DEC DJ JEZ HILL, CHAMBLES, OPAL LOUNGE, Funk & chart, 21:00–03:00, £5 (£4) LATE N’ LIVE, THE JAZZ BAR, LIVE MUSIC., 23:00–03:00, Free JUNGLEDUB, THE BONGO CLUB, Dub, dubstep and jungle., 00:00–00:00, Free JON PLEASED WOMAN, BUJU, LULU, 22:00–03:00, £5

WED 3 DEC

THU 4 DEC : LIMBO PUMAJAW + SPARROW & THE WORKSHOP + EAGLEOWL FRI 5 DEC

BUBBLEGUM BOOGALOO FEATURING THE WILDEBEESTES WED 10 DEC

THE GOTHENBURG ADDRESS CHRIS BUCKLEY WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TENKENS

SICK NOTE DEC 4TH 08

buffetlibredjs

REWIND TOUR DRESS 80s 11PM-3AM SELECTED DRINKS £1.70

PLAYBACK

SICK NOEL

COME ON GANG! + KID CANAVERAL + SUPER ADVENTURE CLUB

DRESS FESTIVAL Y’ALL

THE BEST OF THE OPEN MICS SAT 13 DEC : LIMBO WED 17 DEC

DEC 18TH 08

CRIMBO BASH 11PM-3AM SELECTED DRINKS £1.70

THE KAELA ROWAN BAND

PLUS AUSTEN GEORGE SAT 20 DEC

CHERRY POPPIN'

DADDIES TUE 23 DEC ABERFELDY SAT 27 DEC KING BRITT HOGMANAY MOTHERFUNK

Fri 26th Dec Boxing Day Bash

(Bombstrikes)

B-SIDES AND THE BANDIT HOSTS & RESIDENTS UTAH SAINTS

www.sugarbeatclub.com

YT LIVE BACKED BY RIDDIM TUFFA RESIDENTS FRONTLINE SELECTA, RIDDIM TUFFA SOUND, THE GRV, Reggae, jungle, dub,

deserving bar & club staff, 23:00–03:00, £2, (£1), free b4 12am

DJ ANDREW TAYLOR, DIRTY STOP OUT, OPAL LOUNGE, Funk, R&B,

WED 3 DEC

DEAN OWENS + KIM EDGAR

JASON CORTEZ & ANDY OPEL (BACK TO BACK SET), DISKOKITTEN, BERLIN, House, electrohouse

23:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

Ten Kens

CLASH!, SPIES IN THE WIRES DJS & GUESTS, SICK NOTE,

MC SOLAREYE, CITY CITY BEAT & CALLEL, NAPIER LIVE, THE GRV,

NASTY P & CURRIE, MUCH MORE, MEDINA, Hip-hop & funk cuts,

1st DEC 7PM-3AM

TINA DICO

22:00–03:00, £5

GROOVERIDER, STREET KNOWLEDGE, THE LIQUID ROOM, Drum

and bootlegs., 22:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

36 BLAIR ST, EDINBURGH. 0131 220 6176

GARETH SOMMERVILLE, COCO ISLAND, OPAL LOUNGE, Party beats.,

BUBBLEGUM, THE HIVE, A chewed up,

spat out mix of electro. pop, chart, indie and retro floor fillers., 22:00–03:00, £4, free b4 11.30pm

BREAKING BOUNDARIES IN MUSIC

MARK BALNEAVES, DARAGH BYRNE (LIVE - LAPTOP / KEYBOARDS / FX SET) & MARTIN LIGHTBODY, DEFINITION, SNEAKY

TOKYOBLU, PLUS DJ SETS FROM RESIDENTS JOHN & IAIN, TOKYOBLU, CABARET VOLTAIRE, House night with skilled house house band, 23:00–05:00, £10 (£6)

RAP KARAOKE FEATURING FLY T (CAPITAL 1212), BOB DISASTER AND MR BISCUITS, VAPORS!, WEE RED BAR, Old School rap,

hip-hop, electro., 22:00–03:00, £5, £4 b4 11pm NOISIA, XPLICIT, THE BONGO CLUB, D’n’, 23:00–03:00, £9 in advance PLANET EARTH, CITRUS CLUB, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits, 21:00–03:00, £5, free b4 11pm EVOL, THE LIQUID ROOM, Indie, hip hop, alternative beats & rock, 22:30–03:00, £5 MISFITS, THE HIVE, Indie, electro, punk, rock, retro & a tequila girl, 22:30–03:00, £4, free b4 12am SKUNKFUNK, THE JAZZ BAR, 5-piece funk band, 23:30–03:00, £5 (£3)

DOUBLE D & ISLA, GET FUNK’D,

MEDINA, Hip hop to house, 22:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

SAT 20 DEC

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

THE COUNSELLORS, THE BANJO LOUNGE TRIO, MISS LILY WHITE, DOLORES DELIGHT, NEVADA TAM'S CEILIDH ROOM + MORE ACTS TBC... AND FEATURING FRANKIE SUMATRA, BUGSY SEAGULL, SAM JOSE, DINO MARTINI, PLUS NIKKI NEVADA, THE VEGAS SHOWGIRLS & THE FABULOUS SCOTT BROTHERS

SANCTUARY, STUDIO 24, Underage goth club, 18:00–21:00, £7 (£5)

RETRIBUTION, STUDIO 24, Rock, alterna-

tive, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 students

house, accessible electro, past and present club classics with a hint of R&B., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm SATURDAY AT LULU, LULU, Classic and modern club hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

house & techno, 23:00–03:00, £8 (£6)

OFFICIAL AFTER SHOW

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DAVE SHEDAN, SATURDAY’S AT OPAL, OPAL LOUNGE, Glamorous vocal

GARETH SOMMERVILLE (4HR SET), SHOOT THE PUMP, NICK YUILL, CRAIG REID, ULTRAGROOVE, CABARET VOLTAIRE, Deep

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WWW.THECABARETVOLTAIRE.COM NOVEMBER 08

THE SKINNY 61

LISTINGS

LUBS

Edinburgh Clubs Uber Juice, Saturday Night Fish Fry, The Jazz Bar, TRIPTYCH special, hip hop, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11.30pm

BABES, Mr MEEKS, B-SIDES & THE BANDIT, XTRA or MONKEY BOY, Grand Theft Auto, The Speakeasy @ Cabaret Voltaire, Hip hop and funk., 23:00–03:00, £3

David George, Beast, DeBurgh & Decoy Roy, Big N Bashy, The Bongo Club, A 4-deck mix of

Mon 22 Dec DJ Andrew Taylor, Dirty Stop Out, Opal Lounge, Funk, R&B, classics., 22:00–03:00, £5, £4 b4 11pm

Tales From The Crypt, Jekyll and Hyde, Double bill of all manner of trashy cinema and B-Movies, with emphasise on the horror., 19:00–00:00, Free

Jules Moretti, HED (House Electro Disco), Lulu, House, electro

dubstep, reggae, dancehall + jungle, 23:00–03:00, £6 [£4 before 12am]

& disco., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm

Tease Age, Citrus Club, All things rock, motown, alternative & soul, 22:30–03:00, £6, free b4 11pm

Hop, RNB, Pop, Chart., 23:00–03:00, Free

Rewind, The Liquid Room, A Rewind Christmas Special, featuring the greatest hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Lots of chart classics and old favourites., 22:30–05:00, £5

