I’ll never have to say, “why don’t you ask Den?” again
Having recruited Dennis Hamilton on drums, TwinsTown have a full squad ready to rock.
Gigs
In other news
Leroy Day is back and my favourites, Honk, will be playing. Here is Billy announcing plans for 2022.
Delighted to announce that Leroy Day will be returning after a 2 year absence and will be taking place as it has done since the first one 27 years ago on first Sunday in May. It will in essence be a delayed 25 year celebration of keeping this whole thing going in memory of our dear friend Leroy.
More details to follow but put 1st May at PJ Malloys in your diaries folks. It’s always Dunfermline’s number one musical extravaganza. ❤
Billy George, Honk
Leroy.Original Honk line up.“Honk against our back drop. A lassie from New Zealand who was touring Scotland did it in the cellar of The Spider’s Web where I was working at the time. Cost us 2 pints of guinness and a bar lunch. 🤣💙” – Billy George.
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.
TwinsTown and My Pet Rocket released their new Christmas single and official music video on Friday, 10th December, and already it has well over 6,000 views on Facebook.
For non-Facebook users the track is available here and will be released on YouTube at 4.30pm today. Streaming on all major services will follow shortly.
Harry Dixon on bass, Billy George on vocals, Dom Owtram on drums, and My Pet Rocket on vocals.
The video starts with an introduction from Hugh Reed of Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants and Hugh is outstanding as Santa Claus making his list and checking it twice.
Hugh Reed from Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants making a brilliant cameo appearance as Santa Claus.
In other highlights, Stuart Mackay, widely regarded as the sixth sexiest man in TwinsTown, appears in a bright red Christmas onesie.
My Pet Rocket, Donald and Stuart Mackay.
TwinsTown will be headlining the Whanga Records Christmas Party on Sunday, 19th December, at PJ Molloys, Dunfermline.
I just knew you guys had something special from the moment I met you.
Billy George, manager and vocals
My wee song previews for TwinsTown’s stunning debut album end here, with the title track, Brankholm Brae. It’s going to be emotional.
I’m buzzing with this album… love you all like brothers, the whole team. I mean it from the bottom of my big heart [Big Heart is track 6 on Side One].
Stuart Mackay, lead vocals and guitar
Being part of TwinsTown is great. We are like brothers. The brethren. Making Brankholm Brae has been one of the best experiences ever, and I think that goes for everyone involved. Even Harry has his mojo back.
Aye, actually enjoyed playing guitar for the first time in about 7 years.
Harry Dixon, bass and lead guitar
We’ve reached the end of an era.
No more trips to Tpot Studios, Path of Condie.
No more extraordinary feats of producing (and patience) from top sound man Robin Wynn Evans.
No more extraordinary feats of everything (including huge patience) from top band manager Billy George.
No more recording sessions watching Harry Dixon, Wayne Robertson, Mark Guyan, Donald Mackay and Stuart Mackay putting heart and soul into their work.
No more mixing, trying to decide if Harry shouting “FLARE IT!” can be heard during Something New.
No more drinking ’til the early sunrise, Monday morning long lies, nor holidays and alibis.
As for the mix. Fucking love it. It’s perfect for me, every track. I’m happy with the drums and the vocals. Wrath has a cool western reverb too.
Wayne Robertson, drums
Of course, you know what brothers are like. It’s not all love and bromance. There’s always the odd fall-out, tumble off a bar stool, black eye, and even the odd dressing down in a dressing gown. The quiet ones are always the worst. You know who they are, and THEY know who they are…
Honestly feeling a lot more confident about everything after [rehearsing] last night. Not going to lie, I was doubting my capabilities quite a bit, but now I can’t wait to get gigging.
Mark Guyan, keyboards and piano
Putting bumps into othewise flat roads is the worst “calming measure” ever. Speed bumps infuriate me. TwinsTown have the best calming measure ever. The Backbone is back! The King of All-In as I call him. B# to some, it’s Ben Sharp. The former TwinsTown man has returned for Brankholm Brae providing all with a sharp dose of reality, bass galore and angelic vocals.
Yep, tunes sound banging… we’ve all put in good work.
Ben Sharp, bass guitar and vocals
Although when it comes to the good, the bad and the ugly of TwinsTown, the B-Sharp man doesn’t stand alone in the good category. Who can forget Donald and Stuart saving Jim on the bridge in the Wölves’ video for Animal.
You are my fucking hero… a life saver! [Donald to Billy].
