All the News, as it happened
2008
[Apr 1, 2008]
1. 'The Macpherson Tapes' by The Ossians OUT NOW!
Lost recordings by the infamous Scottish indie band now available to buy and cherish. The Ossians release a posthumous mini-album, The Macpherson Tapes, on 31st March, 2008 through 45b Records. The Macpherson Tapes is a collection of studio outtakes, radio sessions and demos from the sadly demised and much missed band, all recently unearthed by staff at 45b, who were the band’s biggest fans. You can buy it here, on this very page. Just a click away, as the say.
Tracklisting:
1. St Andrews Day
2. RLS
3. My Evil Twin
4. The Haar
5. Shifting Sands
6. Justified Sinner
7. Geometry
The Ossians could’ve been contenders. Of course, every band thinks that, but the shambolic, drug-addled, incandescent Edinburgh foursome really had something different, something special which might have seen them go on to great things, if circumstances had been different. The band have gone down in Scottish indie legend, thanks to their spectacular demise last year. After three well-received EPs released through the sadly defunct micro-indie Gil-Martin Records, the band, fronted by the irrepressible Connor Alexander, were on the verge of signing to a major. A dozen A&R men were reputedly chasing the band’s signatures, only for an infamous night at Glasgow’s King Tut’s to put the kibosh on all of that.
What really happened that night, and in the previous fourteen-day tour of the Scottish Highlands, remains a matter of hot debate on music messageboards and chatrooms amongst the Scottish indie community. Only the four band members and their manager know the real truth, but all of them seem to have mysteriously gone to ground. Recent rumours of Connor being spotted playing the accordion in disguise in an Anstruther pub remain unsubstantiated.
One thing seems to be widely accepted as fact – Connor Alexander was a victim of the same old rock 'n' roll story - drugs, booze, sex and violence all undoubtedly played a part in his life and his band’s demise. Whether the various other rumours are true, we’ll never know. Since the band’s split, their mythology has inevitably grown, and that fateful tour has variously been said to involve seagull massacres, Russian submariners, armed robbery, stalkers, drug deals, Andy Cameron cover versions, angels, snowstorms, child abduction, missile ranges, shoplifting, fights, bombs and a certain amount of gunplay. Not exactly Coldplay, is it?
2. The Ossians by Doug Johnstone OUT NOW!
It's a book about a band. And about Scottishness, which most reviewers seem to have ignored. Lots of reviews and interviews still to come in the press, keep yer peepers peeled. Meantime, here are the opinions of some erudite, intelligent and downright sexy authors:
'A major Scottish novel’ Ian Rankin
'The Ossians is a gripping, compelling roadtrip around modern Scotland in the company of a drug-ravaged, arrogant, untamed visionary' Niall Griffiths
'This is the This is Spinal Tap for Scotland's lost generation. Johnstone has taken a small story of a small band lost in a small country and created an epic' Ewan Morrison
‘A romantic drug-fuelled soul-searching less than glamorous adventure round the coastline of Scotland… I loved it. When's The Ossians' next tour? I'd like 2 tickets please' Kenny Anderson, King Creosote
‘A rock odyssey so exhilaratingly authentic, you can hear the chords and smell the vomit' Christopher Brookmyre
3. The Ossians on the radio: Doug was on Radio Scotland's Book Cafe on Monday just past, talking about the book and music. You can listen again here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/programmes/bookcafe
...and hear Doug stumble in after 35 minutes or so, saying things like "no one loves a seagull" and "that would involve putting on dresses for some of us".
His appearance on Radio Four's Front Row remains as illusive as a hen's tooth being carried in the claw of a sea eagle.
4. 4. THANK YOU Doug played eight shows in March, including two festivals, a book launch and a jaunt to that London town. A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who came along and listened, clapped or even just stood there curmudgeonly or bewildered, as long as you paid to get in. You can read all about the gigs soon on the gigs page here, and in the blog at www.myspace.com/theossians.
5. Festival news coming soon Doug is appearing at several festivals between May and August, at least five at the last count, and ranging from Aberdeen to the South of England. More news soon.
[Feb 26]
1. Northern Alliance / The Ossians / Doug Johnstone on tour: I will be out and about playing a guitar and singing and chatting at the places below. Some will be Northern Alliance events, some will be Ossians events, some will be a mix of both. Some will be me reading and blethering, some will be playing and singing, some will be both. Confused? Try being me.
March Tour Dates:
2 Stereo, Glasgow with The Red Well, Down the Tiny Steps and Kid Canaveral
8 Aye Write Festival, Mitchell Library, Glasgow with Toby Litt and Roddy Woomble
13 Henry’s, Edinburgh with Little Pebble and Jo Foster
15 Strongroom, London with Bobbing for Apples, Freddie Keen and Shank You Very Much
20 13th Note, Glasgow with Down the Tiny Steps and Le Reno Amps
26 Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh supporting Jackie Leven
27 Waterstone’s West End, Edinburgh – The Ossians book launch party. Details to come.
29 Fence Homegame Festival, Anstruther
'A major Scottish novel’ Ian Rankin
'The Ossians is a gripping, compelling roadtrip around modern Scotland in the company of a drug-ravaged, arrogant, untamed visionary' Niall Griffiths
'This is the This is Spinal Tap for Scotland's lost generation. Johnstone has taken a small story of a small band lost in a small country and created an epic' Ewan Morrison
‘A romantic drug-fuelled soul-searching less than glamorous adventure round the coastline of Scotland… I loved it. When's The Ossians' next tour? I'd like 2 tickets please' Kenny Anderson, King Creosote
‘A rock odyssey so exhilaratingly authentic, you can hear the chords and smell the vomit' Christopher Brookmyre
4. The Ossians release 'The Macpherson Tapes' on 45b Records: We've unearthed a collection of radio sessions, studio out-takes and demos by the sadly missed, seminal scottish indie band, and are releasing it on 24th March through our own label, 45b. More details soon, but tracklisting is:
1. St Andrews Day
2. RLS
3. My Evil Twin
4. The Haar
5. Shifting Sands
6. Justified Sinner
7. Geometry
5. The Ossians on Myspace: Dead simple. The Ossians are on Myspace. Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/theossians
...and if you feel like it, become their friend. They could use a friend or two right now.
