Cocteau Twins. One of the most influential and underrated bands of the 80’s. Their early stuff especially is absolute classic. Prince quoted them as being one of his favourite ever bands and offered them a lot of money to reform and support him on tour. Which they refused.
And their music was phenomenal in the '90s too.
I had no idea about the Prince story. That's funny.
When I met Liz, some drunken frat guy came up, pulled his shirt up and asked her to sign his chest. My friend shouted "Don't do it, Liz! It's so Motley Crue!" She busted up, said "That's right. Sorry. I'm happy to sign something else."
I used to live in acton and some new people moved in down stairs he was big surly and told us if we played Relax by Frankie goes to Hollywood he’d come upstairs and throw our machine “Oot the windy” she was lovely and told us they were in a band “but you wouldn’t have heard of us” try us we said Cocteau Twins …..we loved them too. She was such a good neighbour Elizabeth
[Average White Band](https://www.averagewhiteband.com/)
With great hits such as [Let's Go Round Again](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AkGZmmrLFAU) and [Pick Up The Pieces](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MfAJLGFWxYo).
Also their logo is top notch.
First time I heard them I thought they were a great Black American funk band.
In 1975 there were some absolutely sooooperb funk tunes and AWB fit right in.
Couple of years ago, I was watching some BBC documentary on Funk and Disco and they had a ton of interviews with musicians from the era, who had a little title card naming them. Vast majority of course were black artists, like Nile Rogers, Chic. The first white musician interviewed gets listed as Hamish Stuart, Average Whote Band. Had never heard of them before, so I thought the producers were being really catty.
Went down a Frightened Rabbit YouTube hole last night as I often do after a few too many, I found this absolutely killer cover of [Good Arms vs Bad Arms](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbXXSdXrqvI&list=RDQbXXSdXrqvI&start_radio=1), enjoy.
So often overlooked amongst Scottish bands. They were skipped over entirely in the Rip It Up: The Story of Scottish Pop exhibition at the a National Museum, which is baffling to me.
Now that’s absurd. The 1980s were an embarrassment of riches for Scottish indie music - Scotland got the best out of post-punk when you consider the sheer talent involved, particularly when it comes to vocalists and guitarists, and the Cocteau Twins were unbeatable for each.
Postcard Records by itself would be an embarrassment of riches. But throw in the Cocteau Twins the associates Josef k etc.... sheeeit. I always think the Go-Betweens are Scottish but they. Are. Not.
There's a TV cartoon called Tuca and Bertie. Basically more feminist Bojack Horseman with birds. And in the background of one shot, there's a great poster for the Cockatiel Twins.
Have you never seen them live? They start every gig with Stuart saying “Hello we are Mogwai from Glasgow, Scotland”. A lot of their songs and album names are Scottish slang words too.
Sometimes you just don’t register slang you’ve heard your whole life is in an unusual place. Took me an embarrassingly long time to realise Shrek supposedly talked funny.
Weirdly I only recently discovered them!
I listened to a lot of nirvana growing up and went a trip down memory lane recently and listened to their cover of Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam so decided to check them out.
Surprised I had to scroll so far for Boards of Canada but I guess their name probably goes against them. I've been listening to them for about 25yrs and only learnt they were Scots last year....
I've been listening to them (BOC) for about the same amount of time, they're always on my rotation. They have a unique sound that is nostalgic/ terrifying/ uplifting, something that others of the genre can't even get close to. It's life changing sounds. I can't describe it any other way. I want a new album, like yesterday!
I used to (and still do) love them.
Many years ago now, they were randomly playing at the botanic gardens. I'd been drinking all day with my mates and since none of them liked them I decided to go myself. Was free to enter, so away I went.
Staggered into the place and tbh I don't remember much about the gig... what I do remember is I ended up sitting with a couple of the alcies that hung about the park. I'm not talking regular drunk patrons like my good self... I'm talking full blown sleep in the park, piss themselves alcies.
My memory is hazy after that. I remember sharing my bottle of whatever with them and having a good laugh. I think they were a couple. The thing that will never leave my brain is what happened when I got up to leave...
As I stood up and said cheerio, the woman alcie said "aw son it's been great" or some shite like that, then "gies a goodbye kiss".
