Dundee Music Scene - What's Happening!!!!


Snippets of news, random gossip and general goings-on where the Dundee Scene is concerned on a rather irregular basis (as you can tell, but what the heck.... it's a bit of history when all's said and done):

January 25th 2008

  • GRACE EMILYS NEW SINGLE
    Dundee leftfield indie-pop rock band The Grace Emilys celebrate the launch of their debut single, with a gig at Dundee's own Doghouse, supported by Page 6, Luva Anna and Kalel, while the single itself, on a label they set up, has acheived the distinction of getting distribution through Universal Records, which means it should be able to be picked up in shops and mail orders th length and breadth of the country.

  • MORE BANDS SPLIT UP
    Latest casualties include Serotonin, Restriction Of Liberty and Awaiting Exile, while The Rail and Ergo are currently in hibernation.

  • GO NORTH FESTIVAL
    For the first time, the prestigious "Go North" indie music festival is to be held in Dundee this coming June. Built along similar lines to 2006's Radio 1 event, it will feature a wide range of bands from a wide range of places at venues across the city, with its own website for details, that will be listed here as soon as we have it.

  • KHODA
    Probably the most potentially crossover and commercially viable pshchedelic metal band, Khoda, have recruited the drummer from Restriction Of Liberty. Look out for gigs coming your way as this can only add to the excitement and power of a Khoda live set.

  • MR SPIDER
    Michele Mclaren, formerly lead singer of Dundee blues and seventies rock covers band Mr Spider, has parted company with the band, with the intention of taking a future role in a more current indie band. More details as we have them.

    October 29th

  • MORE BANDS SPLIT UP
    Latest bands to bite the dust include Dundee bands The Hoffs, Dirty Wee Middens and outside of Dundee, Associate and Syth, while Edinburgh's Cardiac have changed their name to Healthy Minds Collapse, Dundee's Unknown have mutated into The Goodnights. All change!!

  • E.P. LAUNCH GIGS
    Page 6 perform live at Dundee's Doghouse on 7-12-07 to promote the release of their new single, while Glasgow's finest female-fronted soft-rockers, The Janes, play Glasgow's Classic Grand on 2-11-07 to promote the release of their new single, "Burn All Bridges Down". At the tail end of the year, Dundee's indie-rockers The Rebelhearts play as part of an all-dayer at Dexters on 29-12-07 to celebrate the launch of their new EP.

  • LEATHER ZOO
    Sheffield's leading punk-pop band, Leather Zoo, fronted by female lead singer Mel, return to Scotland for a short tour in December that includes sets at Edinburgh's Bannermans, Glasgow's Rockers and Dundee's Hustlers on December 12th, 13th and 15th respectively. Having had the audiences leaping along with them on previous visits, now's your chance to get in on the act on one of the best unsigned bands in England today.

    July 29th

  • THE DOGHOUSE
    The Doghouse has begun a regular monthly open-mic night where anyone can just come along and play or sing or both. Deatils of all forthcoming events will be on the concerts listing page, but for now here are a few pictorial highlights from the last one:

  • SEROTONIN
    The latest band to hit the Dundee metal scene is ex-Self Made Man singer Norrie's new band, the epic sounding Serotonin. As yet to make their debut gig, for now you can fhear 5 tracks on their new myspace site, for which you'll find a link on the Dead earnest Dundee intro page.

  • AWAITING EXILE
    Been told by lead singer and guitarist Barrie that the band is currently on ice as they pursue a few other projects for themselves. At time of press it was indeterminate as to whether the band would be back or not - watch this space for details.

  • THE LAW
    New single due out end of August and they'll be supporting its release by playing several instore performances at music shops across Scotland and the UK, including an instore date at Borders in Dundee - all details on the appropriate parts of the website

    June 18th
    Yes, I know I should be updating this bit of the site every three weeks or so, never mind every 3 months!!! But, unless the bands out there e mail me with any info of news that they want someone to read on this bit, it's always gonna be the one that gets less attention than it should. Can't be helped - so help me, guys - e mail me with your news - if you have any!!

