Interview with Peep Show, courtesy of Andy Mcdonald from Cyster Scalpel.

Hey Peep Show. How are things?
Kenni [Black, bass]: We're brilliant, thanks. We enjoyed the show tonight, it's been a pretty good gig.

What's been happening in Peep Show camp lately?
Johnny [Gunn, vocals]: We've been writing material for our new album, 'Brand New Breed'. We're just getting the ideas together for it.
Kenni: We have a couple of new songs which are in the early stages, and we're also getting some studios up and running between band members.

Can we have any working titles for new songs?
Johnny: There's the title track, 'Brand New Breed', and also 'Death Of Me', 'Sick In The Head'.
Kenni: We're going for a more darker sound on this album.

Does this mean a radical departure from the sound on your first CD?
Johnny: Hell no! It's going to be different, but not completely.
Kenni: We're gonna stick to our guns.

It's safe to say you guys are the fore-runners of the Scottish sleaze rock scene. Have you had any interest from record labels?
Kenni: Yeah, we've had interest. It's a case of proving that we can do it, that we're not just 'one-hit wonders'.
Rusty [Gill, guitar]: We've worked with people like Beau Hill, who produced the likes of Alice Cooper, Ratt and Europe.
Johnny: Yeah, Beau heard our song 'Teenage Nightmare' online and got in touch. He said he really liked the track. At the moment he's re-mixing it. It's taking us a while because it's important for us to get it just right when working with such a high-class producer.
Rusty: We've also been working with a company in Italy. I've just organized an unofficial record deal with them, in the way that they don't own the rights to our music, but they will distribute the albums for us in Europe. It'll hopefully help us to get gigs over there, especially in Italy, and they're trying to get our music into the hands of bigger labels. I signed that deal last week, and we're looking forward to it being announced soon.

Was it difficult for you to make it to this level of success?
Charlie [DeVille, drums]: No, 'cause we're fucking great. Next question!
Johnny: It took a lot of dedication, a lot of time, a lot of self-belief, and a vision.
Charlie: That's some beautiful shit...I'm welling up over here...

Arguably, your most notable show has been supporting Duff McKagan's (Guns N' Roses/Velvet Revolver) new band Loaded at the Garage in Glasgow. How was that?
Charlie: I'll tell you the honest answer. Rock Radio ran a competition for bands, and the prize was the support slot for Duff McKagan. We didn't even enter of our own accord; the station phoned us and asked us to enter, so we send them our album, and we won. Go figure.
Rusty: Regardless of how we got on the bill, it was a fantastic gig. It was great to play to an audience of that size, and to play with one of our idols. Duff was one of the guys who got us into music.
Johnny: Although interestingly, we had a bit of a run-in with him. When he was on-stage, he spoke about how good his other support band [Loyalties] were, and how they weren't 'posers.' From that, we got the impression that he was implying that we were posers. Coming from a D.I.Y. background himself, you'd think Duff would support bands like us.
Charlie: What you've got to remember is that Duff McKagan is such a hard man that when Johnny and I went to have our picture taken with him, his management stood in our way and said no, and we had to get Rock Radio involved and fight to get a photo with him! So, Duff, if you're reading, I'd like to say you're a great bass player with a great bass tone. But you're a fucking dick.
Johnny: Maybe there was a bit of a misunderstanding! But when we did get to talk to him, I said we weren't posers. We're working class boys. I asked if he liked the New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks, to which he said yes, so I told him not to let our hair and make-up fool him, because we're a genuine band like those guys.

What sets you guys apart from other bands and 'posers'?
Johnny: I think what makes us different is that there are a lot of bands who do this 'glam' thing; singing about sleazy girls, Hollywood, having Jack Daniel's on their Corn Flakes...that's just bullshit! These guys have never been to Los Angeles or hung out in strip clubs. Maybe we look like some of those bands, and have a similar sound, but we sing about what's real to us.

How do you feel as a small band who have achieved this level of recognition? Do you feel that you'll go on further, or is this more than you ever hoped for?
Johnny: Absolutely not - we're still getting paid peanuts! But we keep doing it because we fucking love it. If we make it, it's a bonus, but we're honestly in it to play music.

And in closing, are there any other bands you'd like to give a shout-out to?
Charlie: Crashdiet and Heaven's Basement.
Kenni: Cyster Scalpel!
Johnny: Nah, they're shit.
Rusty: Our good friends Wired Desire.


Peep Show, Patchwork Grace & Acey Slade
14th May 2009
Stereo Glasgow;

Acey Slade is one of those musicians who just can't stay still for one minute - in more ways than one. When he isn't playing, writing or producing for the countless number of bands he's worked with, he's dashing around the stage of small British venues with his new solo band. Tonight he brings the spectacle to the Glasgow Stereo.

Before the man of the evening struts his stuff, however, Edinburgh-based sleaze metallers Peep Show open the night, playing to a crowd of their faithful and punters who have already arrived. One of the foremost bands in the Scottish rock scene, Peep Show have certainly learned the tricks of the trade; tonight they strut the small stage with the confidence and style of a band many times bigger than themselves; vocalist Johnny Gunn swings his microphone while sneering at the crowd like a young Alice Cooper, while guitarist Rusty Gill takes centre stage to show off some glam-licious licks. Low-slung guitars, sexy riffs and teased hair at the ready, they power through a set of songs from their album, plus a cover version of Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell' - the first Idol cover of the night. Closing track 'The Stand' has an anthemic, uniting feel to it, and with the right support, Peep Show could really be something special.

Second on the bill tonight are the main tour support; young Nottingham noise-makers Patchwork Grace. While similar to Peep Show in the way that they are a small band gaining recognition for themselves and promoting their debut album, musically there is a significant difference between the two. The first noticable thing when listening to this band is the variety of sounds in their music, from the crushing grunge riffs of 'Boozawaffle' to the melancholic pop twangings of 'Life's A Lime'. Focusing on some lesser known songs from their album 'Milk Teeth', as well as some new offerings recently seen on MySpace, the band play on, guitarist Crip bouncing around the stage while vocalist Tori Trash hollers their atmospheric lyrics. There is a real sense of togetherness in the band which is noticable in their stage presence, the members making each other laugh and throwing some crowd-pleasing shapes throughout. Like Peep Show, Patchwork Grace have learned their craft and honed their skills, and are a reminder that a small band can make a big noise.

Finally is Acey himself, welcomed by a throng of misfits notably larger than those watching the previous two bands. Although a former member of shock rockers Murderdolls and punk rock outfit Trashlight Vision, Acey's new band has more in common with the likes of German industrial act KMFDM and Nine Inch Nails than his previous acts. Not that they lack any of the energy; Acey darts from one side of the stage to another, thrashing electro-rock riffs from his guitar and working his flock like a tattooed preacher, sweating all the while. The biggest cheers are reserved for the band's lead single 'She Brings Down The Moon', and the second Billy Idol cover this evening - 'White Wedding', previously covered by the Murderdolls. Climbing the speakers like a hyperactive child and dragging fans on-stage for the closing numbers, Acey plays this small club like it is a packed arena, showing his genuine passion for making music - be it metal, punk or electro. As long as dynamic, eclectic musicians like him exist, the scene - mainstream and underground - should continue to flourish.