The Backline Newsletter - Issue 16

Issue 16

Author

Allan Watson
September 11, 2025

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 16 - Thursday, 11th September 2025

What’s This All About?

The Backline is your weekly fix of Scotland’s loudest and proudest. Every Thursday we drop straight-talk Q&As with rising bands, must-see gig picks, and essential gear finds — plus the stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

We’re still young and only getting louder. Subscribe now and be part of Scotland’s music scene as it happens.

Let’s get loud.

Spotlight Q&A

This Week’s Feature Artist: The Fuck Ups

Anti-fascist punk, social commentary, and enough raw energy to tear down walls. The Fuck Ups have been raging since 2005, and if you’ve ever sweated it out in Audio, Bloc+, or the old 13th Note, you’ll know exactly why they’re one of Scotland’s most enduring underground forces. Ahead of their set at The Clan Craw Gathering, they gave us 10 answers as uncompromising as their music.

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
Scoot – Vocals
Bunnit – Bass & vocals
Sparky – Guitar & vocals
Stevie – Guitar
Kenny – Drums

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
Anti-fash socially observational punk

3. What was your first gig as a band?
Town hall in New Cumnock, 2005 or 2006, with Dogs Abuse and Riot (Sparky’s old band). Packed out, wild crowd—because that area didn’t get many punk shows.

4. Biggest show so far and how did it feel?
Supporting Subhumans at Audio, Glasgow, with The Scuntz and Corrupt Intentions. Our first sold-out gig—the place was bouncing, energy electric, easily one of the best moments so far.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
Audio or Bloc+ in Glasgow. 13th Note too—so many great nights, including supporting Anti-System with our pals Gnasher.

6. If someone’s never heard of you, what song should they start with?
Divide and Conquer. It’s fast, heavy, with a ska breakdown that sums up everything we’re about.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
Bad Religion—intelligent songwriting, endless energy, and one of the best live punk bands on the planet.

8. Who do you feel is really saying something with their music right now?
Aftrshocks. They don’t shy away from genocide, war, and current events. Their track Rwanda is a standout.

9. What’s your unwritten rule as a band?
Democracy always wins. Nobody bigger than the band, and we always look out for the scene.

10. What’s the sketchiest venue you’ve played?
Maybe not sketchiest, but The Spirit Bar in Glasgow was rough around the edges. Still, the nights with Dogs Abuse were unforgettable—even if half the set got forgotten mid-song.

🎟️ The Fuck Ups play The Clan Craw Gathering at The Rock Bottom, Saturday 27th September.

Connect with : The Fuck Ups

Essential Gear : MXR Distortion+

Why we love it
Vintage grit in a yellow box. The MXR Distortion+ is raw, simple, and unapologetic and just like the punk bands who made it a staple.

What it does
Two knobs: Gain and Output. Crank it and you get snarling mids, crunchy riffs, and solos that slice through the mix without turning to mud.

Best for
Guitarists chasing that no frills, classic distortion. Perfect for punk, garage, blues, rock, or anytime you want your guitar to punch above its weight.

Try it if you like
70s and 80s boots and amp crunch, punk grit, and distortion that snarls without drowning your tone.

Gig of the Week

Basement – Wednesday 17th September, SWG3, Glasgow
Emo kings turned cult heroes. Basement’s mix of raw emotion, heavy riffs, and soaring melodies has made them one of the most respected names in UK alt-rock. Expect catharsis, singalongs, and a night that proves the underground still hits the hardest.

Best Of The Rest

The Wild Things – Tuesday 16th September, Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
London’s alt-rock firestarters bring swagger, grit, and hooks to Sleazy’s basement. Every show feels like a last stand.

Riley Green – Tuesday 16th September, O2 Academy, Glasgow
Country’s rising star brings heartfelt ballads and anthems built for stadiums. Expect singalongs and southern charm by the bucketload.

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]

Like what you’ve read? It takes 5 seconds to sign up, it’s totally free, and you’ll get it straight to your inbox every Thursday.

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/backlinenewsletter