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Saint Jude's Infirmary

Saint Jude's Infirmary are probably the last band to blow Jim away with their demo. Actually formed in Kirkaldy in the mid-90s, they are now based in Edinburgh (via Amsterdam where they re-emerged after a brief split). Scotland In Sunday said of the band in their list of the Top 20 bands in the country, "A gorgeously lethargic wisp of Velvet Underground/Mazzy Star melacholy, these Edinburgh dreamers are what rainy days are made for." (Beatbreakers w/c 27/9/04)

www.saintjudesinfirmary.co.uk

Salon Boris

Glasgow-based trio Salon Boris are certainly near the top of Jim's list of favourite bands at the moment. One of their first gigs was in the Slam Tent at this year's T In The Park, where they proved in fine style that dance music can work in a live setting. The blurb says, "think of a dirty sleazier human league for this decade, think of Mark E Smith from the Fall, think of the fattest driven analogue bass this side of New Order, think of the dirtiest catchiest electro pop you can dance to,...think of Salon Boris... the lo-fi electro band now emerging right out of Scotland via Russia." (Beatbreakers w/c 11/10/04)

www.salonboris.com

Shrinking Violet

Originally formed in Lanark, Shrinking Violet have been long-time favourites on the Beatscene. After splitting for a while, they recently got back together, and are now based out of Edinburgh. The band hit the headlines when they penned a song about golfer John Daly. They sent him a copy, and he loved it!

As well as touring Germany, the boys recently opened for Ocean Colour Scene at the Barrowland in Glasgow, and are set to play with them again next year! (Beatbreakers w/c 15/11/04)

www.shrinkingviolet.co.uk

The Silver Pill

Edinburgh band The Silver Pill are set to release their 2nd EP in 2003. Having aleady made waves at Scotland's major music festivals, the 5-piece continue to go from strength to strength. They are also the host band at the ever popular "We Believe In.." tribute nights. (Beatbreakers 3/1/03)

www.thesilverpill.com

Singleskin

Former session guests Singleskin have just released their debut album. "Millions Of Comforting Arms" includes Beatscene favourites "79 Electroshock Treatments" and "Even The Saints Can Get It Wrong". The Dunfermline band have an impressive live pedigree, having supported the likes of Snow Patrol, Electric Soft Parade and Haven. (Beatbreakers 3/3/04)

www.singleskin.co.uk

Skin On Skin

Dunoon 5-piece Skin On Skin have been gigging up and down the country for the past couple of years, creating a cool brand of pop rock coupled with outstanding songs. The band have just completed the recording of their debut album "Small Part Of A Big World". (Beatbreakers 15/6/03)

www.skinonskin.info

Sleepmode

Fresh from their appearance on the T Break Stage at T In The Park, come Sleepmode. Commenting on their contribution to this year's T Break CD, the Sunday Herald wrote, "Fronted by two brothers, this three piece from Glasgow have already got the knack for writing propulsive compelling rock that sounds ready-made for radioplay. 'You Lied' is them at their anthemic best". Currently a 3-piece, they hope to soon re-emerge with a new bass player.

www.sleepmode.co.uk

Sluts Of Trust

Hot duo Sluts Of Trust debuted live at King Tuts on New Years Eve 2002. John McFarlane and Anthony O’Donnell have tied the knot with legendary Glasgow label Chemikal Underground to present their debut album "We Are All Sluts Of Trust". (Beatbreakers 5/5/04)

www.slutsoftrust.co.uk

Smiler

Smiler impressed Jim so much when he caught them live in Edinburgh, that he immediately invited them to appear on the show. With hints of The Wildhearts, Aerosmith and New York Dolls, the band put on one of the best live shows around.

www.smiler-rocks.tk

Alex Smoke

Alex Smoke is widely accepted as one of the most exciting new talents on the Scottish dance scene. The young producer from Glasgow has been gaining worldwide acclaim with his debut album for Soma, 'Incommunicado'. Part of a generation of producers who are blurring the boundaries between minimal, techno and electronica, he's set to be one of the highlights of the Slam Tent at this year's T In The Park.

www.somarecords.com

Smokescreen

Funk-rock threesome Smokescreen have become a regular fixture on the live circuit in Scotland in the past few months with some explosive shows. (Beatbreakers 10/11/02)

www.smoke-screen.org.uk

Solarise

Formed by Roger Hughes of Ultrasonic fame and Belgian musician Jean-Paul Risse, Solarise started life as a duo. With the addition of Stephen Softley and Gary McMillan, they continue to build their live following with musical references ranging from Beck and Pavement to Air and Gomez. (Beatbreakers 28/1/04)

www.solarise.info

Sons & Daughters

Glasgow-based outfit Sons & Daughters have rapidly become one of Scotland's most exciting new bands. Their debut album "Love The Cup", on US label Ba Da Bing!, has received some stunning reviews, with Scotland On Sunday describing it as "the most gloriously spacious record of the year, featuring seven untamed slabs of Scottish traditional country psychobilly". (Beatbreakers 14/1/04)

www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.co.uk

Soulstarr

Bo'ness outfit Soulstarr create a glorious sound with hints of Doves and Elbow. The band were were one of Jim's highlights at the recent MusicWorks convention and festival in Glasgow. With their EP 'The Birth Of Song' recorded with Stephen Watkins from another of Jim's favourite bands The Acute, all the ingredients are now in place for Soulstarr to take on the world. (Beatbreakers w/c 12/9/05)

www.soulstarr.co.uk

Sound Development Agency

Sound Development Agency have been described by The List as "a dirty funk equivalent of the Beta Band", and starred on the T Break Stage at T In The Park this year.

