XFM Column

Over the past couple of months I have been DJing with various Scottish bands on Sunday nights: The Hussy's, Recliner, Jack Butler, Ten To Five Project and Sergeant to name a few. The idea was to get to know the bands better, learn a bit about their influences, and get a bit drunk. I'm pleased to say I achieved all three as did the bands (especially Sergeant).

I'm pleased to report back that, in general, the Scottish music scene is in good hands. The bands played the right tunes. The Smiths, The Charlatans, Oasis, the Pixies and the like got plenty of spins. Other acts as diverse as DJ Shadow and Camera Obscura would appear week by week. But amongst the many bands and artists selected over the two months - one name kept cropping up week in, week out. And it's a name I'm almost embarrassed to mention.

That's right kids! Buster himself, The Easy Lover. Phil Collins. Or as anyone who has attended one of Dr Paul's many quiz nights in Glasgow knows him: The Beast. But far from appearing a joke figure, Collins is apparently hailed as a hero amongst the indie scene in Central Scotland.

It's odd. I've never heard a Genesis track pop on a jukebox but that is probably because no bar manager in their right mind would want a Genesis CD on their jukebox. More fool them, as it may have been a goldmine. In the ten years I've been DJing (I started in 1997 at the Subway Cowgate in Edinburgh - £20 to play Dexy's Midnight Runners and Love Shack for six hours) I've only ever played Phil Collins at weddings.

Of course, Collins is no stranger to being embraced and championed by entire generations of musicians. After In The Air Tonight was name checked in Eminem's Stan (I always thought it sounded more like Bill Collins, as if Marshall was still slightly avoiding the name) the hip hop and R&B community seemed to collectively come out as fans. In fact, so many artists requested collaborations with Phil, or permission to use samples that Urban Renewal, an entire album of covers, was released. ODB did Sussudio. Brandy and her brother Ray J took Another Day In Paradise And Lil' Kim hit the jackpot, getting to perform In The Air Tonight with the man himself.

Now this is just a warning. It could happen here. In fact, any promoter willing to take the gamble should think about organising a tribute night. I'm not saying it would be a good thing, but you certainly wouldn't struggle to fill the bill.