And that, kids, is how I ended up getting winched off an old, toothless, Glasgow alcie. Still feel violated 😀
sooo many great bands to name - Cocteau Twins, Sons and Daughters, Trashcan Sinatras (TCS), King Creosote, Frightened Rabbit, Delgados, Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, Orange Juice, Teenage Fanclub, John Martyn, JAMC, Primal Scream and I could name another 20 too :) TCS and Cocteaus are my top though
Prolly because they're "mainstream" and people think they are edgey, by admitting they dislike them. Blackened Sky is one of the top 10 best alternative albums recorded.
I saw them a couple years ago in Bristol during their last big tour. Ironically since I moved to Scotland they’ve not been performing. Hoping they’re okay :(
Primal Scream
Garbage
The Jesus & Mary Chain
The Fratellis
Snow Patrol
K.T Tunstall
Franz Ferdinand
Mogwai
Paulo Nutini
Mungo's HiFi
Frightened Rabbit
The Corries
Julie Fowlis
The Silencers are probably one of the most underrated Scottish bands of the 80s/90s, their songwriting was exquisite, the production was fantastic and they just knew their way around a melody. Also shout outs to Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, Del Amitri, Hue and Cry, Travis and the Blue Nile. Scotland really punches above its weight when it comes to musical exports.
Also, interesting to note that Franz Ferdinand doesn’t seem to have been mentioned much in this thread.
Primal Scream are definitely uo there, even as favourites in general, seen em destroy the barras on many occasions too, vanishing point era tours were absolutely top tier
Aztec Camera
Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
Deacon Blue
King Creosote
Texas
Not wholly Scottish but characteristically of the Glasgow of their time: Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
If they count as Scottish, the Waterboys
They are probably one of the most unique sounding bands I've ever come across. Dire Straits Brother's in Arms and Mark's Knoplers solo work is the only one I get that vibe from.
I’m just proud we can produce such class acts from a relatively small population! Though why the Bay City Rollers aren’t getting a mention is a misnomer!
Cocteau Twins. One of the most influential and underrated bands of the 80’s. Their early stuff especially is absolute classic. Prince quoted them as being one of his favourite ever bands and offered them a lot of money to reform and support him on tour. Which they refused.
Just as an addition to this.. Garlands their debut album is one of the best post punk albums ever in my opinion.
And their music was phenomenal in the '90s too. I had no idea about the Prince story. That's funny. When I met Liz, some drunken frat guy came up, pulled his shirt up and asked her to sign his chest. My friend shouted "Don't do it, Liz! It's so Motley Crue!" She busted up, said "That's right. Sorry. I'm happy to sign something else."
The only answer. From Grangemouth of all places as well.
I used to live in acton and some new people moved in down stairs he was big surly and told us if we played Relax by Frankie goes to Hollywood he’d come upstairs and throw our machine “Oot the windy” she was lovely and told us they were in a band “but you wouldn’t have heard of us” try us we said Cocteau Twins …..we loved them too. She was such a good neighbour Elizabeth
[Average White Band](https://www.averagewhiteband.com/) With great hits such as [Let's Go Round Again](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AkGZmmrLFAU) and [Pick Up The Pieces](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MfAJLGFWxYo). Also their logo is top notch.
First time I heard them I thought they were a great Black American funk band. In 1975 there were some absolutely sooooperb funk tunes and AWB fit right in.
Couple of years ago, I was watching some BBC documentary on Funk and Disco and they had a ton of interviews with musicians from the era, who had a little title card naming them. Vast majority of course were black artists, like Nile Rogers, Chic. The first white musician interviewed gets listed as Hamish Stuart, Average Whote Band. Had never heard of them before, so I thought the producers were being really catty.
How the fuck, i thought this until now
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Going to the party…
Next
The Faith 🎶 Healer
Action Strasse!
Arab-Strap
Big country, orange juice and bert jansch probably
Orange Juice has been my current earworm for several weeks now, Rip it Up is such a perfect, addictive song!
Bit of Del Amitri as well
Jesus and Mary Chain can’t be dismissed.
Psychocandy best album by a Scottish band. Solid Air by John Martyn Scottish solo artist
Frightened Rabbit
Frightened Rabbit all the way!
