Ed-FM played Sideway Look’s “Unlock The Capital” a few weeks ago. Shortly after, a musical friend sent me one of their songs and urged me to investigate their music more fully. I did, and found a very competent, talented band who I never knew existed. I have a feeling there are a lot of other people out there that have never heard of them, either. Now you have.
I have read a couple of reviews that compare this band to Big Country (another “criminally underrated” band for another day), but I hear only a slight resemblance. The only real connection between the two bands is that they both originated from Scotland. After that, their signature sounds are very distinct. As long as we are splitting hairs, there are actually more influences I hear from the likes of Armoury Show, Big Dish, and Simple Minds.
The band was made up of Colin Thom (guitar, harmonica, keyboards, vocals), Brian Smith (vocals. guitar, keyboards), John Baird (bass, accordion), Johnny O’Neill (keyboards), and Iain Hardie (drums, percussion). The band manages to employ many instruments to keep their sound varied and interesting. Accordion – need I say more? The vocals are beautiful, harmonious, and expressive.
Once again, the Internet is a vast wasteland when trying to put together a comprehensive history of Sideway Look. I guess it’s safe to assume they formed in Scotland shortly before their eponymous release in 1984, and broke up after releasing Taming The Blade in 1988. If anyone has any other historical tidbits to offer, please feel free to leave a comment.
“Knowing You From Today” (audio only) via YouTube user JAMR1977:
“Taming the Blade” via YouTube user ELMELO80:
“Hungry Waters” (feat. Karen Rix – audio only) via YouTube user JAMR1977:
“Is This Tomorrow” (audio only) via YouTube user tadeuz30:
As with many of the Criminally Underrated artists/ bands, Sideway Look’s music appears to be out of print. To purchase Sideway Look music, you can start your search here. Also, try here.
Discography
Sideway Look (1984)
Taming The Blade (1988)
Very nice post MissP. These guys deserved much better recognition. I do have some vinyl from them and when the weather cools down enough I will bring it into the station for some well deserved air time.
Cheers
Ed
LikeLike
As always ((((((((((Ed))))))))))) you *ROCK* for bringing these goodies to light. I look forward to hearing more from them (and others) on your show. 🙂
Cheers,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
Hi, John Baird (bass / accordian – sideway look)
Just to say thanks for your kind comments. Nice to know our music is still appreciated.
Cheers
LikeLike
Thank you so much for dropping by and for the kind comment. All the best to you, and yes – you *are* still appreciated! Your fabulous music was part of the greatest musical era ever.
Cheers,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
Hi all and thanks for the comments, Big hi to john Baird, How are you doin’ big man, peem has my e-mail and I’m in the phone book for Mallaig. I think that Dave anderson has a video on BETAMAX!!!! from the Aberdeen bullet proof heart gig. Can anyone convert it??
Have fun
Johhn o’Neill
LikeLike
Hello John, and thank *you* for stopping by! All the best to you, MissP x
LikeLike
Hi MissP (Iain Hardie drums – Sideway Look) just discovered your site – great! Like John and Johnny, thanks for the kind comments about our sound. Really appreciate it, thanks!
Cheers
LikeLike
Hello Iain! Thank *you* for taking the time to leave a comment. It really makes posting worthwhile. Hoping you are all doing well – Cheers and all the best!
Hugs,
MissP
xo
LikeLike
Jon O’Neill and Brian Smith were my teachers at secondary school and I had a copy of Taming The Blade on cassette! Great guys!
LikeLike
they were all full of themselves when i first met them in coatbridge. best place to keep the signed album i received was in the bin. talentless blow hards.
LikeLike
I’m letting this comment go through because you are entitled to your opinion, even though you don’t have the stones to use your real email address. The second comment you posted was tasteless and worthless because you are hiding behind the Internet to act “tough” and “cool,” plus it’s libelous and a cheap shot.
LikeLike
It doesn’t take much to work out who that was Miss P. There were not many signed albums handed out. Thanks for being a good moderator. Johnny Wantake O’Neill
LikeLike
You have my email MissP if you need any more info contact me
Have fun
Johnny Wantake
LikeLike
It’s the wee early hours of 2014 here in Utah, and “Unlock the Capitol” just came on my iPhone playlist. Still a beautiful song. I wish more people knew if these guys. They were the type of band I championed as a college radio DJ in the 1980s, but I didn’t encounter them until much more recently. I have no idea how their sing ended up in my collection (in my iTunes, in fact) but I was so taken with it, I tracked down the CD. Great stuff.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing that. It’s always wonderful to hear positive experiences about exceptional music. xo
LikeLike
Hi, just found this, I just would like to clarify one small point Hungry Waters single was my single featuring Sideway Look, my manager asked if I would like to work with the band as I was looking for a support band to help me release a single. They wrote the song I thought it was a good song for me to do, I released the single under my name Karen Rix, I wanted to give Sideways look as my support as possible so put their name on the single but it was my release. It is so kind of you to support this music and THANKYOU very much for all the great support take care Karen Rix
LikeLike
Thanks so much for adding another piece to the puzzle! I appreciate the info and wish you all the very best.
LikeLike
John (Johnny O’Neill) was found dead in Mallaig on May 9 2017 aged 58 R.I.P
LikeLike
I am so very sorry to hear this. My deepest condolences, and may he RIP.
LikeLike