A rare and previously unpublished archive of photographs that date back to the height of Paisley’s punk rock heyday, has come to life following the recent publication of a new book on the era.
After local writer Loudon Temple launched his book on Paisley’s legendary Bungalow Bar, which had been a must-play venue for some of the top names of the period, other valuable material suddenly started to emerge.
Loudon, who had booked all of the bands that played the venue between 1979 and 1981, says he has been amazed by the interest it has created both at home and abroad.
He has had orders from America, Australia and Canada, and been contacted by dozens of individuals who had gone to the gigs over forty years ago.
The author said: “If we do a re-print, said, we have a wealth of new material that has come to light as well as more terrific recollections.
One music fan who always went out with his camera, John Miller, captured a series of photos at various live music events that took place in what was the town’s Punk Heartland, Ferguslie Park, in 1979.
They show brothers Joe and Kenny McGlynn who fronted local bands, as well as other musicians and young people who came out to support them.
Loudon said: “We’ve done our best to try and identify those who are featured, and I’m sure there will be a lot of interest locally.
“It’s clear that this damned pandemic has created great nostalgia for those different times and people are loving the chance to look back and recall when things were very much more free and easy.”
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He revealed a punk rock archivist in New York had made contact to seek additional information on the Paisley punk scene, while a London record label is now wanting to put out a compilation album featuring material that went out on the Groucho Marxist label locally.
Loudon added: “It’s a tricky one as those records were financed from a fund held by the local branch of the Socialist Workers Party, I believe, and were all pulled together by a character called Tommy Kayes who went on to form a Renfrewshire chapter of the Rock Against Racism organisation.
“Despite their best efforts, no one has been able to track him down and they need to get the green light from him before seeing the project through.
“It would be great if we could track him down. I am hoping someone might be able to help with that.”
The author has also been able to assist Brooklyn-based enthusiast Michael Train who is compiling a discography of Scotland’s punk and new wave records and tapes from 1977 to 1984.
He said: “He had a tape that was issued by Renfrew band Fine Lines, complete with liner notes, but was completely in the dark about them and, thankfully we were able to put him in touch with some of those who had been band members.
“Remarkably, since that happened, a second and later tape emerged from 1982, that appears to have been digitally enhanced.
“A photo of Fine Lines that was apparently taken by me, has also surfaced and if we do a second edition, that will definitely be included.”
Copies of The Bungalow Bar book are available from www.beenandgoneanddoneit.com and £5 from every one sold is being donated to homeless charities.
