By Tommy McGrory
The Bungalow have ‘Straighten Out’ in tonight, Friday 22 August. They are said to be the world’s premier Stranglers tribute band with an extensive set-list that spans two solid hours as they re-create the ‘early years’ sound of The Stranglers, complete with a Hammond organ and Minimoog synth; the same models used by Mr. Greenfield himself, back in the day!
The growling bass sound and the quirky guitar riffs are all there to be heard as is the dual vocal ‘attack’ from the two frontmen a-la Burnel/Cornwell as they rip through the Stranglers’ classic: ‘Peaches’, ‘Hanging Around’, ‘No More Heroes’, ‘5 Minutes’, ‘The Raven’, ‘Walk On By’, ‘Straighten Out’, ‘Down In The Sewer’ and many more as they cover the Stranglers’ early classic albums and beyond.
Straighten Out will take you on a nostalgia trip that transports you back to those raw, powerful, exhilarating times when The Stranglers emerged through the quagmire of mediocrity to produce some of the finest music ever written. Straighten Out will put you back in that place. Tickets on the door from 7.00pm.
Another free entry afternoon with the wonderful Bobby Deans Big Band tomorrow, Saturday 23 August 2025. Doors open at 1.00pm with the Band on at 2.00pm.
Popscene, the UK’s No1 Blur Tribute Band make their debut at The Bungalow tomorrow night, Saturday 23 August. Expect to hear all the favourites including There’s No Other Way, Girls and Boys, Trouble in the Message Centre, End of a Century, Chemical World and Clover Over Dover. Tickets on the door from 7.00pm.
Itchycoo Park (1960’s tribute) present another Sunday Session selection of sounds of the 1960’s and beyond. The band feature songs from The Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, Hollies etc., plus some ’60’s inspired’ tunes from various acts from later decades. Free entry / Doors 1.00pm and on-stage from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
The Tuesday Bungalow Open Stage starts at 7.00pm. If you want to get on stage and jam or play some songs this is for you. The house band will be there to help and full backline available. Free entry.
On Wednesday, 27 August, The Bungalow Club starts at 2.00pm. Join in with the regular fun quiz and listen to John Griffin, The Bobby Deans Big Band lead singer.
On Thursday, 28 August, Echo Chambers and The Lines take to the stage for another Introducing Night. Both bands have been busy on the circuit building up their fanbase and are finding new fans at every gig they do, and most likely you will be one too if you get along and check them out. Tickets on the door from 7.00pm.
The Swan has Abbey Road (pictured) on tonight, Friday 22 August, from 8.00pm. Live rock action tomorrow, Saturday 23 August, starts at 4.00pm as always, and this time it is Midnight Moses on stage. The Sunday Soul Club starts at 3.00pm with John and Maria on the decks. Crawford Carlyle will be playing on Monday 25 August from 4.00pm; Lee James starts his comedy and song stage show on Tuesday 26 August at 3.00pm, and every second Thursday at 5.30pm; Duncan McLellan kicks off at 4.00pm on Wednesday 27 August 2025.
The Cave’s line up this week starts with a doubler in the shape of Freight Train tomorrow, Saturday 23 August at 5.00pm followed by Gordon Alive at 8.00pm. On Sunday, 24 August, the mighty Kong will be rocking it out from 6.00pm.
The Keg have Lewis Toms in tonight, Friday 22 August from 9.00pm and Thursday 28 August Keg Sessions starts at 9.00pm for all the latest original music acts and bands. 3.15 are at Kennedys on Sunday 24 August. Starting later at 4.30pm 01Four1 kick off at 4.30pm at The Inn on the Corner.
The Open Mic/Stage Sessions next week are: The Abbey at 9pm on Monday 25 August 2025; Ugly Duck Monday at 7.00pm; The Gantry at 9.00pm on Tuesday 26 August; The Bungalow on Tuesday 7.00pm; The Keg on Wednesday 27 August at 8.30pm and The Cave from 7.00pm on Thursday 28 August. The Inn on the Corner has an Open Mic on the last Tuesday of the month, 26 August 2025.
PAISLEY VENUES ADDRESS GUIDE
The Cave, 38 New Street, Paisley PA1 1YG
Gantry, 12 New Street, Paisley PA1 1XY
Whisky Joes, 7b New Street, Paisley PA1 1XU
Barga, 25 New Street, Paisley PA1 1XU
Paisley Arts Centre, 15 New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ
The Bungalow, 15 Shuttle Street, Paisley PA1 1YD
The Venue, 4 Sma’ Shot Lane, Paisley PA1 2HG
The Keg, 15b Gilmour Street, Paisley PA1 1DD
The Abbey Bar, 8 Lawn Street, Paisley PA1 1HA
The Ugly Duck, 38 High Street, Paisley PA1 2DQ
The Wee Howff, 53 High Street, Paisley PA1 2AN
Kennedy’s, 33a Causeyside Street, Paisley PA1 1UL
The Venue, 5 Wellmeadow Street, Paisley PA1 2EF
The Anchor, 23 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1ES
The Old Swan, 20 Smithhills Street, Paisley PA1 1EB
The Tile Bar, 14 Smithhills Street, Paisley PA1 1EB
Inn on the Corner, 70 Causeyside Street, Paisley PA1 1YP
Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JF
