AN IMAGINARY COMPILATION ALBUM : #367: THE STOOL PIGEONS

This one has been inspired by an event that took place back in June 2015, one that I wrote about at some length at the time.

To summarise.

The premiere of the documentary film, Big Gold Dream, took place in Edinburgh.  The film tells the story of the post-punk scene in Scotland, with a particular focus on what happened in Edinburgh with the formation of the label Fast Product, and onwards to Postcard Records and the Glasgow story. It was a hot ticket, one that I hadn’t thought I’d land, but Jacques the Kipper came up trumps, and the two of us headed along.

The film was every bit as good as hoped for, and was the screening was followed by a Q&A session featuring Jo Callis (Rezillos and Human League), Ken McCluskey (Bluebells) , Malcolm Ross (Josef K, Orange Juice and Aztec Camera) and Vic Godard (Subway Sect) who, despite being a Londoner, has always spoken highly of how things developed in Scotland, and who to this day is close friends with many who were part of the scene.

The Q&A was followed by a truly special and unique event, namely a gig by The Stool Pigeons, a band put together for the occasion and comprising the afore-mentioned Messrs Goddard and Ross together with Russell Burn (Fire Engines and Win) on drums, all under the direction of Mick Slaven and Douglas Macintyre, two musicians who have long been at the heart of decent indie music in Scotland for decades.

The band, named after a Subway Sect song, played ten songs, all of which were relevant to the era covered by the film or were seen as being a huge influence.  I thought the set list, in the order it was played, would make for a very fine ICA.

1. Holiday Hymn – Orange Juice

This is a Vic Godard composition, dating from 1981.  Subway Sect had played it live, but never released it.  Edwyn Collins thought it would make for a perfect Orange Juice song, and so having recorded it one night direct from the mixing desk, he and his bandmates set about learning it.   The first time anyone heard would have ever hear it, was when it was part of a John Peel session, broadcast in August 1981.  Eleven years later, a studio version was belatedly released on Ostrich Churchyard which was the Orange Juice album intended for release on Postcard Records but shelved when the band signed to Polydor.

Vic Godard finally got round to recording it in 1985, as part of his swing album In T.R.O.U.B.L.E. Again.  Oh, and the The Chesterf!elds also did a cover of it, with it appearing on their 1987 debut album, Kettle.

2. Falling and Laughing – Orange Juice

The first ever single to be released on Postcard Records.  Nothing else need to be said.

3. Stool Pigeon – Vic Godard & Subway Sect
4. Ambition -Subway Sect

Two tracks from Vic’s own releases.

The latter was their second single, released on Rough Trade in 1978.   The documentary film highlights the White Riot Tour of 1977 as playing a huge part in the formation of the post-punk scene in Scotland, especially the gig at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 7 May.  The Clash The show was opened up by The Slits, who were followed on stage by Subway Sect, then Buzzcocks and finally The Clash as headliners.  By all accounts, the Slits and Subway Sect mingled freely with the crowd, many of whom would later form their ow bands and/or set up labels, and the friendships formed that day remain in place almost 50 years on.

It was the 1977 version of Subway Sect who played on Ambition, but manager Bernie Rhodes then sacked everyone, with the exception of Vic Godard.  It took two years for things to get back to some sort of normality, and the new line-up took the name of Vic Godard & The Subway Sect, recording the debut album What’s The Matter Boy? in 1980.  Stool Pigeon is taken from that record.

5. It’s Kinda Funny -Josef K

One of the first post-punk bands to emerge out of Edinburgh, the debut double-A side single Chance Meeting/Romance was issued on Absolute Records, a label newly formed by Orange Juice drummer, Steven Daly.   One thing led to another, and Josef K ended up being the second band to sign to Postcard Records.   This was their second single for the label, released at the end of 1980.

6. Be My Wife – David Bowie

Low was Bowie‘s first album of 1977, and is widely regarded as one of the biggest influences in the development of a post-punk movement.  It can be no real surprise that Stool Pigeons aired their take on one of the album’s high points.

7. Nobody’s Scared -Subway Sect

The debut single from 1977, the only piece of vinyl ever released on Braik Records, a label founded by the afore-mentioned Bernie Rhodes.

8. Born To Lose -The Heartbreakers

Another one that was included to acknowledge the influences on the development of post-punk, with a nod to what had been happening States-side.  I’ll hold my hands up and say that I never quite understood what all the fuss was about Johnny Thunder and his cohorts.

9. Candyskin – Fire Engines

Davey Henderson of Fire Engines was one of the stars of the documentary, thanks to his many funny and larger than life anecdotes. Candyskin is just one of those songs adored by everyone in Scotland who is of an age is a fan of the post-punk music.  I believe it’s also increasingly appreciated and acknowledged as an influence by the newer generations of musicians.

Fay Fife, from the Rezillos, joined the band for the second half of Candyskin and also was part of the final song of the night.

10. Sweet Jane – The Velvet Underground

The unwritten rule of post-punk music in Scotland.   Tribute must always be paid to The Velvet Underground.  And it was the perfect ending to a night that I’ll never forget.

JC

PS………

Grant McPhee, the director of Big Gold Dream, filmed the gig, and many years later added it to his rather splendid YouTube channel.

Myself and Jacques the Kipper can occasionally be spotted in the audience for the eagle-eyed among you.