Brankholm Brae

Today TwinsTown reveal their cover art for forthcoming debut album Brankholm Brae and it’s a typically brilliant painting by local Dunfermline artist, and friend of the band, Jack Paton. We’d like to send a big thank you to Jack, his effort and support is very much appreciated.

The work, painted specifically for Brankholm Brae, follows the theft of Jack’s original take on TwinsTown’s twins Donald and Stuart.

The earlier work featuring Stuart and Donald Mackay by Jack was stolen from Dunfermline High Street.

Jack’s earlier work featuring Stuart and Donald (as shown above) was stolen from Dunfermline High Street. For years now Jack has been adding colour to the auld grey toun by strategically placing art in the centre of Dunfermline.

A friend told me, “you’re nobody in this toun until you have a Jack Paton,” needless to say she reached for her mobile phone to prove that her famous fizzog does indeed appear in a Jack Paton.

Unfortunately, I don’t have that one in my phone, but I do have Pars fan Andrew Carnegie and The Skids’ and Big Country’s Stuart Adamson.

Stuart and Donald sharing the limelight with Dunfermline legends Andrew Carnegie and Stuart Adamson.

Here’s more of Jack’s art and I’m sure the boys will love this.

Noel and Liam Gallagher by Jack Paton pictured alongside their heroes Stuart and Donald Mackay. Or is it the other way around. Who knows!?

My favourite Jack Patons are of Billy Connelly and if you look carefully below you might spot the man himself, toun legend, Jack Paton.

This time Double Trouble, Stuart and Donald, are overshadowed by Jack Paton himself and three of his paintings featuring Billy Connolly. Top left is the Big Yin looking down from the gap site towards Dunfermline High Street.

For the back cover of Brankholm Brae we’d like the full band photographed; Harry Dixon, Wayne Robertson, Mark Guyan, Donald Mackay and Stuart Mackay. However, with lockdown and all the Covid-19 restrictions I have not managed a single shot of the full TwinsTown line up, nevermind one with their backing singers, TwinsTown manager Billy George, Billy’s daughter Ellie and former TwinsTown member Ben Sharp.

Billy is planning a vinyl release for Brankholm Brae but with everything going on we don’t have a date yet. Hopefully it will be 2021. Just for Billy I’ve photoshopped a mostly black and white alternative album cover. I like to call it 52 Years A Par. Well done for supporting the band, Billy. You’re a star!

Black and white version 52 Years A Par for long-suffering TwinsTown manager Billy George.

Thanks again to Jack Paton. To view and buy Jack’s art please click here: Art by Jack Paton.

Stay alive!

Today, in advance of their forthcoming debut album, Brankholm Brae, indie rockers TwinsTown have launched their new website.

“During these gig-free times, it’s another great way for us to keep in touch with our audience,” explained Stuart Mackay, who fronts the 5-piece with brother Donald.

“Our ever-growing audience,” chimed Donald, keen to point out the increasing popularity of the band on Facebook and Instagram. The TwinsTown Twitter page is a recent addition and hasn’t caught on yet.

“We’ll continue to use Facebook and Instagram as usual, and now Twitter too. Our website will be an addition, with all the social media links available.

“Let’s hope TwinTowners share freely.”

Before social distancing, and before Mark joined TwinsTown. Wayne, Zena, Harry, Stuart and Donald.

Talking of sharing freely, I’ve been sharing a few with the boys in Tappie Toories, the band’s spiritual home, as it was for Big Country when the popular Dunfermline boozer was owned and operated by frontman Stuart Adamson and his wife Sandra. I drank in Tappies with Stuart behind the bar or playing tunes. I remember reading an NME article around that time listing Big Country as the third biggest act in the world behind U2 and Simple Minds respectively.

I mention this as TwinsTown don’t just share Stuart’s old pub, they share his drive and ambition too. On one of the nights, Tappies hosted band member Harry Dixon’s birthday party and the social distancing didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm.

I asked the more reserved members, Wayne Robertson and Mark Guyan, if TwinsTown share a wee bit of Big Country’s talent. Drinks were set down for a round of serious nodding. I think I heard a couple of “Oh! aye!” remarks but difficult to know for sure when sitting 2 metres away.

Please watch this space for more TwinsTown updates.

Category: Brankholm Brae

TwinsTown’s Brankholm Brae Album Cover Revealed

New website launched by indie rockers TwinsTown