Edinburgh's original open mic night

Tommy MacKay

in his own words

Describe your first OOTB

Sincere Elvish Coshtello type ramblings. I was quickly upstaged by one Patrick Jones (now of the soon to be legendary The Atom Bombs), who performed his whole album of short songs - 10 in all - in under five minutes.

Which OOTB performers really rock your boat?

The Victorians make me want to dance. Not that I would. It would be sore. Scott Renton makes me smile. I mean, have you seen that haircut? And, of course, I am in awe of Electric White Boy's hats.

Who is the funniest person you ever met?

Electric White Boy's personal milliner.

What do you think is your best song and why?

The Diarrhoea of a Madman. It's an autobiograpical piece and I sing it like an angel.

Your favourite song of all time ?

That's easy - 'We Don't Play Guitars' by Chicks on Speed. Sublime.

The consumer question: album, book or film you've enjoyed recently?

The 6 CD box set of The Fall's John Peel sessions will never be topped by anyone...ever.

How would your best review sum you up?

Tommy Mackay does things with a guitar and voice that I never thought possible. I wish he would stop.

Who would be in your fantasy band?

Arthur Millard - drums; Arthur Scargill - vocals Johnny Ramone - guitar; Fraser Drummond - Peruvian nose didgeredoo; Reverend Ian Paisley - backing vocals

at OOTB

(Sep 2004)
Tommy Mackay started his set by saying, "If you want to get your mobile phones out, this ones in E minor" referring to an earlier interruption. Tommy plays a punkish rolling guitar style, and a devil may care attitude to his style that belies some clever word use, in his comedic songs, I couldn't say what, but I felt tonight's delivery featured a more serious side. Based on real events, we were given "the day we went to see we might be Giants", I have recently discovered that they played not so long ago, so I assume this is a recent song. The new wave style of Tommy's songs suits the style. The final song was "When not to talk", we discovered that this was "between words", again "I'm sorry I didn't hear you, I was listening", as I say, thoughtful lyrics. Check out his online novel at www.dailyreckless.co.uk

(Apr 04)
Tommy MacKay proclaims his songs to be deadly serious, however many audience members from Thursday may tend to disagree. His opening number entitled "Beyonce is my fiancee" was about the sexual fantasies of a character called Guy Pissetoff, a Hibs player from the on-line novel "666 Great Junction Street" in the Daily Reckless. As he strummed this short ditty he said 'She's not returning my calls' and slightly confused me with a string of 'Na na na's' before this was explained by the clever inclusion of 'I've forgotten the words' into the song. Nevertheless an entertaining attempt. The next song was entitled "Lucky Boy"; a melodic and tuneful song based around 2 chords. He asked 'Who said this lucky boy's in love?' and answered himself 'I may be soft but I don't know'. A cleverly witty lyricist, this was a pleasant tune. The final song from Tommy was another based on "666 Great Junction Street" and entitled "Match Steward" about a boy who works at Easter Road. Though I have been informed that 'I get to watch the Hibbees' is actually untrue for a member of front of house staff at the Hibs game (apparently they're too busy directing people to the toilets) this did not detract from the general story of the song. A good performer, this was enjoyable to watch.

My Beautiful Ninja

I was in the best of health
Thirsting for a beer
She exhibited incredible stealth
In fact I didn't see her
At first, and then she leapt out of the shadows
From behind the crates of Bollinger at Haddows

She said Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiya
I said Hello
She said Eeeeeeee
I said O
This went on for hours
I was enraptured by her powers
How could I resist her?
My beautiful ninja.

Dressed from head to toe in black
At first I thought she was from Iraq

Flip out

(c) Tommy Mackay 2004