"I'd heard about them and then I saw them as the years unfolded I continued to watch and listen filled with a kind of pleasurable envy until ultimately I got to play with them. But I myself am not worthy of untangling the guitar straps of some of the greats who have passed through their ranks. This is a band with an amazing history who still have an air of untapped potential about them...that is surely the sign of a great band. Ladies and gentlemen... the BMX Bandits"
Stevie Jackson (Belle and Sebastian)"O.K. Here's the brief. There's a group, without which, there wouldıve been no Teenage Fanclub, no Future Pilot aka, no Eugenius, no Superstar, no Soup Dragons. Just to confuse the argument, it's a group of unique, original vision which deserves appraisal on it's own terms and not be hidebound by preconceptions. They are the BMX Bandits"
Brian Hogg (author of the Guinness history of Scottish Rock & Pop) Formed in Bellshill, Lanarkshire in 1985, the group revolves around vocalist/composer Duglas Stewart. In 1986 BMX Bandits released their first single E102. The single was declared 'the worst record ever made' by music tabloid Sounds, Duglas was delighted. The Duglas penned 1992 single, Serious Drugs, in contrast, was single of the week in both Melody Maker and N.M.E. and was voted as one of the top ten tracks of that year in magazines in America, Japan and Spain. Over the years their ever-changing line up has featured many of Scotlandıs finest musicians from bands that have gone onto to international fame and success. Oasis did their first ever tour supporting BMX Bandits and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), a major Bandits fan, announced on New York City radio he wished he could be in a band like BMX Bandits. Twenty years on from their first release the Bandits are still thriving with a new album 'My Chain' being released in the UK June 2006 on Rev-Ola Records. 'My Chain' is already been heralded by critics as the group's best set yet. The group's newest member Rachel MacKenzie, the first female Bandit, has brought a new dimension to the group's sound. Her beautiful vocals have been compared to Carly Simon and Linda Rondstadt. The band had a sell out tour of Japan in February 2006 and will be performing UK and international dates throughout the year. For more information and a full biography go to www.bmx-bandits.com "It's a blessing that such a curious and fragile pop oddity can exist in this blustery and busy modern world. Great songs"
NME
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