  • MR SPIDER
    Dundee's leading female-fronted blues band release their debut CD album on June 29th, on the one and only (well, there could only be one!!) Dead Earnest CD label, the first Dundee band on the label, and hopefully not the last. To promote the CD, the band will be doing dates in Dundee, Carnoustie and more - see gig pages for details.

  • INDIANAPOLIS
    The departure of their rhythm guitarist has had quite the unexpected result. Down to a quartet, the band have taken time out, come up with new songs, a new set and adebut CD-EP to be issued at the end of June, marking a rise of fortunes all round anda band to be watched. Read the EP review here

  • THE BROGUES
    Dundee's most anticipated new band played a debut gig in June, with more to come. Out of the ashes of The Rising Signs whose ex-members compose half the band, they are treading the heels of associates The View with a set of good-time rock 'n' punk originals.

  • PAGE 6
    Amid more publicity than I've seen for many an unsigned band, the guys from Page 6 release their long-awaited debut CD album on June 22nd with a prestigious CD launch gig at Dundee's Doghouse, a gig that is pretty near certain to sell the place out. Expect a review of the CD here real soon (well, not here, but here)

    March 20th

  • THIRD BORN SUN
    Seems, according to the band's vocalist, that the band have called it a day which, if the case and allied to the complete disappearance of FMW, signals a missing beat in the heart monitor of Dundee thrash.

  • PAULA KNIGHT
    Dundee's only female multi-instrumentalist and singer has now branched out even further. Famed for the band Same Differents which featured Paula on guitar and vocals, plus bassist and computer programmed rhythms, she's now formed the Paula Knight band with drummer and bassist, and their debut gig is in Glasgow on Sunday March 25th. But not only that, she can also be seen out and about in that fair city doing her stunning solo acoustic gigs under her own name. Look out for a Dundee showcase gig soon.

  • RISING SIGNS
    One of Dundee's finest bands to date, have called it a day and are splitting up. Seems that the bassist and guitarist are forming a new band while singer Frankie is doing solo acoustic gigs while searching for new players, and as yet, not word on future plans for drummer and 2nd guitarist. If there is to be a Rising Signs farewell gig, then you'll hear about it here.

    February 11th

  • SAZ
    SAZ are back. They have a new lead singer in the form of Amy Anarchy (dontcha just love those names) and their first gig with her comes on Feb 24 at The Plough in Forfar, with their debut Dundee gig at The Doghouse on March 3rd as support to Kiss tribute band Dressed To Kill.

  • ISIS
    Isis have a new permanant drummer. Following Cath's departure to work on Henissi full time, they have a guy named Pengy on drums and the new trio have souped things up and become a folk-rock power trio - catch them at their debut Westport Bar gig in March - see concert page for details.

  • THE LAW
    The Law - Dundee's brightest hopes to folow in the footsteps of No 1 selling album band The View - have their debut single, "Milk And Honey", released on the same label as The View's on April 2nd. We trust you'll all be out there and buying feverishly!!

  • THE WILDHOUSE
    Carnoustie's finest and probably one of the most uncompromising bands in the Dundee Music Scene, have recorded their debut album, reviewed elsewhere on this site. However, since then, they've decided to add more layer to it and a wholy updated version of the album should hit us sometime soon. Watch for details!

  • MR SPIDER
    Dundee's finest blues-rockers, fronted by Michele Mclaren, have finsihed recording their debut album, "Web Of Lies" and hope to have it out sometime in March or April.

    November 12th

  • 2AM/MAGDALEN GREEN
    Split time! Sadly both of the above bands have decided to call it a day. Magdalen Green played their farewell concert at The Doghouse on Nov 11th while 2am bowed out more quietly. Apparently new projects are planned from many of the musicians involved, and it's fair to say that the legacy left by each band will mean that the tag "ex ...." will carry some respect.

