Songs From Northern Britain

It was back in the early 90’s when I first started developing a love for guitar-based music, starting with Nirvana and then the Smashing Pumpkins. This was during the time when the so-called “grunge” revolution was getting into full swing, and Seattle was the city to name-drop in music conversation. While certain bands ruled the roost (Nirvana, Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), there were many other bands that were lumped into the “grunge” label that were slightly under the mainstream radar – bands such as Dinosaur Jr., Mudhoney, and Teenage Fanclub. It really was a great time for music, but as these things do, the scene soon fizzled out and we were left with the void that is mainstream pop music. Nowadays, a lot of the grunge era bands are long gone. Some have quietly endured but no longer have the same relevance they once had. But one, Teenage Fanclub, has quietly become one of the best bands in the world.

I “rediscovered” the Fannies earlier this year after catching them on a triple-bill concert in Edinburgh, along with Travis and Arab Strap. To be honest, I hadn’t really heard any of Teenage Fanclub’s material after their 1993 album “Thirteen”, but I was quite curious to see what they had been up to since. You can imagine my surprise when the Fannies confidently came out and proved that they were still an incredible band with a tight set that showcased the best of their catalogue from the past 14 years. I revelled in the straight-up power-pop with the beautiful 3-part harmonies and hook-laden choruses. And this was not a revel based in nostalgia, because the most brilliant material they were playing came from their most recent two albums. The crowd was suitably impressed, and even Fran Healy from Travis couldn’t help but gush that “the Fannies were my biggest influences” and that they were “brilliant”. I saw Teenage Fanclub play again at T in the Park, and once more they put on a show that left 'em begging for more.

So how best to experience the Teenage Fanclub catalogue if you’re starting from scratch? They have a great compilation disc out now, "Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Seconds: A Short Cut To Teenage Fanclub" which highlights 21 of their best songs. I also recently picked up Songs From Northern Britain which is a brilliant example of their newer, more mellow sound. After one listen to songs like “I Don’t Want Control Of You” or “Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From”, you may just be a convert too.

I could have said “you’ll want to join the Fanclub too” but that would’ve been a bit much. And yes, the Northern Britain they refer to in their album title is Scotland, as the band is from and still based in Glasgow.