VIEWS FROM URBAN DWELLINGS - 1983

A dip into Dundee's underground publishing now, courtesy of Aagapublications.

This book called "Views From Urban Dwellings" came out in 1983 and was the 2nd volume of the title.

Aagaproductions is credited as being Mike Kane & Steve Grimmond, who also make an appearance as contributors.

The others who submitted material for vol 2 were - Kevin Dyer, Ray Flood, Pete Horobin, Charles Lear, Craig Methven, Bob Philips and Steve Sneyd.

The content of the book was a mixture of poems, short stories, photos, musings, art, short plays, bits & pieces like that.

In fact I've already featured the graphics of Pete Horobin from the book, so this time I thought I'd focus on the writing and have plucked out an example of Ray Flood's poetry.

This one titled "The Meaning Of Life" deals with the routine and boredom of being stuck in a mundane job.

He mentions he gets the 1B into the city centre to work at "JM".

John Menzies? Could be..!

Anyway, big thanks to Craig.

AAGA - BEDROOM TAPES - 1983

When you get an idea, get it down any way you can. Scribble it onto a scrap pad, whistle it into a Dictaphone, anything, as long as the idea is itemized, so to speak, that's the main thing, then you can go back and refer to it later when time comes to do a proper version of it. If you miss the opportunity to get the idea down in the first place, chances are it will never appear again. Gone forever!

I unearthed this cassette by AAGA from 1983 called "Bedroom Tapes", the contents consisting of tunes Mike Kane & Steve Grimmond came up with. Some tracks are a bit loose, some are more fully formed. AAGA made loads of cassettes back then, a few were "one offs" such as this one, others were duplicated then either given away free or sold cheaply.

This particular red & blue one was swiped off the cover of a magazine when Mike worked in John Menzies. Any unsold mags that had tapes attached, Mike would...recycle them, let's say, and record over the contents with his own stuff. All that was needed was a portable tape recorder and whatever band equipment there was.

There are 8 of these homemade lo-fi tracks on this cassette, so plucking one out as an example I have gone for "These Chances". Undeterred by the DIY approach, this tune has a really compelling bassline accompanied by a free-range kind of singing technique layered on top.

Not intended to be the finished article of course, but you can tell there is a good idea in there bursting to get out!

Glad they made the effort.

STOP PRESS : There are reports coming in of an official CD release by AAGA due out in a few weeks. More on that later.

BOB PHILLIPS ON GUITAR - 1984

Here's a candid domestic scene caught on camera in 1984.
Filmed in Mike Kane's kitchen, it features Mike and Steve Grimmond having a bit of a blether about AAGA, while tucking into some nosh.
Serving up some tasteful tunes in the background is Bob Phillips, adding to the ambiance with a touch of classical guitar.
A few years earlier (1977) Bob supplied slide guitar on The Drive's single. He was also one of the participating guitarists in Boo Hooray.
You may remember he was advertised as Boab Philips in the Soul Kiss Club feature on Retro, when he was playing down at the Tayside Bar.
The Tayside Bar crops up during the chinwag by the way.
Those of you who are knowledgeable on classical music may enjoy playing "Name That Tune" while all the chatting is going on. One tune you will get is the "World In Action" theme!
Unfortunately, Bob is just about to give us a rendition of Joaquin Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" when the video fades out after only 3 notes!
The scene was captured by Kevin Guthrie of Altres.
Thanks to Mike.