    October 16th 2006

  • SAZ/SELF MADE MAN/MASONIC ABYSS
    All change! Norrie of Self Mafe Man has teamed up with Nikki, formerly lead vocalist of SAZ, and formed a new black metal band called Masonic Abyss. Self Made Man are currently sorting out a new line-up too and will be back in action very soon. Meanwhile SAZ are looking for a new lead singer - I think that's all correct - no doubt they'll let me know.

  • ISIS
    News came to us that drummer Cath, also of Hennisi and Dubhead, has left Isis recently, but what's happening to the band in terms of gigs and a new drummer, is as yet unknown.

    September 30th

  • THE LAW + LUVA ANNA
    Both bands have been added to selected nationwide tour dates that Dundee's own darlings of the indie press, The View, are currently trekking. This can only lead to greater exposure so look out for more exposure from each band really soon, we reckon.

  • SAZ
    For personal reasons, SAZ have called a halt to all work for the forseeable future - there won't be any updates on this until into 2007, but, should the band bounce back, you know where to look!
  • SELF MADE MAN
    Currently in hibernation seeking a new rhythm section - more announcements soon

    August 20th

  • MR SPIDER
    Dundee's leading blues-rock band, following the departure of long-time bassist Ross, have announced that the new bassist will be a guy from guitarist John's previous band and will make his live debut soon.

    August 20th

  • THIRD BORN SUN
    Currently about to record a brand new CD-EP with projected release for mid-late Septmber

    August 13th

  • THE VIEW:
    Single charted at #15 in the National Top 40 - just the beginning...... same night as Monifieth exploded to the sounds of Luva Anna and The Law - read concert review here.

    August 8th

  • THE VIEW:
    The new single "Wasted Little DJ's" from The View was released nationwide yesterday and is hotly tipped for a high chart place this coming Sunday - go out and buy it - it's a stunner!!

    August 8th

  • THE RISE:
    The Rise have announced details of their forthcoming UK tour that will put them in front of the largest number of people to which they've played to date on any set of gigs. Taking in most of the country, it runs throughout October - full details on the band's myspace website.

    June 17th

  • TRASH SUPERSTAR:
    Trash Superstar have split up. Becca Bomb and Johnny Yen will continue playing music together, in new guise as THe Leatherettes. More news on that as it happens.

    May 8th

  • THE VIEW:
    The new single from Dundee band , The View, received its first daytime play on Radio 1 this morning, courtesy of the Jo Whiley show. She invited listeners to text in with reactions and the overall opinion was very favourable. The single is a suitably ecelctic slice of memorable indie pop with attitude and power.

    May 5th

  • DUNDEE MUSIC 2 - RADIO 1:
    A week away from the Radio 1 Big Weekend which is positively lighting up the Dundee Music Scene with enthusiasm and facing us is a week of gigs featuring just a few of the artists and bands that I've been championing for the last two years or less, and more that I've still yet to see. Friday 12th May will see free entry Radio 1 Fringe (and a few that aren't) gigs all over the city and is a major chance for the people to turn out to support local talent.
    But, for me, the major breakthrough of the forthcoming week will be the appearance of my A-Z Guide to the Dundee Bands in the new edition of the free magazine, Student Gossip, of which thousands of copies are being produced, and which will introduce a great many people to a city of talent whereby, for the first time ever, they'll know at a glance what each band is all about.
    It was a sod to write (trying to encapsulate what a band or artist is all about in approx 3 or 4 sentences!!!), even for me, but I'm about 98% pleased with the results - I only hope the bands will be, too. What I can say is that, far and wide, this will really put the Dundee Bands on the map - and that, after all, is what it's all been - and always will be - about. Apologies to all the bands who didn't get featured - The A Forest, Non Zero, Vaarstraat 66, Hazey Janes to name but a few - but this is simply 'coz I've not caught up with you live in concert yet - but hopefully that will change real soon.
    In an obscure way, I guess, we have Radio 1 to thank for this opportunity to get such a feature out to so many, but also we must applaud the faith shown in the feature by Student Gossip who have embraced that this town is sitting on a volcano of musical talent and have given me an opportunity to further its causes to such a degree.