Donald Mackay, lead vocals and guitar
Last night a DJ saved my life… yes, I can remember when Billy was a DJ. He played one of my office parties at Murrayfield and had a longstanding residency in the classic Somewhere Else famously run by the late Jim Kirkpatrick and Bob Dick. I wonder what those two toun legends would say about TwinsTown now. It probably doesn’t bear thinking about.
Brankholm Brae’s title track is track 12 on TwinsTown’s stunning debut album.
The more I listen, the more I like it.
Joe Graham, PR and photography
Brankholm Brae does grow on you. Arguably the title track more than any other. I just can’t get Brankholm Brae out of my head, it’s indie pop gold from the very first verse…
I’m moving on, I’ve left the nest
I’ve found a safe haven and I’m taking a rest at the Brae
TwinsTown
Track 12 Brankholm Brae is unashamedly sweet and sentimental. Donald and Stuart issue an open invitation to visit and stay at Brankholm Brae, their home. It brings a tear to my eye thinking of the lonely twosome heartbroken, their kind invitation dashed on the rocks by Covid-19’s social distancing.
You can come along in the morning
You can come at night or day
You can come along without warning
You can come to mine and stay
At the Brankholm Brae
TwinsTown
Kindness is the best and there’s tons of it whenever you visit Double Trouble at the Brae. I can testify to it personally and I won’t mention the neighbours.
Don’t be a stranger
It doesn’t matter what the neighbours say !!!
TwinsTown
With the album sorted thoughts are turning to music videos now.
Do you have any ideas for a video that aren’t like a David Lynch meets Quentin Tarantino on acid collaboration?
Billy George, manager and vocals
Personally, I like vampires and cowboys.
Everybody loves a cowboy! We need to do a western for Wrath of the Rum. We can use Erin’s horses.
Stuart Mackay, lead vocals and guitar
Wild, wild horses, I hope.
As well as videos, thoughts are turning to gigs, streaming or at least live recordings.
I think Ben needs to play the bass for the first two it would be like The Beatles without John Lennon playing those songs without your guitar parts Duke, especially Spitfire [Donald to Harry].
Donald Mackay, lead vocals and guitar
As I mentioned previously, I’ve been tuning into Stevie Agnew’s Sunday Sesh on Facebook Live. Food for thought. I can tell TwinsTown are hungry, itching to get going, on something or another.
Absolutely love you and your playing… [Harry to Ben].
Harry Dixon, bass and lead guitar
Videos, gigs, and of course thoughts are also turning to singles. That really will be a difficult choice. Billy was considering Johnny Depp for the first single but…
I might change my mind in the morning though. Such is the fluctuational appeal of this wonderful collection of songs.
Billy George, manager and vocals
I’m the same as Billy, there’s just so many good tunes that there really is no obvious first single. At the moment I favour Dive In which is track 7 on Side Two.
Side Two of Brankholm Brae the stunning debut album from TwinsTown.
Anyway, we’re almost at the end… of the previews, only the previews.
I think the songs speak for themselves, Joe… I like folk guessing what they are about.
Stuart Mackay, lead vocals and guitar
Aw aye, thanks for that, Stuart. Now you tell me, AFTER I’ve written the 12 wee previews. Grrr!
Only joking, I think everyone has their own idea of what a song is about. It actually doesn’t matter what the writer or writers intended. One of the beautiful things about music is that one song can mean different things to different people.
Music for me, and I like music.
Anonymous
Brankholm Brae – Side Two.
Coming soon…
You’ll never guess… it’s only Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from Dunfermline indie rockers TwinsTown.
Sometimes your brain just runs wild, thoughts flashing through your mind, you know, a frenzy.
Turning Japanese – The Vapours
Every Day I Die – Gary Numan
Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
Be My Girl (Sally) – The Police
St. Swithin’s Day – Billy Bragg
Pictures of Lily – The Who
Pump It Up – Elvis Costello
My Ding-A-Ling – Chuck Berry
Fingers – Pink
Bed Bugs – TownTown
Sometimes you just have to make a list. A top ten even. It’s in no particular order mind. TwinsTown are No.1 not No.10, but it’s just random anyway. Certainly nothing anyone might want to hide from their mum and dad.
Bed Bugs is track 11 on Brankholm Brae the stunning debut album from TwinsTown.
