GIG: ISOSCELES + POPUP + PLAAYDOH + MING MING & THE CHING CHINGS

> ISOSCELES (Glasgow)
Played their first gig at a rain-soaked DIY music festival cobbled together at a friend's farm in the wilds of Scotland, the keyboards resting on bales of hay as electric fences buzzed menacingly in the background. The four-piece stunned the drenched revellers with titles such as Kitch Bitch, Get Your Hands Off and their eponymous theme song with its handclaps and wry, humorous self-aggrandising Suddenly the rain stopped falling, the clouds parted and the cows in the nearby field mooed as one. This was followed by a slot supporting Franz Ferdinand on their mini-tour of the highlands and islands after Alex Kapranos caught them live in a Clydeside warehouse. www.myspace.com/isoscelestheband

> POPUP (Glasgow)
For some (possibly even many) the novelty of hearing songs sung in a broad Scottish accent may be wearing thin. The MOR bounce and at times, the sickly-sweet banality of indie-pop foisted on the airwaves by the likes of The View and The Fratellis runs the risk of inducing revulsion.However, here’s the thing: unlike some of their indigenous contemporaries, Popup have more in their locker than others have in the whole changing room. This scruffy Glaswegian quartet – three boys with guitars, one girl with drums – make some of the best melodic post-punk around in Scotland. They've been awarded Single of the Year by XFM and deemed Scotland's Biggest Unsigned Band They have played SXSW twice and toured the U.S through Myspace friends, playing back gardens, barbecues, hoedowns and bars. The band have just release their. Debut album ‘A Time & a Place,’ - a slab of everyday life set to music. www.myspace.com/popuptheband

> PLAAYDOH (Glasgow)
There's no denying Glasgow four-piece sound like a scary bunch of heathens. It's a breath-taking noise they produce but wait .... just like the mighty My Bloody Valentine there is the strongest sense of song and melody underneath the lo-fi racket they make. Distorted guitars are back to back with toy instruments, post-punk bass and drums grooves are simplistic and minimal grooves recalling ESG, Slits, and Ron Johnson records 80's output. Ranted and shouted riot grrrl-esque refrains get their teeth into your ears and subconscious. Their home recordings, available on the wonderfully named Winning Sperm Party Records, are chock full of ideas and instuments. Alongside Wetdog and Le Tetsuo, keeping the lo-fi faith alive. Their second welcome visit to The Artrocker Club. Appropriately the new release 'Motown/Farmies' is a Cassette Only single release.

> MING MING & THE CHING CHINGS (Glasgow)
When forming a band, one of the first items on the 'things to do,' checklist would be to decide on a name that will be unique and stick in the minds of a potential fan-base. There is of course the risk that having a distinctive name without quality music and stage presence to back it up will only serve to accentuate the negative. So it's a bold move to give your band a name such as MING MING AND THE CHING CHINGS. Fortunately, this Glasgow four-piece has the lot - in abundance! Probably the best reference point would be to think of XX Teens singing Cramps songs, but with a healthy helping of early Wire thrown into the mix. Destined to be one of the 'Bands to Watch,' in 2009. One thing's for sure - you're not likely to forget the name very easily! A 'tick,' may now be recorded against point number one on the checklist!www.myspace.com/mingmingthechingchings