[Jan 17] Lots of Different Guff Happening
1. The Ossians - Rankin-approved: Doug Johnstone's second novel, The Ossians (Viking, March 27th) is now officially Ian Rankin-approved. On the great man's own website, in his own newsletter, no less, he says this: “I'll pass on a tip for 2008. It’s called ‘The Ossians’ and is by a young [sic] writer called Doug Johnstone. It looks like it’s about an up-and-coming rock band touring the coastal badlands of Scotland, but turns into a powerful and moving commentary on the country and its defining myths.” If you don't believe us, go here http://www.ianrankin.net/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=97 and see for yourself. The Ossians also got namechecked in The Sunday Herald and The List magazine as a book to look out for in 2008.
2007
[Nov 29] Going, going, gone
We've managed to get hold of some copies of the new record, and this is now the only place you can buy it, seeing as how it was only available through Fence during October. The Hand of God is a half-hour mini-album, and you can now buy it from this website, but we only have VERY LIMITED NUMBERS, and once it's gone, that's it forever, gone into the unknown, never to return. Unless we get snapped up by some daft major label who want to release it, even then we might not, because then what would be the point of making it a limited release now? Eh? It would be a swizz for folks who buy it now thinking they're getting something exclusive and one-off, wouldn't it?
Anyway, the album has had a great critical reception, and would make a perfect Christmas present for that special someone in your life who loves lo-fi electronica indie pop rock laced with melody and melancholy. And don't we all love a small portion of that at Christmas? Here's what some nice people have said about The Hand of God:
"a fine record" - The List [4/5]"has a beautiful, dreamlike quality" - Maverick Magazine [4/5]
"amazingly haunting... an epic slowburner" - Steve Lamacq
"a mesmerising sonic masterpiece" - The Daily Record
"a near perfect dreamlike album. Blissful listening" - The Skinny [4/5]
"a gorgeously melancholic mini-album" - Subba-Cultcha [9/10]
The album is a bit of a departure from previous recorded output, and reflects a heavier electronica influence, while still maintaining the band's trademark mischievous malevolent melodic melancholy. The title track is, indeed, about the infamous Maradona incident against England in the 1986 World Cup. Full tracklisting for the record is:
We Hit the Town DrinkingThe Hand of God
There's Blood in the Back Seat
Wake Up! Be Tired!
The Good Black Swans
It's the Hope that Kills Us
The Water Will Argue With Itself
[Nov 29] Spread the word, or don't, up to you
Doug from the band's debut novel, Tombstoning, is on the longest of book prize longlists – one of the hundred books named by the World Book Day’s Spread the Word campaign to find a ‘hidden gem’. You can go to their website (see below), register and vote for your favourite title.
http://www.worldbookday.com/spreadtheword/
It’s primarily aimed at bookgroups, but individuals can register and vote, and there are book tokens up for grabs every week for doing so. A shortlist of 10 books will be announced in Feb, with a winner declared on National Book Day, March 6, 2008.
For more info, including a list of the 100 books, here’s what the Guardian has to say about it:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2215448,00.html
Happy voting. If you vote. Which you probably should, because there are some cracking books in there. Our own favourite is Brady Udall’s novel, but each to their own, eh?
Right, that's all for now. Craig and Doug's mystery musical project continues apace - expect to hear things in the new year.
[Oct 23] Get it while it's warmish
Just a reminder that Northern Alliance (us) have a brand new record out, right now, as we type. It's called The Hand of God, and is a half-hour mini-album, out through Fence Records as part of their never-ending and sometimes mind-bending Picket Fence Series. It's only available from the Fence Records website UNTIL THE END OF THE OCTOBER. Then after that it'll be available to buy from this website, but only for a short time, as it's a very limited release.
The album has had a great critical reception already, and a fair amount of radio airplay as well. If you've seen a review or heard a tune on that wireless thing, we'd appreciate if you could let us know about it. Meantime, here's what some nice people have said about The Hand of God so far:
"a fine record" - The List [4/5]"amazingly haunting... an epic slowburner" - Steve Lamacq
"a mesmerising sonic masterpiece" - The Daily Record
"a near perfect dreamlike album. Blissful listening" - The Skinny [4/5]
"a gorgeously melancholic mini-album" - Subba-Cultcha [9/10]
The album is a bit of a departure from previous recorded output, and reflects a heavier electronica influence, while still maintaining the band's trademark mischievous malevolent melodic melancholy. The title track is, indeed, about the infamous Maradona incident against England in the 1986 World Cup. Full tracklisting for the record is:
We Hit the Town DrinkingThe Hand of God
There's Blood in the Back Seat
Wake Up! Be Tired!
