Who are these masked men? That was the question many people were asking when a video popped up on their timeline four years ago featuring band called Orkestra Obsolete covering New Order’s “Blue Monday.” Who indeed?
Little was revealed about this talented bunch of musos other than they were performing “Blue Monday” to illustrate what a classic synth song would sound like without synthesizers. The man behind this classic piece of promo is the immensely talented Scottish musician Angus McIntyre, who is better known as a highly successful TV producer and director.
McIntyre recently uploaded the original uncolorized version of the Orkestra track to his You Tube page where he explained something of the film’s background:
A few years ago I was asked by a BBC producer to make a short three minute film about the synthesiser, and then I thought it might be interesting to do a “what if there were no synthesisers?” scenario. Or something. I roped in my pals Graeme Miller - a skilled theremin and musical saw-ist, and Sven Werner - an amazing artist who has a fantastic studio space. Sound artist and film-maker Nicola Reade and myself worked together on the overall style and approach, and I arranged and directed it using a few tricks I’d learned making Gugug videos.
Gugug videos? More on that later.
For the recording of the Orkestra’s version of “Blue Monday,” McIntyre played drums, ukulele-banjo, tongue drum, piano strings, effects, lap steel, harmonium, clavioline, and sang vocals. He’s a talented little fucker. And an all-round good guy. Also, playing/involved but uncredited on the original were Michael Pappas (camera) and Richard Anderson (double bass).
Way back in the mists of time, McIntyre was in a Glasgow band called Wray Gunn and the Rockets. A three piece rockabilly band of buskers in leather and denim who played rock ‘n’ roll like their lives depended on it. The outfit consisted of Keith Warwick (a Buddy Holly almost-alike) on vocals and guitar, McIntyre on guitar and vocals, and gentle giant Finn (Finlay Morrison) on tea chest bass. They could be spotted around the city playing their hearts out. They got a few spots on TV and supported Shakin’ Stevens on tour. That was when I first met McIntyre and co. circa 1989. Spool on a few years, and our paths crossed when McIntyre started working at the BBC as a director. I also knew him through the other bands he played with—George Miller and his legendary band the Kaisers, who were once blessed by Lee “Scratch” Perry and had jazz singer/writer/Surrealist/filmmaker and bon vivant George Melly perform with them.
Over the past decade, well, slightly longer, McIntyre has been uploading short homemade videos of himself and various guests performing covers of classic songs under the name Gugug. The name, as he once explained was born of necessity:
When I was setting up my youtube account I put in “Gus” which was taken (d’uh), then “GusGus” which my pal Duglas BMX from the “Greorgy Girl ” video calls me that but then that was taken too, so I tried Gugug cos I didn’t really care by that point to be honest. So according to this story I guess it must be pronounced Gugug as in “uh huh” although to be honest it is never really spoken out loud. I should have said something more esoteric like “it’s the most fundamental human sound – the gu-gug of a baby’s first goo-goo”, or “its derived from an ancient Polynesian chant” or “gu-gu-gug’ is the sound of chugging away on a cheapo ukulele with old strings.”
Most of the videos feature McIntyre and Finn performing live to camera on ukulele and guitar—though a few tracks have been recorded at a studio. Around Christmastime, Gus ‘n’ Finn released a beautiful cover of the track ‘Let’s Be Natural” as a tribute to Neil Innes. Which is, in some respects better than the original and probably the best place to start.
Meantime, someone out there should seriously offer McIntyre a record deal or maybe invite him to make movies in Hollywood. Why not? He’s got the talent.
Gus ‘n’ Fin’s tribute to Neil Innes with a cover of the Rutles ‘Let’s be Natural.’
Gus covers Roger and the Gypsies’ ‘Pass the Hatchet.’
Gus ‘n’ Finn cover the Sweet’s ‘Blockbuster.’
Gus covers the Beatles’ ‘Cry for a Shadow.’ Gus- drums, bass, ukes, and percussion. Ukulele - Bruko Custom
Gus covers ‘Georgy Girl’ with a help from legendary BMX Bandit Duglas T. Stewart.
Gus ‘n’ Finn cover the Trashmen’s ‘Surfing Bird.’ Jings!
Gus ‘n’ Fin cover the Cramps’ ‘Human Fly.’
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Duglas T. Stewart: The incredible pop life of a BMX Bandit
The fabulous BMX Bandits: Interview & performance of ‘(You Gotta) Fight For the Right (To Party!)’
‘BMX Bandits In Space’: Duglas T. Stewart releases contender for Album of the Year
Sheet music to play Kraftwerk’s ‘Pocket Calculator’ on a pocket calculator
Shitastic 70s cover versions of hits by Bowie, Blondie, Kraftwerk, Sex Pistols, Kate Bush & more
Innocence & Despair: 1970s school children sing Bowie, Beach Boys, Beatles and Eagles
The Stranglers appear in a BBC documentary about surrealism, 1978
Meet the great ‘English eccentric’ who financed the Surrealists
The New Piccadillys: If The Beatles played Punk
Orkestra Obsolete performs New Order’s ‘Blue Monday,’ 1930s style