This week, for those of you with a fast car and little regard for road safety, there are plenty of shows around the country, many in different places at the same time.
So, and not just because there’s nothing much going on in Glasgow at the start of the week, we’ll work our way around the country
Starting in Edinburgh on Monday 24th, which sees 17 Seconds Records types Matt Norris & the Moon at the Voodoo Rooms in their native Edinburgh. (This cosmopolitan approach probably doesn’t extend as far as Perth, who only have The Drifters, boasting only a tenuous link to the soul legends, at the Concert Hall tonight (Monday).

Also Monday, in Dumfries, Frightened Rabbit are on tour to launch their State Hospital EP. They’re at the Venue, and on Tuesday, a rare hometown show at the Selkirk’s Victoria Hall. They also play in Paisley at the Tech Uni Union on Thursday.

And so to Wednesday (have a night in on Tuesday, you might need it) –
King Creosote‘s at Dalkeith Arts Centre – another show put on by the 17 Seconds website/label. Support from Last Battle and head honcho Ed playing lots or reggae between the bands.

Thursday sees Sucioperro – a band less tenuously connected to Biffy Clyro than The Drifters are to, er, themselves – at Beat Generator Live in Dundee. Alasdair Roberts is back on Drag City as he was when Appendix Out formed, and plugs his new album at the Tolbooth in Stirling, while Glasgow finally get something worthwhile together – with Cuddly Shark, in advance of their new EP on Armellodie, are at Bloc with Black International and Rollor, at Bar Bloc, Glasgow.
And down the coast, Peter Doherty washes up at Word Up, Greenock.

In Edinburgh, on Friday, at Henry’s, it’s Nanobots, Shock and Awe and Desperation AM terrorise an unsuspecting audience. It’s Murray Shock’s birthday apparently, so bring cake.

Friday 28th sees our whistle-stop tour arrive at Kinning Park Complex in Glasgow, where Withered Hand is punting new single Inbetweeners.

Same night, unfortunately, How To Swim – new EP coming soon!) with The Paraffins and Grnr at The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow. And while it seems wrong, Bruce Foxton lines up alongside a Paul Weller impersonator and the drummer out of Big Country, to bring their self-tribute From the Jam to the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline.
Up the Kingdom, Fatherson are at Windsor Hotel, Kirkcaldy. Or if that’s not local enough, in Inverness, Netsounds Unsigned take over Hootenanys with Cherri Phosphate, Fife 4-pieve Waiting on Jack and Sienna Lights

And so we come to rest at the weekend (well, Saturday) for a touch more nostalgia – Marc Almond is at the HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, doing The Hits. As, I have no doubt, will Dr. Feelgood, a mere skip and a hop up the A9, at at Strathpeffer Pavilion, Inverness (which takes us back to Drifters territory especially with a mad-eyed Wilco Johnson prowling in their wake (well, in Glasgow early November)

Take Sunday off. You’ve earned it!