GLASGOW UNDERGROUND MUSIC
Short documentary on Glasgow's underground scenes...
The Glasgow Underground Music Scene.
Made by PollyMonoStereo back in 2016, the short trailer features some real informed takes and proper players and great eggs from the scene.
It touches on the early days (and current-ish days) of the underground house, techno and rave scenes in Glasgow - drawing parallels to Detroit and Berlin and cementing and celebrating Glasgow’s unique vibe as one of the ultimate underground (and overground!) musical cities in the world.
Shout to Messrs Cosgrove and Barbarossa in particular for their distinguished roles in bringing this to the world and doing their thing with aplomb. Both in this short film and beyond.
DIY in style and nature (no doubt due to budget constraints and inexperience - this was a University project production at the time) and while it could benefit from more diversity and female voices featured, it is still well worth a watch if you have 6 mins to spare.
Just stumbled on this for the first time recently. Completely missed it at the time.
Not sure if a full-length version ever seen the light of day. Let me know if you know, Glasgow heads!
Would love to see it if it it did.
Here’s what the clearly pro-active and talented documentary maker had to say on the film back then:
The Glasgow Underground Music Scene is a documentary that captures Glasgow’s unique rebellious character. The film will tackle the deep roots of the underground music scene and explore how the city established its characteristic 'Glasgow Sound'.
Within the film will be the ongoing discussion on the similarities between Scotland’s biggest city and the two capitals of techno’- Berlin and Detroit. All three cities share a dark post-industrial past of minority separatism.
People needed something to turn to and escape their dark reality - their escapism took the form of music. The film will show insight into Glasgow’s finer DJs, aspiring talent, venues and make the audience draw parallels between Glasgow, Detroit and Berlin through the similarities in the cultural and historical landscapes that have helped shaped the cities music scenes.
The film is a university project made for non-commercial releases. 2016.
Image at top is the Soma Records released 12” Big Sur Highway by Human Arts - an Ashley Beedle & Diesel side-project and release from that super pioneering and pivotal Glasgow record label of the 90s and 00s.
One of my faves from the label’s golden period. Video version of that tune embedded below the short docu-trailer.
Hope you like both.
Catch ye, Versace…