Bathgate Bands

Happy Christmas Everyone

2010-12-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank everyone who has visited the web site over the past couple of years and wish you a happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Our Olly is now 1 year old (unbelievable) so here is a recent pic taken just before his birthday.

New Grandad

2010-06-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

A big congratulations to new Grandad Bobby on the arrival of baby Ben Robert on May 25th. Welcome to the club! Hopefully photographs to be published soon.

Baby Update - Olly at 7 months

2010-06-30T02:46:00.000-07:00

I thought I would publish a recent picture of my Grandson Olly in his new high Chair - 7 months old now.

The Beatles Connection Uncovered.

2010-01-13T03:21:00.000-08:00

Yep - it's true. I worked with a guy who worked with John Lennon and Paul McCartney - his name is Judd Lander. How I discovered this was due to Boy George appearing on the Jool's Holland 'Hootenanny' this New Year.

I was intrigued to see a kilt wearing harmonica player playing with the Boy George band who looked vaguely familiar and was playing the great mouthie rift in 'The Church of the Poison Mind'.

In 1978, the band Jody appeared as Hampden's Heroes on the Granada TV show 'Get it Together' where they were joined by a piper, who appeared and recorded with them at the time - the legendary session musician Judd Lander - who indeed was the kilt wearing harmonica player playing with Boy George.

It turns out Judd has played with some music greats including John Lennon - on his Rock'N'Roll Album. He also performed and recorded with Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Take That and The Spice girls. Check out http://www.juddlander.co.uk/about.htm for more interesting details.

Judd Lander - Born in Liverpool - was an intricate part of the late Mersey scene, playing with a local group 'The Hideaways'. Around this period Judd Lander met up with Sony Boy Williamson II (indisputably one of the worlds greatest Blues Harmonica players). Judd kindled a relationship with Sony Boy who in return tutored Judd on the intricacy's of the Blues Harp.
With this invaluable tuition Judd moved to London to further his career as a session musician. His popularity rapidly excelled and became very much in demand. However, intrigued by the workings of the music industry itself, he decided to join a then small label Charisma Records promoting artists such as Genesis, Peter Hamil & Lindisfarne and Monty Python, whilst still retaining his status as a respected session musician.

So we now have link to the Beatles - priceless.

Hope the snow leaves us soon.

Olly has arrived

2009-12-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

Judith and I now have a lovely grandson, courtesy of Richie and Mandy. He joined us on the 28th November and will be known as Olly. Welcome to the world.

Happy Christmas and a great New Year.

2 Drummers in 1 Day

2009-07-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I received a contact email from two drummers I had previously played with. Firstly, Alastair Stewart's wife contacted the web site - amazing. Then Tom Annan contacts us from far away Kirkcaldy - well I assume he still lives there - great. Tom still hammering away on his kit - I have added a new photo of the current Tom in Jody section of the web site. Hopefully I can unearth some more embarrasing photos and stories.

Here's Tom.

Stewart Celebrates Half a Century of Fun

2009-06-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

Stewart, seemingly now referred to as 'Saxman' by some of his peers, celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday 26th June in Fauldhouse Miners. Around 200 people had a great time. The core of music was supplied by ISIS ( no other band covers Steely Dan hits as well as them).

Anyway some 'weel kent' faces were identified throughout the evening from various mature type bands. All the members of Sound and Vision were present with associated roadies Ronnie and Davie plus ex Spinning Wheel roadie Ronnie McLeod. There some of the members of Funky Stuff - with the legendary bassist Billy Black and drummer Rab. We had some singers, a ceilidh band along with Stewart belting out a few choice numbers (there was bingo at the break).

All in all a brilliant night.

Bathgatebands site passes 10,000 hits

2009-05-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

It is with great satisfaction that I have seen the number of hits on the Sound and Vision website reach 10,500. Having spent a great deal of time and effort trying pull together the relevant information, I am really chuffed the site is being checked out.

Although I have not been adding to the articles recently, I hope to commit more time to the site over the next few months.

I would like thank everyone who has been curious enough to sample the Sound and Vision web site - http://www.bathgatebands.co.uk/

Ban Jo Est still to be encountered - a rare breed?.

Cleland Miner's to change hands?

