Back In Black

Back in my teenage years, I was the lead singer of a band.

One of the major drawbacks to me being the lead singer of a band was that I can't really sing.

Inspired by Oasis and their "anyone can be a rock'n'roll star" mentality, I was convinced that superstardom awaited me, if I only I could find someone to write the songs.

And so, I formed a band, appointing myself lead singer. I was also the band's self-appointed publicist, manager, creative director and every other position that didn't involve playing an instrument.

We named ourselves Merge, a typically lame Britpop era band name (inspired by the likes of Blur, Suede, Pulp, Menswear, Sleeper, Oasis and so on).

We weren't as bad as we could have been, primarily because of two talented songwriters / guitar players.

But after three gigs in two years, we called it a day, sparing the discerning listening public in Brechin any more of our acoustic onslaught.

Now, almost a decade later, three of the members, myself included, are attempting to rekindle those dying embers. Two of them, myself not included, are proficient songwriters with ample material to fill four or five albums.

And my role this time around will be to do whatever I'm told.

Like setting up the amplifiers and fetching the beer....