Bubblegum, The Hive, A chewed up, spat out mix of electro. pop, chart, indie and retro floor fillers., 22:00–03:00, £4, free b4 11.30pm

Nasty P & Currie, Much More, Medina, Hip-hop & funk cuts, 23:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

Mixed Up Mondays, The Hive, Hip The Late, Great Jam Session,

John Hutchison and Gareth Sommerville, Rise, Opal Lounge, Electrohouse and cherished club classics., 22:00–03:00, £4

Trendy Wendy, Playgirl Mansions, Lulu, Chart pop & glam, 22:00–03:00, £4

Late n’ Live, The Jazz Bar, LIVE MUSIC., 23:00–03:00, Free

Fisher & Price and Miss Chris, Taste, The GRV, Dance music,

Dave Shedan, Saturday’s at Opal, Opal Lounge, Glamorous vocal

23:00–03:00, £10 (£8)

Bump, The Liquid Room, Chart, 22:30–03:00, £2 (£1)

Fri 26 Dec Jez Hill, Friday’s at Opal, Opal Lounge, Mix of electro-pop, classic beats and disco., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm Madchester, The Liquid Room, Indie, brit pop & rave., 22:30–03:00, £5 Stu Hirst, Mono, Luna, Techno, tech-

James Combe, The Latin Quarter, Medina, Salsa, funk & latin

Sweet Potato, Hudson Club, Classics featuring Motown, Funk, Disco, Classic R&B/Hip-Hop, 80’s, 90’s and 60’s Pop Rock., 22:00–03:00, £7, £5 b4 12pm

house, 22:00–03:00, Free

Tue 23 Dec Fryer & Gino, Motherfunk, Opal Lounge, Original soul, funk, disco, latin & hip hop, 22:00–03:00, Free

23:00–03:00, £4

Rock Star Culture DJ, Little Rock, Lulu, Electro & funky house., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm

Broke, The Liquid Room, 22:30–03:00, £2 Antics, The Hive, Rock, emo, punk & metal,

house and minimal., 22:00–03:00, £tbc

Sugarbeat, Cabaret Voltaire, Breaks, beats, bootlegs., 23:00–05:00, £3 Synthetic Vs Jakn, The Bongo Club, Techno, electro + electronica with the Elbow Greased Techno crew going head to head with Jakn for this Boxing Day special, 23:00–00:00, £5

Planet Earth, Citrus Club, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits, 22:30–03:00, £5, free b4 10.30pm

Evol, The Liquid Room, Indie, hip hop, alternative beats & rock, 22:30–03:00, £5

Madchester, The Liquid Room, Indie,

23:00–03:00, Free

brit pop & rave., 22:30–03:00, £5

Wed 24 Dec

Misfits, The Hive, Indie, electro, punk,

Miss Kriss, Kaupuss, More,

Late n’ Live, The Jazz Bar, LIVE MUSIC.,

Cabaret Voltaire, Funky vocal house, electro and club classics., 23:00–03:00, Free

Indi-Go, The Liquid Room, Indie & alterna-

Sections, The Hive, 2 rooms of Metal/

tive, 22:30–03:00, £2, £1 students

Rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, EBM/Industrial, Goth/ Grunge and Eighties., 23:00–03:00, Free

Sat 27 Dec

The Jazz Bar, Players join the house trio, 23:00–03:00, Free

James Longwarth and Jamie Morrison, Vibe, Luna, Sexy house.,

Sun 21 Dec

Thu 25 Dec

23:00–03:00, Free

The Pit, The Hive, Rock & metal, 23:00–03:00, Free

rock, retro & a tequila girl, 22:30–03:00, £4, free b4 12am

SkunkFunk, The Jazz Bar, 5-piece funk band, 23:30–03:00, £5 (£3)

Double D & Isla, Get Funk’d, Medina, Hip hop to house, 22:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

house, accessible electro, past and present club classics with a hint of R&B., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm Saturday at Lulu, Lulu, Classic and modern club hits., 21:00–03:00, £8, £4 b4 11pm

Diwan + DJ Astroboy back for Christmas!, Saturday Night Fish Fry, The Jazz Bar,

TRIPTYCH special, hip hop, 23:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11.30pm

Gareth Somerville & Nick Yuill, Shoot The Pump, The GRV,

House, disco, 23:00–03:00, £5

BABES, Mr MEEKS, B-SIDES & THE BANDIT, XTRA or MONKEY BOY, Grand Theft Auto, The Speakeasy @ Cabaret Voltaire, Hip hop and funk., 23:00–03:00, £3

Twitch & Wilkes, Optimo,

Cabaret Voltaire, Diverse music policy., 23:00–05:00, £10

Sander Van Doorn, Boombox, Luna, 22:00–04:00, £12 Hobo, The Bongo Club, Sonic adventures

from Transylvania to The Great Wall of China., 23:00–03:00, £3 Tease Age, Citrus Club, All things rock, motown, alternative & soul, 22:30–03:00, £6, free b4 11pm Bubblegum, The Hive, A chewed up, spat out mix of electro. pop, chart, indie and retro floor fillers., 22:00–03:00, £4, free b4 11.30pm

SCOTT WOOD, ANDY FINN, DARREN C, Flaunt Future Heroes, Massa, House., 23:00–05:00, £5 Nasty P & Currie, Much More, Medina, Hip-hop & funk cuts,

Martin Jay, Zombie Disco, Snafu, Martin Jay’s weekly house and disco throwdown brings all the milkshake boys and girls to the yard, 2008-12-04–02:00, Free

Thu 04 Dec Giles Walker, Andy da Kipp, Burning Bush, Tez, Infrasonic, Origin, Dubstep, grime, reggae, dub, jungle and more with fine selection of local underground DJs, 23:00–02:00, £3

XXXCHANGE + DHC DJs, Dirty Hearts Club, Snafu, Snafu’s weekly electrockingsocialdisco takes glamour and hip to another level. Boys want to have a Dirty Heart and girls want to sleep with one – arrive early, look the part and tell everyone you’re in The Little Kicks!, 2008-12-05–02:00, £4 adv

Fri 05 Dec Finnie, Doc Watson, Mr Mann, Axis, Origin, Techno/Minimal/Electro + Breaks, 23:00–03:00, tbc

Green Velvet, Mixtape, Snafu, The most twisted and dirtiest of clubnights, Fridays at Snafu are homage to the ghetto sounds from around the globe. , 2008-12-06–03:00, £15

Sat 06 Dec with Scratch Perverts, Jungle Nation, Origin, 23:00–03:00, £12

Funky Transport, The Deep End, Snafu, The people’s choice, every Saturday at Snafu is like Cheers…we may not know your name but you’re welcome nevertheless. Guests whose names we do know have included Derrick Carter, Crazy P, Joey Negro and Gene Farris. Expect a weekly dose of deep house and tough disco from resident Funky Transport., 2008-1207–03:00, £6/£5

Everything Else Sucks, The Tunnels, A dancey dancey to some of the finest electro, 2008-12-07–03:00, £tbc

Mon 08 Dec Black Tooth Rock Lounge, Snafu, Weekly rock and alternative showcasing local and national bands hosted by Fudge DJs http:// www.myspace.com/blacktoothrock, 21:00–02:00, £3 (free passes in Moorings)

