Fellow Bandit Norman Blake was just starting up a new band with his friend Raymond McGinley after their stint together as the Boy Hairdressers. The new band, of course, was Teenage Fanclub, and their first album would also be self-financed. Since BMX Bandits and Teenage Fanclub were sharing band members, as well as equipment, it was decided both albums would be recorded at the same studio back-to-back in 14 days. Teenage Fanclub didn't have a drummer, however. So Bandit and former Boy Hairdresser Francis Macdonald did the honors. Clear as mud, right? The sharing didn't end there. 'C86' opener "Right Across the Street" was originally intended for Teenage Fanclub, and "Let Mother Nature Be Your Guide" was written by Blake for the Boy Hairdressers.
Blake would play on one more BMX Bandits album, 'Star Wars', but by then Teenage Fanclub was taking off and needed all of his attention. Let's have a listen to those two Blake-penned songs from 'C86'.
"Right Across the Street"
"Let Mother Nature Be Your Guide"
6 comments:
Just before Christmas, BMX Bandits played at McNeills, a tiny bar on the south side of Glasgow as support act when The Just Joans launched their new albumm. Norman Blake was an unxpected guest guitarist with BMX Bandits, so you can imagine how big a thrill that turned out to be.
After their set, I had a very quick chat with both of them to say thanks, and we briefly talked about the early days and I learned that many of the TFC/Bandits rehearsals had taken place in a now long-closed arts centre about 200 yards from my office. I have since made the pilgrimage to its site!!!
Great post Brian. The other thing that went 'wrong' for Duglas was his refusal to acknowledge, as the UK music press insisted, that London was the place for things to happen. He was seen by many writers as some sort of weird, backward looking hick with no sophistication. Thet were so wrong.....
As I've said before, he's the nearest thing we have to indie-royalty here in Scotland.
There's a never-played-since-purchased BMX Bandits album here in the Music Room (Down At The Hop). I liked tat first track (Right Across the Street), but not nearly as much as Let Mother Nature be your guide.
Were they ever called the BMX Banditos or was that just for the record?
If any band should have been on C86 it was The BMX Bandits. Saw them live in Glasgow a couple of years and they are still well worth seeing. I used to DJ at a club night in East Kilbride many years ago and we were lucky enough to have them play live one Thursday night. As JC said, he is the nearest thin we have to Indie royalty here in Scotland. Graet post, by the way.
JC, Great story. Would have really enjoyed that show too. You are so right about London, but I still can't believe BMX Bandits couldn't get a deal. Those early singles for 53rd & 3rd should have had the labels lining up for their services. I'll take this opportunity to say I really liked the last album too. Forever made my top 25 for 2017, and the song How Not to Care was No. 11 on my Festive 50.
George, That's how I rank those two songs as well. Will drop you a note later today.
CC, I believe this was a one-time moniker.
Scott, Warms my heart that he stayed put while others relocated south.
Make Your Choice -SAW
Post a Comment