Bed Bugs is a song about mental health: the importance of it and occasionally, or sometimes more than occasionally, the things we do to keep ourselves sane. Check out the chorus…
I try to fall asleep but the bed bugs
Want me
Oh the creepy little bed bugs
Haunt me
I try to fall asleep and the bed bugs
Taunt me
They’re keeping me up in the night
TwinsTown
I love the bridge too. We can all relate…
And they’re jealous
They’re all paranoid schizophrenics
And it’s all my fault
TwinsTown
Arguably, Bed Bugs provides the most engaging intro of all the songs on Brankholm Brae. It’s both quirky and cute. The song continues in the same vein as the lead guitar takes us into a bouncy tune with the trademark TwinsTown call and response vocals used to full effect.
Look out too for the equally subtle and gorgeous backing vocals from Billy George, Ben Sharp and Ellie George. After her introductory appearance on Big Heart, I think I’m right in saying Bed Bugs is Ellie’s second outing on Brankholm Brae.
I hope her fellow backing singers, only her dad and boyfriend, won’t mind if I say Ellie gives good “Oooo’s”. I can’t even spell Oooo’s. The last time Stuart passed me the mic Mark jumped out of his piano stool like a scalded cat and chased me away. That’ll be the end of my singing career.
Back on topic, Bed Bugs is over far too soon. T’here’s an impatient urgency, a rush and a push towards the climax. I didn’t say pull.
Despite it’s brevity, I predict it’s going to be a classic. Bed Bugs is the TwinsTown song for TwinsTown fans… like me!
Fred Flintstone and Clint Eastwood are hard acts to follow, but Bed Bugs goes in hard, standing up to the pop reference challenge with the rat pack and Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and the twins’ grandad. 50p each way on Dean Martin.
The flavour was fine
’cause it got savoured in time
We try try try
But love’s hard to find
So bye bye bye !!!!
TwinsTown
Four exclamation marks to end this one. Oaft! There’s some pent-up emotion going on and no mistake.
Following Wrath of the Rum and Say Goodbye to the Summer, Bed Bugs is the penultimate track on TwinsTown’s Brankholm Brae.
Just one song preview to go now, the title track, Brankholm Brae. There’s going to be no pent-up emotion for the final track. It’s all released. There won’t be a dry eye in the house. Tissues at the ready, please.
Coming soon…
We can’t keep it undercovers forever, it’s the album most likely to, it’s Brankholm Brae.
Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from TwinsTown. Honestly, it’s coming soon.
Is Lo Siento a love song? I don’t know. I don’t speak Spanish.
Lo Siento is track 8 on TwinsTown’s stunning debut album, Brankholm Brae.
What I do know is that Lo Siento captures what it’s like to be a twentysomething on a Mediterranean holiday. And yes, I can remember what it’s like, thank you very much!
Actually, as I write this I have Top of the Pops on in the background, an episode from 1990, and Betty Boo is singing Where are you Baby? It fair takes me back…
I see Elton John was at no.11 that week with Sacrifice… and that’s me… back in TwinsTown. Please step away from the piano, Donald.
Lo Siento is an unassuming wee number hiding a dark heart about the perils of boys abroad and holiday encounters from the romantic to the, well, not so romantic.
Hiding behind booming love anthem Dive In as Brankholm Brae’s track 8, Lo Siento takes a wee walk on the wild side in an un-named Spanish resort.
I hate those ‘Brits Abroad’ type shows but this is more Britpop abroad, a very British coming-of-age tale; shedding school days angst for sexy señoritas and braggadocios.
Musically, it’s less Walk on the Wild Side with Lou Reed and more Wild World with Cat Stevens. There’s a wee hint of Spanish guitar and a flamenco feel as the song flirts with the mellow sounds of the seventies.
At a first listen, I thought, this has ‘album track’ written all over it, and that may be, however after several listens it becomes as interesting musically as it is lyrically. There’s much more going on here than you first imagine.
In conclusion, I’m not sure how the twins even got to Spain… Stuart only scoring a 7 in Geography, FFS!
Coming soon…
52 años a Par, la versión casi en blanco y negro de la portada de Jack Paton para Brankholm Brae de TwinsTown.
Brankholm Brae, el impresionante álbum debut de TwinsTown, saldrá este año.
Dive In delivers a spritely start to Side Two of Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from TwinsTown.
The song was created when Donald Mackay, Ben Sharp, and Ben’s two friends, were jamming. Ben had the chords but had to leave. Donald offered to write a song with Ben’s chords, and Dive In was almost done and dusted when Ben returned.
It’s funny how the best songs can take the shortest time. I was talking on here recently about Phil Oakey of the Human League and Giorgio Moroder writing Together in Electric Dreams in just 10 minutes. Later, Oakey complained, albeit tongue in cheek, that Human League songs taking weeks or months enjoyed less chart success.
