The following gig details are taken from period fanzines, music press publications and personal archives of some of the acts.
Most of the pub's events sneaked through under the radar of the local press!
The gig history will not be 100% complete as there was usually something going on nearly every night of the week, but it does give you a sporadic glimpse of the kind of entertainment the Tayside Bar indulged in back in the 80's...
Most of the pub's events sneaked through under the radar of the local press!
The gig history will not be 100% complete as there was usually something going on nearly every night of the week, but it does give you a sporadic glimpse of the kind of entertainment the Tayside Bar indulged in back in the 80's...
January 1981 - MEGAZONES
In an interview with Brian Sinclair published in Deadbeat fanzine, he stated that he started putting music on at the Tayside Bar around summer '81, partly as a result of the involvement of "Cranked Up" fanzine.
However, this photo of the Megazones playing at the Tayside Bar during the Dec '80 / Jan '81 festive period, shows that there were bands performing here many months before Cranked Up hit the scene.
Megazones split up in summer '81.
In an interview with Brian Sinclair published in Deadbeat fanzine, he stated that he started putting music on at the Tayside Bar around summer '81, partly as a result of the involvement of "Cranked Up" fanzine.
However, this photo of the Megazones playing at the Tayside Bar during the Dec '80 / Jan '81 festive period, shows that there were bands performing here many months before Cranked Up hit the scene.
Megazones split up in summer '81.
21 April 1981 - THE GRIP
This is the earliest published item I have pertaining to the Tayside Bar, a gig guide from the national music press (Sounds) in April 1981, still a couple of months before Cranked Up fanzine appeared. It's for Dundee reggae band, The Grip, who were livening up the Tayside Bar crowd with their own brand of sizzling riddims.! |
May 1981 - STREET LEVEL
Local band, Street Level, played punchy upbeat pop - both their own material and cover versions in the mix.
They performed a few times at the Tayside Bar during the first half of 1981 but the band broke up around the end of summer that year.
Local band, Street Level, played punchy upbeat pop - both their own material and cover versions in the mix.
They performed a few times at the Tayside Bar during the first half of 1981 but the band broke up around the end of summer that year.
May 1981 - THE GRIP
May 1981 - ALIEN CULTURE
Beamed down from another planet to bring a bit of cabaret fun to the drinking den.
Beamed down from another planet to bring a bit of cabaret fun to the drinking den.
June 1981 - BLIND PEW
This quick review of Blind Pew playing at the Tayside Bar was published in the first issue of Cranked Up fanzine.
Although it says it's only the bands second gig, it must be referring to it being their second Tayside Bar appearance because Blind Pew did play a few gigs around Dundee in 1980.
This quick review of Blind Pew playing at the Tayside Bar was published in the first issue of Cranked Up fanzine.
Although it says it's only the bands second gig, it must be referring to it being their second Tayside Bar appearance because Blind Pew did play a few gigs around Dundee in 1980.
11 June 1981 - HIGH CHEEKERS
This local act were usually called Gypsy Joe & The High Cheekers, but the advert for this gig just had High Cheekers.
This local act were usually called Gypsy Joe & The High Cheekers, but the advert for this gig just had High Cheekers.
12 June 1981 - THE GRIP / ALIEN CULTURE
A little item published in a local fanzine about the support act...
A little item published in a local fanzine about the support act...
13 June 1981 - FUSION / BILL STOTT
Tayside Bar certainly put on a wide variety of styles - with this one it was jazz-funk with Fusion and old time sing-a-longs with Bill Stott.
Tayside Bar certainly put on a wide variety of styles - with this one it was jazz-funk with Fusion and old time sing-a-longs with Bill Stott.
14 June 1981 - PUSH
June 1981 - ASGARD
Local heavy metal merchants, Asgard, were trying to do their thing without the aid of metal fans present.
Gig review was published in Cranked Up.
Local heavy metal merchants, Asgard, were trying to do their thing without the aid of metal fans present.
Gig review was published in Cranked Up.
19 June 1981 - THE SCROTUM POLES / Alien Culture
Dundee's punky D.I.Y. funsters, The Scrotum Poles, had their last hurrah at the Tayside Bar with this farewell gig in June 1981. The gig got a mention in local fanzine, Le Sinistre, not once but twice. You can read both below. First one gives the gig a shout and has a bit of background info about the band, albeit in a rather humorous manner. And as you can see on the original poster, they also had a Scrotum Poles movie as part of the entertainment - The Epitaph. This also received a tongue in cheek overview. It's not mentioned below but there was actually an amusing moment during the film when someone drunk, tripped and fell in front of the screen and the movie was interrupted! On a more serious note, The Scrotum Poles sole single "Revelation" released way back then has since gone on to achieve cult status amongst record collectors, and the original now sells for a hefty price. So even although the band were short-lived, they did leave their mark. Also on their farewell gig were local cabaret critters, Alien Culture, and the disco action was provided by Major Jock Longhorn. |
July 1981 - SYNTHETIC DREAMS
Arbroath's synth pop band, Synthetic Dreams, make their Tayside Bar debut in summer '81.