    April 26th

  • THE DUNDEE SCENE:
    Things are now really hotting up - a number of bands are recording high quality demos, including the Rising Signs who are about to go into T-Pot studios to lay down some tracks. Paula Knight's Same Differents have about half an album ready while Self Made Man have a whole album ready and a label interested in releasing it - look out for news on that here very soon! Expect new releases soon also from The Rise, Speyside and more to be announced, all of which will be reviewed here on the website.

    April 16th

  • STUDENT GOSSIP MAGAZINE:
    The May issue of Dundee's independent Student Gossip magazine will carry an A-Z guide (written by me!) on many of the leading Dundee Scene bands and artists, with possible circulation of up to 40,000 copies and all just before the Radio 1 Big Weekend, all of which will give an added boost to the rising Dundee Scene, both locally and farther afield. Apologies now to those not included but either space prevented or I've just not caught up with you in concert yet!

  • DIRTY WEE MIDDENS:
    Just the latest Dundee band to secure label deal, and their debut album, appropriately enough, will be released on October 31st, Halloween Night! Look out for a special event to be announced.

  • WEEKENDER:
    Tay-FM's indie flagship show, The Weekender, is back on between 10 and 11 pm each Sunday, presented by Graeme Ogston. They have elected to keep a definition of "local" bands more wide-ranging than what I'm doing and, as a result, you'll hear music from bands further afield than Dundee. Overtly "indie" music based - a wide enough genre in itself - it is required listening if that's your musical arena.

  • SAZ:
    The SAZ "Raw Meat" tour of Scotland begins in earnest in May with dates in Dundee, Kirriemuir and Aberdeen, and the possibility of West Coast dates to be announced soon. See (a href="concerts.htm">Concerts News page for details.

    March 27th

  • THE COURIER:
    Almost as soon as I applaud the Evening Telegraph for their focus on Rising Signs, then The Courier do the same for The Rise. The media attention for the rising tide of talent does definitely now seem to be coming along nicely.

    March 20th

  • AWAITING EXILE:
    Carnoustie's finest, Awaiting Exile, are currently in the final throes of recording their debut, proposed 9-track, Double EP, "Infected By Devils" and are currently anticipating the long-awaited return to the live scene, starting at the Balcony Bar on March 31st.

  • DUNDEE EVENING TELEGRAPH:
    Steve Bell features the news of the week's gigs in the area in his weekly column every Wednesdy in The Evening Telegraph. But the issue dated March 20th was the first time we've seen editorial content for one of the many top-notch bands on the Dundee Scene - in this case, The Rising Signs, complete with photo. So, hats off to Steve and the Telegraph. Hopefully this will be just the start, and yet another sign that the media are now beginning to take very seriously the awesome amount of talent we have in this city.

  • ALTRES:
    Leading electronic-prog instrumental quartet, Altres, are just starting the recording of their debut CD album, possibly slated for July release. Meanwhile, they have now scheduled a second multi-media outdor concert feast at Dundee's Planetarium (details on concert page) while Dead Earnest hopes to have a concert announcement featuring the band, very soon.

  • FMW:
    Thrash band FMW have delayed the release of their debut CD album while sleeve artwork is finalised - more news on this soon.

  • HENNISI:
    With new bassist in place, Dundee's most original indie band, Hennisi, are currently in rehearsals readying for a return to the live stage for the first time in over a year. Already a semi-legendary name in the area, this is going to be one of the most anticipated comebacks of 2006 - look for gigs possibly as early as June.

    More news as we get it.............

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