The Khyber Trifles

Robbie Paterson - vocals.

Nicky McNicol - drums

Malcolm McDonald - guitar

Iain Scott - bass

Mick Lamont - guitar

The Khyber Trifles profile is taken from a news article from 1976, the article written by Ed Smyth, talks about the band’s success and struggles as young students and working musicians, the band’s lead singer had previously worked with Jimmy McCulloch (Paul McCartney and Wings) who occasionally played with the band and produced two of the band’s recordings in the late 70s.

Regulars of ‘The Maggie’ , ‘Curlers’ and The ‘Burns Howff’ will be acquainted with the music of The Khyber Trifles, a five piece band who’s sheer variety and versatility are well worth the attention of all Rock fans. Apart from playing many original songs, they have a wide repertoire ranging from The Sutherland brothers to Joe Walsh. Their status as a University band (three of them are students) provides an increasing insight into the plight of amateur bands in general and the problems they face. They are fronted by Robbie Patterson on vocals who was previously in ‘The Society’ and ‘The Jimmy McCulloch Band’ (that’s right the one in Wings) The manic Nicky MacNicoll is their dynamic drummer, with bass man Ian Scott and guitarist Malcolme MacDonald comprising a really tight rhythm section, and last but not least Mick Lamont is their expert axe- man, an extremely capable and promising guitarist indeed. At The Maggie I asked Mick Lamont who is in his final year of an honours degree in English and Scottish Literature, if this causes any problems with his academic progress “Obviously it does, this is one of the main problems facing any musicians at University, you’ve really got to try and work out a compromise solution. I think I’ve been able to do this” There must be considerable financial problems too? “Oh yes, I mean, only last week we paid something like £300 on new equipment, in effect, what that means is that all the money we get from our gigs goes to meet these difficulties. Roadies and transport have to be paid for as well, we get nothing out of it financially at all” We had a chat on the state of the Scottish music scene ( GB80 - Remember this article is from 1976 before some Pubs, Radio Clyde and BBC Scotland started to support new young bands circa 1980) “Pathetic” was how Mick described it, he went on. “There are only about five places to play in Glasgow, nobody takes an interest, with this type of situation, it is no wonder that there are so very few good new bands emerging, absolutely stagnant, we don’t want to get into a rut by wearing suits and playing ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon’ in Cabaret - which is something we’ve all done at sometime or other and have no intention of doing again.” Nicky McNicoll, the drummer, commented on The lack of support given by Radio Clyde ( GB80 -This was pre John McCalman and Tom Russell etc..) There should be some programmes given over to new bands” he said. Mick’s main influences are rock’n’roll and anything American, particularly West Coast, He shows a preference for the Band and 60s British pop, with tastes as varied as these you can see why The Trifles play such an interesting synthesis of music. The Khyber Trifles live performances are a treat in themselves, extremely popular with their aficionados is their exiting arrangement of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man’, The highlight of their shows is Joe Walsh’s ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in which Mick plays a sublime guitar. They also have a catalogue of very interesting original material. all written by ex-Jimmy McCulloch Band vocalist Robbie Patterson who I am told got to No 2 in Thailand for The Trifles, though, his outstanding contribution is ‘Cry Of The Night Beast’ which was inspired by a Kung Fu episode and a hangover - a strange combination. ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘ Sorry Is A Sorry Word’ are very good indeed, but a track called ‘The Trifles’ seems to be the one most liked by their audience. Apparently there is a song called ‘Khyber Without A Cause’ which they are “too ashamed to play”. So what does the future hold for The Trifles? Mick says - “It must be London, it’s the only place where we feel we can develop and where people will take an interest in us, Jimmy McCulloch of Wings said he would help us down there, but we will still be recording a demo before that, I’m looking forward to the future a lot” The Khyber Trifles do have a significant future to look forward to, they seem to have that certain chemistry that spells success, Once they have found their own niche and the direction to follow there will be no stopping them. They are by far the best of Glasgow’s pub rock bands as those who have seen them will testify. On an average night they are good, on a good night they are excellent. I wish them all the best for the future. Up The Khyber Trifles.

Article taken from The Glasgow University Guardian From the 14th of October 1976 - By Ed Smyth.