360) The Pastels - Up For A Bit With

Even at this age it’s a thrill when you see someone who you know has made a record. I’ve stood next to Justin Currie in a pub, chatted to Shirley and Rona from Goodbye Mr MacKenzie, said hello to Bobby Gillespie and as previously stated worked with a member of Geneva.Obviously my glamorous lifestyle has made you all jealous as I mingle with my celebrity mates, I imagine none of them have forgotten meeting me.If you are ever in Glasgow and are in need of a look round a record shop then you could head to Monorail Music, I try to have a look around once a week, it’s a kind of ritual, and if you are a fan of indie music you may recognise one of the co-owners. Stephen Pastel can often be found behind the counter and doesn’t look that different from when he released this record back in 1987. I had the same amount of hair as him back in 1987, he’s kept his and mine has gone, the injustice.Imagine getting to release records and then own a record shop. As a man with not a musical bone in my body and who works with spreadsheets all day, I know who I would rather be.

The Pastels were on NME’s famous C86 tape but that’s not what they should be known for it should be for their influence on the indie scene and the contribution they have made to the Scottish underground scene.

Ten songs in thirty-two minutes, Stephen’s voice is not going to see him win X Factor, I’m not sure him and Mr Cowell have the same thoughts on music but fits perfectly with these indie strummed songs.

Ride starts us off, you are not telling me Jason Pierce of Spiritualized has never heard this song, with the band joining Stephen for the chorus, almost choir like. I’m sorry but the word I must use for the title track is jaunty and Crawl Babies is an excellent song, and I enjoy the vibe of Address Book.

I’m Alright With You could have been used in High Fidelity instead of The Beta Band and would have had the same impact and Get ‘Round Town at just over two minutes gallops along and is magical in a chaotic pounding way.

Automatically Yours the band sound as if they are revelling in the moment and Baby Honey has a guitar to die for, over six minutes of psychedelic mystery before we are led out by the haunting If I Could Tell You.

The Pastels flying the flag for Scottish underground music for many years.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: I’m Alright With You