StOp sToP / Bad Actress - Bannerman’s Bar, Edinburgh 8th December 2023

I’d kind of guessed that the song ‘Let Me Fill Your Void’ was a sh*gging euphemism but Jacob kindly confirmed it with some unofficial hole-poking sign language for the hard-of-thinking. It wasn’t the only carnal delight in their set which also featured cracking tunes like ‘You Drive Me Loco’ (they’re from Barcelona originally) and a couple of songs from their brand new ‘Tangled’ album in ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Fire, Fire!’ which were well received by a healthy crowd which also featured more glam-rocking ladies than the usual Bannerman’s crew.

As usual, the band all ended up off the stage and in the crowd, putting the mobile drum to good use during a rocking covers medley. I was pretty sure this had been billed as a farewell tour but, although I went for a p*ss at the wrong time, I could swear I heard them say “see you next year” as I was leaving the hall. I hope so – if these guys pack it in then the UK music industry has really shot themselves in the foot.

Highland rockers Bad Actress added value to the bill with a fine set. They definitely look a bit different now, most notably with Mork on vocals sporting red snake-skin clown shoes and a Catweazle beard, but they still bring some synchronized kicks and moves and a decent back-catalogue. New single, ‘Living in Paradise’ is a goody. Mork repeatedly stated that he was unwell but you wouldn’t know it from his performance and he was quite happy to get out in the crowd to spread his germs and was even rolling about on the manky looking floor at one point. They bravely all go “taps aff” for ‘Dynamite Lover’, briefly resembling the long-forgotten band The Handsome Beasts, other than the sinewy bass player who sported some very fine body art.

Hopefully we’ll hear more from both bands in the new year.