Special guests: Pete Wishart and Alan Wishart
Special fly-on-the-wall guests: Stuart Menzies and John Gouveia.
Introduction of Pete and Alan, who were part of the first line-up of Big Country for six months across 1982/83.
Topics covered:
- The early days of getting into music, the overall scene, Bruce’s early band The Delinquents, Stuart and his adventures with Skids, and others.
- Early interview clip with Pete and Stuart from 1982.
- The memory about being asked to join Stuart and Bruce’s new band.
- Getting to know Bruce, and the evolving friendship with him even in later years.
- The openness to listen to ideas and material – memories of working and contributing to specific songs.
- Did Stuart/Bruce have a firm idea about a musical direction or approach, or did the band’s direction grow organically?
- Discussions about image in those early days – there were definitely some thoughts about how they should appear!
- Memories about the first/early rehearsals – how did it happen? Where was it? How was it? Who was there? Which songs? How did it evolve?
- We talk about the infamous Alice Cooper tour. Big Country were signed as the opening band, but were asked to leave after two shows. We talk in-depth about what happened, and did they even meet Alice Cooper or his band?
- Memories from the band’s very first show at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline on 4 February 1982.
- The break-up of the first line-up, and the discussions about the future of the band that happened at the time.
- Life after Big Country – other bands, careers, and how they are doing now.
- Memorable Wishart songwriting contributions that endured in Big Country material.
- Reactions on first hearing about Stuart’s passing and personal memories about the time they had together.
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