I'll be drammed

                                 

On Monday night a friend and I were trying to find a bar to go to where we could sit and exchange some ideas on songs in the comfort of a nice pub. Our first choice Lauries, was ruled out as we discovered it was now closed on Monday nights, and then it came to me, Uisge Beatha -  a place where I've done that sort of thing before and always welcomes a jam session, so of we went to give that a go.

Upon entering we politely asked the barman in Dram (formerly Uisge Beatha) if we could sit quietly in the empty room and tinkle on our guitars exchanging some ideas. However, the barman pointed out that there was still 10minutes left of The Game on the multitude of flat screen tvs and hinted that it wouldn't be suitable for the handful of people that were in the bar to be distracted - non of whom appeared to be in the least bit interested in the football.

This new incarnation of Uisge Beatha seems a flat screen shadow of its much loved former rustic self,  with its 'made to look old' decor, the bar famous for its music  sessions, and thoroughly ancient decor seems to have lost what made it a great place to be in the first place.

ah well, off we went and were welcomed into the bustling Bon Accord where we enjoyed a beer and some chat about great songs and occasional non offensive (honest) light picking on the geetars.

Southside Happenings

shawlands - before the arcade (1936)

That’s right, a record shop, when was the last time you heard of one of those opening up!?

Southside Records situated within Shawlands arcade, sells all kinds of 2nd hand vinyl and cd delights at decent prices. Go check it out.

Further on the musical agenda for the southside this year is the opening of a new music venue. The Glad Cafe , who are planning on providing the southside with what it's been long over due - a decent live music venue. Fingers crossed.

Another part of Shawlands which is shining the light for southside culture seems to be Skirving Street, which hosts a number of coffee shops –  Biscuit , Beanscene and 1901 deli aswell as a number of boutiques and the aptly named - Young’s Interesting Books. The southside has been hard hit by the recession but it’s great to see these local businesses surviving.

For an invaluable local guide to all that's on in the southside of Glasgow visit  - Southside Happenings

The picture of the old Embassay Cinema on Kilmarnock Road (how things have changed eh?)was found on Virtual Mitchell , great resource for seeing how Glasgow has changed through the years.