'Chris has curated a treasure trove of concert memories from Scotland's rock music past. A trip down memory lane for many of us, it's also an invaluable guide to a lost world of venues, bands, fashions and moments in time.' - Ian Rankin.
THE IDEA Sparked by a lifelong passion for live music, I set out to source first-hand photos from amateurs and professionals alike of concerts in Scotland, alongside shots of tickets, posters and other memorabilia. From high profile shows to backroom gigs, fans generously sent in their photographs of a key era, showcasing 1974-1990.
THE BOOK Featuring over 2000 images, this 500-page photobook captures a significant period in Scotland's music history. Arranged by town and venue across Scotland, this book presents to the public a unique collection of ephemera which would otherwise be lost. Taking in post/punk, indie, rock, pop and reggae, from household names to forgotten acts, this comprehensive collection of hidden gems provides a remarkable and personal account of the era. The book revisits a huge number of venues, the majority now lost, prompting the memories of those who were there while inspiring younger gig-goers.
FEATURES Covering the length and breadth of Scotland, 16 YEARS spans 32 towns, 120 venues and 500 bands. As well as spotlighting Scotland's major cities, the book also covers towns and villages rarely - if ever - mentioned in music history, such as West Linton, Collin, Inverkip and Cumbernauld. We showcase legendary venues such as Clouds (see pic.), Night Moves, Tiffany's, the Apollo and Bungalow Bar alongside less familiar but crucial clubs like Splash One, Subterraneans, The International Hotel, The Onion Cellar, The Stagecoach, The Venue, Fat Sams and The Tamdhu. We have photographs ranging from David Bowie, Clash, Ramones, REM, U2 and Jam to Kraftwerk, Devo, Cramps, Fall (see pic.), Adam and the Ants, Birthday Party, Suicide, Skids, Scars, Simple Minds and Wake (see pic.), as well as Crass, Swans, Virgin Prunes, Nico and Divine. Alongside this eclectic and impressive array of critically-acclaimed acts are photographs of venues, industry figures and fans themselves. By including both crafted images by professional photographers and amateur shots from within the crowd, the book is unique in capturing the vital moments of the live music experience from across the spectrum. Complementing these photographs is an extraordinary array of rare memorabilia, such as concert posters, tickets, set lists, autographed material, interviews, tour/diary pages, contracts, t-shirts and live tapes. The book presents a unique opportunity to bring together rare and unpublished material in a comprehensive yet accessible volume. It is only possible due to the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of over 150 photographers and collectors, without whom we could never have truly represented these 16 YEARS.
DETAILS After a series of very positive and fruitful meetings with prospective 'co-sponsors', who were shown a selection of the material sourced, I have secured pledges of £14,000 (of the £18,000 required to go ahead). The enthusiasm and confidence of our team means I can now relaunch this appeal, with a view to making the book a reality. Our Crowdfunder aim is to cover the balance of the costs of design and print through pre-selling copies at £30 each (excluding postage). Each £30 pledge will entitle you to a copy of the book, if we manage to achieve our target of £4,000.
16 YEARS book designed and printed in Scotland. Not-for-profit, independently produced, 500 pages. Printed full colour A4 on 130gsm silk with a matt laminate 350gsm cover.