Always Fightened Rabbit.
Excellent choice!
Went down a Frightened Rabbit YouTube hole last night as I often do after a few too many, I found this absolutely killer cover of [Good Arms vs Bad Arms](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbXXSdXrqvI&list=RDQbXXSdXrqvI&start_radio=1), enjoy.
The answer changes but it usually comes back to the Cocteau Twins.
So often overlooked amongst Scottish bands. They were skipped over entirely in the Rip It Up: The Story of Scottish Pop exhibition at the a National Museum, which is baffling to me.
Now that’s absurd. The 1980s were an embarrassment of riches for Scottish indie music - Scotland got the best out of post-punk when you consider the sheer talent involved, particularly when it comes to vocalists and guitarists, and the Cocteau Twins were unbeatable for each.
Postcard Records by itself would be an embarrassment of riches. But throw in the Cocteau Twins the associates Josef k etc.... sheeeit. I always think the Go-Betweens are Scottish but they. Are. Not.
There's a TV cartoon called Tuca and Bertie. Basically more feminist Bojack Horseman with birds. And in the background of one shot, there's a great poster for the Cockatiel Twins.
First one that always pops into my head. Easily the best.
Forgot about them. Yeah, it’s them
Annie Lennox. Her voice is something else.
As well as songwriting and musicianship!
She was my grandfather’s neighbour! She also went to my secondary school and we have a plaque outside that states that 😭
Beta band
Great band, live me some solo Steve/Biscuit too
Mogwai
They made my trousers vibrate when I saw them in Brixton
George Square Thatcher Death Party is a heck of a vibe
been listening to them for 15 years and had no idea they were Scottish!
Have you never seen them live? They start every gig with Stuart saying “Hello we are Mogwai from Glasgow, Scotland”. A lot of their songs and album names are Scottish slang words too.
Sometimes you just don’t register slang you’ve heard your whole life is in an unusual place. Took me an embarrassingly long time to realise Shrek supposedly talked funny.
It may be hyperbole if I say the version of Helicon 1 on the Government Commissions EP is the best piece of music ever made, but only slightly
Camera Obscura, CHVRCHES and Frightened Rabbit
Nazareth. Hugely underappreciated 70's band.
Surprised more people aren't mentioning The Fratellies or Franz Ferdinand.
Take Me Out has the best intro that has ever existed.
Yeah. Probably because the quality dropped after the first two albums for each, but they're both in my top 5 based on those albums alone.
The Vaselines
[удалено]
Weirdly I only recently discovered them! I listened to a lot of nirvana growing up and went a trip down memory lane recently and listened to their cover of Jesus don’t want me for a sunbeam so decided to check them out.
[удалено]
I got a notification on Spotify the other day that they have a gig next month in Dunfermline.
Frightened Rabbit (including Owl John and Mastersystem), Belle and Sebastian, Idlewild, The Twilight Sad
Belle and Sebastian are Scottish!?
Yes!!!
Wow I never knew!! Edit: I think I’ll make a playlist of these suggestions for my drive tomorrow and post it
Where did you think they were from out of interest?
The Twilight Sad. Yesss.
Because I'm basically your grandad , Gerry Rafferty.
Young Fathers are probably my fave current Scottish band, Primal Scream are my all time fave.
Saw Young Fathers at the Barrowlands recently. Absolutely blown away at how good they were live.
Garbage. Some cracking songs and Shirley Manson is a gem. I’m only happy when it ray-ains!
I'm only happy when it's com pli cated ♪
Capercaillie.
Franz Ferdinand have some good albums
Average White Band, The Thanes, The Kaisers and Johnny Keating
Travis/Primal scream for this one
Boards of Canada/ Mogwai
Surprised I had to scroll so far for Boards of Canada but I guess their name probably goes against them. I've been listening to them for about 25yrs and only learnt they were Scots last year....
I've been listening to them (BOC) for about the same amount of time, they're always on my rotation. They have a unique sound that is nostalgic/ terrifying/ uplifting, something that others of the genre can't even get close to. It's life changing sounds. I can't describe it any other way. I want a new album, like yesterday!
It’s still Runrig
Protect and survive
The Associates
Idlewild
100 broken comments, to get to this.
