Culture
May 14, 2024

Glasvegas: The best rock'n'roll band in the world

Glasvegas (from left): Rab Allan, James Allan, Caroline McKay and Paul Donoghue.

Real rock stars wear black, that much is clear. While singer James Allan and bassist Paul Donoghue are at the soundcheck, Caroline McKay (drums) and Rab Allan (guitar) sit in the bar of the Hamburg club Molotow and chat. Real rock stars are arrogant sneaks? That's not true. Although Glasvegas in the UK is frantically celebrated as the best new rock'n'roll band in the world, Caroline and Rab have stayed on the carpet - and so nice that they would love to celebrate New Year's Eve with them!

BYM.de: How does it feel to play in the best new rock'n'roll band in the world?

Caroline McKay: (shrugs) Well ...

Rab Allan: For me, it's nothing else than hanging out with my best friends. We do not think that some people call us the best rock'n'roll band in the UK or the world. You would go crazy.

BYM.de: Many critics compare you to Oasis. Is this putting you under pressure?

Rab Allan: It just means that people believe in us as a band, and that's a good thing.

Caroline McKay: If anything, we put ourselves under pressure because we want to be as good as possible. We're pretty ambitious about our music.

BYM.de: What's the best about Rockstar life?

Rab Allan: I do not think I'm a rock star. Caroline earlier.

Caroline McKay: Yeah, I was a rock star before I even got into the band.

Rab Allan: That's why we asked her if she wanted to join. But let's face it, the best thing about rock star is that you get paid to make music. That's weird. And very exciting. Recently we played in Amsterdam, I could hardly stand on stage because I saw a lot of colorful colors.

BYM.de: Oh well, you've done a little tour of the city before.

Rab Allan: I do not know how I got over the gig. But that's one of the reasons why being in a band is great.

BYM.de: You obviously have a lot of fun.

Rab Allan: Yeah, and you know why: because it could be over any moment. That's why you should take advantage of it. There are so many bands that are really good and do not come out big. We are really lucky.

BYM.de: Do you have any disadvantages as a rock star?

Caroline McKay: Yes, I miss my family and my friends.

Rab Allan: And Glasgow.

>> On the next page, Caroline and Rab reveal where the best drinks are in Glasgow

"I'm doing a nasty Kir Royal"

Singer James is rarely seen without sunglasses. But that is also the only thing in common with Heino ...

BYM.de: There are a lot of great bands from Glasgow. Can you explain that?

Caroline McKay: The city simply attracts creative people. Many come because of the art school.

BYM.de: And where are the best drinks in Glasgow?

Rab Allan: At Caroline.

BYM.de: Sure, you're the rock star, too.

Rab Allan: Caroline lives right downtown, next to the Art School. We often hang around, get drunk and have a lot of fun. Your cocktails are great.

BYM.de: Real? What are you good at?

Caroline McKay: I'm doing a pretty nasty Kir Royal. And great Cosmos.

BYM.de: Football is extremely important in Glasgow. Who are you for: Celtic or Rangers?

Caroline McKay: Celtic.

Rab Allan: Rangers. The band is divided in two.

BYM.de: Can you even watch football together?

Caroline McKay: No, definitely not!

Rab Allan: That will not work. Our bassist Paul often goes crazy. It is better if you are not there.

Caroline McKay: Especially with the cocktails.

BYM.de: If you look at your videos on Youtube, it is noticeable that many people skip your dialect, the Glaswegian. Is that getting on your nerves?

Rab Allan: I do not know. That's easy for us. With bands from Liverpool or Manchester the dialect never plays a role. But there are not many Scottish bands singing in their own dialect. Many sound American. That's why people are indignant when they hear James sing.

Caroline McKay: It's the most normal thing in the world.

>> On the next page: With whom want to celebrate Caroline and Rab on New Year's Eve