2009-03-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

The latest gossip to hit Cleland Miners is that the Gallagher brothers who ran the Cricket club in Fauldhouse, until it burned down at the end of last year, are to lease the club. This may be the change needed to get the club back to how it was in it's hey day in the 1980's. The Cricket club was an excellent venue for live music and if that can be replicated in Cleland I am sure the club would be well supported.

Anyway, Man Dee Lynn man still to be spotted.

Happy 2009

2009-01-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

It's here. Another year, another birthday... ah well maturity must bring its benefits. Answers on an email addressed to biggus@bathgatebands.co.uk. The illusive, endangered, lesser ukelele player still to be viewed.

Bathgate Bands First Christmas

2008-12-19T06:37:00.000-08:00

It's here again and it's the Sound and Vision web site's first Christmas. We really appreciate that some of the guys involved with Cleland Miners got in touch with us. Hopefully, we can all meet up sometime soon to reminisce.

Anyway still no sign of the wayward, lute playing minstrel.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas from Sound and Vision.

Updates to Web Site

2008-12-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Sound and Vision web site has had images added to the Gannet/Sloopy/TNT sections. Plus there is now a section dedicated to Cleland Miners Social Club which will be fully developed over the next few months. I see the scaffolding is now down in the Crown Blackburn - looks like the interior is getting renovated now...mmmm.

Also a new Feedback Comments section featuring any communications we have received about the band or the web site.

We have still to cross paths with the wandering banjo player but we are sure that our investment is gaining interest during these trying times - we hope. Enjoy the new pics on the web site.

Sloopy Photos

2008-10-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Photos of Gannet/Sloopy/TNT will hopefully be added over the next few days. Here is a taster - Gannet at the back of the Highlander, Armadale circa 1974.

The Phoenix has Risen?

2008-10-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

Work has started on the renovation of The Crown, in Blackburn. Will it return as a live music venue or will pool tables assume center stage? Will it attract the former pub's clientele? Time will tell!

Masons Arms Re-opens -

2008-10-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

At last - the Masons Arms re-opened recently under the watchful eye of 'mine host' Jamie Mulheron. The first live acts started on Friday 17th October with more planned in the near future. It's great that another live music venue in Bathgate has been retained. So there you go - D. Molloy and Friends weren't responsible for shutting the pub, although Mr D Molloy has not been seen since August 24th.

Positive Feedback

2008-10-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Great to see some feedback from the web site. We have just received an email from an old friend of the band who now lives in Spain describing her trip down 'memory lane' looking at the pics on the web site. That is exactly the reason we created Sound and Vision's web site - Bathgatebands. Keep the feeback coming.

Sloopy's Scrap book

2008-10-02T07:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, at last the Gannet/Sloopy/TNT scrapbook has been uncovered. Hopefully, within the next couple of weeks we will be able to populate the articles on the bands with narrative and photographs.

Also discovered are some original cartoons by Noel, a Hamet cigar smoking cartoonist, from Cleland. I intend dedicating a complete article to Noel showing his cartoons.

In the words of the Waterboys:-

Has anybody here seen Doug?

(not quite the same ring as Hank)

Bathgate Masons' No More

2008-09-30T04:32:00.000-07:00

Just a week after Doug Molloy and Friends played the Masons Arms Bathgate, the metal boards were put up, covering the doors and windows - did they finally close the place? Answer: No. The pub was closing the end of August regardless because the lease was still up for grabs. Rumour has it a certain local publican is taking over the pub and leaving their existing hostelry. Will there still be live music? I will publish any new information on the pub as and when I receive it.

Web site back on-line

2008-09-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

The Sound and Vision Bathgate Bands web site has been redesigned is now back on-line.

Bathgatebands web site offline

2008-08-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

The Sound and Vision web site, http://bathgatebands.co.uk is being re-developed at the moment. Hopefully, the site should be back within the next couple of days. Somehow I managed to screw up the old site when updating - the joys of web design. Suggest the place to be this weekend is Gleneagles to watch the birdies (Johnny Walker Golf Championship).

The Mason's Arms, Bathgate

2008-08-25T04:16:00.000-07:00

The guys, Doug Molloy and Friends gigged at the Masons in Bathgate on Sunday 24th August.

