The Backline Newsletter - Issue 5

Issue 5

Author

Allan Watson
June 19, 2025

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 5 - Thursday, 19th June 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 Nine Tens

Connect with : The Nine Tens

They’re just one gig in as The Nine Tens - but these Paisley-based lads have a long shared past and a sound full of hooks and heart. We asked them our big ten.

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?

Chris Allen-Drums

Jim Harvey- Vocals and guitar

Billy Robertson- Bass and backing vocals

Robert Brogan-Lead Guitar and backing vocals

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.

Guitar, bass, drums, melodic, harmonies

3. What was your first gig as a band?

We supported fiends of ours who have a popular covers band in June of this year, at The Bungalow in Paisley  that was our debut gig

4. Biggest show so far—and how did it feel?

As The Nine Tens, we’ve only played one show so far but  we all played together for many years in a covers band called Start and we played some decent sized gigs with that, Kelso Scooter Rally, Millport Scooter rally, but one gig into The Nine Tens, it’s a lot more nerve wracking playing your own songs to people rather than covers, together we probably have 100 gigs under our belt but the first singing our own tunes was scary…we’ve got more shows coming up.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?

The Bungalow in Paisley, ran by great people and in our previous life, we played there many times

6. If someone’s never heard of you—what song should they start with?

We have a song called Drift Away which is one of our favourites.

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?

Ocean Colour Scene

8. Strangest gig offer you’ve received?

We once played a Masonic hall to 6 people…not our finest hour

9. Are we in a golden age or a dead zone for new music?

Golden age, with very little equipment or backing you can get yourself out there playing, you don’t need approval from anyone..

10. Most embarrassing moment mid-set?

Many years ago, we played a Xmas gig in East Kilbride and after a few too many our guitarist had to be saved from falling over into the drum kit mid solo… never missed a note though, the consummate professional.

Check out the Nine Tens

Sunday the 22nd June, The Bungalow in Paisley (supporting Lemonsoul)

Thursday 24th July, The Keg in Paisley

Essential Gear

The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal is for Bassists Who Want to Break the Rules

Why we love it:
Bass players are often the unsung glue in the band, but what if the bassist was also the weirdest, wildest-sounding member onstage? The Boss SY-1 Synthesizer Pedal brings classic ‘80s synth tones and modern chaos straight to your bass rig with no need for special pickups or cables.

What it does:
Drop this pedal in your chain and suddenly your bass can sound like an analog synth, a pipe organ, a retro video game, or a prog freak-out. It tracks quickly, doesn’t kill your low end, and works without deep menus just twist, stomp, and go.

Best for:
Alt/indie/experimental bassists who want to carve out a space beyond root notes. Or just have a laugh and freak out the guitarist a bit.

Try it if you like:
Royal Blood, Muse, or chasing weird noises mid-rehearsal.

Gig of the Week

Abbie Gordon - 19th June, SWG3 Poetry Club, Glasgow
Shortlisted for Young Live Musician of the year, Headlining King Tuts. Abbie has packed a lot into a fledgling career. Catch this rising star at an intimate venue while you still can.

Best of the Rest 

Sex Pistols with Frank Carter - 21st June, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
The original line up with Frank Carter on vocals. Some have said he’s an able replacement for Johnny Rotten others view him as an upgrade. Regardless it’s sure to be a show with an ear splitting volume.

Bright Eyes - 22nd June, Barrowlands, Glasgow
US indie rockers with 10 studio albums behind them pitch up at the iconic venue. Expect guitar, trumpet and piano.

Sting - 25th June, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
2 Icons in the same week at the same venue what a week for Bellahouston.

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