Gavin Munro to return at Twa Tams

Feb 23 2010 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A GIG in Perth this weekend will signal the return of former Southpaw frontman Gavin Munro.

The singer-songwriter is set to appear at the Twa Tams on Saturday with his latest project The Red Pine Timber Company, who specialise in country rock embellished, uniquely, with saxophone parts.

Munro and his cohorts landed bookings across Scotland after coming together to play a fringe event at last year’s Southern Fried Festival in Perth.

The frontman describes RPTC as “a loose collective” of musicians rather than a fixed band line-up.

Others involved in the Americana project include Revivals member Dave Shaw (stand up bass / vocals), Cale Ponte (drums / vocals), guitarist Aaron Brake from Humble Hobos and Felix the Sax Cat.

Support will come from The Dirt, a Glasgow band influenced by The Handsome Family who Munro hooked up with after they attended one of his gigs.

He describes them as “probably Scotland’s leading exponents of murder ballads”.

“The singer has got a deeper voice than Johnny Cash on his death bed,” said Munro.

“They’re normally a three-piece but it’ll probably be a male / female duo at Perth.”

The Dirt will be playing tracks from the band’s eponymous EP and their own unique takes on country standards.

Munro, who runs Perth’s Clearwater Studios, was ordered to carry out 300 hours of community service last July after being convicted of a drink-fulled assault at a music festival in August 2008.

But he insists he has learned his lesson after being publically shamed.

“I’m a changed man,” the singer told Music Scene. “I’ve had great support from people in the industry. I want to put the past behind me and get on with things.

“I’m definitely in a better place now.”

Red Pine have been busy recording and hope to release the fruits of their labours in the summer.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s gig at the Twa Tams starts at 9pm.