Mike Scott

Name, where are you from?
Mike Scott - Edinburgh, Scotland.

Describe your style in three words?
Sharp, idiosyncratic, oblivious.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Tie between The Clash, Glasgow Apollo 1978 and Leonard Cohen, 3 Arena, Dublin 2009. One was the most exciting, the other the most profound.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
The Clash, so my Waterboys bandmates get to see the best band of all time, and The Rolling Stones so we can meet Charlie.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
'60s counterculture (dress, ideas, personal freedom), mod (dress, rhythm), northern soul (dress, rhythm, melody), punk (concepts, musical freedom, sneers), vintage rock and roll (music, dress, sneers).

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
CS Lewis, my favourite writer. I know we would argue but I'd get to thank him.

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Barrowland in Glasgow. Vintage atmosphere, sprung floor, low ceiling and wild Glaswegian audience all combine to create a wild, thrilling rollercoaster of a gig - every time.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
King Curtis, quite simply the greatest soul sax player of all time.

Mike Scott is the frontman and founder of The Waterboys, who brought together elements of post-punk, rock 'n' roll and Irish folk throughout their career, from their formation in the 1980s, into the 1990s and to the present day following their reformation. The title track of their latest album 'Where The Action Is' was inspired by the chorus of Robert Parker’s 1960s mod / northern soul classic 'Let's Go Baby, Where The Action Is'. The album also features the song 'London Mick' a tribute to The Clash's Mick Jones, and an account of Mike's encounters with him when they both lived in Portabello. Mike Scott has compiled a playlist of favourite Mick Jones tracks which you can listen to below.