Fife’s own brooding rock behemoths in waiting, the Sauza Kings released their debut album digitally in mid-June with very little fanfare or back-story; all four members are seasoned veterans with experience on the UK live circuit; but until recently S.K. had been nothing but a studio project with lots of latent promise (recorded in consultation with Foo’s engineer Ian Beveridge; and mastered at Adam Smith College state of the art studios). So with little in the way of precedence or hype to cloud the listeners judgement, the music has to speak for itself.

They wear their influences on their sleeves;…

Sat 4 Feb – The Twilight Sad, People, Places, Maps, Astrid & Quinn

The Jam Jar (situated upstairs from Sinkys), is Dunfermline’s newest gig venue, with apparent lofty ambitions judging by the eclectic mix of Comedy & Music it’s booked in its nascent period - usually the preserve of venues a hop, skip & a jump across the water. Assumably the Jam Jar is a former function room, decked out with PA & fitting transforming it into a gig venue; which considering the current climate for pubs & venues struggling to keeps their heads above water, it’s a wonder that…

The Late, Jackie Leven shares his wise; wonderful & witty words with me, during the interval of his performance at the Fife Acoustic Music Club (Polish Club 22/10/09) - which proved to be a memorable home-coming gig; during our chat he gives a candid insight into his itinerant lifestyle; troubled past & relationship with Fife, his introduction to music in his formative years, touching on his Romany heritage - the colourful reasoning for choosing his first pseudonym John St Field, Doll by Doll’s antagonism relationship with Punk and his respect for his Label Cooking Vinyl.

He truly was…

Thu 22 Sep – Found, Martin John Henry, The Strangers Almanac, Man Without Machines

My first impressions of Dundee’s Dexters Bar is a dark but anything but dingy venue, incorporating impeccable sound with a well light & laid out stage; tonight hosting an eclectic bill full of promise - put together by Something Going On & Manic Pop Thrills presents.

The Strangers Almanac kick of proceeding with a nuanced and understated performance of twee-pop compositions; consisting of Gord Matheson on delicate vocal delivery(reminiscent of fellow Dundonian stalwart Esperi) & acoustic guitar, aided & abetted by associate Avril on a host…

Wed 1 Jun – Limbo

I’m embarrassed to say, this is the first of me venturing on the comparably short journey from Fife to the ‘burgh, to experience the now established and highly respected Limbo at The Voodoo Rooms; with an assured quality controlled and consistent line-up - tonight was to prove no exception, as the amusingly self proclaimed “Anti-Drumcore” stalwarts Eagleowl take the well earned headline slot supported by an ensemble cast of bands and musicians.

Opening the bill are an act who’s name belies their charming youthful vigour; not to mention gender – Newcastle’s Silver Fox grace the…

As the Vaselines reconvene with their ridiculously long-awaited second album ‘Sex With an X’ (20 years in the making); rekindling their preoccupations with sex and religion, a fully fledged UK tour awaiting - I thought it’d be a good time to reflect back on 2008 as Frances Mckee and Eugene Kelly (with a little help from a cross-section of Belle & Sebastian members) had just completed their second gig in approx. 20 years as part of Tigerfest ‘07 at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall…heralding their triumphant return to the Scottish music scene, and beyond.

Eugene candidly takes me through the details of…

Fri 21 May – Tigerfest-Dunfermline-Friday

Tonight’s Tigerfest - Carnegie Hall showcase; follows neatly on from last nights Focus on Fife 2010 line-up (headlined by Fence inspired sextet - Ambulances), as the East Neuk ensconced, inspirational and pioneering DIY proponents The Fence Collective (who are known to encompass musicians from far beyond the confines of Fife’s borders…) present three of their most industrious troubadours, including Fence head-honcho and most prolific and renowned standard bearer - King Creosote himself.

Taking stage first, the unassuming Rozi Plain; hailing from Bristol, where Fence’s musical tentacles have reached out to a fellow collective…

Wed 2 Dec – Frightened Rabbit, As Tall as Lions, The Phantom Band

It’s testament to how the stock of these two outstanding acts continue to rise, as the ticket demand for tonight show has reached near fever pitch, with excitement brimming on the faces of those in possession of their prized ticket and dismay on those who don’t, casting an envious glance at the rest. The Phantom Band flawless Checkmate Savage albums has seen them entrenched amongst Chemikal Underground’s legendary coterie, and as for our headliners, they continue to garner rave reviews and fans in high places, so it’s…

While not considered quite the watershed moment ‘Sgt. Pepper…’ - ‘Never Mind the Bollocks…’or indeed ironically ‘Nevermind’ provided, ‘Doolittle’ nevertheless paved the way for the epoch of the alternative-rock scene of the early 90’s, supplanting all in it’s wake, giving the disaffected MTV generation a fitting soundtrack.

‘Doolittle’ producer Gil Norton might have smoothed over some of the abrasive and lo-fi edges of their predecessor, but this makes it no less powerful an album, in fact perhaps more so, due to their increased accessibility; they yielded a more subversive power.…

Tue 3 Nov – 'Bring The Noise' - Fife Music Conference

http://www.myspace.com/botbfife

When ‘Bring The Noise’ was initially conceived way back in early 2007 our objectives were to reinvigorate the Local Music scene and give local bands a platform in which to shine. We wanted to create positive links within the local community and with young people from around Fife, while giving bands from further a field who may feel isolated a chance to network with other bands and musicians, hopefully forging links with like minded people and creating a healthy and vibrant music scene. While our Music Conferences main…