list.co.uk/music SINGLES & EPS
Switchblade, who appropriated their name from an abandoned OJ fanzine of the same name. McDowall’s solo haunt-pop take on Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ (●●●●● Night School, out 18 Apr) vaguely evokes the post- punk duo’s goth-disco cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ (1985), and you might also clock the wyrd- folk apparitions of Current Sacred Paws
Sunday, Monday: Happy Meals. Tuesday, Wednesday: Happy Meals. Thursday, Friday: Happy Meals. There isn’t a day in the week that cannot be hugely improved by a blast of astral disco-chanson from Glasgow duo Happy Meals. ‘Altered Images’ (●●●●● Night School Records, out now) is the latest offering from their ace debut album, Apero, and sees Suzanne Rodden and Lewis Cook (The Cosmic Dead, Mother Ganga) variously invoke Gallic techno, acid house and Orange Juice-fuelled Scottish post-punk.
The essence of Orange Juice is also stirred on the new Record Store Day 12” from Rose McDowall, previously of 80s Glasgow technicolour indie-pop duo Strawberry
93, Spell and Coil, with whom McDowall has also recorded. Look out for a very welcome Strawberry Switchblade / McDowall retrospective as the year unfolds . . . (see interview, page 88). Record Store Day also sees the reissue of an EP
starring another once-lost Scottish pop voice of yore. Ten years ago, the ever-wondrous Vashti Bunyan collaborated with long-term fans Animal Collective, and the result was the ‘Prospect Hummer’ EP (●●●●● Fat Cat, out 18 Apr) – a
gentle, celestial psych- folk gem which is being made available on vinyl for the first time. If cassettes are more your bag, then seek out the terrific debut missive from Glasgow indie- pop rabble Froth (who
Records – Singles | MUSIC
appear to be in the process of changing their name to Strop even as you read these very words). Their ‘Eterniturtle’ EP (●●●●● Number 4 Door, out now) is clamorous and ecstatic, particularly hi-octane noise-pop tantrum ‘London Girl’, glam-punk aria ‘Salt and Pepper’ and tropical post-punk singalong ‘The Rat’. But this month belongs to the long-overdue debut EP from Glasgow-London duo Sacred Paws courtesy of ‘Six Songs’ (●●●●● Rock Action, out now). Drummer / vocalist Eilidh Rodgers (Golden Grrrls) and guitarist / vocalist Rachel Aggs (Golden Grrrls, Trash Kit) make thrilling, spontaneous, sun-warped noise-pop that variously conjures high-octane Highlife, the Raincoats, the Chills and Sleater-Kinney. Their vocal interplay is joyous, and their post-punk clatter, vintage indie-pop, kaleidoscopic guitar lines and kamikaze beats all make for happy days indeed. (Nicola Meighan) ■ Happy Meals play The Flying Duck, Glasgow, Sat 11 Apr; Rose McDowall plays Monorail, Glasgow, Sat 18 Apr; Sacred Paws play Counterflows Festival, Glasgow, Sun 5 Apr; and Stereo, Glasgow, Fri 17 Apr, (Ela Orleans album launch).
OPINION NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE?
An upcoming series of gigs at Edinburgh’s Summerhall venue hit the local headlines recently, when it announced its programme of live music, under the title, Nothing Ever Happens Here (see preview, page 90). Many rushed to agree, others thought the title might be a tad misleading. It wouldn’t be the first time Edinburgh got grief for not having much going on. Nick Herd – who's been running the independent gig-promoting outfit Braw Gigs out of Edinburgh for the past eight years, putting on large-scale, multimedia gigs, screenings and talks (Cut Hands, Awesome Tapes from Africa, Heatsick, Josephine Foster etc) at Summerhall, church halls, art galleries, metal bars and basement clubs – rounds up a few fellow gig promoters and club organisers who are making Edinburgh's music scene.
Substance Anyone at the most recent Substance night with Berlin’s Rødhåd backed up by a rubble-inducing D&B sound system in the Bongo Club knows that Substance is the biggest party in town. The devil is in the detail with bossman and label head Adam Richardson, who’s brought Modeselektor, Objekt, and John Heckle to town as well as local talent including Neil Landstrumm and resident spinner sibling Gavin Richardson. With a recent showcase at the dance world’s party to end ‘em all, the Bloc Weekend, Substance is going global, and about fucking time too. Not bad for a wee sweatbox that started in Henry’s Cellar Bar. ■ substance-audio.com Pisschrist Promotions For those inclined to the heavy dank darkness of doom, sludge, black and death metal, enter Ewen Cameron, head honcho for the elegantly titled Pisschrist and chief beer belly / bassist for Reekie’s connoisseurs of hazy doom metal Atragon. He's probably, possibly the busiest promoter in the city, with a Scottish debut and exclusive upcoming gig from Oakland’s sludge lords Noothgrush, and a whopping four DIY gigs in April alone – with imminent slots from Primitive Man, Acid Witch and Conan to name a but a few. To quote the man himself, “It’s all worth it – just to see the Weegies run for their night bus, for a change.” ■ facebook.com/pisschristpromotions
Wasabi Disco Kris Walker has turned his monthly weekend party slot in Sneaky’s into an institution of high taste and enthused debauchery. With recent high profile guests
including Young Marco, Andy Blake and Wolf Muller, Wasabi is always a blast regardless of guests – and Kris has successfully stuck to the same formula for over six years now. ‘I never thought Wasabi would last much longer than a few parties,’ he admits. ‘I didn’t think people would take to the music and I’m not interested / too stubborn to water down what I’m into. But people were totally down with it and still are – every month is a total joy.’ No Globe / Ideal Mexico This Glasgow and Edinburgh collective has introduced a world flair and alternative party twist to the capital with a solid following from punters, along with an open mindedness to venue options. Joel White and co have their grubby fingers in a number of underground puddings – with recent bookings from This Is The Kit, King Ayisoba and Ravioli Me Away. Keep an eye out for another collaboration with Braw Gigs when they bring back the mighty Richard Dawson (pictured) to the awfully refined settings of the Pleasance Theatre on Sun 17 May. ■ facebook.com/noglobe, facebook.com/idealmexicopresents
2 Apr–4 Jun 2015 THE LIST 95