Undated / ? / About the Pastels by Stuart, Belle and Sebastian

When I was a boy and when Stephen was a boy too, my friends and I went to Greenock to see the Pastels play. I was drawn to all the Shambly people I saw around, event hough I was quite sporty. They knocked about Hillhead and listened to strange music. I had notion that the Pastels were king of this strange music but I don't know why. Four of us went to Greenock, to the Subterraneans club.
" Who's this ? "
" The Go-Betweens "
" Who does this one ? "
" I think it's Sonic Youth. "
The Pastels came on. People took quite a few steps forward. They embraced the punky sound, they listened to the tender words. The possibilities seemed endless. I am still shocked to remember Aggi's shriek of " Up for a bit ! ". I'm glad she did it though. On the way out there was a crush, and through the crowd came Stephen in his dufflecoat. The more sweaty boys tried to clap him on the back. " Goan yersl Stephen ". We went home and I got their lp the next week. I was shocked and delighted when I heard it. Nothing much has changed, even though that was ages ago. They're still punk, and the songs are just as tender. But they are still learning about music. Every unexpected sound and note in their new record sounds like a fresh discovery. And who else manages to pull that off every time ? Nobody. That's why they are the kings.
Stuart, Belle & Sebastian