Dive In is track 7 on Brankholm Brae. Opening Side Two of TwinsTown’s debut album with a bang!
I first heard Dive In via Facebook Live. It was an impromptu performance in Harry’s back garden, and I loved the hook, “…plenty more fish in the sea,” which was added by Stuart Mackay to fully complete Donald’s earlier work with Ben’s chords. Great effort, Team TwinsTown!
Dive in into my mind to find some new people
Leaving my past behind because I don’t need another sequel
Dive in for me I’m a shark in the water
There’s plenty more fish in the sea
TwinsTown
Side One ends with the optimism of Big Heart and Dive In opens Side Two with a similar look at the upside of love and romance.
Dive In follows Big Heart, the last song on Side One of TwinsTown’s Brankholm Brae.
Musically, the song is tight. It pushes along at pace, a steady, unrelenting pace all the way to the bridge, before climaxing with guitar, keys and drums finally breaking out. It’s both conventional and satisfying. It’s TwinsTown plays pop.
Team TwinsTown Talk
Last night band manager Billy George aka Big Daddy gave the band a boost via WhatsApp.
He said: “You know what lads. I genuinely think this album [Brankholm Brae] is the best I’ve heard in many a year. I’m not saying this lightly. I’d like to congratulate each and every one of you. I’ve listened to it 3 times in a row with headphones on and it’s just an unrelenting work of joy. ❤️❤️”
“It’s got a bit of everything. Sacks full of melody, great lyrics, beautiful harmonies, awesome beats, booming bass, jazzy keyboards and walls and walls of guitar genius.”
Needless to say Big Daddy’s love was returned in spades by all.
Happy days for TwinsTown.
Coming soon…
You know it, it’s Brankholm Brae, the stunning debut album from TwinsTown.
As I suspected when posting yesterday, the final master mixes for TwinsTown’s Brankholm Brae arrived last night.
Appropriate really, as the next song to be previewed here is track 4. Something New and it’s the song introducing the band’s current line up, featuring Mark Guyan, Wayne Robertson and Harry Dixon.
The twins are back, that’s a matter of fact
And they’re back with Mark and The Wasp and The Duke
What you see is what you get
And what you hear man, you’ll never forget
TwinsTown
Along with Wayne on drums and Harry on guitar, piano man Mark Guyan has added a touch of class to proceedings, a whole new dimension.
I had a wee listen to the new mixes on arrival but I’ll be blasting them later today.
On Something New one wee update incorporated by producer Robin at Tpot is making Harry’s “Flare it!” shouts a bit more prominent.
The green light on Brankholm Brae is drawing ever closer.
Something New introduces TwinsTown’s new line up for the recording of debut album Brankholm Brae. Green light coming soon.
Something New also finds Donald and Stuart dreaming of good times to come. Given our current Covid-19 crisis I think we all need the power of dreams right now. Something New either already is, or will be, a reality for many of us during 2021, and hopefully it’ll be something good.
All the best from TwinsTown.
Something New is track 4. on TwinsTown’s forthcoming debut album Brankholm Brae.
Spitfire, the second track on Brankholm Brae, is bound to be a TwinsTown classic. It’s the most rockin’ number on the forthcoming debut album; you can rock out on it and order a pizza to it. It’s universally good, no holds barred, rock ‘n’ roll. I liken it to Primal Scream in their pomp.
Spitfire is the second track on TwinsTown’s stunning debut album, Brankholm Brae.
Lovable, easy-going Double Trouble and the boys are uncharacteristically spoiling for a showdown. You can actually hear the Spitfire overhead while they enlist Winston Churchill to the cause.
II spend my time shooting the breeze
And you’re a bit too close for comfort, are you my enemy?
I’m engaged for fire so try me and see
Yeah you’re a bit too close for comfort
This is World War 3!
Twinstown
Asking Donald about Spitfire he replied, “I’d rather Nazi,” and this perfectly explains why I usually just make quotes up.
Coming soon…
Brankholm Brae, TwinsTown’s stunning debut album to be released this year, featuring Spitfire, the anti-Nazi classic.
Brankholm Brae gives us indie rockers TwinsTown stirring up the togetherness of WWII Spitfire pilots.
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.
TwinsTown’s twins Stuart and Donald painted specifically for debut album Brankholm Brae by local Dunfermline artist, and friend of the band, Jack Paton. Thank you, Jack.
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.
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