62 THE SKINNY

Get In Get Out, The Dirty Tricks, Red Mongoose + Fudge DJs, Black Tooth Rock Lounge, Snafu, Concept-based clubnight featuring a rock/alternative soundtrack, electric cabaret and black magic, 2008-1209–02:00, £3/£2

Wed 10 Dec Martin Jay, Zombie Disco, Snafu, Martin Jay’s weekly house and disco throwdown brings all the milkshake boys and girls to the yard, 2008-12-11–02:00, Free

Thu 11 Dec Giles Walker, Andy da Kipp, Burning Bush, Tez, Infrasonic, Origin, Dubstep, grime, reggae, dub, jungle and more with fine selection of local underground DJs, 23:00–02:00, £3

Edgar Prais (Single Launch Party), Alto Elite DHC DJs, Dirty Hearts Club, Snafu, Snafu’s weekly electrockingsocialdisco takes glamour and hip to another level. Boys want to have a Dirty Heart and girls want to sleep with one – arrive early, look the part and tell everyone you’re in The Little Kicks!, 2008-12-12–02:00, £3/£2

Boom Monk Ben, Hush Hush, Origin, Finland’s hardcore guru get’s his grimey dub hat on alongside resident Giles Walker, 23:00–03:00, £6/£5

November 08

Miss Kriss, Kaupuss, More,

Cabaret Voltaire, Funky vocal house, electro and club classics., 23:00–03:00, Free Sections, The Hive, 2 rooms of Metal/ Rock, Punk/Pop-Punk, EBM/Industrial, Goth/ Grunge and Eighties., 23:00–03:00, Free

Mon 29 Dec DJ Andrew Taylor, Dirty Stop Out, Opal Lounge, Funk, R&B,

classics., 22:00–03:00, £5, £4 b4 11pm Tales From The Crypt, Jekyll and Hyde, Double bill of all manner of trashy cinema and B-Movies, with emphasise on the horror., 19:00–00:00, Free

Jules Moretti, HED (House Electro Disco), Lulu, House, electro

& disco., 22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm Mixed Up Mondays, The Hive, Hip Hop, RNB, Pop, Chart., 23:00–03:00, Free

The Late, Great Jam Session, The Jazz Bar, Players join the house trio, 23:00–03:00, Free

James Combe, The Latin Quarter, Medina, Salsa, funk & latin

house, 22:00–03:00, Free

Sun 28 Dec

Fryer & Gino, Motherfunk,

Electrohouse and cherished club classics., 22:00–03:00, £4

Opal Lounge, Original soul, funk, disco, latin & hip hop, 22:00–03:00, Free

James Longwarth and Jamie Morrison, Vibe, Luna, Sexy house.,

23:00–03:00, £4

23:00–03:00, Free

Wed 31 Dec Boombox Vs Nuklearpuppy NYE Party, Luna, MARK SHERRY MALLORCA LEE JASON CORTEZ PHIL YORK DEAN NEWTON GARETH BINKS SIMON McLEOD PAUL NISBET JAMIE DRUMMOND, 22:00–05:00, £18.50

WHITEY(KAISER CHIEFS), Modern Lovers, The GRV, 60’s pop, 70’s rock., 23:00–03:00, £6, £4 b4 12am

Late n’ Live, The Jazz Bar, LIVE MUSIC., 23:00–03:00, Free

Headspin, The Bongo Club, Funk, hip hop, house, disco, 4 deck mix, 23:00–05:00, £15

DJ sets from very special guests HOT CHIP along with residents from SUGARBEAT, ULTRAGROOVE and the SHOOT THE PUMP team, plus Cab favourites B-SIDES & THE BANDIT and friends., EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY STREET PARTY OFFICIAL AFTERSHOW, Cabaret Voltaire, This Sugarbeat vs Ultragroove event features DJ sets from very special guests HOT CHIP along with residents from SUGARBEAT, ULTRAGROOVE and the SHOOT THE PUMP team, plus Cab favourites B-SIDES & THE BANDIT and friends., 22:30–05:00, £15

MISFITS: NEW YEAR ‘08/09, The Hive, Running for over 3 years now, Misfits is throwing its first New Year party to the masses., 10:00–05:00, VERY limited £5 advance tickets available Indi-Go, The Liquid Room, Indie & alternative, 22:30–03:00, £2, £1 students

dundee Clubs Fri 05 Dec

Fri 19 Dec

Black Tooth Rock Lounge,

DJ Mes, Headway, The Reading

G-Room, London Nightclub, Presents Hip-Hop & RnB with £1 drinks all night., 23:00–03:00, £TBC

Snafu, Weekly rock and alternative showcasing local and national bands hosted by Fudge DJs http:// www.myspace.com/blacktoothrock, 21:00–02:00, £3 (free passes in Moorings)

Departures+ Fudge DJs, Black Tooth Rock Lounge, Snafu, Concept-based clubnight featuring a rock/ alternative soundtrack, electric cabaret and black magic, 2008-12-16–02:00, £3/£2

Wed 17 Dec Martin Jay, Zombie Disco, Snafu, Martin Jay’s weekly house and disco throwdown brings all the milkshake boys and girls to the yard, 2008-12-18–02:00, Free

Thu 18 Dec Giles Walker, Andy da Kipp, Burning Bush, Tez, Infrasonic, Origin, Dubstep, grime, reggae, dub, jungle and more with fine selection of local underground DJs, 23:00–02:00, £3

DHC DJs, Dirty Hearts Club,

Fri 19 Dec

Sat 13 Dec

Voodoo Rooms, A night of saints and sinners. Don your horns and halos for an evening with Archangel Fancy Nancy and her horny little devils., 22:30–03:00, £7/6 (costumes, Members & concessions)

Mon 22 Dec

Finnie, Doc Watson, Mr Mann, Axis, Origin, Techno/Minimal/Electro + Breaks, The most twisted and dirtiest of clubnights, Fridays at Snafu are homage to the ghetto sounds from around the globe. , 2008-12-13–03:00, £10 adv

Broke, The Liquid Room, 22:30–03:00, £2 Antics, The Hive, Rock, emo, punk & metal,

Black Tooth Rock Lounge,

Fri 12 Dec

Joris Voorn, Mixtape, Snafu,

23:00–03:00, Free

DJ Trendy Wendy, Tackno’s Heaven & Hell Party, The

Mon 15 Dec

Snafu, Snafu’s weekly electrockingsocialdisco takes glamour and hip to another level. Boys want to have a Dirty Heart and girls want to sleep with one – arrive early, look the part and tell everyone you’re in The Little Kicks!, 2008-12-19–02:00, Free

23:00–03:00, tbc

22:00–03:00, £5, £3 b4 11pm

Tue 30 Dec

John Hutchison and Gareth Sommerville, Rise, Opal Lounge,

Rock Star Culture DJ, Little Rock, Lulu, Electro & funky house.,

22:00–03:00, £4

Late n’ Live, The Jazz Bar, LIVE MUSIC.,

23:00–03:00, £4, £3 b4 11pm

Aberdeen Clubs Wed 03 Dec

Trendy Wendy, Playgirl Mansions, Lulu, Chart pop & glam,

Finnie, Doc Watson, Mr Mann, Axis, Origin, Techno/Minimal/Electro + Breaks, 23:00–03:00, tbc

