PETE HOOD & CO - 1980'S

There are quite a few examples of Pete Hood's work up on Retro because this is the guy who did the gig reviews and band interviews in Street Life magazine in the late 80's.

Here he is schmoozing with a couple of local celebs at Fat Sams.

The top one looks as if he's passing advice onto an aspiring young music journalist, but this is Terry McGregor who aint no would-be music journalist, she WAS one, although we all know her better as Toni Scott fae the Journal's Poparound page.

Most of you will probably recognise Pete's other companion by now, even if he is in his civvies, it's Lixx vocalist, Jo Doll.

Photos by The Bear.

DANCE FACTORY BANDS #2

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
----------------------------------
Moving on to the 2nd selection of images of unknown bands playing at Fat Sams in the mid/late 80's.
A couple of the acts in this lot look familiar to me but I just can't quite put a name to them.
If you're not so sure who they are either, you may have better luck spotting someone you know in the crowd.
Photos by The Bear.

DANCE FACTORY BANDS #1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
------------------------------
Next up is a big bundle of photos spread over 2 days featuring bands who played at the Dance Factory in the mid/late 80's.
Unfortunately, the bands in the pictures weren't catalogued, so although the reason I put them up was because they are a fine set of images in the first place, if you think you can identify any of the acts, that'll be a nice added bonus.
Some bands have 2 pics, some just 1.
See how you get on.
Photos by The Bear.

BLUES 'N' TROUBLE - 1980's

Gritty Scots band, Blues 'N' Trouble, played in Dundee many times during the 2nd half of the 80's, at venues such as University and College.

Here's a couple of items pertaining to their Fat Sams gigs.

A flyer for a performance on 21st December 1987 accompanied by a themed disco keeping the R & B sounds flowing.

An advert published in the local press for a stomp on 28 June 1989.

IMMACULATE FOOLS GIG REVIEW - 1985

Well here's a gig review that's a wee bit different from the norm.
This was put together by Deadbeat contributor, Hilary. It seems the Immaculate Fools appearance at the Dance Factory in March 1985 was so bad that she couldn't muster the usual kind of account of a live performance, so she just went around some of those who were in the crowd asking for their assessment.
Turned out they had the same opinion!
Amongst the Dundee critics were Ged, Kit & Gary from Danny Wilson, music journalist Bob Flynn, DJ Dave Calikes plus a few others who shared similar viewpoints.
Clearly the band should have presented a show that was a bit more foolproof!

ENERGETIC FAT-FREE SAMS - 1980'S

Not an explosion in a paint factory but Dance Factory!

This is local band, Better Backwards, jamming on stage with artist David Cook, sometime around the mid/late 80's.

A nice bonnie outburst it is too. Kind of half Celtic half Aboriginal. Very tribal. I like it!

Photos by The Bear.

DANCE FACTORY ACTION - 1988

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

----------------------------

Rolling off the Dance Factory conveyor belt were these bands, who all played at the Fat Sam's venue in 1988.

Pics 1 & 2 - THE RHYTHM SISTERS - 22 May 1988.

Pics 3 & 4 - STUMP - 7 Feb 1988.

Pic 5 - THE McCLUSKEY BROTHERS - 27 Mar 1988.

Pic 6 - SWAMPTRASH - 14 Feb 1988.

Pic 7 - THE WILD SWANS - 21 Feb 1988.

Pics 8 & 9 - YARGO - 28 Feb 1988.

If you can recall anything from these gigs, then tell us all about it in the comments.

Photos by The Bear.

FAT SAM'S DINER - LATE 80'S

Top picture is Alison Burns, Derek Thomson and co tucking into their grub at Fat Sam's Diner around the late 80's.
The other picture is a general shot of Fatties Diner & Cocktail Bar area from the same era, with a bit of entertainment thrown in.
I don't know who the duo are, so if anyone can identify the act, or even spot someone they know in the crowd, feel free to pass it on.
Photos by The Bear.

GOODBYE MR MACKENZIE

This gig at the Dance Factory in Fat Sams took place in March 1987.

It's Scottish band, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, who were active up to the mid 90's.

I recognise big John Duncan on guitar there. He used to be a regular sight in Edinburgh in the late 70s/early 80s when he was in The Exploited. He had green hair back then so you really couldn't miss him!

See the lassie playing keyboards on the right of the second picture, that's Shirley Manson, who a few years later would go on to achieve mega fame with her band, Garbage.

Anybody recall this gig? I missed out on it.

Photos by The Bear.

THE FINAL POPAROUND - 1986

Here's the very last ever "Poparound", the local music column written by Toni Scott. This was a regular feature in the weekly Dundee newspaper, The Peoples Journal, with the final issue above dated 11th January 1986.

I'll do a shortened version of the content in the caption for search purposes, but you can read the item in more detail yourselves.

So the main topic is an appearance by ANGEL (in photo), who was doing 2 stints locally, Buddies in the Ferry and the Coconut Grove in town.

Along with the Fat Sams advert listing the weeks events, Toni reminds us that THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG were playing that Sunday at the Dance Factory.

Next up is a piece about a gig at the Marryat Hall under the "Jobs For Youth Campaign" banner. Acts taking part were AAGA, BOO HOORAY, CHILLI PEPPERS and JOE PUBLIC.

There's news also of a Reggae Disco at Beez Neez.

Finally, there's an update on a competition where 4 winners were to be going down to London in January with local DJ Tony Cochrane, the prize being to meet PAUL WELLER at his recording studio.

At the bottom of the same page was the other ad for the Dance Factory's forthcoming gigs. The schedule at the time consisted of the following bands - THE MEN THEY COULDN'T HANG, PLAY DEAD, WIN, BLUBBERRY HELLBELLIES and the HOUSE MARTINS.

However, the Play Dead & Win gigs were cancelled, and one of the dates was filled at short notice by DEAF HEIGHTS CAJUN ACES.

I've uploaded the Poparound section "actual size", so give it a click and have a wee read.

By the way, anybody recall what Fat Sams "Back To Front Party" was all about?

FAT SAMS GIGS - 1984

Dundee band Circus Of Hell played Fatties on 18th June 1984. The flyer advertising it as the "Satin 'n' Trash Show".

Underneath is a full page ad from a 1984 Deadbeat mag, the Fat Sams Dance Factory Sunday's list being -

4th March - Perfect Crime

11th March - Bourgie Bourgie

25th March - Reflex

1st April - Swans Way

Not sure if Icicle Works stopped off at Fatties on their Spring Tour that year as it only has their Edinburgh & Glasgow date on it, but I do know the band has played at Fat Sams.

Bourgie's Paul Quinn, although not a Dundonian, used to occasionally socialise in town back then and recall Dundee guitarist Steve Reid teamed up with Paul sometime later, 1990ish.

Thanks to Joe Ogilvie.