An album featuring the work of a talented Angus high school careers adviser who took his own life has knocked Liam Gallagher’s new ‘Why me? Why not’ album off the top of a Dundee record shop’s in-store sales chart.
‘Back on the Outside: The Songs of Graeme Scott’ was released at Assai Record Shop in Union Street, Dundee on Saturday following a successful crowdfunding campaign launched by old friend and former band mate Andy McDiarmid,
Confirming that the launch event raised £250 for Scottish mental health charity Brothers in Arms, Andy told The Courier the chart-topping performance was only based on sales, not including pre-orders – so it was likely that once these were included they “really trounced r’kid”.
Graeme would have found this hilarious,” said Andy, 37, formerly of Newburgh in Fife and now of Glasgow.
“Some people at the launch even bought record players on the night so they could listen to the record.
“It was a great event that brought together friends, family and musicians in a celebration of Graeme’s life.”
Dundee University graduate and former civil servant Graeme Scott, 39, who was employed by Skills Development Scotland and worked as a careers adviser at Webster’s High School, Kirriemuir, and Carnoustie High School, died following a battle with depression.
In June, Andy collaborated with Assai Record Shop in Broughty Ferry to create and promote an LP of Graeme’s songs while raising awareness of mental health issues amongst men.
Andy, who was joined at Saturday’s launch by Graeme’s sister Gemma, said the record had been priced so that people can pay “what they want/can”.
Thanking Assai for their “amazing support” and again praising Scott Balmer for the record’s “staggering” artwork, he wants as many people to hear Graeme’s music as possible while raising money for a worthy and relevant cause.
“Graeme’s record is a garage rock record, it’s a folk record, it’s a psychedelic record, it’s a Scottish record, it’s a punk record, and perhaps most importantly it’s a working-class record,” said Andy.
“The songs are about life, about frustration, depression, love, and violence; they are about putting bricks through the Job Centre window.
“Graeme was a true working-class voice. And at a time when culture is becoming ever more gentrified, voices like Graeme’s have never been more important.
“The songs are uplifting, heart-breaking, funny and dark. Graeme was an incredibly witty and unusual lyricist, and he also knew his way around a melody.
“The songs here sound familiar but are new at the same time. I don’t think it’s a great album because it’s my mate’s music – I think its great album because of the music.”
Graeme loved the La’s, so Andy is delighted to confirm that lead singer Lee Mavers is to receive a copy as is Alan McGee, founder of Creation Records. This was after Jordan from Fife band Shambolics, recently signed to McGee’s new label Creation23, agreed to pass a copy on.
· Back on the Outside: The Songs of Graeme Scott is available now at Dundee’s Assai Records in Union Street.
For more information about Brothers in Arms mental health charity for men go to www.brothersinarmsscotland.co.uk
