The Glasgow School

Add a yoof edge to the geriatric parping

Feature by Jasper Hamill | 13 Sep 2006

Open a magazine, even though you must have done to read this article, and somewhere you'll find a Glasgow band being talked about. The new trans-European glitterati, comprised of the prettiest faces from Mono/ Sleazys with some dog ugly tag-alongs, is the current toast of the NME, who seem determined to tempt them away from this chilly town and down to tastefully gold-paved London.

Leading the charge, quite literally it would seem, are Shitdisco, famous for parties pitched somewhere between Dionysian rites and Gabba-playing squat raves. Now on an NME sponsored tour with Klaxons and Datarock entitled 'The New Rave Revolution,' they've moved to more desirable residences, are winning fans and are intent upon taking on all comers. A film currently circulating on Youtube shows an apparently innocent gig by the band at the Hackney Empire descend into a right old rammie. The video shows a performance interrupted when one of the band, dissatisfied with the sound levels, squares up to the soundman, only to receive a nasty looking headbutt. Heroically leaping to his defence, the drummer joins the fray armed with a tom-tom and cymbal whilst, professional in adversity, one member keeps playing. Whether it was a deliberately provoked PR stunt or not, everyone knows infamy is preferable to fame: the cosmetics spend is drastically reduced and there's no chance for a Mel Gibson-like fall from grace.

The BBC are planning an alternative proms night this year, with representatives from England, Northern Island, Wales and Scotland (which means Glasgow) chosen to add a yoof edge to the geriatric parping. Some of our faves have been chosen for interview, where they will plead their case to the panel of judges. This follows a few interesting projects in Scotland itself which clashes forms and disciplines. Chemikal Underground are due to release an album of collaborations between poets and musicians, apparently inspired by Manhatttan loft dweller Roddy Woomble's collaboration with the erstwhile great, Edwyn Morgan. We can only hope (and pray) this spirit of collaboration continues. Other great mash-ups we'd like to see would be moping troubadour Aidan Moffat doing a ditty with S-Club 7, 50 Cent letting loose his flow - and scaring the shit out of - Belle and Sebastian or, of course, The Flying Matchstick Men with Rod, Jane and Freddy. Fingers crossed.

Happily, this year is the anniversary of the Arches. Fifteen years on, the Arches is still one of the few true free spaces in Scotland, just as at home playing host to cutting edge performance as it is massive club nights. They're running many nights to coincide with their birthday throughout the next two months, and a competition to describe the Arches in fifteen words. Interestingly enough, we're a year old this month. Can you describe us in one?