The jam sessions

The jam sessions

When one half of Strawberry Switchblade bumps into one half of the Strawberry Tarts we're suddenly aware it's 1984 all over again as a very entertaining jam session took place at the Wee Red bar at Edinburgh Art College.

Keeping the preservative theme, Salt opened proceedings

Relaxing into their second gig this new band of stalwarts, Including half of the ruby suit nee the 1986 beautiful suit (and also half of Carbona not glue) brought some of those rock n roll ideas up to date while carrying their 50+ wisdom into their songwriting. Their driving rhythm was quite overpowering for the wee red bar initially, as Sharon studiously sung over, under and around the groove. As the songs broke their trajectory, so the instruments struck their own chord and less became more. Suddenly the guitars and drums danced around the vocals as Salt swiftly sailed through the set list. The last three songs had a mixture of fragility and a syncopation that was intoxicating.



Next up was Rose McDowell one half of legendary Glasgow band Strawberry Switchblade and her backing band of 4, including Jeremy Thoms, the one time Strawberry Tart and now Cathode Ray frontman.

It was a supreme performance with a calm and confident Rose delivering a master class in compering the evening.

There's irony somewhere when covering a Strawberry Switchblade song and a Velvet Underground song. Im thinking there was only 15 years between those songs and another 34 years since ......you do you suddenly feel an old audience and dancin Al wasn't going for the splits.

Despite the venue size Rose was taking this gig very professionally and proving perseverance as she plied her trade.

The banter between songs and the performance was a joy to watch and listen to, connecting with everyone in the crowd individually.

The wee red bar is a venue that takes the over 50's until 10pm then kicks us out and puts on a show for the next generation of hipsters. The early finish was a bit surreal but looking at the crowd it was obvious our handicabs bus was outside. I wasn't alone in hobbling out of the show and while we adjourned to a nearby bar it was clear a 3am finish wearing a kebab was a habit for another generation. Early to bed...