Under the Radar

Echo on the Night Train is their excellent new single, recently released via Instinctive Racoon Records. They've just wrapped up a two-week headline tour of the UK and have a European tour scheduled in January next year as well as plans to release their debut album. Visit www.myspace.com/threeblindwolves

Aberdeen band, The Xcerts have been garnering a lot of momentum lately. With a successful slot at the CMJ industry showcase in New York, the band has just announced the addition of five Scottish dates to their UK tour ahead of Christmas. Visit www.myspace.com/thexcerts

Scottish referees have made the headlines in recent weeks thanks to a reluctance to deal with the abuse which accompanies their duties. But it seems their travails are nothing compared to what faced the arbiters at the finals for a slot at Edinburgh's Hogmanay jamboree. Fans of one act believed that having the most people cheering on their chosen band would clinch it and when the judges swung in favour of Glasgow's Kitty The Lion, it prompted the type of outpouring of conspiracy theories usually associated with the Old Firm.

Thankfully there were no such scenes at the Tartan Clef Awards the previous night, where former Track of the Month providers, Aerials Up, scooped the Emerging Talent gong. With the number of quinquagenarian artists who have yet to receive a gong or perform at the charity bash diminishing by the year, it would be great to see some exciting newcomers take to the stage.

Meanwhile, Admiral Fallow, who have signed a worldwide publishing deal with one of the world's largest independent music companies, have enlisted a booking agent, PR company and radio plugger ahead of the release of their debut Boots Met My Face in the new year.

Frightened Rabbit's tours of the US appear to have paid off, with the band being snapped up by Atlantic Records. Back home their song Old Old Fashioned from The Midnight Organ Fight is being used in an advertisement for the National Lottery. They are currently on a UK wide tour with special guests Admiral Fallow.

Punk, and its various subforms, is one genre which seems to be horribly neglected in Scotland, so it is particularly pleasing that Book Yer Ane Fest makes a return this year. Taking place at Dundee's Kage Nightclub on 4 December, it will feature a massive line up of Scottish and international acts including Billy Liar, Murderburgers and Stay Gone. It's a most reasonable 6 for the full day and the price includes admission to the post gig clubs. See www.kagenightclub.com

After relocating to the Grassmarket area, Avalanche Records is getting busy. With a recent series of in-stores in the new premises, Avalanche owner Kevin Buckle, in collaboration with Orange Slice Records, has now started organising gigs. The first is a very special show at the Picturehouse in Edinburgh on 29 December. Performing their first gig in over 25 years, Scars top the bill alongside TV21 and Malcolm Ross. Visit www.avalancherecords.co.uk

• Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon host Scottish music scene night, Born To Be Wide. For details and tickets see www.borntobewide.co.uk