Last Summer Effect evolves

IT’S one summer on and outside the sun is shining on the soft green fields round Glachbeg Croft.

Inside, it’s a year since Last Summer Effect spent their interview talking about the future.

Now, many plans have blossomed for the guys from Tore, Dingwall and Inverness.

They have a manager in Invernessgigs’ Chris Lemon, their EP is out and another is firmly planned – and they have Belladrum and first, a summer showcase set to perform tonight (Thursday).

Last time, in a tea tent at Belladrum, we had battled to make ourselves heard over main stage hits Vintage Trouble.

This time, the five-piece is both serious, and – by the end of the interview – indulging their inner crazy.

Fox costumes? Don’t quite know how we got there, but blame singer Chris Smith aka Chris Fox.

He’s fed up having the mickey taken out of him at Christmas.

"It’s beginning to look a lot like Chris Smith etc?" he grinned.

So stage name Chris Fox it is.

Though three of the band are soon heading off to Glasgow to study sound production and business, as bassist Michael Bull points out: "We’ll be able to come back up at the same time. And with three of us there, it will be quite easy to practise."

"It’s more an opportunity than an obstacle," says singer Chris.

And that’s just typical of the band’s positivity.

They’ve got a rake of new songs, a new set-intro to stamp their identity and their sense of fun.

Bassist Michael said: "We evolve rather than change."

Twin Stephen, the drummer, said: "We never look back in any kind of negative way, and in the last year we’ve enjoyed everything we’ve done."

Stand-out gigs include everything from last year’s acoustic set on Belladrum’s HEN stage right up to the Ironworks Easter Showcase and the recent charity gig for the air ambulance service in Boat of Garten.

And being back in the Ironworks for a summer showcase set is special.

Rhythm guitarist Michael McCulloch explained: "I think the Easter showcase was a big turning point for me."

Lead guitarist Robbie Tranter added: "It was one of our best gigs. Just as we got onstage I knew it was going to be a good night because there was so much energy from the crowd."

Bassist Michael said: "I think that was the fourth or fifth time we’ve played the Ironworks this year. There is still something about it that we’re still excited every time.

"I’m nervous – but I think that kind of helps.

"It’s never just a gig at the Ironworks and never will be."

Getting manager Chris Lemon on the team at the turn of the year has already made a big difference, the band reckons.

They’ve already got their first booking for a festival in 2013!

And their video for song Heroes, made by local outfit Nut Productions, got an impressive 1900 views.

"We’re asking more of ourselves and where it would lead," said singer Chris.

Showcase –yes. Belladrum, yes. Fox costume, optional.

Last Summer Effect play Belladrum tomorrow (Friday) on the Seedlings Stage at 10.05pm. For more on the band, go to www.lastsummereffect.co.uk

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.