RockScotland

I worked part time in The Howff for about 4 years in the 70's. I saw some great bands there. I remember some bands other than the "ones who made it" Splitz, great live act, singer used to dress up and at one point in the show would put a toilet seat over the mike and sing through the outlet pipe. Gasoline Alley were fronted by a guy called Frank Kessler who always wore a poncho and had an american accent (think he was from Maryhill or somewhere though) Hands Off, Randy Pie, Dodd Taylor and Dunn.

The Howff is always remembered now with the same sort of rose tinted vision that all the old venues are.

In reality it was a complete dive and absolutely minging.

However, I saw a load of great (and not so great) bands there throughout the early 80's.

Best band to have played there IMHO was Cannes - with the original line-up of Colin Peel, Andy Burns, Ian Murray and I can't remember the drummer's name.

I've still got their original demo tape and a T-shirt!

digital_man

digital_man wrote:Best band to have played there IMHO was Cannes

Have to agree, Cannes were one of the best ever to play in the Howff!

Colin Peel went on to marry Gaby Roslin and briefly sung with Praying Mantis.

Iain Murray plays with the recently reformed Blind Alley and he also has a cover band of his own.

goblin

digital_man wrote:it was a complete dive and absolutely minging

It wasn't even clean enough to be minging!

We used to go to see bands like Centurion and Anaconda in the Howff - but only because we couldn't get into any other pubs!

Used to get pints of Snakebite - when was the last time you ever heard anyone ask for that?

angus

goblin wrote:and he also has a cover band of his own

Ian's covers band is called 5 Past Midnight!

jas