Grant McPhee
@grantmcphee.bsky.social
Film director: Big Gold Dream, Teenage Superstars, Far From the Apple Tree.
Book Writer - Postcards From Scotland and co-writer Hungry Beat
Book Writer - Postcards From Scotland and co-writer Hungry Beat
As it's Françoise Hardy's birthday today I updated an article on French Girl Pop that I did for Into Creative a few years ago.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/french-gir... #francoisehardy
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/french-gir... #francoisehardy
French Girl Pop – An Introduction
When 18th Century British explorers set foot in Australia for the first time it must have been quite bewildering to be confronted by a Kangaroo rather than the more familiar – and expected – horse or ...
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:52 PM
As it's Françoise Hardy's birthday today I updated an article on French Girl Pop that I did for Into Creative a few years ago.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/french-gir... #francoisehardy
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/french-gir... #francoisehardy
Simple Minds are unique by possibly being the only band to have had TWO debut gigs. One, 48 years ago today (17th January) and another, 48 years and two months ago. Photo by Peter McArthur.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/48-years-a...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/48-years-a...
48 Years Ago. Simple Minds 'Debut' Gig - 17th January 1978. And Simple Minds 'Debut' Gig - 6th October 1977
48 Years Ago. Simple Minds 'Debut' Gig - 17th January 1978. And Simple Minds 'Debut' Gig - 6th October 1977
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Simple Minds are unique by possibly being the only band to have had TWO debut gigs. One, 48 years ago today (17th January) and another, 48 years and two months ago. Photo by Peter McArthur.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/48-years-a...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/48-years-a...
'The Seeds Begin to Grow'
January 14, 2026 at 9:17 PM
'The Seeds Begin to Grow'
Did The Kinks invent 'indie' music?
Here are 8 reasons why they may have done.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/did-the-ki...
#thekinks
Here are 8 reasons why they may have done.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/did-the-ki...
#thekinks
Did The Kinks invent 'Indie' Music?
Did The Kinks invent 'Indie’ Music?
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Did The Kinks invent 'indie' music?
Here are 8 reasons why they may have done.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/did-the-ki...
#thekinks
Here are 8 reasons why they may have done.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/did-the-ki...
#thekinks
"Best Selling LP Records" of July 1967 -
The Monkees, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby....and the Velvet Underground and Nico!"
... plus the Emerson Torso sticker can clearly be seen being advertised in July.
The Monkees, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby....and the Velvet Underground and Nico!"
... plus the Emerson Torso sticker can clearly be seen being advertised in July.
January 12, 2026 at 11:22 PM
"Best Selling LP Records" of July 1967 -
The Monkees, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby....and the Velvet Underground and Nico!"
... plus the Emerson Torso sticker can clearly be seen being advertised in July.
The Monkees, Andy Williams, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby....and the Velvet Underground and Nico!"
... plus the Emerson Torso sticker can clearly be seen being advertised in July.
Feb 24th, 67. Velvet Underground and Nico reviewed, Troy Daily News
'This defies description. It is mayhem in sound... might even cause mental decay... I'm afraid this might be the next "Pop God" people will worship'.
Now that's a review. + it appeared before the official release
'This defies description. It is mayhem in sound... might even cause mental decay... I'm afraid this might be the next "Pop God" people will worship'.
Now that's a review. + it appeared before the official release
January 11, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Feb 24th, 67. Velvet Underground and Nico reviewed, Troy Daily News
'This defies description. It is mayhem in sound... might even cause mental decay... I'm afraid this might be the next "Pop God" people will worship'.
Now that's a review. + it appeared before the official release
'This defies description. It is mayhem in sound... might even cause mental decay... I'm afraid this might be the next "Pop God" people will worship'.
Now that's a review. + it appeared before the official release
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Part 12 - the end of 1966.
Were they really more popular during their lifetime than has been suggested?
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Were they really more popular during their lifetime than has been suggested?
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Pt.11
Part 11 - December 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Part 12 - the end of 1966.
Were they really more popular during their lifetime than has been suggested?
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Were they really more popular during their lifetime than has been suggested?
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Wicker Man 'pressography'. The Wicker Man story 1972-1974 told through local press cuttings.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
January 9, 2026 at 7:37 PM
The Wicker Man 'pressography'. The Wicker Man story 1972-1974 told through local press cuttings.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-wicker...
Reposted by Grant McPhee
Just finished this fantastic book.
Some of my favourite bands feature.
Thank you @grantmcphee.bsky.social
Some of my favourite bands feature.
Thank you @grantmcphee.bsky.social
January 7, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Just finished this fantastic book.
Some of my favourite bands feature.
Thank you @grantmcphee.bsky.social
Some of my favourite bands feature.
Thank you @grantmcphee.bsky.social
1969-1971. The last local press deep-dive for a while is Nick Drake, who had a surprisingly large amount of coverage in contemporary regional newspapers. But not as much as he'd receive in the following two years.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/nick-drake...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/nick-drake...
January 7, 2026 at 9:48 PM
1969-1971. The last local press deep-dive for a while is Nick Drake, who had a surprisingly large amount of coverage in contemporary regional newspapers. But not as much as he'd receive in the following two years.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/nick-drake...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/nick-drake...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Parts 9 and 10 - November 1966.
