David Mcilwraith

Guitarist/Vocalist — Glasgow

01Profile

A David Mcilwraith Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
David Mcilwraith, Glasgow.

What do you do?
Assistant Manager in Fred Perry Glasgow, Guitarist/Vocalist in Black Cat Revue.

Describe your style in three words:
Torn, Frayed & Fuzzy. 

What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Seeing The Stones at Hyde Park a few years back around the time of the Brian Jones memorial gig/anniversary was pretty special. I used to watch the original clips from the concert in 1969 and think how special it was. A real high point for me to attend that gig nearly 44 years to the day of the original concert/memorial.

A British icon or band who inspires your sound?
Spacemen 3 - Jason Pierce, Pete Kember.
I remember listening to Spacemen 3 for the first time and feeling a relatable sensation. The inspiration you feel when you hear music that isn’t a masterful/complex piece of playing yet it evokes just as much emotion.

Which music defines the teenage you?
The Ramones. One of the first bands I was introduced that was recommended by my Uncle. A friend in the year above got me into the Ramones in the 2nd year of high school and it finally made playing music accessible to someone with no background in guitar!


Black Cat Revue were one of the bands to feature in our Glasgow Sound feature back in 2015. Their debut double A-side single 'Them Red, White & Blues/Gravedancer' was released in 2017.

 

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Gorillaz - 'Feel Good Inc' 
I remember seeing the music video on television then got my pap to drive me to Woolworth’s for the CD Single, played it everywhere for weeks!

A song from your favourite album?
Neil Young - 'Down By The River'
(from Everyone Knows) 
This Is Nowhere. From the first note to the last, it's, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever. Still get the same feeling now listening to it as I did the first time. Always been a dream to spend 10 minutes playing it on stage and that finally happened last year ha!

A song you wish you’d written?
King Crimson - '21st Century Schizoid Man'
Everything from the lyrics to the instruments just screams POWER. An all-time favourite!

What is the last piece of music you bought?
Ty Segall - 'Ty Segall' 
Fallen away from some of his latest releases, however, with so much material coming out from Ty it’s never long until there’s another great song dancing through multiple playlists!

Best song to bring people together?
Hot Chocolate - 'Every 1’s a Winner' 
Just one of those songs that makes you sing along or dance in the right setting ha!

Best love song of all time?
The Beatles - 'Something'
One of Mr. Harrison’s greatest songs, in my opinion, it taps into something so emotional/raw it connects on all forms of relationships and love. Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect? Big fan of the old “crooner’s” and “big band” music. Sinatra, Nat King Cole etc so I guess not everyone would expect that?

What new music/bands are you listening to?
There is a plethora of new and emerging bands coming from all over the U.K, Europe & America who are constantly touring and putting out new material which is refreshing to hear/see, it keeps you motivated to constantly try and get performing/recording. Really big on New Candy’s recent album, Bleeding Magneta, we supported them in Glasgow, it was an amazing night to share the stage with one of Europe’s best bands! Frankie & The Witch Fingers are coming to Glasgow soon as well, can’t wait to see them live, heard some amazing things from friends who caught them at Desertdaze.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
David Mcilwraith, Glasgow.

What do you do?
Assistant Manager in Fred Perry Glasgow, Guitarist/Vocalist in Black Cat Revue.

Describe your style in three words:
Torn, Frayed & Fuzzy. 

What has been your all-time favourite gig?
Seeing The Stones at Hyde Park a few years back around the time of the Brian Jones memorial gig/anniversary was pretty special. I used to watch the original clips from the concert in 1969 and think how special it was. A real high point for me to attend that gig nearly 44 years to the day of the original concert/memorial.

A British icon or band who inspires your sound?
Spacemen 3 - Jason Pierce, Pete Kember.
I remember listening to Spacemen 3 for the first time and feeling a relatable sensation. The inspiration you feel when you hear music that isn’t a masterful/complex piece of playing yet it evokes just as much emotion.

Which music defines the teenage you?
The Ramones. One of the first bands I was introduced that was recommended by my Uncle. A friend in the year above got me into the Ramones in the 2nd year of high school and it finally made playing music accessible to someone with no background in guitar!


Black Cat Revue were one of the bands to feature in our Glasgow Sound feature back in 2015. Their debut double A-side single 'Them Red, White & Blues/Gravedancer' was released in 2017.

 

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat?
Gorillaz - 'Feel Good Inc' 
I remember seeing the music video on television then got my pap to drive me to Woolworth’s for the CD Single, played it everywhere for weeks!

A song from your favourite album?
Neil Young - 'Down By The River'
(from Everyone Knows) 
This Is Nowhere. From the first note to the last, it's, in my opinion, one of the greatest songs ever. Still get the same feeling now listening to it as I did the first time. Always been a dream to spend 10 minutes playing it on stage and that finally happened last year ha!

A song you wish you’d written?
King Crimson - '21st Century Schizoid Man'
Everything from the lyrics to the instruments just screams POWER. An all-time favourite!

What is the last piece of music you bought?
Ty Segall - 'Ty Segall' 
Fallen away from some of his latest releases, however, with so much material coming out from Ty it’s never long until there’s another great song dancing through multiple playlists!

Best song to bring people together?
Hot Chocolate - 'Every 1’s a Winner' 
Just one of those songs that makes you sing along or dance in the right setting ha!

Best love song of all time?
The Beatles - 'Something'
One of Mr. Harrison’s greatest songs, in my opinion, it taps into something so emotional/raw it connects on all forms of relationships and love. Is there a song you like that people wouldn’t expect? Big fan of the old “crooner’s” and “big band” music. Sinatra, Nat King Cole etc so I guess not everyone would expect that?

What new music/bands are you listening to?
There is a plethora of new and emerging bands coming from all over the U.K, Europe & America who are constantly touring and putting out new material which is refreshing to hear/see, it keeps you motivated to constantly try and get performing/recording. Really big on New Candy’s recent album, Bleeding Magneta, we supported them in Glasgow, it was an amazing night to share the stage with one of Europe’s best bands! Frankie & The Witch Fingers are coming to Glasgow soon as well, can’t wait to see them live, heard some amazing things from friends who caught them at Desertdaze.

 

05Videos

Black Cat Revue - 'Them Red, White & Blues'

Black Cat Revue - 'Gravedancer'