It’s done by committee. Obviously. They’ve picked the classics,or the debuts, by the bands they can’t ignore.

But how do you define a Scottish band? They’ve stretched it a bit. Take three examples.

Lets start with the one Pie mentioned. Lloyd Cole is English, born and bred. But he went to Glasgow Uni, and put the commotions together there. So they are Scottish, in the eyes of every list ever compiled.

Now take No. 38. Garbage. An American band, founded by an American, based in America, with a American record label, who happened to recruit a Scottish girl as singer. Sorry. No score. (I’ve skipped Donovan, cos I’m not sure, and the Shamen surprised me too)

Finally, the No.1. If they are Scottish, then Screamadelica is the best Scottish album ever. No arguments. Critical success, stood the test of time (well so far), commercial success, groundbreaking. Score it out of ten on these four categories and show me an album that beats it. BUT. To my knowledge, Booby Gillespie is the only Scottish member, all be it an important founder member. They’re London based and always have been. They got their initial deal with Creation because Bobby Gillespie started out as drummer in JAMC. Scottish he is, but is the band? Probably, to me you can’t seperate Booby and the Scream, but it’s questionable. Maybe this book will tell more. It would make a damn fine xmas present for me if not.