Not Found

The way Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, Sons And Daughters and adopted Scots Snow Patrol have gone down better than an Arbroath smokie in the last 12 months was a timely reminder of how much more interesting the scene north of the border can be.

After all, while more celebrated cities like Liverpool and Manchester have essentially been producing the same group over and over again in recent years, all four hail from the same metropolis (Glasgow) yet sound nothing like each other.

It’s hardly a one-off, either. Over the years, Scottish rock has thrown up some of Britain’s most consistently inventive rock’n’roll bands.

Maybe it’s the distance from the music biz’s evil epicentre (ie London), maybe it’s something in the water, but whether it’s snarling rock animals like The Jesus And Mary Chain or sleek mainstream pop dolphins like Altered Images, no one rocks like the Scots rock.

The big question, of course, is which Scottish band is actually the best? Scottish listings mag The List is currently running a poll to find out, the results of which will be known next week, but we thought we’d get in early (and help cure that Hogmanay hangover) by asking you, the 6 Music massive, for your considered opinion?

So, Orange Juice or The Skids? The Pastels or Primal Scream? Mogwai or The Beta Band? Travis or Simple Minds? Idlewild or Aztec Camera? The Rezillos or The Delgados? Big Country or the Bay City Rollers? Send us your nominations now.

Just don’t get Berti Vogts to manage them …

Mark Sutherland