The Good Black Swans
It's the Hope that Kills Us
The Water Will Argue With Itself
Right, that's all for now. Two of the band are currently involved in an exciting new and possibly quite daft musical project, but we can't tell you about it yet. There's a teaser for you.
[Aug 14] May you be touched by The Hand of God
NORTHERN ALLIANCE have another record coming out, and it's happening soon. It's called THE HAND OF GOD, and is a half-hour mini-album, out through Fence Records as part of their illustrious and always fantastic Picket Fence Series. It will be available from October 1st from the Fence Records website for ONE MONTH ONLY, then after that, I think you might be able to buy it here for a limited time, but I'm not really sure.
The album is a bit of a departure from previous recorded output, and reflects a heavier electronica influence, while still maintaining the band's trademark mischievous malevolent melodic melancholy. The title track is, indeed, about the infamous Maradona incident against England in the 1986 World Cup. Full tracklisting for the record is:
We Hit the Town DrinkingThe Hand of God
There's Blood in the Back Seat
Wake Up! Be Tired!
The Good Black Swans
It's the Hope that Kills Us
The Water Will Argue With Itself
There may or may not be live shows to promote this record. We don't really know. Could be a bit tricky, with all those drum machines and wonky old keyboards and stuff. We'll let you know, OK? Also, we'll probably stick a track up here to listen to, and probably on Myspace as well, if we find the time, which we never do. We've been told off for not updating our Myspace page - can you believe that? We're not teenagers, we've no idea how this shit works, and we've got other things to be doing with our time instead of Facebooking ourselves to death or whatever. Got it?
[Aug 14] We came, we drank, we rocked
NORTHERN ALLIANCE played a couple of shows there in July as a six-piece band, and boy did we have a laugh-riot. Who thought gigs could be so much fun? Not us. Details are on the gigs page, but suffice to say it was the most fun we've had playing a show pretty much ever. Huge thanks to Candythief, Rich Amino, everyone at the 13th Note and Cabaret Voltaire and especially The Red Well for beefing up the Northern Alliance sound and making both gigs nights to remember. If we could remember them. Which we can't, cos we got steaming.
[June 26] Rock and Roll NORTHERN ALLIANCE are playing a couple of shows in July, details below. These aren't just any old half-baked, two-bit shows, mind. Well, they probably will be, but for the first time EVER there will be a 6 (SIX!) piece live band attempting to do justice to the multi-faceted lo-fi mo-fo hobo mojo indie country folk rock electronica ramshackle shambles that is Northern Alliance. The live band will feature several members of fellow Fence Collectees and all-round good-natured guitarnicks The Red Well. Needless to say, we haven't rehearsed this band yet, we're just assuming it's all gonna come good in the end.
THE RED WELL will also be playing live, with probably no members of Northern Alliance featuring, such is the depressingly one-way nature of our relationship. We need them, they don't need us, no sir. CANDYTHIEF will also be playing, with or without members of her own band, some of The Red Well and/or some of Northern Alliance, depending on who shows up, has learnt any songs, or fancies having a bash on the night regardless.
So come along, it will be fun. Will it be seminal? Possibly. Will it be disastrous? Probably. Will it be unpredictable? Almost certainly.
NORTHERN ALLIANCE, THE RED WELL, CANDYTHIEF LIVE SHOWS:
13th Note, Glasgow, Thursday 19th July, £3
Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Sunday 22nd July, FREE
and books Doug Johnstone (That's me! Hi, there!) is appearing at a TOMBSTONING book event at AK Bell Library Theatre, Perth, Thursday 5th July, 7.30pm, £4. Come along if you're in the area. Should be a hoot.
and stuff Northern Alliance will be releasing a new mini-album called The Hand of God, as part of the Fence Records Picket Fence series, pencilled in for September or October 2007. More details as and when.
[April 18] Take that, The View According to today's Scotsman newspaper, Northern Alliance are the 5th Best Young Band in Scotland. Thanks for the kind words, John Innes. Interestingly, the term 'young' doesn't actually apply to either the band members or the band, which has been going five years and released three albums, but we're open to flattery as much as the next bunch of elderly musicians, so ta.
Gig stuff Doug from the band did two shows at this year's Fence Homegame in Anstruther, and enjoyed his ass off. Many thanks to everyone who organised the event, everyone who played and everyone who came along and clapped, it was a simply awesome brace of weekends. Special thanks to Candythief, King Creosote and Vic Galloway for helping out in songs. Blether about the shows over on the Gigs page.
And one more bit of gig news - Northern Alliance will be playing their first ever full band set (courtesy of borrowing some members from other bands) on 19th July at the 13th Note in Glasgow. Also playing (as well as being part of Northern Alliance) will be The Red Well and Candythief. Should be a belter. Hopefully there will be other gigs around that time as well.
Vive La France. Part three or so. Alliance du Nord continue to go down well with our Gallic cousins. Our good friends at A Decouvrir Absolument have put up a big daft blether by Doug about the songs on the new album. It's here. Check it out. Or don't, you know, it's up to you.
Meanwhile, For the Grains of Sand album is now available at a lot of online music sites, including itunes and CDBaby. Or, natch, you can buy it here, along with the other two records, Hope in Little Things and Disaster for Scotland. Treat yourself, or the one you love.
