Dunfermline Music Scene

Velocity Changes Direction
CLG Press Release 09/01/09

The Dunfermline Press has a review on the Alhambra-2 Launch Night by Rab Reilly on their website.
Published: Thursday, 8th January, 2009 10:10
A link to the article on the Dunfermline website is here http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/articles/6/32597 

ALHAMBRA 2 LAUNCH NIGHT: The Draymin, Beatnic Prestige, Skinflints, Modern Faces, Val Verde.

AN astonishing 1500 people turned up to see unsigned Rosyth band The Draymin perform their swan song set at the launch night of Alhambra 2. Sound engineer and owner of Dunfermline's Attic Studios, Rab Reilly, relays his experience of the event and pays tribute to a band that managed to galvanise West Fife gig goers.

"THOUGH the evening was anticipated to be the start of something big for Dunfermline, no-one would have thought it would also be the end to one of the biggest bands to emerge from it.

Arriving for soundcheck it was easy to see the evening was going to be huge. The stage lights were being rigged and the PA built. We then got underway with the first and last sound check for The Draymin.

For them to do a soundcheck was a rarity in itself, so I knew they were as determined to impress as ever.

The other engineer and system tech for the evening, Dougie, then checked the others – Beatnic Prestige, The Modern Faces and the Skinflints. After the bands had all been checked and Val Verde had been set back up on stage we headed backstage to prepare.

7pm and the doors opened. Val Verde were due on at 7.45pm but this was delayed with a major lighting problem that the engineer managed to overcome extremely well and sort before the 'F it and Fly it' moment.

This was enough time to let well over 400 people through the door to watch the start of Val Verde – though this was doubled by the end of it.

They were first on a bill that in six months they may just yet top and that isn't surprising considering the company they are keeping right now.

Next up were The Modern Faces and The Skinflints. I never stood and watched but caught moments of both and they entertained their fans and grabbed a few along the way.

Don't think I'm being a d*** and washing over the fact they played – I was focusing on the job at hand which came next in the form of The Beatnic Prestige.

Now having had a few moments along the way with The Beatnic, this was their biggest stage to date and it had to be delivered the way it should be.

They did not disappoint and belted their way through to Charlie Brown to give the Scud-books a breather.

Then something happened that has been coming for some time now…they belted out 'Oh Dunfermline' and the place went mental! I had to smile, as all I could think about was Pars legend John Watson!

This set the stage perfect for The Draymin. Well almost perfect.

Setting the stage back up and line-checking everything, as is normal, for the first time in a long time I couldn't get the synth through the desk. A few cable changes later though and we were ready to go.

The lights dimmed and the boys were introduced to rapturous applause, cheering and chants of 'Ah Ooo!'

It was at that moment that I think every person in the venue clicked. The atmosphere was elevated and the bounce began.

It isn't every day that an unsigned band has 1500-plus singing their songs back to them.

This stands for everything you'd want in today's society – a sense of unity, a cause with common goals and even more common ground everyday.

We can build our own hopes and dreams so far until there is a need for good honest support and that was in abundance within the Alhambra. Stand tall and be proud of every achievement; they all count.

I count myself lucky and grateful for the bands from the town and they need continued support on all levels. The next generation now have a marker to move and a standard has been set."

New promotions company Rubber Stamp Promotions ( http://www.myspace.com/rubberstamppromotions ) bring The Vivians to Lochgelly on Saturday 7th February

New Wave punk rockers, The Vivians started out in Edinburgh a few years back but are now based in London and are currently touring the UK.

Their new wave style of music is reminiscent of the New York Dolls smashed together with The Killers in a Clash sort of way. This band will appeal to younger fans as well as the older generation who would have bought a similar style of music in their youthful days.

The Vivians will be sure to provide a great live show, great tunes and an amazing night out and said - "We've also got a lot of new songs we're playing now since we last played in Scotland so it'll be good to play them to the home crowds. Some of the new songs haven't even been played live yet so they will get their first plays on this tour."

