PA Colour Scheme - Memories from The Big Bang

Gary Burns: I was recording my own stuff at Apollo studios with Andy Haldane in Glasgow. Andy worked with Ultrasonic at the time. I met the guys and toured in Ireland as I was signed to Clubscene with Inner Seduction. I met a guy called Rory Nicol at the studios. He wanted to start Colorscheme and needed the music as he was more a rapper/singer/front man.  I agreed to help.

We recorded at Apollo and during this time the Fantazia gang rolled into Glasgow and were camped in a Portocabin at the SECC.     Rory had roped in another guy Chris who played a mean guitar. Rory suggested whilst chasing a record deal he would approach  the Fantazia guys for a gig at the Big Bang...Eye Right!!!!! I said, NAE chance.     We rehearsed constantly for a couple of weeks when Rory came into the studio and said we had the gig. I didn't believe him. He also had agreed to provide the Pipe band that would play. His brother new the Shotts & Dykehead Pipe band.

I was worried as our music was a bit different and was a bit lightweight for a big Gig of this nature. But we turned up that day with all our equipment still not believing that this massive organisation was going to allow us to play. We were told we would be on very early. I looked at the flyers and could not see our name, I was getting worried. We hung about backstage and watched as the decor was put together. I wandered around looking lost. I guy came up and asked if the signage above the stage was level. It said Fantazia. "Looks good to me mate" I said. I felt dead important!

We weren't a named band but the guys treated us very well, cans of juice (stacked up) behind the stage. Roger & Mallorca, Sharon from Ultrasonic turned up. They were surprised I was gigging but wished us well. Clare Grogan was wandering round and I was desperate for her to interview me as I quite fancied her.

Time for a sound check. We got up and everything went well. The pipe band showed up. So we spoke to them.

It was soon to be the Big bang. The doors opened from the funfair side. I remember all the faces. The early guys with gurning faces who would never last the night. The atmosphere was electric. Rory called us round to get ready. We were on I think after a guy dressed like an Archbishop??????  We were on. There was about a 500-1000 people in well that's what it felt like.

Our set starts. For the love of me I cant remember the running order but I was on keyboards and synth drum. I just jumped around and enjoyed myself. Rory was really good and even sat down on stage. The crowd really liked us considering no one had heard of us.

We came off as high as kites with the buzz of playing knowing I had friends coming later. Went backstage and acted like pop stars. I wore quite a strange outfit like something out of Star Trek. I just kept it on and wandered round the crowd which was steadily growing. I had a backstage sticker which I used to great effect. The people were great, they kept coming up and rubbing my bald head I was in heaven. I saw a nice girl I worked with and said we could go backstage. she loved Q-Tex. She couldn't believe she was up on the scaffolding dancing behind her favourite band. I was well in there. I watched Ultrasonic etc and the night flew in. One of the best nights of my life.

Rory who had recorded with Ace of Base then started to work on other projects. We lost contact and never answered my calls. Chris was at Uni and I never saw him again. Colorscheme had one gig and one gig only. I have no DAT of any of the music although writing most of it. Rory held all the rights. Colorscheme was no more....... Bizarre eh!

Now I tell the young whipper snappers that i played that gig. OK Big Yin we believe you????? How come you are not on the video??? Even my wife looks at me as if | was half daft. DID IT REALLY HAPPEN? Judge for yourself. Its a true story of FAME for one night. FANTAZIA ROCKED. My career went on and I recorded under ML1, gigging around but never a record deal.

I am now married with a wee boy of 3 and a kid on the way. Will they ever believe me????

All the best to Charlie and the guys who gave me that dream.