Watch Craig giving it laldy by clicking the link above.
Craig Birrell, before giving it laldy in the official video for Anthemesque.
Directed and filmed by our PR and photographer, Joe Graham, at Whanga Records’ rehearsal and recording studio at 2a Chalmers Street, Dunfermline, Craig gives an amazing, dramatic performance, like a modern-day Richard Burton. Sorry young yins, let’s say Joaquin Pheonix or Daniel Day-Lewis instead. I watched There Will Be Blood recently and Day-Lewis was astounding.
Actually, there was blood in Anthemesque. I was agog. I only said that because I love that word, agog. I fully expected spectacular method acting and full commitment from Craig. I’ve not known him long but he is an extremely talented writer, producer and performer who gives it his all, every time.
It’s an angry song…
Craig Birrell in a scene from the official video for Anthemesque.
Thanks go to Whanga Records’ marketing executive, Mariam Ahmaz, who sourced the still working TV for scenes reminiscent of the Sex Pistols or the Clash. I think we forgot to switch it on though. I’ll take the blame for that. Apologies to Mim who was working in The Old Inn and missed out on her usual cameo role.
Thanks also go to Harry Dixon. The Duke appeared in the Anthemesque video; he’s the one fiddling while Rome burns, or more accurately, playing bass whilst Birrell destroys Whanga.
TwinsTown’s Harry ‘The Duke’ Dixon crowns Craig Birrell with a straw hat at Whanga Records, Dunfermline.
We asked Harry to look disinterested as Craig’s mad turn grows but I couldn’t fit him into the main shot. Like the true professional that he is he worked his way in and fulfilled his role perfectly. Respect to The Duke, the Robert De Niro or maybe Keanu Reeves of TwinsTown.
I love Harry Dixon in Anthemesque. The Duke! Flare it!
Coming soon
Craig co-founded Whanga Records with Stuart Barrett and big Barrett is rock ‘n’ roll too. Look out for him in the forthcoming 1/4 Chubz video for Cut Me Down alongside band mates John Simpson and Trroyy Lleggatt (spelling from Facebook – that can’t be right!?).
I expected Cut Me Down to be the first music video directed and filmed by me for a few years now, however I was delighted when Craig asked me to do Anthemesque in only 24 hours and fortunately I was available at short notice.
Apologies to the 1/4 Chubz, although I’m sure that, like me, they don’t mind accommodating a friend and musical colleague.
In the meantime you can watch both Whanga founders in TwinsTown’s official video for Callum Paterson’s Broken Song. Barrett is on the bass and Birrell is pretending he knows how to work Big Daddy’s camera (although he knows now as I gave him a crash course after he bought his own camera).
I like to think that if Callum was still alive he’d approve of TwinsTown covering his Broken Song as a charity single. As we approach what would have been his 32nd birthday, 27 September, Whanga Records have now produced the official music video.
Cob Harrower filmed the live band and thanks also go to everyone who shot the Facebook stills and video, plus our video stars in the crowd. I was delighted to complete the final edit and hope it’ll bring happy memories to everyone who takes the time to watch it.
You can donate £1 or more to charity, Andy’s Man Club, by downloading the song from bandcamp.
TwinsTown’s new single Welcome to my World, the second from their forthcoming debut album Brankholm Brae, has been played on The Mickey Bradley Record Show on BBC Radio Ulster. We love the Undertones and Mickey’s show. He’s dead pan funny. Big thanks to @MickeyUndertone.
…officially completely original…
Michael Bradley
You can listen immediately below:
TwinsTown’ Welcome to my World on BBC Radio Ulster’s The Mickey Bradley Radio Show.
On the trail up we found executives from Whanga Records going back to their Scooby van for more drums. Who decided to hump a full drum kit to The Blue Pools at Powmill?
TwinsTown PR and photographer Joe Graham aka Bowser
I’m somewhat underwhelmed, it’s eh, no what I expected…
TwinsTown manager Billy George aka Big Daddy
Well, I think it’s beautiful… Staycation written all over it – if only more people knew!
Whanga Records marketing executive Mariam Ahmaz aka Mirror
TwinsTown wouldn’t be TwinsTown without a mixture of opinions.
Big Daddy and Mirror reflect on The Blue Pools.
“Where’s the f***ing chinstown c***s?”
“If I knew I was going to swim in my pants… I’d wear nice pants.”
“This is supposed to be a rock ‘n’ roll doc.”
Mariam Amhaz and Anna Heslop star as lifeguards as the sharks flounder. Just for once this blog has a serious point to make; please remember that lifeguard’s are essential and take care in and around water.
Lager, fags and a shark suit, maybe, maybe. Shark suit and fur coat in the water, no, no. Just ask Smackay.
Apparently Briana Corrigan cited unacceptable laddishness when she left The Beautiful South. I was surprised to read that as both The Housemartins and The Beautiful South struck me as being bastions of political correctness.
When Graeme Galloway of Stirling City Radio decided to seek similar he turned to Dunfermline and our very own Fife bastions of political correctness were happy to oblige.
Briana, have no qualms, even the slightest traces of unacceptable laddishness have been edited out of this broadcast.