The Velvet Underground in regional press
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground in regional press
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Pt.9
Part 9 - November 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Parts 9 and 10 - November 1966.
The Velvet Underground in regional press
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground in regional press
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
13th Floor Elevators Part 3 - the rise of You're Gonna Miss Me in the press.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
January 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
13th Floor Elevators Part 3 - the rise of You're Gonna Miss Me in the press.
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
Iggy and the Stooges through the local press. Parts one and two:
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
Iggy and the Stooges: Through Press Clippings
Part One: 1965-1969
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Iggy and the Stooges through the local press. Parts one and two:
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/iggy-and-t...
Today's alternative biography through local press clippings is Françoise Hardy. Part One 1962-1963.
This US UK coverage is a surprising framing of her compared to what would appear later:
'She isn't a pretty girl', 'emaciated with long bedraggled hair’
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/francoise-...
This US UK coverage is a surprising framing of her compared to what would appear later:
'She isn't a pretty girl', 'emaciated with long bedraggled hair’
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/francoise-...
Françoise Hardy Through the US and UK Local Press.
Part One. Françoise Hardy Through the US and UK Local Press. 1962-1963
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Today's alternative biography through local press clippings is Françoise Hardy. Part One 1962-1963.
This US UK coverage is a surprising framing of her compared to what would appear later:
'She isn't a pretty girl', 'emaciated with long bedraggled hair’
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/francoise-...
This US UK coverage is a surprising framing of her compared to what would appear later:
'She isn't a pretty girl', 'emaciated with long bedraggled hair’
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/francoise-...
Famously, the Stone Roses debut album received poor reviews on initial release. This may be one of the harshest. 'Here is a band of thieves... In fact, the Stone Roses are shit.'
From the Daily Utah Chronicle, September 1989
From the Daily Utah Chronicle, September 1989
January 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Famously, the Stone Roses debut album received poor reviews on initial release. This may be one of the harshest. 'Here is a band of thieves... In fact, the Stone Roses are shit.'
From the Daily Utah Chronicle, September 1989
From the Daily Utah Chronicle, September 1989
Thanks Alastair McKay and Uncut Magazine for this Caledonia Screaming review in this months Uncut. Go out and grab a copy of the magazine!
#caledoniascreaming
#caledoniascreaming
January 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Thanks Alastair McKay and Uncut Magazine for this Caledonia Screaming review in this months Uncut. Go out and grab a copy of the magazine!
#caledoniascreaming
#caledoniascreaming
Another 'alternative history of cult bands through local press'. This time it's the turn of 13th Floor Elevators (Part One).
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
The 13th Floor Elevators in the Press
Part One
grantmcphee.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Another 'alternative history of cult bands through local press'. This time it's the turn of 13th Floor Elevators (Part One).
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-13th-f...
The Big Star shopping plaza grand opening in Memphis.
January 4, 2026 at 8:08 PM
The Big Star shopping plaza grand opening in Memphis.
Today's Velvet Underground myth takes a deep dive into whether Brian Epstein, Bowie and The Yardbirds has a pre-release 'acetate' of the Velvet Underground and Nico album
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/bowie-bria...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/bowie-bria...
Bowie, Brian Epstein, and the Velvet Underground Myth
This is a slight detour from the continuing Velvet Underground Popularity Myth series: The Bowie, Brian Epstein and the Velvet Underground Myth.
grantmcphee.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Today's Velvet Underground myth takes a deep dive into whether Brian Epstein, Bowie and The Yardbirds has a pre-release 'acetate' of the Velvet Underground and Nico album
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/bowie-bria...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/bowie-bria...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth
Part 8
September and October 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Part 8
September and October 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
December 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth
Part 8
September and October 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Part 8
September and October 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth
Part 7: July and August 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Part 7: July and August 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth
Part 7: July and August 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth
Part 7: July and August 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Part 7: July and August 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Caledonia Screaming in Christmas Eve's The National.
The forgotten 1977 punk story
The forgotten 1977 punk story
December 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Caledonia Screaming in Christmas Eve's The National.
The forgotten 1977 punk story
The forgotten 1977 punk story
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Part 6 - May 1966 pt2 and June 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
December 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The Velvet Underground Popularity Myth Part 6 - May 1966 pt2 and June 1966
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
grantmcphee.substack.com/p/the-velvet...
Thanks Penny Black Music for making Caledonia Screaming their Book of the Year runner-up. Congrats to Chris Wade for being top
"a more rounded and balanced account of 70’s punk that has ever been produced before, not just for Scotland but throughout Britain"
pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details...
"a more rounded and balanced account of 70’s punk that has ever been produced before, not just for Scotland but throughout Britain"
pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details...
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year 2025
We reveal our Book of the Year for 2025.
pennyblackmusic.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Thanks Penny Black Music for making Caledonia Screaming their Book of the Year runner-up. Congrats to Chris Wade for being top
"a more rounded and balanced account of 70’s punk that has ever been produced before, not just for Scotland but throughout Britain"
pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details...
"a more rounded and balanced account of 70’s punk that has ever been produced before, not just for Scotland but throughout Britain"
pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details...