Simply Ronnie hope second EP will secure a record deal

Aug 23 2007 By Caireen Kelly

AN Indie band from Motherwell are hoping to land a record deal with the release of their second EP.

Alternative indie outfit Simply Ronnie were formed two years ago when 20-year-olds Gordon Dyett and Iain Findlay, guitarists who used to play together in other bands, met vocalist Andrew McKenzie (20), in a karaoke bar.

Gordon and Iain were impressed by Andrew’s rendition of Girls Aloud’s "Love Machine".

Drummer Michael McCrossan (20), was then introduced through Andrew to the other members.

Luckily for the boys, bass player Anna Smith (19), got involved to help them add some feminine charm.

The band have played about 40 gigs in venues such as the 13th Note, QMU, the Cathouse and Barfly.

How they arrived at their name, Simply Ronnie, remains a mystery for many of the band members, as each can remember a different story.

Iain said: "As I recall, we are named after a short story our vocalist (Andrew) once wrote concerning a small child named Reggie who fought against prejudice in society to become a world-famous jazz pianist. The name was then altered to Ronnie to sound catchier."

The band’s new EP, "Bohemia on Life Support" is a concept disc in which all the songs tell part of a bigger story.

One track called "Glowsticks" has already received national airplay on Xfm Scotland.

The band’s influences are too many to mention but Iain said: "We try to avoid sounding like another cheap Oasis/Libertines knockoff and stick to being alternative as well as

indie."

Looking to the future, Iain said: "Touring is our next main goal. We’d all like to experience sharing our music with as many different people and places as possible. Having a record deal would be a major boost for us as well. However, regardless of what the future holds for us we’re more than likely just to continue what we are doing, writing music we love to listen to."

Simply Ronnie like to have their fans on stage with them to help sing vocals but one fan went too far.

Iain said: "There is one particular fan who tends to strip at gigs. He joined us on stage last year when we supported Parka at Barfly and gave a rather interesting encore, stripping down and doing some disco dancing." Simply Ronnie’s next gig is at King Tut’s on October 9 at 8pm (over-14s only).

SIMPLY RONNIE: from left Iain Findlay, Andrew McKenzie, Michael McCrossan, Gordon Dyett and Anna Smith.