Tracklisting
UFO Space Disco – Birrell or Biscuit
Top of the Pops – Birrell or Biscuit
Welcome to my World – TwinsTown
Dive In – TwinsTown
Birrell or Biscuit, Whanga Records and TwinsTown on Stirling City Radio with Graeme Galloway. Pictures from Whanga Records HQ, Chalmers Street, Dunfermline, and TwinsTown’s video shoot for Dive In at The Blue Pools, Powmill.
Contrarian
Of course, ever the contrarian, Stuart Barrett immediately set about his Whanga Records podcast.
Briana, do not, I repeat, DO NOT, click the link below (and this is the post edit version).
Clicking the link above, you can find TwinsTown – Dive In by scrolling down to second from last on the poll.
Thank you for your kind support.
In other news John Murray hosted a menagerie on k107fm. I was going to write a few words on this momentous happening but some things just have to speak for themselves. Personal responsibility is trending right now therefore the onus is on you; you can click below to listen or click to exit.
Here’s the track listing:
Double Trouble
Welcome to my World
Dive In
Stay Alive!
Harry ‘The Duke’ Dixon, an authoritative media performer, who knew?
Mars Bars is my favourite song by The Undertones, bar none. Yeah, yeah, Teenage Kicks, I know, but Jimmy Jimmy, the A-side to Mars Bars, is better, as is the magnificent My Perfect Cousin (and I have a cousin called Kevin but I was tops at Subbuteo). True Confessions is better and the list goes on. John Peel was wrong.
Michael Bradley is not wrong. Tweeting as @MickeyUndertone he nails it when he says TwinsTown get an A* for music.
Michael Bradley from The Undertones is a legend and he gives TwinsTown an A* in music.
Hey, and the B for art isn’t bad either. Having just scraped a C I’d have loved a B in art. I’m lovin’ Micky Undertone’s grading almost as much as I love his lyrics. Here’s some more, this time from My Perfect Cousin.
He’s got a degree in economics
Maths, physics and bionics
He thinks that I’m a cabbage
‘Cause I hate University Challenge
Even at the age of ten
Smart boy Kevin was a smart boy then
He always beat me at Subbuteo
Cause he flicked to kick and I didn’t know
Written By: Michael Bradley / Damian O’Neill
“He flicked to kick and I didn’t know.” Calm down, calm down.
You can tell I’m a fan… so what!? It’s The Undertones. Young people sit down, this is not about you. The Undertones: the best band from Northern Ireland ever. That’s not even an opinion, it’s their official status over there. Indulge me here.
Don’t look so surprised
You’ve been telling me lies
It’s hard to wake up to your makeup
So please take off that disguise
All your true
Your true confessions
Written By: Michael Bradley, John O’Neill & Damian O’Neill
What’s that? I’m supposed to be writing about TwinsTown, aye!? Oops, sorry ’bout that, but TwinsTown aren’t really cutting edge. Michael Bradley @MickeyUndertone says so on his BBC MB Record Show. You can listen to him say it.
The Mickey Bradley Record Show, July 2020.
It’s great having someone like Mickey offering TwinsTown such positive feedback.
Cutting edge on a Friday night, who needs it!?
Mickey – I hope I can call him Mickey – likes Mark’s piano and Whanga Records too.
Great piano from Mark Guyan who famously did not play keys with The Darkness. Mark does not believe in a thing called love. His band name is The Darkness. Phew, glad we cleared that up. And Whanga! What a name!
Well, I say Mickey likes Whanga Records, I doubt he’s met them in person. Check this oot.
Stuart Barrett and Craig Birrell, founders of Whanga Records, and what a name it is, honouring the Māori heritage of late friend and former 1/4 Chubz frontman Callum Jake Paterson Whanga.
Then again as a punk icon I guess Mickey might like big Barrett’s 1/4 Chubz and Craig’s Birrell or Biscuit. I hear he has played UFO Space Disco and Top of the Pops. Find out more at Whanga Records.
Finally, a big thank you to Michael for all his work with The Undertones – my childhood benefitted enormously – and on his excellent The Mickey Bradley Record Show on BBC Radio Ulster. I’ll be tuning in again TwinsTown or no. Most of all, of course, thank you to Mickey for playing Dive In and for getting those pesky twins telt. “Plenty more fish in the sea” is a romantic turn of phrase. The song is not about fish. You’d think the writers would know what they’re writing about but it takes a music legend to keep them right.
Oh, I almost forgot, please vote for Dive In by using the link below and feel free to share this post widely encouraging others to join in the vote for TwinsTown.
This week’s Audition show poll on Amazing Radio went live last night with DJ Charlie Ashcroft introducing TwinsTown alongside other talented new and emerging artists.
TwinsTown’s Dive In on the Amazing Radio Audition show with Charlie Ashcroft.
You can catch the show on Rewind now or, to cut to the chase, I’ve created a wee edit with added pics from the Dive In video shoot.
TwinsTown’s Dive In on Amazing Radio with Charlie Ashcroft plus pics from the video shoot.
As Charlie explains in the link, your vote will help decide which song is added to the Amazing Radio playlist. Enough votes could even see TwinsTown enter the Amazing Radio chart for new and emerging artists.
TwinsTown are on Amazing Radio tonight, on the Audition show with Charlie Ashcroft, and the Dunfermline indie rockers need your help to see new single Dive In climb up THE AMAZING CHART, a chart for new and emerging music.
To help TwinsTown please click the link below and choose Dive In as your favourite track on Charlie’s weekly show.
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.
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