April 07 Johnny No Mates (continued) Doug from Northern Alliance continues fannying around with his new acoustic guitar, this time up at the Fence Homegame in Anstruther. Having got the first weekend under his belt, performing with Candythief and joined on stage by an effervescent King Creosote for a couple of tunes, he's back up this weekend coming, this time on his jack, and with a handful of new songs in his secret pouch. Watch out for him. If you miss it, tough, it's likely to be the last NA live outing till the summer, when we have something a little special planned (now there's a teaser). Details as and when.
March 07 Johnny No Mates Doug from Northern Alliance has bought a shiny new acoustic guitar, and will be showing it off at a solo show at The Village in Edinburgh on Thursday, 8th March. Also playing will be The Red Well (solo), Jym Ponter, Iona and Little Pebble. It's a fiver to get in, doors are at 8pm. Come along and hurl abuse. There will be at least one new tune aired for the very first time. Oooooh. Etc. Doug will also be playing solo a couple of times, at least, at Fence's Homegame shenanigans in April. Details soon.
2006
12.12.06 Album on general release in January, available on itunes soon, and taking France by storm, kind of
It’s general mayhem. Probably. After a successful limited release in November, Northern Alliance’s spanking new album, For the Grains of Sand, is set for general release throughout the UK on January 15th, 2007. The band's third long player and subsequent mini-tour both received rave reviews across the press in November, and hot damn if they aren’t planning to build on that success in the new year. The record should be available throughout the country from January, as well as still being buyable from this very website and the Fence Records site. Also, it’ll be available through itunes sometime in the new year, as well as a number of other online download sites. The single, ‘Line in the Sand’, is still available for free download from this site as well, so get on it.
Vive La France. Bien sur. Alliance du Nord are taking France by storm. Well, kind of. Anyway, the album’s selling well over there on import, and we’ve received a few glowing reviews in the French press. Check out the reviews page of this site for les chroniques, as they say. Also, 'Scaffolding' from the album is now available free to download from esteemed French music website A Decouvrir Absolument as part of a free compilation album. Check it out, why dontcha?
Hey, that bampot sale is still happening, but not for long. The first two albums, Hope in Little Things and Disaster for Scotland, are still available for a limited time only for the is-that-really-all-they’re-asking price of £5 each. Go on, knock yourselves out.
And lastly, thanks to everyone who helped us out in 2006. Have a good one.
Merry Christmas people. Be nice.
20.11.12 Songs on the radio, reviews in the press, great gigs, new album selling well – it’s all good
It’s all happening, apparently. Northern Alliance’s brand new album, For the Grains of Sand, is out there and getting noticed. The band's third long player has already received half a dozen great reviews in the week after release, everyone from The List and Maverick to the Daily Record and Sunday Mail getting the NA vibe. The free download single ‘Line in the Sand’ is also doing frisky business, plus there has been airplay for a number of new tunes on the likes of Xfm, Radio Scotland, Radio Magnetic and more. Also, the band were interviewed by Phil Olyott on his Radio Ceredigion show – gently rocking the west Wales massive, it would seem.
Also, in a display of bampot generosity, we’re having a sale. The first two albums, Hope in Little Things and Disaster for Scotland are now available for a limited time only for the knock-down kick-ass price of £5 each. Can’t say fairer than that.
The flurry of live activity is now over. A number of different line ups appeared at five shows in Edinburgh, Anstruther and London, with fellow Fence Collectee Candythief doing a sterling job sitting in with the band at several shows. Unlimited thanks to her, and many thanks to everyone who came along and listened.
And lastly, there are plenty more reviews in the pipeline. We’ll post ‘em when we get ‘em.
That's all. As you were.
1.11.06 New album, single and shows - just like a real band!
Hold on to your woolly hats, cos there's a flurry of Northern Alliance activity. The band release a brand new album, For the Grains of Sand, on 6th November, 2006. The album is the band's third long player and is a joint release between their own label 45B and the ever-sexy Fence Records. As a taster, they're also releasing a free download-only single, 'Line in the Sand', on the same day, available from this very website, where you are now, reading this news report about it.
The album is the band's rockingest rock record, their attempt at hi-fi indie anthems - it's no Ace of Spades or Highway to Hell, but goddammit, those NA kids are feeling boisterous this time round. See the biography page for more inane prattle about it.
As if that wasn't enough, the famously and chronically shy band are also coming out of hiding to play a handful of shows around Scotland and 'that London', more details of which very soon, once we've sorted that shit out.
That's all. Stand down.
3.8.06 A book. Tombstoning, a novel by the third of Northern Alliance who is Doug Johnstone, is published today by Penguin. It should be available in all good book shops and hopefully some crap ones too. Look out for it. It's got a nice cover.
3.7.06 A gig. Possibly. Pencilled in is a show at The Village in Leith, but it's ages away, so don't worry. 2nd of November, let's call it an album launch. Possibly also appearing are the wonderful Barbarossa and the more wonderful Pictish Trail. There might be a gig before that, in August, either in Edinburgh or Pittenweem, but there also might not. We don't know. We'll let you know when we do.
3.7.06 We've been faffing around with drum machines and keyboards, and have a bunch of weird electronica indie things. Not sure what to do with them yet. There is chat of a collaboration with Pictish Trail. Also, there should be a song on a Fence Shop Sampler out in August, and maybe a song on the Fencezine free CD in the Autumn. If we pull our fingers out. Which is tricky, with this World Cup going on.
3.7.06 The album is finished. In fact, it was finished a month ago, maybe longer, but we've been recovering from the shock of getting it done, so we haven't posted. It's called For the Grains of Sand, and it's going to be out later this year. At the moment, it's looking like November sometime, as a joint Fence Records and 45B release. It'll be available from us, Fence, and all decent independent record shops. More details as and when. You know the drill.
