friday,september2,2011 filmsmusicdvds …of place on mainstream rock radio....

WHITE-HOT rockersFolks are on MissionImpossible.They’ve only done sevenshows — five were in avillage pub — and now NoelGallagher has got themonboard for Britain’s biggestrock gig of the year.The Oasis legend has invitedthem to get the party started athis big show at London’sRoundhouse next month, beforehe cranks out his long-awaitedsolo album.Guitarist Michael Beasley said:“Noel was played a couple oftracks by his manager when hewas making the video for hissingle in Los Angeles.“And he liked it — that was it.When they told me he’d asked usto play, I said, ‘So did Noel likeour album?’“His manager just camestraight back with, ‘You wouldn’tbe doing the gig if he didn’t’.“I don’t think we’re going tobe without some serious nervesthat night, but it gives us aplatform to do our very best.”The Manchester six-piece areoff to an absolute flyer.They only formed at the startof the year — after Michael andfrontman Scott Andersonrecorded their debut album inHollywood to SAVE money.They jetted over there back inDecember and hammered out the12 tracks in exactly two weeks.Michael, 34, explained: “We’d

recorded a couple of songs inToeRag studios in London as wewanted to use a totally analoguestudio.“I’m not retro by any meansbut it was so cool — it was theold EMI desk from Abbey Roadthat The Beatles used.“As it wasn’t digital, therewasn’t too much time to think —we had to get a good live perfor-mance first time around.“But we couldn’t afford torecord the whole album there.“So our producer turned usonto this studio in West Holly-wood — amazingly it worked outfar cheaper to fly out there.“We thought it was going to bebrilliant and glorious sunshine,but when we got there it wassnowing and freezing cold.“We’d rented some rooms inthis house but there was onlyone bed.“So I got my credit card outand booked a really cheap diveof a motel. I had no money at

all, my mum gave me a tenner aswe left and I had that spentbuying a paper and packet offags at Manchester airport beforethe flight.“Time was tight. I look backand wonder how we accom-plished it — the only respite wasnicking out at lunchtime to havea sandwich and sit in BeverlyHills eating it.”But the pressure meant therewas no messing about — and it’sworked a treat. The album, due

out in January, is alreadycreating waves. On top of Noel,indie geezer Miles Kane hassigned up Folks to join his UKtour next month too.But before that, the lads willdo their first ever shows inScotland next week — starting atKing Tut’s in Glasgow nextThursday night, then carrying onto Edinburgh and Inverness.Michael said: “We’re reallylooking forward to starting off,we’ve been told the Scottish

audiences are really forthcoming— they get down the front andenjoy it. King Tut’s is a legend-ary venue, it’s one of thosemilestones we want to tick off.“For an English band it’s a riteof passage and it’s going to be areal thrill.“As we’ve had to do it all soquickly, everything has beencemented and everyone knowstheir stuff.“I think we’ve become a greatband.”Despite all their superstarconnections and praise, Folkshave intentionally kept theirmouths shut and have avoidedinterviews until now.Michael said: “If you’ve gotsomething good going on, youdon’t need to shout about it.“There’s no point in shoutingfrom the rooftops about yourselfas music is nothing without anaudience. It’s a two-way street.”Q For all tour dates and to downloadthe band’s first single Avalanche forfree on Monday, go to wearefolks.com

SUSPIREWHO: Paul Duffin (vocals,guitar), Mark Duffin (bass,vocals), Clare Kelly (drums,percussion)WHERE: GlasgowFOR FANS OF: Pearl Jam,Simple Minds, IncubusJIM SAYS: It’s fair to say I’vegot a soft spot for Suspire’snew single Salvation Sister.I’ve played it just about every

week for the past few monthson my Sunday afternoon sloton DAB digital radio stationAmazing Radio.Officially launched tomorrow

night with a gig at The Archesin Glasgow, it’s a glorioustrack, even though there arehints of soft rock!Recorded with Echo & The

Bunnymen’s Scots guitaristGordy Goudie, it’s certainly gotthat classic 80s alternative vibegoing on.It also reminds me of Billy

Idol’s Hot In The City — soperhaps I’m being unfair aboutthe soft rock tag.Mind you, it is a popular

genre, even if it’s not my cup oftea.Either way, Gordy’s given the

track an epic, almost glam-metal, feel that wouldn’t be outof place on mainstream rockradio.Clare told me: “Gordy’s been

a real gift to us. It’s great tohave someone that is verymuch on the same creativewavelength as us. And he has

an ear for knowing what a songneeds.”The band have just started

pre-production on their debutalbum, again with Gordy asproducer.Originally a five-piece, it’s

now just the core of brothersPaul and Mark, along withdrummer Clare, all livingtogether in Glasgow’s Rob-royston area.Making their festival debut at

RockNess last year, they’vealso toured North America andEurope.Nominated in a couple of

categories at the forthcomingScottish New Music Awards(including Salvation Sister asAlternative/Indie Recording ofthe Year), it’s great to see theirhard work pay dividends.Paul joked: “It puts Mark’s

