The Backline Newsletter - Issue 45

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 45 - Thursday, 16th April 2026

Editorial

There is something powerful about bands who refuse to disappear.

Scenes change. Trends rotate. Algorithms come and go. But the bands who start because they love it and keep going because they cannot not do it are the ones who earn real respect.

This week’s Q and A is a reminder that Scottish music is not just about what is new. It is about what lasts. About graft. About reforming because the pull of the stage never really leaves you. There is something brilliant about a band that began in a school hall in 1983 and is still blowing the roof off rooms today.

Longevity is not luck. It is belief.

Spotlight Q&A

This Week’s Feature Band: Medusa Touch

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
   The band is called Medusa Touch. We are an old school hard rock and heavy metal band. We started in 1983, played until around 1990 and reformed in 2019.
   

2. Gogsy Sinclair on main vocals and guitar
   Nige Robinson on backing vocals and guitar
   Kenny Lean on backing vocals and bass
   Bruce McInnes on backing vocals and drums

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
   Loud, proud and unapologetic.

3. What was your first gig as a band?
   Craigmount High School in Edinburgh in 1983. An evening gig in the school hall with two other bands. There are still pictures of that gig somewhere on Facebook.

4. Biggest show so far and how did it feel?
   The biggest was either the Wildfire Festival or the Brofest Festival. After we played, people said we are definitely a band who can use a big stage and that we seem very restrained in smaller venues. There is a real sense of anticipation before you go on. Then when you start it feels like blowing the lid off a pressure cooker. Bang. And we are off. We love it.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
   Probably Bannerman’s in Edinburgh. It is where we have played most as a home gig. But I also love playing at La Belle Angele. That bigger stage gives you lots of room to put on a show.

6. If someone’s never heard of you what song should they start with?
   To hear us in 1983 listen to Get Ready Baby from the Terror Eyes album. To hear how we developed listen to When the Poison Flows from the Insaniteyes album. To hear who we are now listen to Frozen in Time from the Neutral Eyes album. The twin guitar vibe is central to what we do.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
   If you asked the whole band you would get different answers. For me personally, even if it will never happen, it is Iron Maiden. A touring band now that I would love to open for would be Heavy Pettin, another Scottish band from the eighties.

8. Which member has the best excuses?
   Nigel. Without question. He is definitely the dog ate my homework kind of guy.

9. What’s the best gig you’ve played to the smallest crowd?
   The Banshee Labyrinth in Edinburgh. The crowd gets properly packed in and the sound is very good. Also Kev in Dundee who runs gigs under the KevvyMetal banner used to promote in a small venue which was great, but they outgrew it and now it is in The Church.

10. Most embarrassing moment mid set?
    Getting tied up in my own guitar lead and landing on my backside. That was back in the eighties. That is why I moved to a radio unit after that.

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Essential Gear – Vox AC15

Short Description
A 15 watt valve combo famous for its chime, clarity and unmistakable British character. Compact enough for small stages, loud enough to hold its own. The AC15 does not hide behind effects. It rewards touch and precision.

Why We Love It
Some amps make everything sound bigger. The AC15 makes everything sound clearer. For indie and alternative bands, articulation matters. You want the chords to ring. You want the top end to sparkle without slicing ears off in a small room. The AC15 delivers that balance. It breaks up naturally when pushed, giving you that edge of grit without turning to mush. In 100 to 300 cap venues it is often the perfect volume. Loud enough to move air. Controlled enough to stay musical. It also forces you to play well. There is nowhere to hide behind excessive gain.

What It Does
At lower volumes the clean tone is bright and three dimensional. Arpeggios shimmer. Open chords breathe. Push the volume and the EL84 valves begin to compress and growl in a way that feels responsive rather than aggressive. It reacts to picking dynamics beautifully. Hit harder and it pushes back. Ease off and it cleans up. The built in reverb and tremolo add character without overwhelming the core tone.

Best For
Indie, Britpop and alternative bands who care about note definition. Guitarists who want their parts to cut through without brute force. Players working the Scottish circuit of intimate venues where tone and balance matter more than sheer wattage.

Bonus Tip
Do not automatically dime the top boost channel. Let the amp breathe. Keep the gain lower than you think and use your guitar volume to control dynamics. The magic of an AC15 is in touch, not excess.

Gig of the Week

Olivia Dean, 22nd and 23rd April, Hydro, Glasgow

Two nights at the Hydro tells you everything you need to know about momentum. Olivia Dean has built her following on quality songwriting and genuine connection rather than noise. These shows will feel polished but personal, which is not easy in a room that size.

For younger artists watching from the crowd, this is a masterclass in how to scale without losing intimacy. Big room. Big production. Still about the songs.

Best of the Rest

The Lilacs, 18th April, King Tuts, Glasgow

The Lilacs bring energy and swagger that suits King Tuts perfectly. This is a room that rewards sharp hooks and confident delivery. Expect a lively crowd and a set that does not hang about. If you like your indie direct and full of punch, this is one to be in for.

Wrap Up

From school halls in 1983 to two nights at the Hydro, this week sums up what makes Scottish live music special.

It is not one sound. It is not one generation. It is graft, longevity and ambition all sharing the same calendar.

If you are playing this week, make it count. If you are going, get there early and stay late.

Scenes survive because people show up.

See you down the front.

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.

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