Dundee band, Friction, sparked into life in summer 1979.They played serrated, urgent, alternative pop, in a style which was becoming more popular around the 79/80 period with the arrival of Scottish record labels like Pop Aural and Postcard.
The band were - Stef Murray on vocals - Wendy Hart on bass - Derek Hannon & Rod Sturrock on guitars and Scott McKinlay on drums.
Their first gig was across in Newport in August 79, then it was straight into the deep end supporting The Revillos when their second gig came around a month later. As a consequence of this, they got to know The Revillos/Rezillos, who put them in touch with Tony Pilley who had a recording studio in Edinburgh called Barclay Towers. Well when I say studio, it was the guys flat and the recording equipment was set up in his kitchen! Anyway, it was good enough for The Rev(z)illos and so Friction got in on the act too, and recorded & mixed 3 tracks, all in one day!
They went on to gig for another year or so before the band came grinding to a halt, but not for long though because the same line-up renamed themselves All The Rage and they were up & running again. This took them up to around 1982ish, when after a couple of tweaks to the ATR line-up, were transformed into Waiter Waiter.
Below is a track from Friction's kitchen session, recorded in November 79. It's an energetic little number called "Backwards/Forwards". All being aged around 18 at the time and not having much dosh, they didn't manage to get this down on vinyl, and so the 3 session tracks have remained unheard since then. Good to know the tape survived 30 years tucked away in the attic mind you!
You may like to know Stef and Scott along with Ross Mathieson, are still playing & recording together, this time under the name of Stoor.
Before you skite off, give this one here below a wee blast and relive the sound of young Scotland from 30 years ago - when we were the bee's knees!
Many thanks to Scott.
I think it sounds great. Could pass for something now! I remember going to Barclay Towers with my friends band and i'm sure the control room was in the turret of the building? Hence the 'Towers' part of the studio name...
ReplyDeleteYeah you're right enough. The turret had the mixing desk and you had to crawl through a hatch in the glass partition to get to it!
ReplyDeleteTony Pilley is now an artist in Barcelona.
Great stuff. Always liked Waiter Waiter too.
ReplyDeleteDid the Blue Nile not record there? was that the place with the monkey skull percussion set? I remember the hatch now OMG that was a serious blast from the past , cheers for that :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing what you find when you Google. Rod Sturrock is still playing localy in a Glam Rock tribute band " The Time Bandits". I have a cassette copy of a Friction live gig at the Battle of the bands at the old bowling alley/ students union. Barclay Towers was an amazing experience and remember rubbing shoulders with Joe Calis and Eugene Reynolds. Im still due petrol money for that trip!! happy days!
ReplyDeletehi rod, it's scott-i wouldn't mind a copy of the friction gig if possible. i can mp3 it if you need me to.
ReplyDeleteAre The Time Bandits still gigging ... looking for contact number if they are .. Cheers Stobbie75@hotmail.co.uk or www.stobswellsecondary1975.co.uk
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