Scotland's Shame?

[Scot]

I honestly can't believe Matador would allow this as a track title.

This is quite obviously in reference to a banner created by Celtic supporters seen at Parkhead pointing to Rangers end.

Surely Mogwai (a Glaswegian band) would be concerned about promoting biggotry between either club as they likely have a lot of fan support from both sides of the Old Firm.

Guess not.

[narlus]

do people get worked up over this sort of thing?

[johansen smith]

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE

[Elijah]

This is about soccer, right? Wow.

[Scot]

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4552/scotlandsshameaq3ji8.jpg

How is that not bigotry?

[larry]

I'm willing to put forth that I will never buy a mogwai album again...well, not that I would have anyway, but still...

let's get this train rolling.

[9000]

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE

with sirens!

[johansen smith]

"Band I've Never Heard of a Bunch of Racist Fucks, NY Post Reports"

[larry]

so, what's happening with this? has there been any action taken?

[Salman]

Is sectarianism in Glasgow still a major problem?

[plasmatron]

Jeeso, i'm not sure what i'm more shocked at. The fact that someone thinks that we need permission from Matador before choosing our song titles or the fact that someone thinks that that banner is a sign of bigotry? Some people need to get a life.

Stuart B

[high lonesome]

are people actually getting worked up about this? that's unreal.

looking forward to hearing this song, though i hope it doesn't reflect the subject of the title too much, otherwise it'd be mind numbing sleep inducing stuff.

[Futureman]

Threads regarding this band always generate a good amount of fun. If I might dust off an old chestnut:


http://www.matadorrecords.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377

[johansen smith]

I've always regretted how I went back and tempered my comments with an "I'll buy anything I love you" statement. Nowadays I at least have the courage of my convictions.

[Scot]

Jeeso, i'm not sure what i'm more shocked at. The fact that someone thinks that we need permission from Matador before choosing our song titles or the fact that someone thinks that that banner is a sign of bigotry? Some people need to get a life.

Stuart B
I'm sorry you feel that way, Stuart.

As a Rangers supporter, I take offense (as do many other supporters I've spoken to about this). You no doubt live in Glasgow, follow football, and must've known that was a sore spot with us.

A few rowdy people who happen to support Rangers in Manchester shouldn't reflect on supporters all across the world, or on the nation of Scotland. I wasn't in Manchester, but I'm Scottish, support the Gers and don't feel any shame for any of that.

[Gerard]

how is merely referencing the banner an endorsement of bigotry? where the heck do you think song titles come from, if not from real life events? If we're living in a world where Mogwai and other bands have to issue disclaimers each time they breathe, it's probably time to close up shop.

some discussion about the banner : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtY7KZHI0zo

[Scot]

Then it's probably time to close shop.

They're all Celtic supporters, Gerard. Incase you've forgotten that. I highly doubt they're just referencing it.

[Gerard]

"They're all Celtic supporters, Gerard. Incase you've forgotten that. I highly doubt they're just referencing."

hmmm....which is more screwy, suggesting that all Rangers supporters be held accountable for racist chanting, or claiming that every Celtic supporter endorses the sentiments of said banner merely by alluding to it?

Given the number of YouTube clips that document the unsavory events surrounding last May's UEFA Cup final, I really think you should send Google Inc. a strongly worded letter. Many of these clips include the title "Scotland's Shame". Rather than pick on Mogwai and a besieged, kindly record label, I believe your interests would best be served by boycotting You Tube, the Internet and all media, not necessarily in that order.

[plasmatron]

Hi Scot, i'm sure you're a decent sort despite supporting Rangers (just kidding) but i'm sorry to burst your bubble as that song was named well before the UEFA Cup final. It has nothing to do with that and i'm afraid all you've ended up doing is draw attention to what i'm sure you'll agree was a very embarrassing series of events. Its actually Matador's fault that we needed to deliver our album so far in front of the release date so i think you should really take the whole thing up with them. MATADOR RECORDS: AMERICAS SHAME!!!!!!

;)

SB

[Gerard]

indeed, the phrase "scotland's shame" has been bandied about for some time, neither coined nor popularized by Mogwai.

While Stuart is correct in stating the record label imposes draconian schedules on Mogwai, he was kind enough not to mention that we demanded this phot (http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/images/community/mascot.jpg)o be the cover of the new album.

[Scot]

Hi Scot, i'm sure you're a decent sort despite supporting Rangers (just kidding) but i'm sorry to burst your bubble as that song was named well before the UEFA Cup final. It has nothing to do with that and i'm afraid all you've ended up doing is draw attention to what i'm sure you'll agree was a very embarrassing series of events. Its actually Matador's fault that we needed to deliver our album so far in front of the release date so i think you should really take the whole thing up with them. MATADOR RECORDS: AMERICAS SHAME!!!!!!

;)

SB
Cheers, Stuart.

I didn't mean to come off as such a shit disturber. A lot of us have been given the gears for supporting Rangers even on the other side of the Atlantic, for something that happened in a part of the country a lot of us have never been to.

It was a bit of a sore spot and for a band I truly admire for their clear thinking, I was offended. Given that you are supporters of Celtic (which has never bothered me and never will), it was my initial reaction that this was a jab at the other side of Glasgow.

I'm really glad you took the time to clear this up.

Thanks again,
SM

PS. Your show at the Commodore in Vancouver earlier this month was fantastic. It's great to see a Glaswegian band doing so well on this continent.