Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants: Difference between revisions
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The first gig HR&TVU ever played was as an experiment of popular culture in support of Pas the Gas at His Nibs. Hugh Reed was a ripoff of Lou Reed, which reflected everyone's inspiration, i.e. the NYC underworld. |
The first gig HR&TVU ever played was as an experiment of popular culture in support of Pas the Gas at His Nibs. Hugh Reed was a ripoff of Lou Reed, which reflected everyone's inspiration, i.e. the NYC underworld. |
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The first set this band ever played consisted of four songs: 'Sweet Jane', 'Walk on the (Clyde)wild)side Waiting for the Man', 'White light/Heat', and 'Get it On', all in support of Pas the Gas, a Glasgow band that never came to much, but contained several great musicians. |
The first set this band ever played consisted of four songs: 'Sweet Jane', 'Walk on the (Clyde)wild)side Waiting for the Man', 'White light/Heat', and 'Get it On', all in support of Pas the Gas, a Glasgow band that never came to much, but contained several great musicians: the band members were Desmond Murray guitar, David Cross, bass, john McHarg, drums and David on vocals. Pas the Gas wrote all their own music and they very rarely covered other band songs. They also played a combination of acoustic and electric music set, which appeals to a wider audience and their gigs went on for 2 or 3 hour sets. Pas the Gas played a collection of both ballads and rock songs which were unique in sound and technicality. |
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The band had many different members throughout its existence, in addition to core personnel Hugh O'Hagan, and slightly later, Tom Docherty. Tom's younger brother Terence Docherty was their first guitarist, and returned later as part of the Hugh Reed Explosion. Tom's youngest brother Tony Docherty was an occasional bassist. The association between the Docherty brothers and Reed still carries on. |
The band had many different members throughout its existence, in addition to core personnel Hugh O'Hagan, and slightly later, Tom Docherty. Tom's younger brother Terence Docherty was their first guitarist, and returned later as part of the Hugh Reed Explosion. Tom's youngest brother Tony Docherty was an occasional bassist. The association between the Docherty brothers and Reed still carries on. |
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Revision as of 23:21, 15 August 2015
Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants were a cult Glasgow based band who have supported Debbie Harry,[1] Simple Minds, The Fall and John Otway.[2]
Biography
The band was founded by Hugh O'Hagan, now commonly known as Hugh Reed, circa 1990 from an amalgam of members of The Harlequin Cabbage Bugs, Halcyon Days, the Rhythm Kittens and the Trouser Coughs, including at different times Lawson Campbell, Stewart MacDonald and Lindsey Watt.
The first gig HR&TVU ever played was as an experiment of popular culture in support of Pas the Gas at His Nibs. Hugh Reed was a ripoff of Lou Reed, which reflected everyone's inspiration, i.e. the NYC underworld.
The first set this band ever played consisted of four songs: 'Sweet Jane', 'Walk on the (Clyde)wild)side Waiting for the Man', 'White light/Heat', and 'Get it On', all in support of Pas the Gas, a Glasgow band that never came to much, but contained several great musicians: the band members were Desmond Murray guitar, David Cross, bass, john McHarg, drums and David on vocals. Pas the Gas wrote all their own music and they very rarely covered other band songs. They also played a combination of acoustic and electric music set, which appeals to a wider audience and their gigs went on for 2 or 3 hour sets. Pas the Gas played a collection of both ballads and rock songs which were unique in sound and technicality.
The band had many different members throughout its existence, in addition to core personnel Hugh O'Hagan, and slightly later, Tom Docherty. Tom's younger brother Terence Docherty was their first guitarist, and returned later as part of the Hugh Reed Explosion. Tom's youngest brother Tony Docherty was an occasional bassist. The association between the Docherty brothers and Reed still carries on.
The Velvet Underpants was particularly noted for its highly theatrical presentation and witty use of puns, titles "Take a Walk on the Clydeside" and "Smells Like Troon Harbour" being examples, and also, of course, the name of the band.[citation needed]
Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants lasted until Valentine's Day 1998, but was later reborn as the Hugh Reed Explosion.
Song material ranged from discussion of public perceptions of trainspotters and descriptions of hangovers, to accounts of what can happen when you drink in Glasgow's east end during an Old Firm game while wearing the wrong football scarf.
A typical Underpants gig would feature a stage dressed with numerous television sets all turned on, glitter balls and an overhead projector having coloured oils dropped on it. Reed would go through numerous costume changes and actions ranging from a policeman to a bride to illustrate each song.
Quite often he would leap manically about the audience, lost in an almost primal scream presentation. However, underpinning this was a tight backing band who could shift from punk rock ("Trainspotting") to scat-funk ("Salt, Sperm, Saliva, Sweat").
Since 2009, Reed has been living on and off in China, playing gigs in Beijing and played the first ever Rrock gigs in the southwestern city of Zunyi, a town with a population equivalent to Glasgow, Manchester or Liverpool.
Media exposure
The band's first single, "Six tae Wan", was used by BBC Radio 1 as the theme to a series on Scottish rock music. O'Hagan and various band members also appeared on Scottish Television's late night debate programme, Trial By Night in 1994.
On the recommendation of a friend, who saw Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants on local television, Deborah Harry invited the band to support her eleven date 1993 UK tour.
Hugh O'Hagan also appeared in the 1996 film Trainspotting as the man failing to chat up Renton's love interest Dianne, played by Kelly Macdonald.
Discography
Albums
- Take a Walk on the Clydeside - 1996
- Ni Fa Feng Le Ma? - R U Mad? - 2010
Singles
- "Six to Wan" - 1991
- "Satellite Baby" - 1992
Videos/DVDs
- Carry On Up the Underpants - 2002
References
- Hugh Reed interview Geneva, Switzerland
- Hugh Beijing benefit gig 2009
- Hugh Reed Glasgow gig 2010
- Gig review Libertine's, Ayr, Scotland 2010