13Scream Single Launch - Purple Orange, Bathgate 15th November 2025

Thank god we have the warmth that comes with a close quarters gig in Purple Orange, a cracking wee venue nestled away along a Bathgate side street but certainly one to experience! £5 entry and three sensational Scottish bands on the menu, what's not to love! 

First up are Glaswegian psychedelic doom rockers AYE-AYE.. named after a Madagascan lemur and having not played a gig since September 2024, they graced the stage with an ease that only seasoned bands could manage. The 3 piece commenced their set with heavy grooving track 'Men Are Ugly', continuing to deliver some new songs and some old belters to the eager listeners.

With one patron claiming 'Its like Morrissey has finally had enough and embraced the metal'. Definitely a band to try and catch if those psychedelic Jams are your bag! Thoroughly enjoyed.

Next on the bill were a well known band on the scene and hailing from Edinburgh, Holyrude Vault.

Formed in 2021 and bringing us some of that sleazy hard rocking attitude, the 5 piece did not disappoint! Although what initially appeared to be the lads squeezing onto the stage, they moved with ease through the set giving us powerful tight vocals, technical instrumentals leaving the crowd headbanging and clapping along, really lifting the atmosphere and getting us hyped for the main event. If you like your rock to be attitude filled and no bullshit, this is the band for you and I urge you to go see them. Currently in the studio recording their new 7 track EP, I will definitely be heading out to catch them again soon! 

And now to our final band of the evening, 13Scream. Tonight's gig is their single launch for 'Stuck In The Inbetween', plucked from their eagerly anticipated album 'Hunt Down and Kill... 13Scream'. The band is the brain child of James McCulloch, formally of She Burns Red and joining him on this momentous new journey is drummer, and all round cool cat Adam 'bam bam' McNaughton. The lads have worked together on several projects before and have now come together to create their own account of British rock with that visceral, aggressive sound that speaks directly to them. 

The set begins with a flurry of energy that only comes from an antsy wait and an eagerness to get on stage, the second track of the night is of course the new single, and despite an earlier hiccup with big James taking a spill, he moves with the charisma only a giant with years of experience could pull off to finish the track, with drummer Adam claiming later into the set 'he didn't even notice'. The rest of the set is a joy to behold and includes the band's first single 'Fight'. Each track conveys a strong message about mental health and you can hear that being pushed through James's powerful vocals. The energy exuded from Bam Bam throughout the whole set carries the mood ever higher until we're brought back to earth by the final song, 'open your eyes', which gives the audience a little time to reflect on what they've just witnessed.

This band is one to watch, definitely not to be dismissed and given the opportunity, you need to get down and see them.

The debut album is currently live on Kickstarter for those who want to pledge, keep the independent music scene going and if this performance is anything to go by I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Overall, a fantastic night of great music, great bands and all for just a fiver. 

Support your local venues, support your local bands and we'll be able to continue to enjoy these experiences for years to come.