Gig review: The Second Hand Marching Band

Published on Thursday 17 September 2009 18:55

THE SECOND HAND MARCHING BAND *** WEE RED BAR, EDINBURGH

THIS was the stripped-down version of Scotland's Second Hand Marching Band, culled to a mere 18 players from a peak membership of somewhere around 23. It's tempting to think that this packed-out show was a result of SHMB's steadily building reputation, although, to be fair, the venue could have been filled by each band member bringing along three or four friends.

Such thoughts aside, though, the youthful folk orchestra deserve more attention and slots in bigger venues, if only so they can avoid the small but ungracious element who thought it was a good idea to sit yodelling and cackling away to their mates at the back while the band performed their most tender passages.

Comprising members of Scotland-spanning groups such as How to Swim, Eagleowl, Q Without U, the Just Joans and many more, the crashing alliance of guitars, drums, flute and fiddle, trumpet and saxophone, and even a couple of small xylophones called to mind a fuller version of the rustic rock so eloquently essayed by fellow Edinburgh outfit Broken Records – a Dry Stane Dyke of Sound, to paraphrase Phil Spector.