Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Those Damned Crows, "The Takedown Tour". SWG3 Galvanisers, Glasgow. Wednesday 11th October 2023

It's not often I go to see a band twice in one year but Those Damn Crows are special live so I wasn't going to miss them. Last time, it was at The Garage in Glasgow and I felt at the time that the venue was too small for them, not just because the audience was packed in so tightly. Their sound and presence seemed bigger than the stage they were performing on. I still felt the same tonight at SWG3 Galvanizers. Although not sold out, with around 800 eager punters in the hall from a capacity of 1250, the stage still seemed too small for them, although the band did make good use of the tiered stage.

The night started outside the venue on a chill but dry evening watching the queue dwindle to nothing as we waited for two of our group. They'd decided to come into town early for a bevvy and had lost track of time not realising how far it was to walk to SWG3 from Charing Cross. Meanwhile, not far from us, a helicopter beamed its spotlights down on the Kelvin River, assisting the firemen and other emergency services searching the water for a missing person.

Eventually, the pair arrived at 7.40 p.m. (doors opened at 7 p.m.) and we all headed in. The hall in front of the sound desk looked rammed. The others headed to the bar and I waited inside, thinking the night was a bust standing so far from the stage. But the thing is, those uninhibited by alcohol don't mind being a bit pushy, so when they returned with their pints and snaked forward through the crowd, I followed and we found a great view right in the middle.

Support act The Cruel Knives were unwatchable. Not because they were unsightly. The problem was with their lighting. It seemed synced to their drumkit so, with every beat, multiple lights blasted the crowd, to the point I had to keep my head down and my eyes shut or else a migraine would have been induced. The music was okay but their guitarist was a bit up himself and the lead singer was too enthusiastic with his sweary crowd encouragement. That's not how you earn a Glasgow audience's respect, mate.

Those Damn Crows played for about an hour and a half and were fantastic. The set was fairly standard with no surprises. I could have done without the drum and bass solo, but the songs were sung well and the music was great. I desperately want to see them in a bigger venue like the Barrowlands so, hopefully, their audience will continue to grow on the back of these live performances.

At the end of the gig, something happened that I've never experienced before. For years, bands have been throwing plectrums and drumsticks into the crowd and I've never been close to being on the receiving end of one. Well, not tonight. I watched as that drumstick arced its way through the air towards me. Bob reached up to snatch it from me but only succeeded in knocking it against Alan's head. I was the first to find it at our feet, holding it aloft like Excalibur, half expecting someone else to grab it from me. But no one did so I kept it. An early birthday present from a delightful band. Thank you very much, Those Damn Crows.