Giles Walker, Mixtape, Snafu, The most twisted and dirtiest of clubnights, Fridays at Snafu are homage to the ghetto sounds from around the globe. , 2008-12-20–03:00, £6/£5

Sat 20 Dec Stevie Sole (Sole Music/ TronicSole), Sei A (live/Seinan Music/Urbantorque) + Funky Transport, The Deep End, Snafu, The people’s choice, every Saturday at Snafu is like Cheers…we may not know your name but you’re welcome nevertheless. Guests whose names we do know have included Derrick Carter, Crazy P, Joey Negro and Gene Farris. Expect a weekly dose of deep house and tough disco from resident Funky Transport., 2008-12-21–03:00, £tbc

Snafu, Weekly rock and alternative showcasing local and national bands hosted by Fudge DJs http:// www.myspace.com/blacktoothrock, 21:00–02:00, £3 (free passes in Moorings)

Rooms, House., 22:00–02:30, £10

Fudge DJs, Black Tooth’s Black Christmas, Snafu, Concept-

ents Hip-Hop & RnB with £1 drinks all night., 23:00–03:00, £TBC

based clubnight featuring a rock/alternative soundtrack, electric cabaret and black magic, 2008-12-23–02:00, £3/£2

Sat 06 Dec

Thu 25 Dec Giles Walker, Andy da Kipp, Burning Bush, Tez, Infrasonic, Origin, Dubstep, grime, reggae, dub, jungle and more with fine selection of local underground DJs, 23:00–02:00, £3

Fri 26 Dec Finnie, Doc Watson, Mr Mann, Axis, Origin, Techno/Minimal/Electro + Breaks, 23:00–03:00, tbc

Alex Under (Live/Plus 8/ Madrid), Mr Copy (Live/ Soma), Percy X (Edit:Select), Octogen (Live/Soma/Klone), Darren Roberts, Mixtape + Edit-Select, Snafu, ghetto sounds from around the globe, 2008-12-27–03:00, £tbc

Sat 27 Dec Funky Transport, The Deep End, Snafu, The people’s choice, every Saturday at Snafu is like Cheers…we may not know your name but you’re welcome nevertheless. Guests whose names we do know have included Derrick Carter, Crazy P, Joey Negro and Gene Farris. Expect a weekly dose of deep house and tough disco from resident Funky Transport., 2008-1228–03:00, £6/£5

Mon 29 Dec Fudge DJs, Black Tooth Rock Lounge, Snafu, rock/alternative, electric cabaret and black magic, 2008-1230–02:00, £3/£2

Benga + Toddla T + MC Serocee, OKUPA!, 22:00–03:00, £10 + BF G-Room, London Nightclub, Pres-

DJ Ricky Harrison, Fat Sam’s, Fat Sam’s, Current chart, hip hop and r&b anthems mixed with the usual ‘Saturday night favourites’ by resident DJ Ricky Harrison., 22:30–02:30, £tbc

Sunweed Soundsystem, The Reading Rooms, Reggae night, Saturday night. What’s not to like?, 22:30–03:00, £6.00

Fri 12 Dec G-Room, London Nightclub, Presents Hip-Hop & RnB with £1 drinks all night., 23:00–03:00, £TBC

Sat 13 Dec DJ Ricky Harrison, Fat Sam’s, Fat Sam’s, Current chart, hip hop and r&b anthems mixed with the usual ‘Saturday night favourites’ by resident DJ Ricky Harrison., 22:30–02:30, £tbc

Gary Mac (We Are... Electric), Nick Wilson + Jono Fyda + Vaala (bongos) + Kim (sax), Halcyon, The Reading Rooms, Electro from the capital with a variety of other digital sonics to keep you interested., 22:30–03:00, £tbc

Sat 20 Dec DJ Van Damn, Ado!, CtrlAlt-Defeat, The Reading Rooms,

22:30–03:00, £tbc

DJ Ricky Harrison, Fat Sam’s, Fat Sam’s, Current chart, hip hop and r&b anthems mixed with the usual ‘Saturday night favourites’ by resident DJ Ricky Harrison., 22:30–02:30, £tbc

Sat 27 Dec DJ Ricky Harrison, Fat Sam’s, Fat Sam’s, Current chart, hip hop and r&b anthems mixed with the usual ‘Saturday night favourites’ by resident DJ Ricky Harrison., 22:30–02:30, £tbc

Chad Jackson (classics set); Hometown HiFi; Pills, Thrills & Jaffa Cakes, Back to Our Roots, The Reading Rooms, With a world DMC champion playing a 3 hour classics set, the Reading Rooms have it going off tonight, for sure., 20:00–03:00, £tbc

Wed 31 Dec NYE Special Its A Rave Dave, London Nightclub, Joe Deacon, Mark Maclauhlan & Darren Hotchkiss (Fantazia, Rezerection, Notorious Vinyl), Ryhthmic State (live PA), 22:00–03:00, £TBC

Neon Nights on Hogmanay, Back to Our Roots, The Reading Rooms, 21:00–03:00, £tbc

Looking for more hogmany clubbing?

hogmanay clubs :: page 52 Listings

Listings

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November 08

THE SKINNY 63

Glasgow Comedy Wed 03 Dec Lucy Porter, AL Kennedy and Elaine Malcolmson. Hosted by Susan Calman., Wicked Wenches, The Stand,

That time of the month when the acts are all funny girls., 20:30–23:00, £6/£5/£3

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Thu 04 Dec Tom Stade, Graeme Thomas, Liam Mullone and Michael Manley. Hosted by Sandy Nelson, The Thursday Show, The Stand, Ease yourself

into the weekend with top laughs and delicious food., 21:00–23:00, £7/£6/£3

Forced Entertainment, Spectacular, Tramway, The

masters of modern theatre have it all to play for: either amazing or awkward, but never dull., 20:00–21:30, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Fri 05 Dec Tom Stade, Graeme Thomas, Liam Mullone and Michael Manley. Hosted by Sandy Nelson, The Stand,

The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £9/£8/£5 D.A.M. Fine Comedy, Gramofon, 21:00–23:00, £3

Forced Entertainment, Spectacular, Tramway, The

masters of modern theatre have it all to play for: either amazing or awkward, but never dull., 20:00–21:30, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 09 Dec Gus Tawse and JoJo Sutherland, Red Raw, The

Stand, New acts, new material from old acts; a classic pick and mix of comedy, costing mere pennies., 20:30–00:00, £2/£1

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Wed 10 Dec David O’Doherty, It’s David O’Doherty Time, The Stand,

Prepare to have your world rocked (in quite a gentle way) as David O’Doherty, the Irish viscount of rumpled whimsy,the marble fawn of tiny keyboard based musical comedy,embarks on his first ever UK tour., 20:30–23:20, £10/£8

Comedy@The State, The State Bar, Mixed bill comedy show with regular compere, 21:00–23:59, £5 Jongleurs, Jongleurs, Hot food available. Ideal for hen, stag and office parties, 19:00–23:30, from £15

Tom Stade, Graeme Thomas, Liam Mullone and Michael Manley. Hosted by Sandy Nelson, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £12

Secret Policeman’s Ball,

Queen Margaret Union, Incorporating some of the best new talent on the comedy scene, this event is being held to raise awareness of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights., 20:00–23:00, £5

