GRANT McPHEE – Postcards from Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-1995

This one is a rather fascinating piece of work that examines and tells the story of a hugely interesting phenomenon that took place in Scotland in the eighties and early nineties, namely that of Scottish post-punk and its closely related genres within that geographical area. Author Grant McPhee has basically compiled a comprehensive overview of all the great and noteworthy bands and labels that sprang up primarily in Glasgow and Edinburgh but also their surrounding areas. Merging the DIY ethos of punk rock with a burning desire to spawn something that they could rightfully call their own during the heyday of post-punk, a vital and invigorating new scene was conceived where such groups as The Jesus and Mary Chain, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream, and Cocteau Twins emerged, left their mark, and inspired many others to follow suit.

With many Scottish acts having migrated to London in their pursuit of record deals and to be close to all the major labels and managements, countless young musicians and creative individuals took up the mantle and filled the vacuum, and McPhee chronicles that whole movement splendidly by having the movers and shakers of the musically uncompromising scene tell their own individual stories, thereby offering their unique perspectives on the vibrant and burgeoning milieu that came into existence around 1983 and lasted for a good twelve years or so. In many ways, Postcards from Scotland is an electrifying saga involving outsiders and eccentrics, musical experimentalists and radicals, loners and dreamers, and enthusiastic adherents of raw and unfiltered underground music harboring fantastic ideas and a yearning to bring their visions to life. Their artistic endeavors reached the ear of many fans and listeners abroad with one example being Kurt Cobain, who was a huge fan of The Vaselines as evidenced by Nirvana’s Incesticide album.

The Scottish post-punk scene of the 80s and 90s may be a begone era in some respects, but its influence, cultural impact, and power to excite the listener remains intact and is timeless as it ever was, as evidenced by McPhee’s account of what transpired and when. Given that this is an oral history presented as a literary text, the format and structure of the book does entail that it occasionally strikes one as being slightly one-dimensional and monotonous, but it is utterly charming, informative, and witty. I certainly had fun reading and digesting it, and it is an inspiring tale that can easily be devoured in either one long sitting or over a period of time with one absorbing a couple of chapters at a time. It did turn into a time-consuming affair on my part as I was constantly looking up bands and obscure releases and whatnot on YouTube along the way, and I had a fabulous time doing so.