13.4.05 More gig details as promised. NA are playing as part of the Fence Homegame fringe event, which is really a bunch of great acts playing in pubs in Anstruther the weekend of 22nd/23rd April. We're pencilled in for 3.30pm on the Sunday afternoon in the Old Bank House. Rumoured also to be playing that venue the same day are the fantastic likes of The Red Well, UNPOC, Barbarossa and Adem. Sweet. Fringe tickets are still available from the Fence Records website, and cost £20, which covers all fringe events over the whole weekend. Bargain. See you there. We'll be the ones fiddling with a drum machine on stage.
14.03.06 What? Another gig? Yes, the hardest working band in showbiz will drag their lazy arses up to Anstruther for a wee set in the afternoon of 23rd April as part of the wonderful Fence Homegame. More details to follow.
05.02.06 Two thirds of the NA turned out for the Fence Collective team at Tennent's "Total Futsal" tournament. We were drawn against Aberfeldy and a couple of University teams. We didn't do very well, but got some nice yellow strips for our efforts, 2 pints of lager and some torn knee ligaments.
2005
21.12.05 Progress actually being made on the third album shocker. The recording's mostly done, just a few rejiggings here and there, and the all important (or not) vocals to slap over the top of it all. It's sounding epic. Even if we do say so ourselves. Much bigger and noisier than our previous outings. No idea yet about release date or anything. Anyway, we're hunkering down for Festivus, so see you all in the New Year.
26.9.05 Glasgow gig successfully negociated, thanks to all who came along, and thanks to Fence for putting us on. Right, hibernation time, we've got a third record to make.
6.9.05 Smashing our rule of only playing one gig a year, Northern Alliance will be playing live again in September. Oof. We'll be appearing alongside a selection of other Fence Collective folks at Mono in Glasgow, Sunday 25th September. Doors at 8pm, tickets are a few quid (don't know how much, to be honest, but not a lot). Come along. It'll be great. We're even rehearsing for this one. A bit. Honest.
15.8.05 Pittenweem live appearance successfully negociated. Lovely place, lovely people, great reception. Thanks to everyone from Fence for having us and making us feel welcome. There are rumours of the NA breaking their "one gig per year" rule and appearing in Glasgow in September, but nothing definite yet. Hopefully we'll be back up to a full-strength squad if and when more live dates materialise. Work on the album continues to not occur in the meantime.
15.7.05 Hold on to yer hats, Northern Alliance have a gig! Yup, maintaining our policy of only playing once a year, we're pitching up to the Pittenweem Arts Festival, I think on the 12th August, to do a turn alongside other fine Fence Collective members and friends thereof. It will be an understrength side, as one third of the band is honeymooning at the time, but we'll struggle on regardless. Work on the album continues a(snail's)pace.
8.06.05 Just found out that 'Tomb of the Eagles' from the Fencezine free CD a few months back made it onto the playlist of the Fallout show on Radiomagnetic.com. Nice one. It's not even a proper version of the tune. Oh well. On we go.
02.05.05 Drums are recorded. One-take Johnstone rattled through 12 tracks without skipping a beat. Probably. Not that we'd have noticed, having totalled about 4 hours sleep between us the previous night. Ah... rock and roll, ah... 4am nappy changes.
20.04.05 The first step in recording our third album has been made, that is, we've booked a room to do the drums. Suggest not holding your breath just yet...
20.04.05 Just cracked open the last box of "Hope in Little Things". Not that we're scaremongering, but if you want it, you'd better order it sharpish.
11.2.05 A couple of record labels have been sniffing around the band. That is all.
17.01.05 New song alert. A brand new Northern Alliance tune, 'Tomb of the eagles' is to appear on the CD which comes free with 2005's first issue of the Fence Records fencezine. Dunno when it's out (find out at the Fence website), but you've been warned anyhoo. The tune is an alternative version of a song which will appear on the band's next album, a full-length job entitled 'For the grains of sand', which is scheduled for Christ alone knows when. This year sometime. Maybe the summer?
15.01.05 'Let's form a union' appears on a Fence Records compilation. It's a sampler of the Picket Fence C Series, which Disaster for Scotland was one twelfth of. It's now available for a knockdown price of £3 when you buy something else from the Fence website shop. Do yourself a favour.
11.01.05 Just discovered a late review of Hope in Little Things (about fifteen months late, that's slower than us) at Baby Tiger fanzine. Another pretty glowing write up which ends 'long live lo-fi when it sounds like this'. Thank you Nick Miles. Expect a Disaster for Scotland review from them in about a year's time.
2004
21.10.04 Northern Alliance appear in The List magazine's 50 Best Scottish Bands of All Time. Before you go calling for a steward's inquiry, we weren't actually one of the 50, but featured in the New Talent section alongside such crackers as Sons and Daughters, Biffy Clyro and a handful of fellow Fence Collectees. The full blurb will be up on the site soon. Cheers to everyone at The List, especially Dave Pollock who wrote our wee bit.
15.9.04 Just heard of some random radio play. 'Patron Saint of Sore Throats' from Disaster for Scotland got a couple of airings on Stuart McHugh's Radio Magnetic show, Fallout. Cheers, Stuart.
