A State of Mind, the award-winning podcasters, invited Donald and Stuart to represent TwinsTown, performing a few songs and being interviewed. Apparently the podcasters had met the twins before, when they gatecrashed a Kyle Falconer interview, and knew what they were getting into. Hard to believe, I know.
Later, I discovered top podcaster Paul John Dykes is originally from Oakley. The world makes sense for once. These days I’m glad when something, anything, makes sense.
Donald and Stuart Mackay at A State of Mind Unplugged I.Donald and Stuart Mackay at A State of Mind Unplugged II.Donald Mackay at A State of Mind Unplugged.Stuart Mackay at A State of Mind Unplugged.Paul John Dykes, award-winning podcaster, A State of Mind Unplugged.John McMulkin, taking a break from waging war against criminals with his indestructible supercar, KITT.Top cameraman Kelvin focusing on Stuart as Donald tunes up.Stuart Mackay and Stuart Rae preparing for a car crash interview at A State of Mind Unplugged.Stuart Mackay interview ready, in helmet and goggles.
A State of Panic, I mean preparation, A State of Preparation
To prepare for the podcast I watched A State of Mind Unplugged featuring Shambolics. Unsurprisingly deeply earnest in parts (not in a bad way), it had iconic captions to introduce interview segments.
SHAMBOLICS ON… THE BEATLES & KIRKCALDY
My mind boggled. Imagine the TwinsTown captions… taboo doesn’t even begin to describe my thoughts. Unpublishable even on this liberal blog.
In the end diplomacy and clever editing won.
TWINSTOWN ON… FIFE TODAY CALLING YOU ‘A FORCE OF NATURE’
Cut to the Chase, FFS!
This is well worth a watch and thank you A State of Mind Unplugged.
Stuart Mackay post-interview celebration at A State of Mind Unplugged.Cheers!A State of Mind studio I.A State of Mind studio II.A TwinsTown State of Mind.A TwinsTown State of Mind including me.
Before lockdown and later restrictions, TwinsTown were busy rehearsing at Scott Gilbert’s Penthouse Practice Suite, situated above the Seven Kings at 2a Chalmers Street, when Stevie Agnew walked in, and joined in.
Stuart Mackay, Stevie Agnew and Donald Mackay at Scott Gilbert’s Penthouse Practice Suite.
You can’t beat a bit of Stevie. Back in summertime I was lucky. My birthday is 7th July and this year beer gardens reopened on 6th July. I wandered down to The White Gates thinking it’d be busy and I’d have a wee birthday bash a day early. It was busy, and even better, Stevie and Jock Boland were there to entertain us. James was also playing but I’ve forgotten his surname.
Stuart starring in a Penthouse Practice Suite ad.
This was before anyone decided to ban singing and it was a brilliant night. I kid you not, Jock was trying to go home for half an hour. The “one more tune” calls didn’t stop. He played some magnificent folk songs. The local talent we have is just astounding.
Jock Boland (right).
Stevie and James were awesome too, playing some well known covers before mixing it up with novelty songs and other oddities.
Stevie Agnew (centre) at The White Gates.
I had a brilliant birthday just one day early.
Stevie Agnew (centre) and the boys at Toastie’s Penthouse Practice Suite.
The next Saturday afternoon The Stevie Agnew Band played the roof at The White Gates. It was like U2 playing the rooftop in Los Angeles for their Grammy Award-winning music video. Stevie and his band missed a trick by not blasting out Where The Streets Have No Name.
Stuart and Donald at Toastie’s Penthouse Practice Suite.
A little later The White Gates built a new stage on a lower level than the beer garden. From the roof the sound was disappearing up the village. The new stage solved that problem and The Stevie Agnew Band returned for a second scintillating post-lockdown gig.
The Stevie Agnew Band on stage at The White Gates with former TwinsTown drummer Ronnie Dalrymple. Ronnie has 8 fingers and 2 thumbs, “lock up your daughters, sisters and mums,” as you’ll hear on our video page.
TwinsTown love Stevie – who doesn’t!? – and his album Hurricane Road. Informally, just entertaining friends, I’ve heard Donald and Stuart sing Stevie’s Wreckin’ Yard, albeit given a wee TwinsTown makeover. The best cover versions usually have a wee twist.
Anna Heslop and Stuart Mackay wearing Stevie Agnew Hurricane Road hat.
It’s always good to see local artists supporting each other. Until recently Eggman Studios, the home of up-and-coming Fife band Shambolics, sat next door to Toastie’s Penthouse Practice Suite, and Shambolics popped along to support our TwinsTown rehearsal.
Shambolics watching TwinsTown.
Scott Gilbert aka Toastie recorded his forthcoming single Walk On By at Eggman Studios, next door to his own Penthouse Practice Suite.
Scott Gilbert aka Toastie recording at Eggman Studios.
Shambolics and Eggman Studios have now relocated to Glasgow and all at TwinsTown wish them the very best of luck. Although with their obvious talent and having already signed with Scottish music mogul Alan McGee, who is also based in Glasgow, Shambolics won’t need luck. McGee’s old label Creation Records famously signed Oasis, Primal Scream, as well as Jesus and Mary Chain. His new label Creation23 is focusing on releasing vinyl as TwinsTown intend to do for debut album Brankholm Brae.
Eggman Studios, Dunfermline, is no more. Our own Wayne is pictured 4th from the left.
Amazingly, in almost 4 years, I’ve not managed to book Stevie Agnew or his band to play Tappie Toories. I’ll need to rectify that error asap. How brilliant would it be to have Stevie and TwinsTown in Tappies on the same night. Maybe one day…
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