Bruce Watson (Big Country) interview: 'Touring the world in the 80s was amazing – but you had to be on all the time'

<p>There’s, rightly, been a lot of attention on Stuart Adamson in recent months with the publication of another biography on the <em><strong>Skids</strong></em> and <em><strong>Big Country</strong></em> legend and news of a forthcoming documentary that will hopefully bury for ever the image of the band as merely “bagpipe guitars and checked shirts”.</p><p>For now, though, it’s time to hear Bruce Watson’s side of the story – and it’s not always an easy listen.</p><p>Success, failure, alcoholism, suicide, redemption and resurrection all feature in a 45-year career that spawned three classic albums, including, arguably, the best album and single of the 80s (East of Eden and Steeltown, if you’re asking).</p><p>As a teenager – and fan of Stuart’s punk band the Skids – Bruce had a major part to play in the development of Big Country, who sold more than 2 million copies of their debut album, The Crossing, and influenced a new generation of songwriters such as the <em><strong>Manic Street Preachers</strong></em>, <em><strong>Blur</strong></em>, <em><strong>Oasis</strong></em>, <em><strong>Arcade Fire </strong></em>and <em><strong>Kings of Leon</strong></em>.</p><p>In a brutally frank two-part interview, he talks about dealing with Stuart’s alcoholism and the disintegration of the band. </p><p>But first, we go back to the beginning: Dunfermline, 1977, and a band called <em><strong>The Delinquents</strong></em>. </p><p>You can sign up here for the new Scotpop newsletter on ⁠⁠<a href="https://scotpop.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Substack⁠⁠ </a>- featuring extended shownotes, behind the scenes info, Scottish music news stories and the best new bands.</p><p>For the latest news on the podcast and music updates, make sure to follow Scotpop on:</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/allanjglen/?hl=e" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-glen-1228496b/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615843776347565" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠</a></p><p><a href=" https://x.com/allanglen1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠X⁠⁠</a></p><p>Have any feedback, guest suggestions, general comments or queries about sponsorship opportunities? Great; you can email me at scotpoppodcast@gmail.com. Cheers.</p>