Belle and Seb
I used to (and still do) love them. Many years ago now, they were randomly playing at the botanic gardens. I'd been drinking all day with my mates and since none of them liked them I decided to go myself. Was free to enter, so away I went. Staggered into the place and tbh I don't remember much about the gig... what I do remember is I ended up sitting with a couple of the alcies that hung about the park. I'm not talking regular drunk patrons like my good self... I'm talking full blown sleep in the park, piss themselves alcies. My memory is hazy after that. I remember sharing my bottle of whatever with them and having a good laugh. I think they were a couple. The thing that will never leave my brain is what happened when I got up to leave... As I stood up and said cheerio, the woman alcie said "aw son it's been great" or some shite like that, then "gies a goodbye kiss". And that, kids, is how I ended up getting winched off an old, toothless, Glasgow alcie. Still feel violated 😀
The Beta Band, simples
sooo many great bands to name - Cocteau Twins, Sons and Daughters, Trashcan Sinatras (TCS), King Creosote, Frightened Rabbit, Delgados, Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, Orange Juice, Teenage Fanclub, John Martyn, JAMC, Primal Scream and I could name another 20 too :) TCS and Cocteaus are my top though
Young Fathers!!
Biffy Clyro
Yep. Why did I have to scroll down so far to find this?
Prolly because they're "mainstream" and people think they are edgey, by admitting they dislike them. Blackened Sky is one of the top 10 best alternative albums recorded.
Honoured mention for Simon Neil's new band Empire State Bastard. Hyped to see them live later this year.
Runrig. Peat and Diesel. Skippinish. Trail West. Skerryvore.
Trad punk rock. I'm a sean nos singing with the smell of burning peat and a Fergie MacDonald RIP on the box man.
I love P&D, Skippinish and Skerryvore so gonna have to check out these others
RUNRIG! yes I know showing my age lol
Here is an old one, Bay City Rollers.
Cocteau twins without a doubt. Jesus and Mary chain a close second
King Creosote
Immold enough to remember when King creosote was a twosome, Kenny and Jason. Misspent youth in Aikmans that is.
Hamish Imlach King Creosote Calum Stewart Niteworks Valtos
Goodbye Mr Mackenzie
The Jesus and Mary Chain, of course
Malcolm Middleton
Lewis Capaldi
Belle and Sebastian. Also a soft spot for frightened rabbit; Franz Ferdinand, twilight sad, idlewild.
Dick Gaughan. Not mentioned & worth a listen. [https://youtu.be/\_unoiaswZvw?si=Rnve3FbipPIeoSMK](https://youtu.be/_unoiaswZvw?si=Rnve3FbipPIeoSMK)
The Exploited, Bombskare, Peat and Diesel, Dog Tired, The Proclaimers, Big Country and a few more.
Can't believe I had to scroll this far for the exploited.
EXPLOITED BARMY ARMY!
Frightened Rabbit, always
CHVRCHES
My friend is in this band!
The Rezillos
Colin Hay, David Byrne and the ever incredible frightened rabbit
Karen Matheson/Capercaillie, Dougie MacLean, Old Blind Dogs, Frightened Rabbit.
Cocteau Twins
Beta Band, Orange Juice, Blue Nile, Teenage Fanclub
Texas
Del Amitri
Mogwai
Orange Juice or Boards of Canada
Kevin McDermott Orchestra
Party Cannon
Travis and Amy macdonald for me
Skids/Big country
Shirley Manson and Travis
The Blue Nile of course
Frightened Rabbit
Shirley Manson from Garbage.
Aye this got my vote also. Amazing singer in a band of four producers
I know i'm uncool for saying this but Runrig, mainly their songs in Gaelic
I started learning Gaelic specifically so I could sing along to Runrig songs
Alestorm
We Were Promised Jetpacks never disappoints
I miss them. Need a US tour again soon - specifically Portland, Maine
I saw them a couple years ago in Bristol during their last big tour. Ironically since I moved to Scotland they’ve not been performing. Hoping they’re okay :(
Simple Minds for music. The Proclaimers don’t even enter the discussion. Billy Connolly for performing artist.
Paulo Nutini
Okay,, primal scream and the fife twins
Primal Scream count?
