Galashiels

The Catburgers formed in Edinburgh in late 1985 after a chance encounter with The Television Personalities live, right as DIY pop was surging across the UK. They quickly shaped a melodic, driving sound, mixing 60s pop with a darker post-punk edge.

They sat naturally alongside fellow Scottish pop groups like The Pastels and Jesse Garon and The Desperadoes, and the bands orbiting labels like Creation and Dreamworld. Through 1986 and 1987, demos kept the gigs coming and led Dan Treacy to invite them to record a single for Dreamworld.

That single never appeared, and changing tastes plus work commitments brought the band to a close in 1990. Not before they made the recordings collected on Galashiels. Songs like I've Got a Friend and The First Day of Spring are bright, urgent and full of charm, while the later tracks lean into the band’s darker roots.