Review published in Cranked Up.
Arbroath's synth pop band, Synthetic Dreams, make their Tayside Bar debut in summer '81.
Review published in Cranked Up.
12 July 1982 - THE GRIP
July 1981 - NO FIXED ABODE
Local pop-rock outfit, No Fixed Abode, were strutting their stuff in the heat of July '81.
Review published in Cranked Up.
Local pop-rock outfit, No Fixed Abode, were strutting their stuff in the heat of July '81.
Review published in Cranked Up.
August 1981 - PARADES
New wave act, Parades, were making their debut appearance at the Tayside Bar for this gig.
The band featured ex Associates bassist, Steve Knight, and their sound was kinda similar.
Review published in Cranked Up.
New wave act, Parades, were making their debut appearance at the Tayside Bar for this gig.
The band featured ex Associates bassist, Steve Knight, and their sound was kinda similar.
Review published in Cranked Up.
August 1981 - THE PRESIDENTS MEN
Punky power-pop band from Aberdeen.
Punky power-pop band from Aberdeen.
August 1981 - PULSEBEAT PLUS
Arbroath band playing alternative pop style tunes.
Arbroath band playing alternative pop style tunes.
August 1981 - STRUTZ
Post-punk band from Fife.
Post-punk band from Fife.
August 1981 - THE BLUSH
The Blush played a few times at the Tayside Bar, and this gig here was their debut.
Their songs were snappy alternative pop based and they even managed to present a lightshow to accompany them!
Review published in Cranked Up.
The Blush played a few times at the Tayside Bar, and this gig here was their debut.
Their songs were snappy alternative pop based and they even managed to present a lightshow to accompany them!
Review published in Cranked Up.
Tayside Bar trivia...
In September '81, pub boss Brian Sinclair was offered Glasgow band, Altered Images, to play at the Tayside Bar.
He turned the offer down because they were a touch too expensive compared to other acts.
2 weeks later Altered Images were in the charts and on Top Of The Pops with their newly released single, "Happy Birthday".
A hit for the band and a miss for Dundee!
In September '81, pub boss Brian Sinclair was offered Glasgow band, Altered Images, to play at the Tayside Bar.
He turned the offer down because they were a touch too expensive compared to other acts.
2 weeks later Altered Images were in the charts and on Top Of The Pops with their newly released single, "Happy Birthday".
A hit for the band and a miss for Dundee!
18 September 1981 - APB
APB were an edgy, tuff, funk band from Aberdeen and their record releases often ended up in the indie dance charts.
They also did a couple of John Peel sessions.
Not only that but they have played at such legendary venues as New York's CBGB's and the Mudd Club, and here they were dropping their hip funky sounds down at the li'l old Tayside Bar!
APB were an edgy, tuff, funk band from Aberdeen and their record releases often ended up in the indie dance charts.
They also did a couple of John Peel sessions.
Not only that but they have played at such legendary venues as New York's CBGB's and the Mudd Club, and here they were dropping their hip funky sounds down at the li'l old Tayside Bar!
September 1981 - THE NOISE / THE INTERROGATED
Two punk bands on the same bill and according to the reviewer, one was a thumbs up and the other got a thumbs down!
Gig review published in Cranked Up.
Two punk bands on the same bill and according to the reviewer, one was a thumbs up and the other got a thumbs down!
Gig review published in Cranked Up.
September 1981 - CRANKED UP DISCO
As well as a bountiful amount of bands performing at the Tayside Bar, the pub also had its own disco - Cranked Up.
Jock (the Cranked Up fanzine main man) was also the DJ blasting out all the alternative / post punk goodies.
During September (the date of this ad) the disco was on every Monday.
No doubt Classix Nouveaux and Lee Brilleaux were on the playlist!
As well as a bountiful amount of bands performing at the Tayside Bar, the pub also had its own disco - Cranked Up.
Jock (the Cranked Up fanzine main man) was also the DJ blasting out all the alternative / post punk goodies.
During September (the date of this ad) the disco was on every Monday.
No doubt Classix Nouveaux and Lee Brilleaux were on the playlist!
September 1981 - THE BLUSH
This is the second review of a gig by The Blush to be published in Cranked Up.