The gig went down really well except for some major difficulties with the PA system in the first half. A healthy crowd turned up for the gig with 'auld' faces from the past materialising as well - none other than Mr Gordon Brown ( naw not the PM but big 'broon' from Bathgate). The band, Doug, Jamie, Dick and Jim were also joined on stage (the corner of the bar) by Stewart Wilson (hot from an afternoon gig in the Dovehill Uphall). After playing a couple of tunes, Stewart joined the band giving a rocking performance of Roxy Music's 'Stick Together'. Ah - you could almost believe you were back in Cleland Miners in the mid 80's.

So the band looks like it will not be playing until early October now. Doug and Lily are off to Kenya for a bit of a safari and a holiday (I'm sure he's doing a couple of driveways out there!). At the time of writing this we are not too sure if the band will be back the Mason's as Nettie (the manager) is leaving at the end of August. So we have to wait and see if the new manger is going to keep live music on. There are other bands booked for September especially during the Bathgate music festival.

Remember to email me with any comments on the band/site etc.

PS. Can sleep easier at night now - daughter back from Magaluf.

Sound n Vision in the 80's

2008-08-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

S&V Blog

2008-08-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

I have started this blog to detail the history and current activities of Bathgate Band Sound & Vision .
The band started playing in the early 80's and mainly consisted of the members of two local Bathgate Bands, Jody and TNT . These two bands were spawned from Spinning Wheel / Radiation and Sloopy / Gannet .
The blog will also detail various music related topics surrounding Bathgate and West Lothian along with details of current music events and gigs. It is also hoped that the site will include information on the many groups, bands and musicians who have performed in and around Bathgate over the past forty years. So, any information on any West Lothian band would be welcome and I will try to incorporate it into this blog.
Any comments on the Bathgate local music scene and gigs can be emailed to mail.bathgatebands.co.uk .

Sound & Vision:

Jamie O'Neill Lead Vocal & Lead Guitar
Bobby Speedie Lead Vocal, Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Jim Thyne Bass Guitar & Vocal
Richard (Dick) Hewat Piano, Keyboard & Vocal
Stewart Wilson Saxophone & Flute
Tom (Wee Tam) Howison Drums & Vocal
Ronnie O'Neill Lighting & Roadie
Davie (Big) Todd Roadie
Singles Give me your body

Basically, Sound and Vision began when ex TNT members Jamie O'Neill and Jim Thyne teamed up with ex- Jody member Richard Hewat (Piano and Keyboards) in December 1982. The guys were playing in Whitecross Social Club, near Linlithgow, when the drummer was a young Frankie McMillan. By the end of January 1983, Frankie was replaced by ex TNT drummer Tam Howison with ex Jody frontman, Bobby Speedie and ex Sideshow sax player, Stewart Wilson coming on board as well. So the line-up for Sound & Vision was complete.

Q. Why was the band's name chosen? A. After the David Bowie track 'Sound and Vision'
The band played together, mainly at Cleland Miners near Wishaw in Lanarkshire up until early 1990. Both Tam Howison and Stewart Wilson left the band then. The sax was never replaced but the new drummer was Billy (I'm a pipe band drummer) from Whitburn. This line up only survived until the end of 1990 when Billy was replaced by a 'drum machine'. Briefly, female singer Andrea Murphy from Blackburn joined the band during 1992 but by the end of 1992 both Andrea and Bobby had left the band.

By 1993 Bobby had paired up with Stewart to form the duo Times Square, using midi backing tracks and playing various clubs. This duo survived until around 1998 when Stewart embarked on a solo career playing his sax up and down the length of the country in pubs and clubs - and still does! Bobby has played the occassional gig in around Edinburgh but does not play in a band at the moment.
So by the end of 1993 Jamie, Jim and Dick were joined on a more permanent basis, after numerous guest appearances, with 'Doug' (Paul) Molloy. The introduction of mandolin seen the band change direction a bit - more traditional music against chart based material.
The original six members of Sound & Vision reformed for a one off gig to raise funds for the Tsunami Appeal in 2005. The band played in the Balbairdie Hotel, Bathgate in February of 2005 and have not, so far, planned another re-union.

Essentially the band performed regularly up until 2006 when both Jim and Dick did not participate on a regular basis. But the line up of Jamie, Jim, Dick and Dougie made a successful return recently playing to an enthusiastic crowd in the Mason's Arms Bathgate. Although the Crown in Blackburn is currently closed, the band can still be seen performing regular gigs in Moran's Turf Bar in Blackburn and the Commercial in Fauldhouse.

The band also went under the name of Doug Molloy and Friends recently.