PAEIZI, BANSHEE LABYRINTH, EDINBURGH, SEPTEMBER 19 2026

 Everyone's favourite Scottish/Persian crossover metal band.

Line-up:

INSULIN PUMP: I know nothing about these lads. They might be awful. They might not.

Turns out they're not awful. Not entirely sure what they ARE, actually. Sort of jazz-light, a bit of pop, a bit of post-punk, They do, however have a saxophone, for which I will deduct one point.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/EoIIVxtXzkQ   https://www.instagram.com/insulinpumpband/

REVELATION 23: Local alt-metal trio. Last time I saw them they were just two, and they had a different drummer. They've gotten a bit more 'metal' now, too.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/FPvGLtjSDlw   https://www.instagram.com/revelation23band

PAEZI: The aforementioned Scottish/Persian crossover metal band. Nice to see them in a venue that isn't one of the horrible upstairs rooms in Mash House. They are, I think, at their best when the 'Persian' bit is allowed out to play. Otherwise quite grunge-y and, indeed, start things off with an AUDIOSLAVE cover (Show Me How To Live). Nice bluesy jam late on in the set, too.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/MVqKVkBVTjg   https://www.instagram.com/paeiziproject

SOLITARY, LEGENDS, EDINBURGH, SEPTEMBER 21 2024

One of two simultaneous RED CRUST gigs happening in Edinburgh tonight. Being a hero, I shall endeavour to be at both of them.

Unlike the other gig tonight, this one DOES have supports. However, due to the early start I miss the first and, due to being elsewhere, also miss the third. So, with that in mind...

LINE-UP:

CHECKHOV'S GUN: One day, I WILL see you.

REVELATION 23: The only band on tonight's bill that I've seen before. Local gothy alt-metal duo, the least 'metal' of tonight's bands - well, the two I managed to see, anyway.

VIDEO:   https://youtu.be/fjjgJFMTtcs    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555304594170

Have to skip out at this point (to see this https://thefudlip.blogspot.com/2024/09/dirty-sound-magnet-mash-house-edinburgh.html ) and miss the next band, but I'm sure they are awesome.

FATAL COLLISION:

And I'm back, in time for:

SOLITARY: Out on tour, Preston, Lancashire's thrash veterans can't quite believe how hot it is on stage in Legends, and seem surprised to be playing in front of a substantial crowd. Declare London crowds to be a bit 'soft'. Being Scottish, I can find no argument with that.

                                    

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/ighex6Thl0A   https://www.facebook.com/Official.Solitary

Two gigs in one night, done. Wish I'd seen more, but you can't have everything, eh? Anyway, Duncan at Red Crust says he won't be doing THAT again. And who can blame him?.

EL MOONO, LEGENDS, EDINBURGH, JUNE 3 2024

Today is my birthday, so I'm treating myself to a gig, featuring some bands I have never seen and know nothing about. This could go horribly wrong.

VENUE: LEGENDS

Line-up:

REVELATION 23: A very new young band from Edinburgh. I have the impression they've played very few gigs, and they seem to be missing their bass player tonight. Maybe that accounts for the somewhat nervous performance. Still, promising - if slightly dark - alt rock. Worth watching out for.

Incidentally, in that last photograph, he is NOT poking her in the back with a stick.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Z-9WnHuMsUg   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555304594170

KUBO KOBI: Totally not what I was expecting, just from their name, which is all I knew of them. Although I can't actually say what it was that I WAS expecting. Just not this. Sort of post-metallic alt-rock kinda thing. Vocals reminded me in an odd way of Jefferson Airplane without actually sounding like them. From Glasgow, if that helps, and playing with a new guitarist. The one with the nice hair.

Pronounced KOO-bo ko-BYE, by the way.

VIDEO:   https://youtu.be/fHJ1mfh7hP8   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063665015485

EL MOONO: From Brighton, let's call it 'alt-rock', although that seems a weak way to describe El Moono. Post-hardcore mixed with a bit of grunge and some metal and other stuff, but all very excellent. They're out on tour promoting their new album 'The Waking Sun' which you should all go out and buy immediately. Singer Zac Jackson looks like he's escaped from an asylum, with his manky gown and mad eyes. 

They have, apparently, played Edinburgh a couple of times before, but tonight is their biggest crowd so far. Which is a bit sad, because there's only about 20 people left in the venue. Maybe it's because it's a Monday night. Hopefully, they'll be back to play to a much bigger crowd very soon.

VIDEO:  https://youtu.be/FlYS4h43pBw   https://www.facebook.com/elmoono

So, did it all go horribly wrong? Well, clearly not, although the Monday night crowd was a bit sparse. It was maybe a bold move from Duncan at Red Crust, bringing the headliners here on a weekday, but touring schedules left him no choice. It was Monday or nothing. I, for one, am very glad he did.