This is the second review of a gig by The Blush to be published in Cranked Up.
30 September 1981 - WAITER WAITER
Dundee band, Waiter Waiter, presenting their jagged style of alternative pop to the Tayside Bar crowd and going down well.
Dundee band, Waiter Waiter, presenting their jagged style of alternative pop to the Tayside Bar crowd and going down well.
September 1981 - PULSEBEAT PLUS
Pulsebeat Plus are back at the Tayside Bar again but have a rather tough time of it this time out.
Read how the evening went in the Cranked Up review below.
Pulsebeat Plus are back at the Tayside Bar again but have a rather tough time of it this time out.
Read how the evening went in the Cranked Up review below.
September 1981 - PARADES
Parades were generally well liked by most people at the Tayside Bar but were still suffering from teething problems as this Cranked Up review reveals.
Parades were generally well liked by most people at the Tayside Bar but were still suffering from teething problems as this Cranked Up review reveals.
September 1981 - VEX
Vex was a Dundee act doing something similar to what was going on in Downtown New York at the time with the No-Wave music scene.
Trying to distance themselves from conventional music standards and setting their own sonic style.
The crowd reaction was usually that you either really liked them or you really loathed them!
The review here from Cranked Up is the latter.
Vex was a Dundee act doing something similar to what was going on in Downtown New York at the time with the No-Wave music scene.
Trying to distance themselves from conventional music standards and setting their own sonic style.
The crowd reaction was usually that you either really liked them or you really loathed them!
The review here from Cranked Up is the latter.
4 October 1981 - PUSH
Dundee rock band.
Dundee rock band.
6 October 1981 - NEW LONDON
Loud local rock band.
Loud local rock band.
8 October 1981 - THE BLUSH
Back again.
Back again.
9 October 1981 - PARADES
Played here a few times now.
Played here a few times now.
11 October 1981 - ST.ANDREW & THE WOOLLEN MILL
Dundee band with a big dollop of humour.
Dundee band with a big dollop of humour.
14 October 1981 - ST.ANDREW & THE WOOLLEN MILL
The band once recorded one of their shows at the Tayside Bar which was a ticket only job.
The band once recorded one of their shows at the Tayside Bar which was a ticket only job.
16 October 1981 - 30 BOB SUITS
A female-fronted Glasgow group playing upbeat ska style tunes.
A female-fronted Glasgow group playing upbeat ska style tunes.
18 October 1981 - PUSH
21 October 1981 - RETURN TO FORFAR / JAZZ TOO
Return To Forfar presenting a witty bit of wordplay with their band name, referring to early 70's jazz legends, Return To Forever.
Return To Forfar presenting a witty bit of wordplay with their band name, referring to early 70's jazz legends, Return To Forever.
23 October 1981 - DODGER
Gig cancelled.
Gig cancelled.
25 October 1981 - ST.ANDREW & THE WOOLLEN MILL
28 October 1981 - PULSEBEAT PLUS
29 October 1981 - RETURN TO FORFAR
30 October 1981 - STRUTZ
Tayside Bar trivia...
Stuart Adamson (Skids/Big Country) was once booked for a poetry reading session at the Tayside Bar, but unfortunately he couldn't make it on the night and the gig was cancelled.
Stuart Adamson (Skids/Big Country) was once booked for a poetry reading session at the Tayside Bar, but unfortunately he couldn't make it on the night and the gig was cancelled.
November 1981 - SWING CLUB
A bit of background info about Swing Club first before the review of their debut gig at the Tayside Bar.
Published in Cranked Up.
A bit of background info about Swing Club first before the review of their debut gig at the Tayside Bar.
Published in Cranked Up.
November 1981 - NEXT WEDNESDAY
AOR band from St Andrews getting a good response from the crowd rather than a good review in Cranked Up.
AOR band from St Andrews getting a good response from the crowd rather than a good review in Cranked Up.
24 December 1981 - Xmas party
The Tayside Bar Xmas party in '81 had a variety of entertainment on offer and a night of fun to remember.
Bands were Alien Culture with their cabaret lounge act, an electronic mystery band, the quirky pop tones of Waiter Waiter and a drunken jam session!
There was also a couple of short movies, a disco and some prize giving.
Read about it all in more detail in the Cranked Up review.
The Tayside Bar Xmas party in '81 had a variety of entertainment on offer and a night of fun to remember.
Bands were Alien Culture with their cabaret lounge act, an electronic mystery band, the quirky pop tones of Waiter Waiter and a drunken jam session!
There was also a couple of short movies, a disco and some prize giving.
Read about it all in more detail in the Cranked Up review.