www.sounddevelopmentagency.com

Squander Pilots

Past comparisons with the likes of Massive Attack and Portishead can be cast aside with Squander Pilots, whose album "Things Happen To Us" proves that they have their own destinctive style and sound. If you want a taster, you can download the full album from their website for just £2. If you like what you hear, you can purchase the full version on CD. If only major record companies had such foresight, rather than threatening to sue their customers! (Beatbreakers 19/05/04)

www.squanderpilots.net

The Star 69

Set to release their debut album "This Is Modern Soul", The Star 69 lay down some anthemic indie anthems. (w/c 4/7/05)

www.thestar69.co.uk

The Starlets

Glasgow outfit The Starlets have just released their second album "Further Into Night Forever". A melancholy pop group with ambitions to be cheerful, influences range from The Velvet Underground via The Go-Betweens and Prefab Sprout to Judy Garland. (Beatbreakers 5/11/03)

www.starlets.co.uk

Stigma

Originally from Fife, Stigma are Lyle Christine, Greig Bald & Johnny Durst. Formed in June 2002, their debut EP 'One In Ten Means You' came out on their own label Spermatozoa Records last year. The guys have also recorded a split single with Edinburgh band Deadenstereo, and have just released a new EP called 'Bronx Cheer'. They say of their sound, "Sometimes heavy, sometimes not, but either way it's usually done with a grumble." (Beatbreakers w/c 4/10/04)

www.tohellwithstigma.com

Stinky Munchkins

Coming across like a hybrid of The Stooges and Scissor Sisters, Glasgow's Stinky Munchkins were Jim's live highlight at the recent MusicWorks convention. One of the most exciting acts to hit the Scottish scene of late, they provide further proof that rock and dance can live happily side by side. (Beatbreakers w/c 24/10/05)

www.stinkymunchkins.com

Stonesthrow

Glasgow 4-piece Stonesthrow were recently compared to Oasis in the Daily Record. While the Manc band may be one of their many influences, Stonesthrow do have something else in common with Oasis... Oasis may have the Gallaghers, but these indie rockers have the Murrays... and the Smiths! Yup, Stonesthrow feature 2 pairs of brothers... Derek and Andy Murray, and Paul and Gary Smith. (Beatbreakers w/c 3/1/05)

www.stonesthrowmusic.co.uk

Stylus Automatic

Stylus Automatic have created a bit of a masterpiece with their debut album "Nightwindows". Partly recorded in West Hollywood, and completed at home in Paisley, the band have done it all without the backing of any record label. Making use of various government schemes and other grants, they found themselves in L.A. hanging out with Morrissey and rock producer Andy Johns for the initial recordings. Even if they never get the success they deserve, it's all a great plot for a movie! (Beatbreakers 15/10/03)

www.stylus-automatic.com

Sucioperro

Sucioperro's debut EP featured Simon from Biffy Clyro, and more recently they joined forces with Glasgow-based label Adorno for 'The Hidden Perils Of Dancing" EP. The alt. rock 3-piece have gigged with a diverse range of acts including Jetplane Landing, The Delgados, Biffy Clyro and Deacon Blue(!). Their latest tour takes them on the road as the main support to Fightstar (who feature Charlie from Busted). (Beatbreakers w/c 17/1/05)

www.sucioperro.com

Summer Of Mars

Summer Of Mars sees Dave McGowan and Canadian ex-pat Paul Smith re-emerge from the ashes of the much-loved Vera Cruise, joined by various guests including bass player Michael Kasparis (of V-Twin fame, and the subject of Franz Ferdinand's 'Michael'!). Recording their debut album 'Glaciers' in France with Craig Ward of dEUS, Summer Of Mars give us a wonderful alt.rock trip, described by the Big Issue in Scotland as "a thrilling blend of crunchy, swaggering post-grunge guitar riffs and gently swinging, beatific country, sounding like Dinosaur Jr one minute and The Lemonheads the next". (Beatbreakers w/c 16/5/05)

www.loosemusic.com

Super 8

Edinburgh band Super 8 specialise in an exciting brand of psychedelic pop and rock. The five piece have linked-up with legendary local label Human Condition for the release of their stunning debut album "Technicolour Melodies". (Beatbreakers 14/9/03)

www.super8music.com

Swimmer One

Scots duo Swimmer One are the missing link between Pulp and the Chemical Brothers. Originally featured on the Beatscene as a limited edition release in the summer of 2002, their "We Just Make Music For Ourselves EP" has now been given a full UK release. Hamish and Andrew have yet to play live, but their near-legendary DJ sets give an indication of where their eclectic mix of sounds come from. (Beatbreakers 23/2/03)

www.swimmerone.co.uk