1991 Oscar nomination for Cos-tume Design to shame.“Seriously though, being

nominated for Best Group andRecording of the Year was awelcome surprise to us.“We’d like to thank those

responsible for our nomina-tions. We’re really not sure whoput us forward, but we’re reallylooking forward to the event.”Suspire’s ‘Salvation Sister’ is

released through the band’sown Clay Davis label.Support at tomorrow’s

launch at The Arches launchcomes from The Lonely Boyand Tragic O’Hara.MORE: suspire.netQ Hear Jim on In:DemandUncut — Sunday 7-10pm onClyde 1, Forth One, North-sound 1, Radio Borders, TayFM, West FM & West SoundFM — jimgellatly.com

CLYDE 1 are bringing together someof the hottest chart acts around for anight of top pop action at Glasgow’sSECC on Friday, September 30.Jessie J, left, Pixie Lott, right, and

the Sugababes are justsome of the big namesClyde 1 have already linedup to celebrate great musicradio in Scotland.And we’ve hooked up

with the organisers to offer FIVElucky readers the chance to win aPAIR of tickets.So if you fancy landing a freebie

for you and a pal for the big night allyou have to do is answerthis question: What’s thename of Jessie J’s debutalbum? Text NOW plusyour answer, name andaddress to 61192.

Q Texts cost £1 plus standard network rates.Competition closes at midnight (September 2,2011). If you text after the closing date/time ofthis competition you will not be entered butyou may still be charged. Five winners will beselected at random after the closing date fromall correct entries received. Usual rules apply.

Tickets for Clyde 1 LIVE – priced £22.50 +booking fee – are on sale now and are avail-able at ticketsoup.com, via the SECC tickethotline on 0844 395 4000 or in person at thevenue. For more details and regular updateson Clyde 1 Live, visit clyde1.com

IT’S the best line-up of the year –and there’s just over a week to go.Electric Frog returns to SWG3 in

Glasgow next weekend with astellar bill, including legendaryDJs Jeff Mills, pictured, Der-rick May, Frankie Knucklesand Joe Claussell on the Sat-urday and live shows fromThe Fall, Mogwai, WildBeasts, The Orb, Errors andMount Kimbie on Sunday.

We’ll bring you the full run-down inSFTW next week, but in the mean-time the organisers have TENpairs of tickets to give away. Tellus: Which US city do Jeff Millsand Derrick May hail from?Email your answer, name

and contact details, to info@theelectricfrog.co.uk by mid-night. Usual rules apply. For

full line-up and ticket detailssee theelectricfrog.co.uk

NEWMUSIC

BYCHRIS

SWEENEY

!NUMBERS @ Sub Club,Glasgow, tonight: A

welcome return to Numbers forpost-dubstep poster boy JamesBlake, pictured.His remarkable self-titled

debut album – featuring lastyear’s huge crossover hit LimitTo Your Love – has beennominated for the Mercury Prizeand made him one of the hottestnames on the scene.He smashed it at

Numbers last Novemberin the warm-up slot, andnow he’s back toheadline – expect aneclectic selection ofbass-heavy beats.

$MELTING POT @Admiral, Glasgow,

tomorrow: It’s back with abang after a summer hiatus, withUK dance legend Joey Negromaking his long-awaited debutat Scotland’s premier New York-style disco night.Joey – real name Dave Lee –

has chalked up over 100releases under countless aliasesin a career spanning more thantwo decades, and boasts a peer-less knowledge of disco, funk,soul and house.

%OUTRAGE @ Mondo,Perth, tonight: Proving that

it’s not just about Glasgow andEdinburgh when it comes tohouse and techno, Outragewelcome Paisley’s rising starHans Bouffmyhre to the decks.Founder of the Sleaze club

nights and record label, Hans’own tracks have beenhammered by everyone fromRichie Hawtin to Dubfire.Stevie Webster, Findlay

Jamieson and Garry Traill alsospin alongside residentsGary Robertson andWilliam Robertson.

&HUSH @ Louren-zos, Dunfermline,

tonight: A rare pocket ofquality undergroundmusic in Fife, with the

Hush lads kicking off a newmonthly party by teaming up

with Edinburgh’s Karnival crew.The capital’s Stu Todd and

Mike Pinkerton join Mick Mac-neil, Rab Clark and Hans Kato.

(NOMAD @ La Cheetah,Glasgow, tonight: House

and techno all night long from acouple of the Glasgow scene’sbrightest new stars – AnimalFarm’s Quail, and Subcultureand Sensu resident Junior. IvanCutz warms up.Q Email news and listings totom.churchill@the-sun.co.uk

BY JIMGELLATLY

BYTOM

CHURCHILL

FILMSMUSIC DVDsGAMES BOOKSCOMEDY

IF you’ve not seen comedyheavy metal outfit Steel Pantherin action, you’ve missed out.They take the mickey out all

the rock ‘n’ roll clichés with acracking show. And they’ve justannounced a gig at Glasgow’sSECC with Mötley Crüe and DefLeppard in December.Tickets at livenation.co.uk

SOUTHAMPTON ravers DEVolu-tion’s new single Good Love is atop drawer banger. It’s causingsome serious shapes to bethrown on dancefloors all over— and it’s out on September 11.Plus the video is a cracking

take on some sexy webcamaction. Check it out now atwearedevolution.comO

NES2WATCH

CLUBBING

8 SFTW Friday, September 2, 2011