The Backline Newsletter - Issue 9

Issue 9

Author

Allan Watson
July 17, 2025

The Backline Newsletter
Issue 9 - Thursday, 17th 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: Chin Up

1. Who’s in the band, and what do they play?
JP – Guitar & Lead Vocals
Trav – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Gav – Bass & Backing Vocals
Dan – Drums

2. Describe your sound in 5 words or less.
Positive Pop Punk

3. What was your first gig as a band?
Punkoween at PJ Molloys. It was originally intended to be a one-off performance. JP had released a demo version of the album and was asked to play despite not having a band together. He was willing to do it solo with a laptop, but we offered to be his backing band for the night. We’ve been gigging and recording ever since!

4. Biggest show so far—and how did it feel?
We just played at Hidden in Dundee—great venue with a huge stage and a good crowd. It was for Mosh Monthly, a regular metal night we managed to blag our way onto, despite being pop-punk. I guess we were a bit of a palette cleanser! We pulled out some heavier numbers from our old band Effigy, so it was fun and nostalgic to play those songs and headbang again.

5. Which Scottish venue feels like home?
PJ Molloys in Dunfermline. We played there lots in previous bands and it’s where Chin Up played our first gig. We’ll be back there supporting Kerrang’d in November—really looking forward to that to finish up the year.

6. If someone’s never heard of you—what song should they start with?
Bring Out Your Dead. It’s the first song we wrote, has a kinda Sum 41 vibe. We also made a silly music video for it that we’re REALLY proud of!

7. One band or artist you’d love to open for?
Sum 41 would have been amazing—we’re quite similar in that we’re both metal heads playing pop punk! They’ve split now, so maybe New Found Glory.

8. What’s a mistake you keep repeating?
Having too much fun on stage at the expense of actually playing well. We always have such a laugh but sometimes it means we end up with a few wrong notes!

9. What songs are your guilty pleasures?
We don't really believe in guilty pleasures. If you truly like music, then there’s something to enjoy from absolutely every genre and age. But here are some of the more out-there ones:
Gav – Barbie Girl by Aqua
Trav – Used to listen to Will Smith a lot before discovering proper music
JP – Avril Lavigne, but only the old stuff because he’s a purist

10. Is the Scottish scene more competitive or supportive?
Definitely very supportive. It’s quite different from when we were younger—it could get a bit cliquey and bitchy back then. These days everyone tries to raise each other up and help out. We had a bunch of guest spots on our latest single Sunbathing in the Rain—everyone mucked in and helped with promo, recording wee videos for socials, etc. It’s great to see everyone wanting their peers to do well.

Connect With Chin Up

Essential Gear

Harley Benton PowerPlant ISO-2 Pro

Why we love it
Affordable, isolated power supply with clean, reliable output - no more buzz, hum, or dodgy daisy chains.

What it does
Powers up to 8 pedals with individually isolated outputs, including 9V, 12V, and 18V options. Compact, solidly built, and gig ready.

Best for
Guitarists and bassists building a pedalboard on a budget who still want pro-level performance and noise free operation.

Try it if you like
Quiet, consistent power, tidy boards, and not spending £200 on something that just powers your pedals.

Gig of the Week

The Violets – 20th July, King Tuts, Glasgow
Part of the King Tuts Summer Nights Festival. Only their 4th gig, but already creating a stir with a psychedelic sound echoing Pink Floyd, The Jesus & Mary Chain, and The Rolling Stones. Check out their singles So It Goes and Caught Up - we loved them.

Best of the Rest

The Reytons – 19th July, SWG3 Galvanisers Yard, Glasgow
Indie rockers (without Gary Neville), supported by The Sherlocks and others.

Kasabian – 23rd July, Corn Exchange, Edinburgh
Leicester legends bring their big sound to the capital.

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