When asked about returning the Scotland the band commented on the home crowd - "We're really looking forward to the next tour, and since we formed in Scotland, it'll be great to come back and play again. The music scene in Fife has really taken off over the last few years so we know the gig at Lochgelly Town Hall will be great, We last played in Scotland on our last tour during July & August last year when we also played T-In The Park again. The people in Scotland and North England are always really up for a good night out so the gigs are always packed, people going mental so of course its a turn on."

Supporting The Vivians are local bands The Delaneys and The Lane alongside Kirkcaldy based band The Rutlands.

Tickets are on sale now and priced at a very reasonable £8 from Torleys Bar in Lochgelly, also from 3rd Base in Chapel Street Dunfermline or by calling 01592 783272 / 07599 705418

Doors open at 7pm

We have just added dates for Jan and Feb for the Human Collective night that take place in PJs on a Tuesday.

Details have been added to the event list and also on the forums, a varied line up for these coming months include.

Kick Superb, Thieves In Suits, Crayons, The Void, Sounds Like Silhouettes, Neale Mathieson, Too Much Too Young and Militia

All gigs so far have been listed as £3 entry and normal start times are 7pm, these are over 16s events.

Local Dunfermline promotion company Retrocity Promotions are keeping the music fire burning with recently announced gigs for February and March in Montys.

On the bill for February 2009 is a host of local talent in a 10pm till 1am over 18s only slot including....

Yoshi - have you got your headphones on? a bit of pop, hip hop and a definite disco/dance vibe that only brain dead people would resist dancing to.
- www.myspace.com/yoshimuzic

Kudos - a rock, pop Edniburgh based band
- http://www.myspace.com/kudos1

Mah Grassy Shoes - well what can you say? a band with attitude and a sense of humour, great bunch of guys, I dont like their friends though :p
- http://www.myspace.com/mahgrassyshoes

also on the 10pm till 1am slot are Glenrothes based band The Catch 22s'
a great mix of funky ska, pop and rock, I am sure there will be a few fans looking forward to seeing The Catch 22s' back in Dunfermline.
After checking out their myspace I rate this band and cant wait to see them live!

http://www.myspace.com/thecatchtwentytwos

there is also an early starter on the 20th February for over 14s and starts at 6pm until 10pm
On the bill are
Attack! Destroy! - Electronica band from London - myspace page is here 
Mexico Fallz - a great mix of punk, pop and electronica (rated band!) - http://www.myspace.com/mexicofallz
Fire In Effect - local band with highly energetic melodic/alternative rock - http://www.myspace.com/fireineffect
My Friends Bowler Hat - sorry but we cant find any info on this band :(
The Crayons - local Dunfermline band refreshing mix of experimental and varied tracks - http://www.myspace.com/wearecrayons

Mexico Fallz bring their own special stage presence to Montys as part of a great line up of both local and well, not so local acts.

This 2 part gig starts at 6pm till 10pm for part one, over 14s'

Part 2 starts at 10pm till 1am and is for over 18s'

Both gigs are £3 entry or £5 for both gigs.

http://www.myspace.com/retrocitypromos

The start of the Beatnic Prestige EP Tour got off to a flying start on Saturday 3rd January at the Valley Bar in High Valleyfield.
Playing to a packed out audience in one of their strongholds with many fans already knowing the songs better than the band.

The Valley Bar is a favourite for the band and the first gig of the tour has started off in great fashion and put the guys in good stead for the rest of the dates still to be covered.

The weekend to follow will see the band cranking it up a notch or two as they play 5 gigs within 48 hours.

Fri - Box, Glasgow
Sat 1pm - Penny Lane, Dunfermline
Sat - The Greenside Hotel, Leslie
Sun 1pm - We Love To Boogie, Glasgow
Sun - Harley's Bar, Bathgate

Extra press coverage should see an increased interest in the band across all the tour dates including London, Sheffield and Manchester.

This tour coincides with the release of their new self titled EP which was released on the 3rd January 2009

Beatnic Prestige E.P. is available from the bands gigs and also from 3rd Base in Chapel Street, Kennys Music in Elgin Street and also from Kennys Music in Dundee.

The picture features Jim, Billy, Lee and Albo during recording sessions for the EP at Cava recording studios in Glasgow.