13.9.04 The latest issue of the Fence Records zine, imaginatively called Fencezine, contains a free CD with a Northern Alliance track on it, amongst loads of other cracking music. Let's Form a Union, we believe, from the band's picket fence contribution, Disaster for Scotland. Enjoy.
1.9.04 Debut gig successfully negotiated last Friday. Thanks to everyone who came along. Back into hibernation.
19.7.04 The good reviews keep trickling in. This time Laurence Arnold in Comes With a Smile talks up not only 'Disaster for Scotland' but 'Hope in Little Things' in the process. Bless him, and all his current or future progeny. Anyhoo, we'll have that review up on the site as soon as laughing computer boy gets back from doing up his wooden shack in France. Couple of weeks. You can wait, right?
1.7.04 Another cracking review, this time from Unpeeled fanzine. It mentions the Bay City Rollers and Ian St John, but don't let that put you off. All these reviews should be up on the website soon. When we pull our fingers out. Honest.
28.6.04 Two more very complimentary reviews for DFS. Rocksound gave the record 8/10, which is an A pass in anyone's book, and Bernhard Bessing in Is This Music wrote a cracking footy-related ramble of a review which featured the words 'fantastic' and 'beautiful'. Good stuff.
20.6.04 NA appeared in Scotland on Sunday today as part of a large feature on the best new bands in Scotland. Twenty mentioned in all, we're in the company of the excellent Sons & Daughters, Raar, The Magnificents and a whole heap of other good bands.
16.6.04 News coming thick and fast, eh? Just heard that NA are to be featured in a Hottest New Bands in Scotland article in this weekend's Scotland on Sunday. Oof. That is good news. Reckon Runrig will be in there too? Buy the paper on Sunday to find out.
16.6.04 A GIG! Shocker. Northern Alliance will be breaking their live duck and popping their live cherry and, erm, whatever else later this summer. The band play live at the Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh, Friday 27th August with King Creosote and The Pictish Trail from the Fence Collective. Yowser. Stick it in yer diaries.
15.6.04 Another slice of radio play, this time the lovely Vic Galloway played 'Ally's Tartan Army' on his delectable Air show on Radio Scotland last night. As always, cheers Vic.
10.6.04 Review number three in, this time from The List magazine, issue 496. A very favourable review from Stuart McHugh, and four stars for our trouble - that's one more than the Beastie Boys, one less than Wilco. That'll do nicely. Also, apparently an NA tune will be on Vic Galloway's Air show on Radio Scotland, Monday coming.
2.6.04 A second highly favourable review just in from Logo magazine. See reviews section for the chat of Nelson Stanley and his three stars. Many thanks, Nelson. What are they putting in the water up here, he asks? As long as it's not bromide, we're happy enough.
31.5.04 The airwaves are hotting up. Slightly. Stuart McHugh has played both 'Patron Saint of Sore Throats' and 'Ally's Tartan Army' in the last couple of weeks on Fallout, Radio Magnetic. Coincidentally, the same two songs have been played by Innes Morrison on Isles FM, gently rocking the good people of the Western Isles with the sounds of NA. Many thanks to both fine fellows for their support.
27.5.04 First review of 'Disaster for Scotland' in, thanks to Clare Harris at the Big Issue in Scotland for the kind words.
26.5.04 'Let's Form a Union' apparently got an airing on the Fallout show on Radio Magnetic yesterday afternoon. Cheers to Stuart McHugh. Also, he played our version of 'Ally's Tartan Army' a couple of weeks ago. Nice one.
20.5.04 The lovely Jim Gellatly played 'Year of the Underdog' from 'Disaster for Scotland' last night on his Beatscene on Beat 106. As always, many heartfelt thanks for the support, Jim.
18.5.04 And so it begins. Kind of. 'Disaster for Scotland' looks as if it's gonna get a few reviews - good or bad? Who knows. Anyway, look out in Rocksound, The List, Big Issue in Scotland, Unpeeled, Metro Scotland, Is This Music and Elevation Station for some NA words. Anything else we'll let you know.
18.5.04 Old record news. Turns out we've been getting radio play without even knowing it. 'Clocks' has been resurrected on Spydaradio recently, while over in sunny Hungary, Neonparade Radio were playing the same song ages ago. Well, that's nice.
29.4.04 New record news. The second Northern Alliance mini-album, 'Disaster for Scotland', will be available from Fence Records as of the beginning of May. Go to their shop and click on 'specials'. You can get it on its own for a fiver or buy up a selection of Picket Fence series C releases at a bargain price. We recommend you do the latter. And, well, that's about it for now.
25.3.04 Lisbon is currently gently rocking to the sounds of NA. One of the DJs at Radio Liz, Jose Zuquete, got in touch to say he's been regularly playing tracks from 'Hope in little things'. What a kind man. What better soundtrack as you relax with a glass of port and a plate of salted cod? None, that's what.
23.3.04 The NA Fence Records music club contribution has been recorded. Two thirds of the band thrashed it out over two days last week, fuelled by single malt whisky, executive lager and the odd herbal fag. Mixing is more or less complete. It includes six new NA tunes and a cover of Ally's Tartan Army by Andy Cameron. It should be available from the Fence website sometime in May hopefully, as part of their Picket Fence series C. Meantime, we've abandoned plans to release a single from 'Hope in little things' simply because the new stuff is sounding so good. We're about the future, not the past.
1.3.04 Someone from Mercury Records called up asking to hear more of our tunes. We sent him some. That's all. Back to sleep.
