10-1993 / Pamfletti, Pastels-Stereolab-Bob zine / Classic line-up

Classic line-up. Glasgow / Edinburgh mid-September scenario.
My perspective.

Glasgow is so international - the kids drive out to the airport late at night, just to listen to The Beach Boys ' Pet Sounds on the car stereo alternating with the jet-engined roar, and more than that, to feel alive to the fact that they are in the world. Fifteen miles north a gang of delinquent sensitives brave the cooling evening to skinny dip in Loch Lomond, toasting marshmallows on a bonfire while Sonic Youth rules their ghetto blaster.

But we have to leave them to touch our epicentre, to walk inbetween the toppling tenement skyline, guided through by a sense of destiny and electric streetlight, the spirit of adventure rushing up off the ground. So, brush past the football trials, the hopeless pub chatter non-achievement scene, the idiotic obstacle courses. We're too good for it. This is no ned symphony. Let's rush the show.

Powderhall terraces enchanted by the once in the world contrast between frenzied on-track speedway action, against an incredible silhouetted background of Calton Hill (left), an old castle (straight ahead) and miraculously (right) the Forth Road Bridge. To walk out onto the harbour at Granton is not only to acknowledge our own history courtesy of Pier House studio (Shop Assistants, Vaselines, Melody Dog first singles), but to admit to the infinite possibilities offered up by the world of ocean travel. Steal some rich person's paddle cruiser today. But don't ever forget Edinburgh's dark, dank charm.

So you see, when we decided to stage these Pastels - Stereolab shows, the idea seemed to us to be quite special, and we decided that they would have to take place in significant cities of the world, and Glasgow and Edinburgh are so specials they are capitals.

S. Pastel. September 1993