A WEE LOOK BACK AT DUNDEE - 1960's, 1970's & 1980's.
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Wednesday, 7 October 2009
THE SANDFLOWERS ON FLEXI DISC - 1987
The 2nd song on the DSOTH flexi disc is by The Sandflowers and titled "Spiral". A bit more boisterous than the other track, and lot of surface noise on my recording, but well worth tuning into.
Excellent find and loads of great memories. My band Baby Hurricane and TheSandflowers had many adventures together around 89/90, co-headining Fat Sams more than once, Chev's (where I also worked) and King Tuts among others. We were two young bands filled with the hopes and ambition of young men and we all thought rock and roll would save us. In a way it did, because both Craig McNeil (singer/guitar with Sandflowers) and me (singer/guitar with Baby Hurricane) now work in the music industry. I would be deeply thrilled if you would do a piece on us!! Check out www.myspace.com/babyhurricane for some music and lots of pics and I can send you more if you;re up for it.
I played bass in The Sandflowers, and it is good to hear this song again - not heard it for about 10 years. Although not to everyone’s taste, The Sandflowers formed in September 1987. Craig McNeil & I initially had the idea of starting a band to reflect the music we were listening to at the time, and as a reaction against the "muso" bands that were doing the rounds in Dundee at the time, the likes of Big Blue 72, Inca Rhodes & the Danny Wilson crowd.
We placed an ad in Groucho's window advertising for a singer & and a drummer. We got a response from Kenny & Roy who had previously been in a band called No Tomorrow, who sounded like early U2! Not being big U2 fans, Craig & I agreed to meet Kenny & Roy anyway and we formed The Sandflowers – originally we called ourselves Pretty Little Eskimos!!! We played our first gig on 15th February 1988 at the Rep, along with The Wildhouse. We were asked by Breeks from Grouchos if we wanted to be on a flexi that he was planning to give away on his East Coast Rumble fanzine. We recorded the song Spiral at a recording studio in Carnoustie… I think it cost us about £90 to record it. The guy who owned the studio had just installed a set of synth drums, and these appear on the song. Apparently it was played on John Peel, but I have no proof, it did receive a couple of airings on Radio Scotland.
Craig went to work for various record companies, and I continued playing in the bands Muppet Mule and Spare Snare. I don’t know what Kenny and Roy are up to these days.
Have heard drummer Roy enjoys strolling around his country estate enjoying the odd glass of orange juice and he still doesn't do charity. ggrrrrrr.........
I remember The sandflowers as i was their Tour Manager. It was only a few hours ago when i spoke to Roy about this blog. He is a lovely guy. I met Alan a while ago in a pub in Dundee. I thought he was a ghost. As for Craig, well thats a different story- a token text now and again- he outgrew us all, in height and stature, blinded by the big smoke. I often stare at pictures of him, tears blotted only by my "Information frees Frustration" T-shirt... Happier times indeed.
Jesus Christ, I was the vocalist on this! A wee tear has appeared at the corner of my eye on hearing my feeble attempt to imitate Ian McCulloch. It's not bad at all, though. I had to leave the room when John Peel played it, as I got a big minter. Haven't seen or heard about Roy, Alan or Craig for years - all the best to them if they see this, though. Ken.
The 2nd song on the DSOTH flexi disc is by The Sandflowers and titled "Spiral". A bit more boisterous than the other track, and lot of surface noise on my recording, but well worth tuning into.
Excellent find and loads of great memories.
ReplyDeleteMy band Baby Hurricane and TheSandflowers had many adventures together around 89/90, co-headining Fat Sams more than once, Chev's (where I also worked) and King Tuts among others. We were two young bands filled with the hopes and ambition of young men and we all thought rock and roll would save us. In a way it did, because both Craig McNeil (singer/guitar with Sandflowers) and me (singer/guitar with Baby Hurricane) now work in the music industry. I would be deeply thrilled if you would do a piece on us!! Check out www.myspace.com/babyhurricane for some music and lots of pics and I can send you more if you;re up for it.
craig mcneil is a GOD amongst men.
ReplyDeleteThe Flooers were geniuses! Baby Hurricane were fab too... especially their guitarist! ;)
ReplyDeleteI played bass in The Sandflowers, and it is good to hear this song again - not heard it for about 10 years. Although not to everyone’s taste, The Sandflowers formed in September 1987. Craig McNeil & I initially had the idea of starting a band to reflect the music we were listening to at the time, and as a reaction against the "muso" bands that were doing the rounds in Dundee at the time, the likes of Big Blue 72, Inca Rhodes & the Danny Wilson crowd.
ReplyDeleteWe placed an ad in Groucho's window advertising for a singer & and a drummer. We got a response from Kenny & Roy who had previously been in a band called No Tomorrow, who sounded like early U2! Not being big U2 fans, Craig & I agreed to meet Kenny & Roy anyway and we formed The Sandflowers – originally we called ourselves Pretty Little Eskimos!!! We played our first gig on 15th February 1988 at the Rep, along with The Wildhouse. We were asked by Breeks from Grouchos if we wanted to be on a flexi that he was planning to give away on his East Coast Rumble fanzine. We recorded the song Spiral at a recording studio in Carnoustie… I think it cost us about £90 to record it. The guy who owned the studio had just installed a set of synth drums, and these appear on the song. Apparently it was played on John Peel, but I have no proof, it did receive a couple of airings on Radio Scotland.
Craig went to work for various record companies, and I continued playing in the bands Muppet Mule and Spare Snare. I don’t know what Kenny and Roy are up to these days.
Craig? Is that you leaving posts about yourself again?
ReplyDeleteHave heard drummer Roy enjoys strolling around his country estate enjoying the odd glass of orange juice and he still doesn't do charity. ggrrrrrr.........
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy his "Tiger Tales" - they used to brighten up an evening!
ReplyDeleteI remember The sandflowers as i was their Tour Manager. It was only a few hours ago when i spoke to Roy about this blog. He is a lovely guy. I met Alan a while ago in a pub in Dundee. I thought he was a ghost.
ReplyDeleteAs for Craig, well thats a different story- a token text now and again- he outgrew us all, in height and stature, blinded by the big smoke. I often stare at pictures of him, tears blotted only by my "Information frees Frustration" T-shirt...
Happier times indeed.
He out grew his London pals too...
ReplyDeleteTake McNeil round the Cairdy nine holer and he will start greetin' again about how he wishes he still lived in 'West Kirkton'.
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ, I was the vocalist on this! A wee tear has appeared at the corner of my eye on hearing my feeble attempt to imitate Ian McCulloch. It's not bad at all, though. I had to leave the room when John Peel played it, as I got a big minter. Haven't seen or heard about Roy, Alan or Craig for years - all the best to them if they see this, though. Ken.
ReplyDeleteThe guy who owned the Carnoustie recording studio was Dick Gibson. I recorded there too, along with the Sly Fox on synth drums, pre Baby Hurricane.
ReplyDelete