Stu Who, Mark Nelson and m.c. Alan Anderson and guests, HaHa Comedy Maggie Mays, Maggie May’s, Christmas

show. Dining package available, opens 7pm See www.hahacomedy.co.uk, 20:30–00:00, tbc

Forced Entertainment, Spectacular, Tramway, The

masters of modern theatre have it all to play for: either amazing or awkward, but never dull., 20:00–21:30, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sun 07 Dec The Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III, Liam Mullone and Nick Morrow., Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service, The Stand,

20:30–23:00, £5/£4 (£1 members) The Ivory, Ivory Bar & Restaurant, New acts, new material, 20:30–00:00, Free

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Mon 08 Dec Raymond Mearns, Paul Pirie,Allen Chalmers, Dance Monkey Boy Dance, The Stand, Monthly show featuring a mix of topical stand-up, filmed sketches and improvised games and songs., 20:30–00:00, £4

Mon 15 Dec Reginald D. Hunter, John Ross and JoJo Sutherland. Hosted by Bruce Morton, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With

special Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 16 Dec Reginald D. Hunter, John Ross and JoJo Sutherland. Hosted by Bruce Morton, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With

special Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Citizens Community Company, Wicked Christmas,

Wed 17 Dec

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Reginald D. Hunter, John Ross and JoJo Sutherland. Hosted by Bruce Morton, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With

Citizens Theatre, A mischievious meander through Christmas, 19:30–21:00, £10

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Thu 11 Dec Rowan Campbell, Keir McAllister and m.c. Alan Anderson, HaHa Comedy Maggie Mays, Maggie May’s,

Christmas show. Dining package available, opens 7pm See www.hahacomedy.co.uk, 20:30–00:00, tbc

Citizens Community Company, Wicked Christmas,

Citizens Theatre, A mischievious meander through Christmas, 19:30–21:00, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sat 06 Dec

64 THE SKINNY

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Tony Burgess, Stephen Carlin and Patrick Rolink. Hosted by Bruce Devlin, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts.

Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £9/£8/£5 D.A.M. Fine Comedy, Gramofon, 21:00–23:00, £3

Citizens Community Company, Wicked Christmas,

Citizens Theatre, A mischievious meander through Christmas, 19:30–21:00, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sat 13 Dec Tony Burgess, Stephen Carlin and Patrick Rolink. Hosted by Bruce Devlin, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £12

Keir MacAllister, Teddy and Alan Anderson, HaHa Comedy Maggie Mays, Maggie May’s, Christmas show. Dining package available, opens 7pm See www.hahacomedy.co.uk, 20:30–00:00, tbc

Citizens Community Company, Wicked Christmas,

Citizens Theatre, A mischievious meander through Christmas, 19:30–21:00, £10

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sun 14 Dec

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Thu 18 Dec Mark Nelson, Neil McFarlane and m.c Scott Agnew, HaHa Comedy Maggie Mays, Maggie May’s, Christmas show.

Dining package available, opens 7pm See www.hahacomedy.co.uk, 20:30–00:00, tbc

Reginald D. Hunter, John Ross and JoJo Sutherland. Hosted by Bruce Morton, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Fri 19 Dec Reginald D. Hunter, John Ross and JoJo Sutherland. Hosted by Bruce Morton, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With

special Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £12/£9

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sat 20 Dec Mark Nelson, Neil McFarlane and m.c Scott Agnew, HaHa Comedy Maggie Mays, Maggie May’s, Christmas show.

Dining package available, opens 7pm See www.hahacomedy.co.uk, 20:30–00:00, tbc

Phil Nichol, Gary Little and Stuart Murphy & Garry Dobson. Hosted by Susan Morrison, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With special Christmas menu, 21:00–23:18, £12

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sun 21 Dec Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service, The Stand,

The Ivory, Ivory Bar & Restaurant,

20:30–23:00, £5/£4/£1

Stephen Carlin, Ricky Callan, Martin McAllister and Jim Park., Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service, The

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

New acts, new material, 20:30–00:00, Free

Stand, 20:30–23:00, £5/£4/£1

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

November 08

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 23 Dec with Gary Little, Red Raw Special, The Stand, 20:30–23:19, £2 Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Wed 24 Dec Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Thu 25 Dec Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Mon 22 Dec Red Raw Special, The Stand,

20:30–23:14, £2

Wed 03 Dec

Sun 14 Dec

The Stand Improv, The Stand, An

Whose Lunch Is It Anyway?,

evening of improvised comedy with Stu & Garry., 20:30–23:00, £5/£2.50 John Shuttleworth, Queens Hall, 20:00–23:00, £16/ £13

Thu 04 Dec Kevin Gildea, Steve Day, Lazyhand and Barry McDonald. Hosted by Lucy Porter, The Thursday Show, The Stand, Ease yourself into the weekend with top laughs and delicious food., 21:00–23:30, £7/£6/£3

MC Rick Molland, Heresy,

Jekyll and Hyde, Night of dark and depraved comedy, 21:00–00:00, £3

Fri 05 Dec Kevin Gildea, Steve Day, Lazyhand and Barry McDonald. Hosted by Lucy Porter, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An

altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £9/£8/£5

Sat 06 Dec Kevin Gildea, Steve Day, Lazyhand and Barry McDonald. Hosted by Lucy Porter, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £12

Fri 26 Dec

Whose Lunch Is It Anyway?,

special Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Fri 12 Dec

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Edinburgh Comedy

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sat 27 Dec Des Clarke, Gary Little and Chris Forbes. Hosted by Joe Heenan., Hootfest, The Stand, 21:00–23:00, £12

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Sun 28 Dec Des Clarke, Gary Little and Chris Forbes. Hosted by Joe Heenan., Hootfest, The Stand, 21:00–23:00, £12

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Mon 29 Dec

Sun 07 Dec The Stand, Improvised comedy led by by audience suggestions, with Stu and Garry. Hot coffee, delicious food...the nation’s top hangover cure, 12:30–15:00, Free!

Steve Day, Gordon Alexander, Dee Custance and Elaine Malcolmson. Hosted by Susan Calman, The Sunday Night Laugh-In, The Stand, 20:30–00:00, £5/£4/£1

Mon 08 Dec Headliner Teddy and host Keara Murphy, Absolute Beginners, The Mercat, Showcase of new comedy talent with a top headliner to round off your night, 21:00–23:00, £3/£2

Danny Bhoy, Work in Progress, The Jazz Bar, Limited amount of tickets on sale for 4 shows only. Catch Danny Bhoy in this intimate gig as he prepares for his 2009 Australian tour., 19:00–20:00, £5

Tue 09 Dec David O’Doherty, It’s David O’Doherty Time, The Stand, Prepare to have your world rocked (in quite a gentle way) as David O’Doherty, the Irish viscount of rumpled whimsy,the marble fawn of tiny keyboard based musical comedy,embarks on his first ever UK tour., 20:30–14:45, £10/£8

Danny Bhoy, Work in Progress, The Jazz Bar, Limited amount of tickets on sale for 4 shows only. Catch Danny Bhoy in this intimate gig as he prepares for his 2009 Australian tour., 19:00–20:00, £5

Des Clarke, Gary Little and Chris Forbes. Hosted by Joe Heenan., Hootfest,

Wed 10 Dec

The Stand, 21:00–23:00, £12

of short comedy sketches, presented by top actors and comedians. Vote for your favourite, and see a longer version next month., 20:30–23:00, £5/£4/£2.50

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 30 Dec Des Clarke, Gary Little and Chris Forbes. Hosted by Joe Heenan., Hootfest,

Melting Pot, The Stand, Watch a series

Thu 11 Dec Rob Deering, John Ross, Chris Ramsey and Dee Custance. Hosted by The Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III, The Thursday Show, The Stand, Ease yourself into the

The Stand, 21:00–23:00, £12

weekend with top laughs and delicious food., 21:00–23:30, £7/£6/£3

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on

Jekyll and Hyde, Night of dark and depraved comedy, 21:00–00:00, £3

about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Wed 31 Dec Des Clarke, Gary Little and Chris Forbes. Hosted by Joe Heenan., Hogmanay Hootfest, The Stand, Open until 2am, 21:00–02:00, £19/£17.50

Gerard Kelly, Karen Dunbar and Andy Gray, Cinderella, King’s Theatre, It is on about three times a day: check venue for times and details, 19:00–21:00, from £10

The Stand, Improvised comedy led by by audience suggestions, with Stu and Garry. Hot coffee, delicious food...the nation’s top hangover cure, 12:30–15:00, Free!