13.2.04 Provisional single release date of 29th March for double A-side, 'Festivity' / 'Clocks'. Meantime, we got a fantastically late rejection from Saddle Creek Records, making the stupid football analogy score a whopping 5-5. Christ, that sounds like a metaphorically great game. Also, work is continuing apace on our Fence Records half hour EP, a new album (a full one this time) and possible live performances. It's a slow-cook though, not a flash-fry. That way you get a more sophisticated flavour.
5.1.04 New Year, old news. John Peel finally got round to playing NA, 'Festivity in the arms of the people', on the 18th of December. Cheers, John. No other NA news, except we had a festive night out and got wrecked. Quelle surprise.
2003
23.12.03 - Even more almost Xmas. Got a remarkably late album review in, number fourteen for those counting, from Comes With a Smile fanzine. Starts great tails off at the end - that's the review, not the album. Or is it? Either way, it's been a spanking year for the NA, with 2004 looking even better. I know everyone always says that, but it's true. Probably. Well, we'll just have to wait and see, won't we? Meantime have a good 'un and all that, and see you in the new year.
17.12.03 Almost Xmas. That's not exactly news, but it is a fact. This year has seen us garner thirteen (unlucky - shit) great reviews for our debut album, Hope in Little Things, released in September. We've just set up a new studio space, so expect great things in 2004. If we can get it to work. Meantime there will be a single in the new year, honest. We're also working with the wonderful Fence Collective in Fife to do a half-hour Picket Fence release as part of their online music club. There will also, surely, be live dates in 2004. Surely. You think? What are the chances?
26.11.03 Festive Competition!! - If anyone can send us a decent translation of this French Review of the album, we'll send them a CD!!! Email your translation here.
21.10.03 A late review of the album, but most welcome nevertheless, appeared in Metro Scotland yesterday, apparently. Cheers to Paul Whitelaw for kind words. On a domestic note, only one third (me) of NA is currently in the country. Jetsetting fucks. No further forward with single release at the moment.
14.10.03 October. Nothing much happening. One third of the band currently lives in Italy. The other two thirds are trying to move house in Lothian. A single, Festivity in the arms of the people, will probably be out before the end of the year. Just keeping yr posted.
30.9.03 NA goes international. Kind of. Had two enquiries about the band, one from Juan - a journalist based in Barcelona, and one from Jose, a DJ in Portugal who wants to playlist our ass. The Iberian peninsula rocks!
29.9.03 Just heard we've had a couple more songs played on Radio Ceredigion. West Wales doesn't know how lucky it is. 'Clocks' and 'Earthquake zone' this time. Thanks to Phil for that.
22.9.03 Album out today, apparently, and flying off the shelves. Probably. We got two great reviews over the weekend, in the Sunday Herald and the Scotland on Sunday. Many thanks to both Graeme Virtue and Colin Somerville for the kind words. Also, Jim Gellatly played yet another tune on last night's Beatscene on Beat 106, 'When the clocks go forward'. It's all good.
18.9.03 More radio play on Radio Magnetic last week - 'Buildings of the future' again. Sweet.
17.9.03 Oof, a whole week without a review - starting to go cold turkey there. Kerrang saved us, though, with one of the best reviews yet, and a kerrazy four Ks - thanks to Camilla Pia. Who woulda thunk we were so rock'n'roll?
9.9.03 Another review over the weekend - and a cracker it was too. Gillian Nash in Logo magazine loved the record - nice one Gillian, whoever you are. Also, we came through our first radio interview relatively unscathed on Jim Gellatly's Beatscene on Sunday. The full interview is available on the downloads page. No sniggering at the back.
4.9.03 Lovely Vic Galloway played Earthquake Zone again on his Radio Scotland show, Air. As always, ta Vic. Also, there may be Scotland on Sunday and Metro Scotland reviews in the pipeline for round about release date time. Will they slate us? We're due a stinker...
1.9.03 Elevation Station (excellent Scottish music website) have us pinned for Song of the Month. Dunno which song - all of em, probably. Also, the fine people at Fence Records got in touch to say they're loving the NA, but cannae do any more for us than we're already doing for ourselves. DIY's the way to go, the kids. That makes the score 5-4 or 4-5, depending which way you take that bit of news, in the increasingly improbable football analogy of record company interest. Also, for all insomniacs out there, listen out for an NA tune every night this week on Beat 106, midnight-3am, courtesy of Jim Gellatly.
1.9.03 September - already a lovely NA month, and only a day old. The Q review is in, issue #207, Oct 2003. Good review, three stars, and Andy Penfold uses 'sleepy', 'muted', 'Sparklehorse', 'Mogwai' and ends with 'certainly promising'. Also we're apparently getting a positive Kerrang review in the near future. Rock on, the kids. Also, we got mentioned in the Daily Record (!) on Friday, in the Coming Soon section, next to Iron Maiden. A review soon? Reckon we'll get a better one than Bruce and co? It's time to dust off the spandex keks and headbands.
28.8.03 Another day, another good review. This time it's the Big Issue in Scotland, issue 435. Leon McDermott uses the words 'lovely' (fast becoming a reviewers' favourite) and 'pretty'. He also mentions Low and Kingsbury Manx. That's a new one to add to the list. Cheers, Leon.
28.8.03 Listen out for us talking shite on Jim Gellatly's Beatscene on Beat 106, Sunday 7th September, 7-10pm. This involves us spraffing and rambling, and Jim playing some NA tunes. He'll also be playing NA stuff on his late show (midnight-3am, I think) in the week preceeding the Beatscene show. As always, ta Jim.
