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DRIVE-BY ARGUMENT symbolise an unashamedly eclectic attitude that has pervaded Scottish music in 2005. Malcolm Jack finds out a bit about them.

ariety. they say. is the spice of life an adage

this hack gladly espouses while mttlling over

the busy year gone by for new Scottish music.

Many a treat was discovered from the dark clatter of St Jude‘s Infirmary. to the folksome wanderings of My Latest Novel. on past the post rock landscape of

lirrors. with Popup‘s upbeat indie shuffle revealing itself even in weeksjust recently gone by. ('ommendable not only for their conspicuous individual qtlality. they all represent a grand two- lingered salute to the seemingly prevalent expectation 12 months or so ago that all new Scottish acts would slim down. style tip and hitch themselves to the liranl. wagon. liar from being one full of kids copying the bigger boys at school. the next class of hopefuls has

been one fractured into an insouciant scattering of

thoroughly rebellious shards.

l)ri\e-By Argument are another such splinter. They've been championed by '/.ane l.owe on Radio I as the 'future of Scottish music‘. and debut single 'Sex Lines Are lixpensive (‘omedy' has been patronised by the New York Rangers hockey team as their run-out track for matches at Madison Square (iardens. 'l‘he (ilasgow-based alt.electro-rock five— picce are already pondering various record label

offers. .\'ot bad considering none of them had ever

even met until late 2004. and only then by a certain twist of fate. ‘\\'e were put together randomly for a

ttni course.’ explains frontman and keys player

Stewart Brock. ‘()ne of the modules involved fortning a band and writing songs. so the lecturers picked names from a hat. We'd never met before we started

80 THE LIST '3, [JUL '3 .Jan Y'Xu”

practising. We had this idea of being the least manufactured band in the [K from it. because we

were never ptit together for any individual merit our

own.‘

Such unusual beginnings contributed to their

forging a sound that immediately set them apart from the rest of their peers: ‘l’eople have been getting into us more because we’re something that‘s not really around at the moment.‘ says Stewart. "I‘hat's because we all had such different tastes. and what catne ottt was just a bit of a mish tnash of everything.‘

Buoyed enough to enter the 'l‘ Break competition. it gave the band an opportunity to not only play 'I‘ in the Park. but also. as Stewart describes. to introduce themselves to a host of equally as contrasting acts: "I‘hat was the great thing about '1‘ Break.’ he says. ‘liveryone on the bill was brilliant. and no two bands were retnotely the sante. It was quite ama/ing. '

And while on that subject. Stewart's quick to sing the praises of what he sees to be the country’s »» and particularly (ilasgow’s -— key secret to fostering success for new bands: "l'here are always two things to getting your break -~ being good enough obviously. and being lucky enough.’ he says. 'llere. I don't think it's down to luck so much though. There are plenty of people out there who‘re interested. so if they are good enough. a band isn’t going to go unnoticed. which is why Scottish music is so healthy at the moment.' And here‘s to what it holds in store for 2006.

Gig, Edinburgh, Thu 17 Dec; Barfly, Glasgow, Fri 18 Dec.

SL Xmas Party Some festive traditions are worth honouring and Edinburgh's XL records are more than adept at putting on sausage roll-laden. sherry-driven iamboree. Dawn of the Replicants (pictured). Saint Jude‘s Infirmary. Decoration. the 55's. the Aphrodisiacs. the Starlets and Peanut are all lining up to perform. You can bet on a few Christmas carols somewhere. Bongo C/ub. Edinburgh, Thu 75 Dec.

(Rock 8 Pop)

. Duran Duran OK. so they're wearing a bit round the seams and it takes a helluva lot of panstick to cover up the cracks on Simon Le Bon's napper but as 80s revivalists go Duran Duran are still the most appealing bet by a spaneg mile. Their set list filled with chart- buggering nuggets has got to be worth it alone. SECC. Glasgow, Fri 76 Dec. (Rock 8 Pop)

-, Jim Mullen The Glasgow- born guitarist brings his trademark mix of bop. blues and funk back north of the border in these quintet gigs. T he Jazz Bar. Edinburgh. Thu 29-Fri 30 Dec. (Jazz)

Aberfeldy, Preston Pfans and the Seaton Sand: and Isa and the Filthy Tongues This List-endorsed triple bill follows on from last year’s Fire Engines/Sons and Daughters hoedown and is now being planned as an annual event. So here we have garrulous electro rock meeting head on with surf instrumentals while those quite brilliant indie shmindie kids keep the wheels on the bus going round. Get in there while you can and expect big things from all involved. See preview. page 18. Liquid Room. Edinburgh, Fri 30 Dec. fRock & Pop)

Evan Dando, Eugene Kelly and The Fratellis A very special Hogmanay appearance by the Lemonheads singer and his Glaswegian buddy in intimate surroundings. ABC, Glasgow. Sat 3] Dec. (Rock 8. Pop)