John Ross and John Whale. Hosted by Billy Kirkwood., The Sunday Night Laugh-In, The Stand, 20:30–00:00, £5/£4/£1

Mon 15 Dec Headliner Graeme Thomas and host Keara Murphy, Absolute Beginners, The

Mercat, Showcase of new comedy talent with a top headliner to round off your night, 21:00–23:00, £3/£2

Phil Nichol, Gary Little and Stuart Murphy & Garry Dobson. Hosted by Susan Morrison, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With special

Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Danny Bhoy, Work in Progress, The Jazz Bar, Limited amount of

tickets on sale for 4 shows only. Catch Danny Bhoy in this intimate gig as he prepares for his 2009 Australian tour., 19:00–20:00, £5

Tue 16 Dec Phil Nichol, Gary Little and Stuart Murphy & Garry Dobson. Hosted by Susan Morrison, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With special

Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Danny Bhoy, Work in Prog-

ress, The Jazz Bar, Limited amount of tickets on sale for 4 shows only. 19:00–20:00, £5

Wed 17 Dec Phil Nichol, Gary Little and Stuart Murphy & Garry Dobson. Hosted by Susan Morrison, The Stand Christmas Special, The Stand, With special

Christmas menu, 20:30–23:00, £10/£9

Thu 18 Dec MC Rick Molland, Heresy,

Jekyll and Hyde, Night of dark and depraved comedy, 21:00–00:00, £3

Sun 21 Dec Jimmy Carr, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, £20

Whose Lunch Is It Anyway?,

The Stand, Improvised comedy led by by audience suggestions, with Stu and Garry. Hot coffee, delicious food...the nation’s top hangover cure, 12:30–15:00, Free

REGINALD D. HUNTER SPECIAL, The Stand, 20:30–23:19, £10/£8

Mon 22 Dec Headliner Siân Bevan and host Keara Murphy, Absolute Beginners, The Mercat, Show-

case of new comedy talent with a top headliner to round off your night, 21:00–23:00, £3/£2

With Susan Morrison and Joe Heenan, Red Raw Special, The Stand, 20:30–23:18, £2

Sat 27 Dec Kevin Bridges, Ro Campbell and Wendy Wason. Hosted by Bruce Devlin., Hootfest, The Stand, 21:00–23:18, £12

Sun 28 Dec Whose Lunch Is It Anyway?,

The Stand, Improvised comedy led by by audience suggestions, with Stu and Garry. Hot coffee, delicious food...the nation’s top hangover cure, 12:30–15:00, Free

Kevin Bridges, Ro Campbell and Wendy Wason. Hosted by Bruce Devlin., Hootfest, The Stand, 21:00–23:18, £12

MC Rick Molland, Heresy,

Mon 29 Dec

Fri 12 Dec

Kevin Bridges, Ro Campbell and Wendy Wason. Hosted by Bruce Devlin., Hootfest,

Rob Deering, John Ross, Chris Ramsey and Dee Custance. Hosted by The Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £9/£8/£5

Sat 13 Dec Rob Deering, John Ross, Chris Ramsey and Dee Custance. Hosted by The Reverend Obadiah Steppenwolfe III, The Stand, The Stand, Top acts. Hot food. An altogether great night out, 21:00–23:30, £12

The Stand, 21:00–23:18, £12

Tue 30 Dec Kevin Bridges, Ro Campbell and Wendy Wason. Hosted by Bruce Devlin., Hootfest, The Stand, 21:00–23:18, £12

Wed 31 Dec Kevin Bridges, Ro Campbell and Wendy Wason. Hosted by Bruce Devlin., Hogmanay Hootfest, The Stand, After the show

finishes punters will be given a pass which allows them back into the club if they wish to pop out and watch the fireworks and then come back and party until 2am!, 21:00–02:00, £19.50/£17.50

Listings

Wed 03 Dec Mary Poppins, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Thu 04 Dec Mary Poppins, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Traverse, Outwrite, Traverse, 19:30–21:30, free Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Fri 05 Dec Mary Poppins, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Retrograde, The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer, Traverse, 19:30–21:30, from £8

Sat 13 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Mon 08 Dec Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14

Tue 09 Dec Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Wed 03 Dec

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

The Bongo Club Cabaret, The

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

WORD DOGS, 13th Note, Spoken

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14

Bongo Club, Another anarchic variety spectacular of local left-field delights makes for an interactive floor show of unparalleled glamour and romance, 19:00–22:00, £5 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Retrograde, The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer, Traverse, 19:30–21:30, from £8

Sun 14 Dec The Bootleg Beatles, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Mon 15 Dec

The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Wed 24 Dec The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Wed 17 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Thu 18 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Fri 19 Dec The Saturnalia, Traverse,

18:00–19:00, Free

The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Fri 26 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Sat 27 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Sun 28 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Mon 29 Dec The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Tue 30 Dec

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Fri 12 Dec

Sat 20 Dec

The Witches of Eastwick,

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

www.theskinny.co.uk

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

The Witches of Eastwick,

19:30–21:30, from £8

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Thu 25 Dec

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Retrograde, The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer, Traverse,

The Witches of Eastwick,

Tue 16 Dec

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Thu 11 Dec

Tue 23 Dec

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

The Witches of Eastwick,

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Wed 10 Dec Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

The Witches of Eastwick,

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Sun 07 Dec

Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Edinburgh Playhouse, 11:00–13:00, various

Troop @ Traverse Theatre,

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc Jane Turner, Troop, Traverse, 19:30–21:00, £13

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Mon 22 Dec

The Tiger Who Came to Tea,

Sat 06 Dec

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Tue 02 Dec

Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

The Witches of Eastwick,

Traverse, 20:00–21:00, £13 (£8/unemployed £5) Mary Poppins, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Sun 21 Dec

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

The Witches of Eastwick,

Edinburgh Playhouse, 19:30–22:30, various

Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

Wed 31 Dec Lyceum, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Royal

Lyceum Theatre, 19:00–21:00, from £14 Aladdin, King’s Theatre, Alan Stewart, Johnny Mac and a 3D Genie Another one with multiple shows: check for details., 19:00–21:00, £tbc

word performance group., 20:00–00:00, Free

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Stowaways, Batboy- The Musical, Gilmorehill G12, A group

of adventure seekers discover and capture an odd looking youth hiding in a West Virginia cave. Bringing him home to the townsfolk of Hope Falls both shocks and intrigues this sleepy community, setting the tone for this roller coaster musical-comedy., 19:30–21:00, £9

