Today’s vinyl delivery. I must admit when I first heard about this some time ago I thought it might be some conveniently created AI ca$h cow. Happy to report that it’s actually bloody good and a refreshing change from their recent Vaudevillian cowboy / cod-funk output. Ooh..that saxophone! 🎼👍🎼

Congratulations to Spain, but I have to say the modern World Cup trophy is simply a golden blob and indeed is presented by a golden blob. This is the proper one. As any sane person who played Subbuteo as a kid…or even as an adult would agree…maybe… 👍⚽️👍

Today’s vinyl delivery is “Author! Author!” by Edinburgh’s SCARS from 1981. Near mint. Still in shrink rap (albeit opened) with booklet. I saw them twice in 1979/80 and they were great. Sadly the original drummer “Mac” is not on this LP. He was a whirling dervish and in the year above me at school.

Today’s vinyl delivery. Thanks to @thebeatcroft.bsky.social for alerting me to this one. My near neighbour Mr. Heron with a bunch of very cool mates made this record in 1971. “Smiling Men With Bad Reputations”. Guitars and Sitars. Folk’n’Roll. First listen and I’m liking it. 🎼👍🎼

Ach well. That’s Mbappe off to his Mbedde. Bad luck France. Night night. ⚽️☹️⚽️

Today’s vinyl delivery from (possibly) the Godfathers of Punk! “Demo Record” of “Saturday Night” by The Bay City Rollers’ early line up featuring top man Gordon “Nobby” Clark on lead vocals. The Ramones clearly loved it too and used it as a map to direct them onwards and upwards.

Watching “Top Of The Pops - 2000” and reminded of the times when you could be on TV and also sign on the dole. Props to the keyboard player fella (or lady) wearing the rubber “alien” mask! 🎼😎🎼

For anyone out and about in Edinburgh’s Old Town today, Saturday 11th July. Come on down to Whistlebinkies on Niddry Street for a totally free doze of *Maximum Rock’n’Roll*! The Stones, Beatles, Prince, Roxy, Bowie and lots more. 4:30pm start. Free entry! (Apologies for the crap poster edit!)

It’s *Goldilocks And The Three Beers*! The “Peebles Pub Crawl” continues. 🎼👍🍺👍🎼

In the Crown Hotel, Peebles, as part of our annual local *Pub Crawl* and just been reminded that it’s 14 years since I cycled to the pub from Traquair House on my late father’s bike and parked it on the bar so it wouldn’t get stolen. Drink may have been taken…

Watching France v Morocco whilst ordering underpants on eBay. I believe this is what’s known as “multitasking”.

From Melrose we went to similarly charming St. Boswells, then it was onwards to the William Wallace statue at Bemersyde and finally to the always impressive “Scott’s View”. I’ve lived in the Borders for over 30 years and its beauty continues to amaze me every single day.

After today’s “procedure” I spent some time in the delightful town of Melrose and visited its former railway station.

The sun is shining and it’s an ideal day to have a camera inserted into your tadger / boaby / old fella. This is however not my first Endoscopy rodeo. Let the games begin.

It is with great sadness and considerable emotional turmoil that I have to announce that it’s 7th of July here in the currently dull and wet Scottish Borders and…the Central Heating is going back on. This is a sad, dark, depressing day…unless of course you are @octopus.energy

Currently babysitting my daughter’s record collection of 40 LPs, many of which are still sealed. She allowed me to open this “Legacy Vinyl - Superior Audio Quality” pressing of Carole King’s “Tapestry” LP. Great songs. Shit pressing. No top end. Like listening through a duvet.

Today’s vinyl delivery is “Light Fades Into Ruins” by Edinburgh & Borders post-rock duo Sun Shines Cold. It’s their second LP (2 discs) serving up a deep, dark, moody, multi-layered sonic soundscape. Currently on my second listen and it’s pretty darn good! 🎼👍🎼 @sunshinescold.bsky.social

This photo came up on Facebook. It was my first ever “workplace” and indeed one of the last. I was a *Paper Boy* at Pratt’s in Corstorphine around 1975. The wage was exactly £1 per week. Pretty much the same as I earn as a “musician” now, 51 years later. Much less fun though!

After winning tonight’s tennis game Djokovic returned to his dressing room only to find his favourite Hoover had been stolen. He’s now known as *No-vac Djokovic*. Yeah, I know…sorry…it’s clearly time for bed. Goodnight. #Wimbledon2026

Just had my Prostate examined for the first time in 20 years, It’s never particularly pleasant but worth it to find out it’s apparently in pretty good shape for a 63 year old. Recent PSA test showed 1.1 which I believe is decent. Hopefully that’s another worry put to bed. 🤞

When I was 9 I saw Mott The Hoople on Top Of The Pops and made a wish. “I want to do what these guys are doing!” Just realised I should’ve added, “and at the same level.” Anyway, heading off out to play a three gig weekend, including this one in the Tweed Valley tonight. 🎼👍🎼

For anyone out and about in Edinburgh’s Old Town this afternoon. Come on down to Whistlebinkies on Niddry Street for a dose of *maximum rock’n’roll*. First set at 4:30pm prompt. Free Entry. 🎼👍🎼

This is a cracking record. It’s been on my turntable continuously for a fortnight. “Things We Did On Earth” by Kilbey Kennedy. That’s Steve Kilbey of Aussie psychedelic combo The Church and and Martin Kennedy of All India Radio. It’s a sublime, sonic soundscape and right up my street. 🎼👍🎼

Today I found myself at a funeral along with well over 200 other people. Many of the people I’d have recognised 30-40 years ago but not now. We’ve all aged. Got me thinking. Can we please have an App to identify people like we have for plants? It would certainly help me, aged 63.

I’m not a huge football fan but I quite enjoy watching it played at the top level. However, I’m noticing in this first week of the World Cup that many players are shooting way high of the goals. If this were rugby the points would be ramping up big time. But it isn’t. ⚽️🙁⚽️

Somewhat stoked to have received this near mint copy of The Church’s “Persia” EP in the post today, a mere 40+ years after its release. Original Australian pressing. And very good it is too. So much music, so little time. 🎼👍🎼

It’s been years since I bought a copy of MOJO magazine. I subscribed for a while in the early 2000s but cancelled after way too many Beatles related front covers and “Ringo may have farted in 1963!” type articles. However, this month’s edition looks interesting. £7.35 though! 😳

Can’t help noticing that some of the Netherlands football players are wearing these amazing shirts. Not sure if they’re going to play football in Dallas or simply go to San Francisco in 1967…possibly with flowers in their hair! #WorldCup2026

Went to bed at 4am and for some reason was awake again at 7am. Need to get up now as I’ve an early gig this afternoon and there’s a lot of equipment needing set up. I predict a very happy crowd today. Some may well be hungover! It’s Nobby Clark so underwear (hopefully clean) may well be thrown! 🎼😎🎼

Beautiful Sunday! The sun is shining here in Scotland this morning, both out in the street and on the page! #FIFAWorldCup2026