THE SIGNALS' return to the music scene got a good reception – now two years on they are set to make it crystal clear they're here to stay.
They went their separate ways in 1999, made their big comeback in 2007 and have been rehearsing regularly, but only gigging infrequently, since then.
The Signals will certainly be busy boys this weekend though, with a gig at Behind the Wall tomorr
ow (Friday) night, followed – less than 24 hours later – by an outdoor set in La Porte Precinct for Grangemouth Music Festival.
"This constitutes a tour for us," laughed singer Neil Sutherland. "Then we're going to Perth later in the month to play another gig. We're going to try to play when and where we can, but we have families now so it's not easy."
Neil and the guys, Bill Hay (guitar), Donald Campbell (bass) and Doug Grant (drums), admit they haven't exactly set the world on fire since picking up their instruments again, but they're still playing and enjoying every minute of it.
Neil said: "It's been good to get back to it – we've played a few gigs, but even meeting up and rehearsing once a week is worth it just for the joy of doing it."
Doug added: "We're just enjoying ourselves and if other people enjoy it too then that's all the better."
The band are playing better than ever – and they have to if they want
to justify the dosh they are shelling out on musical instruments and calm their better halves.
"We're all buying new guitars," said Neil. "And trying to explain it to our wives. Some men go out and buy cars or motorbikes, with us it's been guitars.
"We're turning into five-year-olds – Bill went out and got himself a Stratocaster, so I had to go out and buy a Telecaster. I've never had an electric guitar before – we're playing on the best equipment we've ever had."
The Signals are no strangers to Behind the Wall – they played their "last ever gig" there in 1999 and have played it a few times since their rebirth.
Sticking two fingers up to the face of Father Time and rock etiquette, they will be trying something a bit different on Friday night.
Neil said: "Most bands that play BTW have a break and maybe the atmosphere kind of dies in the second half, so we're going to attempt to play all the way through for two hours.
"Donald and I watched Bruce Springsteen recently, so maybe that rubbed off on us."
The Signals are also looking forward to Grangemouth Music Festival and the infamous "bouncy castle" stage
Neil explained: "I was down watching the International Pop Assassins play it. I noticed the stage had monitors – that's luxury for us."
The lads have nothing to fear playing the great outdoors, having gone down a storm on Falkirk High Street band stand in their younger – less experienced – years.
They are not "too fussed" about getting back into the recording studio at the moment, although they have been writing new songs. They had a big back catalogue of numbers they had re-learn anyway and that gives them more than enough songs for a full set.
"They were easy to remember – it must be in our DNA or something," said Neil.
The Signals have also updated their website and added some old videos.
The 1980s local legends are quite proud of the fact they have the only myspace site containing images digitally transferred from Betamax video tapes.
Neil said: "I still think we're going to be discovered. Surely T in the Park will have an over 40s stage next year."
Bill quipped: "Aye, the SAGA stage."
The Signals hit BTW on Friday at 9.30 p.m. and La Porte Precinct on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Visit www.myspace.com/thesignals 83 for more information.