Thu 04 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Visible Fictions, Framed,

Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 10:30–15:00, £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Stowaways, Batboy- The Musical, Gilmorehill G12, A group

Radio Theatre Group, Festive Fear, Ramshorn Theatre, Three shows to scare Christmas jollity away, 19:30–21:30, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 17:00–19:00, from £6.50

Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 13:00–14:00, £10 written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Mon 08 Dec

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Stowaways, Batboy- The Musical, Gilmorehill G12, A group

Radio Theatre Group, Festive Fear, Ramshorn Theatre, Three shows to scare Christmas jollity away, 19:30–21:30, £8

Fri 05 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 09 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Wed 10 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Stowaways, Batboy- The Musical, Gilmorehill G12, A group

Radio Theatre Group, Festive Fear, Ramshorn Theatre, Three shows to scare Christmas jollity away, 19:30–21:30, £8

Sat 06 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Fri 12 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tramway, Created, Devised and Performed by Young People from Glasgow, 19:30–21:00, £4

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10 Stag, Dr Faustus, Gilmorehill G12, A visually engaging exploration of this vital and intriguing human story, which in the end is all it really is - a story about the great things it is possible for man to produce, and the limitations inherent in humanity, 19:30–21:30, £8

Sat 13 Dec

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Visible Fictions, Framed,

Sun 07 Dec

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Tramway, Created, Devised and Performed by Young People from Glasgow, 19:30–21:00, £4

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Visible Fictions, Framed,

Tramway, Created, Devised and Performed by Young People from Glasgow, 19:30–21:00, £4

Junction 25, One Night Only, Tramway, This is the future of Scottish theatre., 20:00–21:30, Free

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

Sun 14 Dec Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 17:00–19:00, from £6.50

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Mon 15 Dec Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

Thu 11 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tue 16 Dec

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

November 08

THE SKINNY 65

Listings

Edinburgh Theatre Glasgow Theatre

Glasgow Theatre Glasgow Art Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Wed 17 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Thu 18 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Fri 19 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Sat 20 Dec

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Mon 22 Dec Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron

Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 10:30–12:00, £10

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 23 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 10:30–12:00, £10 Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Wed 24 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

edly the day some kid was born with magic alcoholic powers or something. Now a day of universal grief and hangovers in th Western World. Tastey Turkey is reccommended to aid the passing of the day., 00:00–00:00, Free

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Fri 26 Dec

Sun 21 Dec

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 17:00–19:00, from £6.50

Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 13:00–14:00, £10

66 THE SKINNY

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz, The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Sun 28 Dec Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 17:00–19:00, from £6.50

Mon 29 Dec Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

Tue 30 Dec The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen, The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

29 Nov–Sat 20 Dec, 12:00–17:00, Mon-Sat, Free

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Glasgow Bizarre Bazaar Christmas Fair, Alternative and burlesque Scottish craft. Sat 13 Dec–Sat 13 Dec, 12:00–16:00, Adults £1/ Under 14’s Free

Glasgow School of Art Shrigley, Beagles & Ramsey, Lambie, Patterson, The Golden Fleece, Sat 06 Dec–Sun 07

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre, A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

November 08

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

The Golden Fleece: An auction to support the MFA,

Glasgow School of Art’s annual auction in support of an overseas exhibition and catalogue of the work of this year’s graduating class. Works of nearly 100 of Glasgow and the UK’s leading artists will be open to bidding. Full info and auction preview at: www.thegoldenfleece-auction.co.uk Sat 06 Dec–Sat 06 Dec, 18:00–22:00, Entrance is free - £5 to bid (Includes hand-made, limited edition bid card good for both Silent & Live auctions, and one free raffle voucher.)

the enigmatic work of 4 emerging image-makers whose work gravitates between, and plays upon, the genres of documentary and staged photography Sat 01 Nov–Sat 20 Dec, 12:00–17:00, Wed-Sat, Free

SWG3 Fusion Street Art, 2-day street art event and live art in aid of The Prince’s Trust Sat 06 Dec–Sun 07 Dec, 12:00–17:00, £7 (£5

Eva Rothschild, Sat 15 Nov–Fri 19 Dec, 10:00 (12:00)–18:00 (17:00), Mon-Fri (Sat/ Sun), Free

The Arches

Taylor, Two Alasdairs, Sat 22 Nov–Sat 10 Jan, 10:30–16:30, Mon-Fri, Free

Recoat

Alasdair Gray and Alasdair

Glasgow Sculpture Studios Beagles & Ramsey, Good Teeth, Sat 25 Oct–Sat 28 Feb, 12:00–17:00, Thurs-Sat, Free

Intermedia, CCA Andrea Jespersen & Christine Niehoff, Out of Space, Sat 22 Nov–Sat 06 Dec, 12:00–18:00, Closed Sun & Mon, Free

The Holiday Special, Last year

the Recoat Gallery ran a “Bargain Basement” exhibition, it met with such enthusiasm and success that they have decided to treat us to another opportunity to own original art and limited edition prints from an incredible selection of artists for just £40 or less a piece. Fri 14 Nov–Sun 21 Dec, 12:00–18:00, Tue-Sun, Free

Sorcha Dallas Group show, r e p ’ e . t ’ t i o n, Fri 28 Nov–Sat 17 Jan, 11:00–17:00, Tue-Sat, Free

Ines Gennuso, Theatre sets, Photography Wed 10 Dec–Fri 09 Jan, Times vary.

Tramway Unreliable Witness, A group exhibition that looks at how artists explore the gaps between truth and fiction and the responsibilities and mechanisms inherent in telling stories. Fri 31 Oct–Sun 07 Dec, 10:00(12:00)–17:00, TueFri(Sat & Sun), Free

Edinburgh Art 23 Stafford Street

Ingleby Gallery

Sierra Metro

Amy Marshall, Recent

Ellsworth Kelly, Plant lithographs from the artist’s own collection Fri 05 Dec–Wed 21 Jan, 10:00–18:00 (19:00/17:00), Mon-Fri (Thurs/Sat), Free Luca Frei, Fri 05 Dec–Wed 28 Jan, 10:00–18:00 (19:00/17:00), Mon-Fri (Thurs/ Sat), Free

Cara Tolmie, Sun 23 Nov–Sat 13 Dec, 12:00–18:00, Fri-Sun, Free

Dec, 09:00–18:00, Free

Modern Art Galleries

Urban Reflections Exhibition. Wed 03 Dec–Wed 03 Dec, 18:00–20:00, Free

Christ Church Hall

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, John Bellany, Alan Davie and Anne Redpath, Four Scottish Painters, Sat 04 Oct–Sat

Rhona Warwick: ‘Lanark’,

Landscapes, Fri 05 Dec–Sat 13 Dec, 14:00–18:00, Daily, Free

Castle Street Ethical Christmas Fayre @ Winter Festival, Sat 06 Dec–Sun 14

Funk Fair, Vintage clothing, jewellery,

Sandy Smith and Alex Gross, New Work Scotland, Sat 20 Dec–Sat 31 Jan, 12:00–17:00, Tues-Sat, Free