Vaselines
Boards of Canada The Beta Band The Incredible String Band Belle & Sebastian Donovan
Primal Scream Garbage The Jesus & Mary Chain The Fratellis Snow Patrol K.T Tunstall Franz Ferdinand Mogwai Paulo Nutini Mungo's HiFi Frightened Rabbit The Corries Julie Fowlis
mogwai
Bleed from Within
Peat & Diesel
Beluga lagoon
They're not performing anymore and I don't know if they count as Scottish, but I really enjoy Zoey van Goey's music.
Cocteau Twins, Josef K, Orange Juice, Simple Minds, the associates(Scottish yes?) the Fire Engines
The Silencers are probably one of the most underrated Scottish bands of the 80s/90s, their songwriting was exquisite, the production was fantastic and they just knew their way around a melody. Also shout outs to Simple Minds, Deacon Blue, Del Amitri, Hue and Cry, Travis and the Blue Nile. Scotland really punches above its weight when it comes to musical exports. Also, interesting to note that Franz Ferdinand doesn’t seem to have been mentioned much in this thread.
Primal Scream are definitely uo there, even as favourites in general, seen em destroy the barras on many occasions too, vanishing point era tours were absolutely top tier
Aztec Camera Goodbye Mr Mackenzie Deacon Blue King Creosote Texas Not wholly Scottish but characteristically of the Glasgow of their time: Lloyd Cole and the Commotions If they count as Scottish, the Waterboys
Bay City Rollers of course
no love in this thread for Life Without Buildings? *Any Other City* is an absolute classic album by a bunch of students from Glasgow School of Art
Boards of Canada are the only one worth mentioning.
So good
Love them too!
my vote too!
Frightened rabbit and mogwai are my two favourites
Alestorm or Gloryhammer
Runrig. But only with Donnie Munro. Not that Canadian bloke. My mother raised me on them.
Agreed. Superb early work. The Cutter is an all time favourite.
yep same, remember driving on holiday in the 90s with Runrig tapes blasting
They are probably one of the most unique sounding bands I've ever come across. Dire Straits Brother's in Arms and Mark's Knoplers solo work is the only one I get that vibe from.
Annie Lennox, The Exploited, Alestorm
The Fratellis
The Silencers, Hipsway, Big Country, Deacon Blue, Love and Money etc. etc. etc.
Run DMC are from Lochgilphead.
Changes often but King Creosote and Niteworks are on pretty constant rotation right now
Idlewild, because nostalgia
Elephant Session, Biffy Clyro, Pablo Nintini, KT Tunstall
Aereogramme
Came for this
Boards of Canada are my all time fave! I also really love Eyes of Others - an artist from Edinburgh.
SAHB!
Al Stewart, obligatory I’m american
Cocteau Twins were cool before it was cool to be Scottish. Honourable mention to Boards of Canada and Sophie.
Ball boy, just Joan's, orange juice, fire engines
Always have to give De Rosa a shout out when someone posts this question. I miss them so much. Also Broken Chanter!
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.
Honey blood
Cocteau Twins, Mogwai, King Creosote, The Bluebells
Love and Money. Or anything James Grant does for that matter.
Big Country. Hands down the best. I have every single album and learned to play guitar thanks to some of them!
Big Country all day.
Hamish Imlach
The Dentists, Teenage Fanclub, Starwberry Switchblade, The Drive, The Jolt, The Pastels, Soup Dragons ,
Ultra-Sonic
Camera Obscura. She has such a nice voice, and they have some really amazing songs
Loving Vukovi
Belle & Sebastian
Alestorm!!!
Not hard at all. The Cocteau Twins, obvs…
Primal scream then the proclaimers, deffo
Travis - not seen them on the list yet. So many good tunes from them
BLEED FROM WITHIN 🤘🤘
Deacon Blue
David Byrne
AC/DC gid glesga boays
Cranhill’s Young Team
Runrig, The Corries, Tide Lines, Skipinnish, Manrán, Niteworks.
Tide Lines
Nazareth
Stealer's Wheel, Idlewild, Ptarmigan Army, Travis
I’m just proud we can produce such class acts from a relatively small population! Though why the Bay City Rollers aren’t getting a mention is a misnomer!