The Glad Cafe, 19 September 2025
The Secret Goldfish
The saying “Familiarity breeds contempt” rarely has any good connotations, and yet, on the musical front at least, familiarity with an artist’s work can offer up some untold benefits.
And so, it was when we wandered into The Glad Café to watch and listen to The Secret Goldfish for the second time in a few months at the same venue.
Familiarity with the songs offers a new perspective, as you’re not necessarily straining to hear every nuance of the songs themselves. In some ways the brain has already been hard wired to recognise how the individual songs ebb and flow. This then allows you to scan the band in more detail to get a better understanding of how the various instruments and vocals are being brought together to create the whole.
In the case of The Secret Goldfish there is no doubting the chemistry that exists between Douglas MacIntyre and Katy Lironi, probably for the best as they are married to each other! The rhythm section of Paul Turnbull on drums and Steven McSeveney kept everything simple yet highly effective allowing the vocals of Katy in particular to shine.
Familiar faces on stage no doubt looking at many familiar faces in the audience in front of them. There was never any need of anxiety and the relaxed atmosphere brought out the best in the band.
After another listen, the songs are even more familiar. Catchy, guitar driven pop tunes that hit the mark for everyone present, with John McKeown of Yummy Fur squeezing onto the stage to add a little guitar virtuosity to close the set with. ‘Familiarity breeds respect!’ would be more becoming of the band.
The Sexual Objects
After a relative quick turnaround, Messrs MacIntyre and Turnbull were back on stage sporting a change of shirts while retaining the deft skills on the drums and guitar which have made them so well respected in the musical fraternity.
Together with fellow Port Sulphur band members Gavin Fraser on bass and Sam Smith on Korg synthesiser, the four were joined by Malcolm Ross and Davie Henderson for more than a little bit of music and a little bit of banter thrown in for good measure.
Their joint CV is like a who’s who of the Scottish indie scene from The Fire Engines, Win, The Nectarine No. 9 to Joseph K, Orange Juice, The Jazzateers and The Cowboy Mouth. It’s a CV which ensured the venue had the Sold-Out signs well in advance of the evening.
Collectively, they couldn’t disappoint. The songs, many off the latest album Orangutang, were classic pop tunes in the jangly pop tradition, crafted to perfection, delivered to an ever-appreciative audience.
Davie Henderson was on top form while introducing each song, was that a memory he harked back to? or just a bit of banter to give time to have his guitar in tune. When not sitting-squat like playing the slide guitar, Malcolm Ross offered up a reminder to the uninitiated how good a lead guitarist he is. As for the Port Sulphur team, they excelled as ever, though Fraser might want to brush up on his comedy act.
While major bands reform to jump on the ever-growing revival bandwagon with national and international stadium tours, it’s worth noting how relatively small venues are able to offer the perfect setting for musical acts who may not have reached into the consciousness of the mainstream yet who have a loyal following. Perfect venues to meet a more discerning audience, at a price that is not prohibitive.
As The Creeping Bent Organisation, nears the end of its existence after 30 years many at the Glad Café will no doubt mourn the loss of a label which has brought much joy to many throughout the past few decades.
It is going out with a flourish and tonight’s gig, alongside the latest albums by both acts, are a testimony, if one were needed, about how rich the musical talent across Scotland has been and continues to be.