Alex Dordoy, New Work Scotland, Sat 08 Nov–Sat 06 Dec,

12:00–17:00, Tues-Sat, Free

Corn Exchange Gallery Chatonsky, Zansky and Rees, Fri 31 Oct–Thu 18 Dec, 11:00–16:30, Tues-Sat, Free

Franziska Furter, Spark erosion, Thu 13 Nov–Sat 24 Jan,

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

McLellan Galleries

exhibition from the Israeli Centre for Digital Art Sat 15 Nov–Fri 12 Dec, 10:30–16:30, Mon-Fri, Free

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Aleana Egan, Sat 15 Nov–Sat 20 Dec, 12:00–17:00, Thurs-Sat, Free

in advance)

Doggerfisher

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Mary Mary

Mike Hunter, Victoria Baker, Martin Scott Powell and Katrina Johnk, Future proof, ‘Futureproof’ is an exhibition profiling

Dec, 18:00–00:00, Free, £5 to bid

The Mobile Archive, A traveling

Wed 31 Dec The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

12:00–18:00, Tue-Sat, Free

Modern Institute

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

Raymond Honeyman, A Passion for Painted Design, Sat

Jesus / Santa Claus, Christmas Day, Home, Suppos-

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Collins Gallery

Collective Gallery

Tall Tales, Little Rudi, Tron

for times: multiplke performances on many days!, 19:00–21:00, from £10

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

Photoworks

mance and haircutting Sat 22 Nov–Thu 17 Jan, 11:00–18:00, Tue-Sat, Free

Thu 25 Dec

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Citizens Theatre, Wizard of Oz, Citizens Theatre, Check venue

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

Streetlevel

Niki Russell | The Steve Ovett Effect, Studio Project 13/14, Sat 22 Nov–Sat 20 Dec,

collectibles and furniture fair. Sat 06 Dec–Sat 06 Dec, 10:00–17:00, Free

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

Theatre ? Changing House, The cutest reindeer: call the Tron for times- there are up to three showsa day!, 10:30–12:00, £10

Sat 27 Dec

Market Gallery

Open field, Painting, projection, perfor-

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

A topsy-turvy take on Mother goose, 19:30–21:00, from £6.50

The Pavilion Theatre, Seasonal mayhem form the Pav ganf, and a bunch of people off of Real radio. Check their website to get a flavour of the production., 19:30–22:00, from £10

CCA

Tron Theatre Company, Mother Bruce, Tron Theatre,

The Arches, directed by Al Seed, The Snow Queen,

The Arches, Christmas special from Al seed and the Arches., 15:30–17:00, £8

written and adapted by russel lane, staged and directed by iain gordon., The Wizard of Never Woz,

10:00–18:00, Tue-Fri, Free

ECA, Evolution House eca - ksu, Collaboration between ECA

Intermedia students and students from Kyoto Seika University in Japan Wed 03 Dec–Fri 12 Dec, 10:00–16:00 (14:00), Mon-Fri (Sat/ Sun), Free

Edinburgh Printmakers Winter exhibition, An-

nual members’ show Sat 08 Nov–Tue 23 Dec, 10:00–18:00, Tues-Sat, Free

Fruitmarket Gallery Close-up, Collaborative art combining

image, sound, video and music Fri 24 Oct–Sun 11 Jan, 11:00–18:00, Daily, Free

31 Jan, 10:00–17:00, Mon-Sun.

National Galleries Complex Dutch mannerism: Goltzius and his contemporaries, Sat

22 Nov–Sun 08 Feb, 10:00–17:00, Daily.

North Edinburgh Art Centre FISSION, An exhibition of recent work by 7 Edinburgh artists. Sat 29 Nov–Thu 18 Dec, 10:00–17:00, Mon-Sat, Free

Picardy Place Cakes & Cabaret, Tea, cake and cabaret (with custom made christmas gifts on sale). Sun 07 Dec–Sun 07 Dec, 15:00–18:00, £5 (incl. tea & cake)

Portrait Gallery Heroes, 19th century self-help role models Mon 12 May–Fri 19 Dec, 10:00–17:00, Daily, £6 (£4)

RSA Gerhard Richter, First major retrospective of Richter’s paintings to be held in Britain since 1991 Sat 08 Nov–Sun 04 Jan, 10:00(12:00)–17:00, Mon-Sat (Sun), £6 (£4) Free to under-22s

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Robert Powell, John Watson Prize 2008, Sat 29 Nov–Sun 15

Feb, 10:00–18:00, Daily, Free

Stills Rhona Warwick: Stills Reading, An event accompanying the

An event accompanying the Urban Reflections Exhibition. Wed 10 Dec–Wed 10 Dec, 18:30–20:30, Free

Urban Reflections, Responses to the urban experience Sat 22 Nov–Sun 22 Mar, 11:00–18:00, Mon-Sun, Free

Talbot Rice Gallery Langlands + Bell, Sat 25 Oct–Sat 13 Dec, 10:00(14:00)–17:00, Mon-Sat (Sun), Free

The Bongo Club Come, [Play] is the theme for this Come event; a completely different clubbing experience and established electro/art/dance/party new to the Bongo. Thu 11 Dec–Thu 11 Dec, 23:00–03:00, £3

The Drill Hall Arts Market, A huge bunch of artists and makers will be selling their work, ranging from painting and photography through fashion and textiles to furniture and design. Sat 06 Dec–Sat 06 Dec, 12:00–19:00, 50p Big Clothes Swap-O-Rama, From New York to Istanbul, and from Brighton to LA, Swap-O-Rama’s are sensationally sweeping the world. It’s simple. All you need to bring is a bag of washed clothes with a suggested five pieces minimum that need a new home. Everyone’s contributions get laid out, you browse, and hey presto, whole new look. With live music, a fair trade café, short film screenings, DIY tailoring stations to modify your selections and local artists there to inspire you. No excuse. Sun 14 Dec–Sun 14 Dec, 14:00–18:00, £5 suggested donation

Traverse 12 Stars, The Saturnalia, Fri 19 Dec–Fri 19 Dec, 18:00–20:00, free

Listings

HONESTLY, WE CAN TAKE IT.

ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS AND BE IN THE DRAW TO WIN THESE FANTASTIC PRIZES! THE MIGHTY BOOK OF BOOSH

WIN!

Canongate publishers have got together with The Skinny to offer two lucky readers the chance to get their crimping hands on a free copy.

DANCE!

A ROLAND HD1 ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT courtesy of DRUM! Red Dog Music is The Skinny's new friend and is Edinburgh's biggest independent music shop, stocking a wide range of guitars, basses, keyboards, PA, recording gear, and accessories. We have teamed up with Roland to try to find out a bit more about you and what you think of The Skinny, and are enticing you into answering a few questions by offering you the chance to win one of two Roland HD1 Electronic Drum Kits worth £569 each. Red Dog Music is located at 1 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HY and www.reddogmusic.co.uk 0131 229 8211

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FREE DANCE CLASSES AT DANCEBASE! Dance Base, Scotland’s centre for shaking ass, is offering one lucky reader the chance to get a whole term of free classes. Starting in January, you can pick a course from a range of classes from salsa to ballet and hip hop, and by spring you will be sure to have wiped up the floor with your fancy new moves.

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TO BE IN THE DRAW TO WIN GO TO WWW.THESKINNY.CO.UK/SURVEY AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

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November 08

THE SKINNY 67

Listings

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK