Falkirk 80s rockers reform to play first gig in 36 years

Denny man Ian passed away from cancer of the pancreas last July and, as a tribute to the man known as Santa and in support of the Maggie’s charity, Falkirk and Denny musicians, working together as The Denny Daymakers, have released a charity record called Lovin It Hatin It and organised a live gig which takes place at Grangemouth Town Hall on Friday, August 19.

One of the bands playing at next week’s event is Blackout – which featured Santa on drums back in the day.

Formed by Grangemouth singer/songwriter Sandy Black, Blackout performed all over central Scotland in the 1980s and gained a following due to their many appearances at Falkirk’s famous Burns Bark.

Santa’s pal – and rhythm section partner – bass player Alan Burns said: “The bands appearing at the Daymaker concert all have a direct connection with Ian in one way

of another. Blackout was one of the first bands Ian played in, and it seemed fitting that Blackout should make an appearance."

Sadly, Blackout’s original guitar player Douglas Herd passed away some years ago so it was impossible to have a full reunion.

Alan said “We weren’t sure how Blackout would be able to take part. My son Jamie is the bass player with local rock band Danko so we thought Danko and the

three surviving members of Blackout should join forces for the Daymaker show."

So Alan, Sandy and Blackout keyboard player, Shad, will team up with Danko members Jamie, Mikey, Lewis and Matty to play a set consisting of both Blackout and Danko songs.

Sandy said: “This will be the first time we will have performed in public since the band split up in 1986. These songs have been dormant for nearly four decades. We

released a seven inch single Is There Anything back in 1984.

"It will be great to play the songs again, but the show will be really emotional as we remember our old friends who can’t be with us – Ian, Douglas and Catharine Bates who, with Caroline Wood sang backing vocals with us in the studio and at some gigs.

"It’s also been great learning the Danko songs which are full of energy and excitement.”

Other top acts appearing at next week’s show include Beldon Haigh, Box O Bananas, Bladdered and Tequila Mockingbird.

All the money raised from the Lovin’ It Hatin’ It single and the concert will go to support the Maggie’s charity.

Maggie's Forth Valley, in The Nina Barough Building near Forth Valley Royal Hospital, offers free one-to-one help and information from their professional team and

enables people to join groups and activities that are right for them.

The charity was founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks, who used her own experience of having cancer to create a new type of cancer care. The first Maggie's opened in

Edinburgh in 1996 and there is now a network of centres across the UK and some abroad.