The Backline Newsletter - Issue 11

Issue 11

Author

Allan Watson
July 31, 2025

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 11 - Thursday, 31st July 2025

What’s This All About?

Welcome to The Backline Newsletter - your weekly fix of Scotland’s loudest and proudest. We’re here to spotlight the local legends, the DIY heroes, and the bands you need to know before everyone else claims they were first.

Each week, you’ll get:

  • A no-BS Q&A with a rising Scottish band

  • A must see gig of the week

  • Other shows worth leaving the house for

  • Gear picks, rehearsal room mayhem, and more

This is just the beginning - as we grow, expect deeper dives, more wild stories, and exclusive interviews not just with bands, but the venues, promoters, and characters who make Scottish music tick.

Let’s get loud.

Spotlight Q&A

This Week’s Feature Band: The Rooks

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
Ross - Vox/Guitar
Cammy - Lead Guitar
Matthew - Guitar/Keys
Kieran - Bass
Coll - Drums

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
Anthemic and honest.

3. What was your first gig as a band?
We played our very first show at school during a lunch break—using the school's old instruments and assembly PA. Strokes covers, mostly.

4. Biggest show so far, and how did it feel?
We've been on some great shows in the past few months—TRNSMT was probably our biggest so far. Record numbers at our stage to catch the set. It lit a fire for us, and we're chasing that feeling in our songs and our sound.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
King Tut's. It's a rite of passage for any Glasgow groups.

6. If someone’s never heard of you, what song should they start with?
Lay Me Down, our debut single, makes sense as the starting block. There's been some different sounds across the board, but you'll get the idea from there.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
There are a few groups we're all into, but Kings of Leon would be a sensible shout—if we're discounting an opening slot on the Wings Over America tour.

The next 3 questions are a bit edgier…

8. What advice would you give to a band just starting, without sugar-coating it?
Get tight in the rehearsal room, then build your stage hours. Practice together and listen to each other. It won't come overnight.

9. What’s the most chaotic preparation you’ve had for a gig?
We're relatively relaxed show-wise. We've all got our quirks and little details on show day, but it's usually calm. We’ll empty the dressing room leaving just us inside before stage time—that’s the routine.

10. Who do you feel is really saying something with their music right now?
We caught up with Fontaines last weekend and then saw their set. For what is essentially a guitar band, they’re really hitting their stride with records. They're not the first to do it—but it was good to see it up close.

Essential Gear

Why we love it
Because every pedalboard needs a solid tuner, and this one’s built like a tank. The Boss TU-3 is a true classic, reliable, accurate, and virtually indestructible. Trusted by touring pros and bedroom players alike. Simple, effective, and always ready to go.

What it does
It’s a chromatic tuner pedal that works with guitar, bass, or anything with a ¼" jack. The bright 21-segment LED display is easy to read even under brutal stage lighting, and the High Brightness mode cuts through outdoor glare. It mutes your signal when tuning and can even power other pedals with a daisy chain.

Best for
Anyone who plays live, even once. Whether you’re just starting out or gigging every weekend, a dependable tuner is non-negotiable. This one’s built to last, and it won’t let you down mid set.

Try it if you like
Peace of mind, clean pedalboards, fast tuning, and never having to ask your bassist, “Are you sure you’re in tune?”

Gig of the Week

Elbow – 7th August, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow
90s Bury-born Mercury Prize and Brit Award winners bring their eclectic live show to the Bandstand as part of the Summer Nights series.

Best of the Rest

The Tranquils – 2nd August, King Tuts, Glasgow
Five-piece Scottish alt-rock/grunge band. Punchy modern grunge with a smattering of Velvet Revolver and a side helping of Sabbath. This one will be bouncing.

The Crazy World of Arthur Brown – 2nd August, Slay, Glasgow
Crazy sums it up. With just one massive hit in 1968, Arthur Brown has carved out a nearly 60-year career of theatrical psychedelia, wild costumes, and cult performances. Expect face paint, fire, and full-on weirdness.

Get Involved

Got a story from the rehearsal room, a feature you would like to see, a gig pick, or a gear review you want to share, or just want to plug some great Scottish music, suggest a band or get featured? Have you attended our gig pick - write a review we may feature it a future issue.

Hit us up at [email protected]

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