28.8.03 Some record label news. Fierce Panda and Domino have both requested albums. Geographic have said they like us, but cannae take us on. All three are great labels. Dunno what that makes the score now, 4-4? An eight-goal thriller? The fans are the winners.
Phil Olyott has been playing 'When the clocks go forward' on Radio Ceredigion. That's West Wales to you. Nice part of the world.
Official release date has finally been confirmed for the album - 22nd September. If you can't wait, buy it here and now from us. We might even throw in a free gift. Might.
NA go 3-2 down in the battle of the record labels. Poptones, formerly of Creation Records fame, dinnae want us. Ho hum.
More radio and press chat. Donna Legge is apparently gonna play bits of NA on her Across the Line show on Radio Ulster. Also, the new issue of Rock Sound (Issue #52, James Hetfield on the cover) reviews the album. 6/10 and very favourable, words like 'lovely', 'refreshing' and 'very likeable' appear. Cheers to Trevor Baker and Darren Taylor for that. Also, Shane Quentin will be playing some NA on his Garden of Earthly Delights show on CRMK (89.8 FM in the Milton Keynes area, you lucky people).
Tiny news: the album is now available to order on Amazon, and will soon be available from the SL Records website. But since it's been available to buy from this site for a while, posting this news here is virtually useless. Amazon price is £6.99, ours is £7 but we'll deliver it free. If we get the postage right. Not a sure thing at all.
The radio play keeps coming - this time it was the lovely Vic Galloway on his Air show on Radio Scotland last night (4.8.03). 'Earthquake Zone' was his track of choice, you can listen to his show again at the Air site (it's worth it too, cos there's a cracking Snow Patrol acoustic session). Also, rumour has it Welsh radio is going daft for NA. We like the Welsh, and are currently investigating their radio waves for confirmation. Oh, and Jim played 'Buildings of the future' on Sunday's Beatscene. Only four more album tracks to go, Jim, and you've played a full house...
...and yet more radio news. Radio 2XS have given the album a rave review, using phrases like 'Wow' and asking 'where the hell have this band been all these years?' We've been here, Radio 2XS, in and around Edinburgh, just minding our own business, drinking and smoking and having a laugh and stuff. Anyhoo, those lovely people have playlisted 'Earthquake Zone'. Cheers, all.
...and a third bit of radio play this week. Stuart McHugh has played 'Buildings of the future' twice in the last two weeks on his show, Fallout, which is on Radio Magnetic every Tuesday, 4-6pm. Once more, ta Stuart.
Two bits of radio news. Firstly, Danny Garlick at online station Spydaradio has e-mailed to say he's been "playing the hell out of" 'When the clocks go forward' on his Slipstream show, and has linked to this site. Cheers Danny - much appreciated. Also this Sunday (3.8.03) Jim Gellatly is playing more NA on Beatscene on Beat 106. What's he gonna play? Tune in and find out. Or don't. Your choice.
Got a phone call Friday afternoon (25.7.03) from Andy Penfold of Q magazine saying he's reviewing the record (and liking it, natch) in the September issue. Q! Only the biggest selling music rag in the UK. I think. That'll do nicely, cheers Andy.
Got that Unpeeled review in the post 28.7.03, comparing us to ELO and George Harrison - oof. It's in Series 4, #6 of the fanzine, and we'll fire it up on the site soon as poss. Thanks (I think) to everyone at Unpeeled, you can get in touch with them at 102 Clifton Rd, Hastings, TN35 5AP or e-mail shane@unpeeled.freeserve.co.uk.
In the battle between good and evil record companies, those For Northern Alliance equalised to take it to 2-2 at half time, thanks to Tom at Loose Music, who e-mailed us saying he liked the tracks we sent him and wants to hear more. Loose currently take care of the superb Vera Cruise, Willard Grant Conspiracy, Giant Sand and many more fine bands. Further match reports as and when.
Two unconnected 'rock' snippets of news. Those nice Mogwai people at Rock Action Records don't want to sign us. Ho hum. But some other nice people at Rock Sound magazine are reviewing the album in the August 20th issue. What next, a three-page feature in Rock & Ice, "the climber's magazine"? No, that would be daft. Oh aye, and a guy in Austria e-mailed to say he loves the album, and has been copying it for all his mates. Nice sentiment, but get 'em to buy the fucker off the website, eh? We're not a fruggin' charity.
Album reviews in the pipeline from Unpeeled fanzine (sorry, dunno where you can get a copy yet) and the Elevation Station website.
We've been sending CDs to record companies. So far we know that Fat Cat don't like us, but Wichita do. Both quality labels, one of them sadly misguided in this instance.
There's an interview with the band in issue six of Is this Music?, the one with the excellent Biffy Clyro on the front cover. The interview's got swearing in it and everything.
The lovely Jim Gellatly played more Northern Alliance on Sunday 29th June on Beat 106. 'Festivity in the arms of the people' this time - good choice, Jim. Listen out for a Beatbreakers feature on that show in the near future, as well as some tunes being played soon on Vic Galloway's Radio Scotland show Air. A highly favourable review of Hope in Little Things is also apparently in the pipeline from the Big Issue in Scotland. Details when we've got 'em.
'When the clocks go forward' features on the free CD with issue 5 of Is this Music?. Thanks to Stuart for including us.
Jim Gellatly played 'When the clocks go forward' on the Beatscene (beat 106) on Sunday 18th May! Cheers Jim!