This evening, Howard and Hector went to see Alabama Shoegaze band – Sister Ray Davies – at Glasgow’s Classic Grand, a venue more infamous for the movies shown there back in the day. Of course there was Curry-Heute at the relocated Bombaywalla – Indian Street Kitchen (78 Union Street, Glasgow G1 3QS), however the day began with some news that maybe did not take this commentator by complete surprise.
Mariusz Duda of Riverside (Polska) has called it a day with the band. He shall now concentrate on his parallel project Lunatic Soul.
Last year, on Cruise To The Edge, the following words appeared in these very pages:
Mariusz Duda, bass, lead vocals, composer, genius, was not in a good place for the first half of the set. His usual aura was missing, minimal interaction.
Two days later, in what was to be their last live performance, there was – a bit more enthusiasm, however their final song – The Curtain Falls – defined the moment.
I saw Riverside nine times from 2019 until 2025, five times with Howard, four times with Marg, no overlap. All their gigs are described in the drop-down link – Prog Rock – Concert Reviews. In Hector’s world of Blog writing, Curry goes with Music and Bier goes with Travel hence Curry-Heute and Bier-Traveller respectively. And a special mention to Nick (?) who came over to speak to me during the break this evening between Sister Ray Davies and Chapterhouse. He told me he reads Curry-Heute – religiously – to which the reply was – I’d rather you read it with enthusiasm.
Back to Curry matters. It was only after the fire at Union Corner, as some people are calling it, that it was realised that Bombaywalla had moved from their original location on Regent Street, off Blythswood Square. The reason? Another case for – Hector Holmes.
Walking up the middle of Union Street at 17.30 would not normally be a sensible activity. Post fire catastrophe, all is blocked off meaning that there is virtually no footfall outside Bombaywalla, a situation that will continue for months to come. With George Square also out of action, Glasgow city centre is one hell of a mess. Notwithstanding the scaffolding on the Egyptian Halls adjacent to Bombaywalla which has been in situ for many years, Sauchiehall Street and Argyle Street fare no better.
With essentially the same addess, I had assumed that Bombaywalla would occupy the premises which were once Shahed’s and subsequently KoolBa (Union St.). It was therefore a surprise to find Bombaywalla in the basement beneath the aforementioned. Easily missed. Significantly larger premises, and more rent to pay, adding further to their current predicament.
Three ladies were the only other customers during my visit. They departed permitting a better range of photos of the interior. An informal setting has been retained. Even with the low light suspended above my small table, photographing the A3 paper menu proved to be a fruitless task. Instead, the posted menu is from the front doorway.
After last weeks Soupy Chettinad at nearby Dishoom, tonight it had to be Sukka, the Dry, South Indian Curry. It is almost three years since my last visit to Bombaywalla. Then – The Bombay Malayalee, A Kerala Favourite – was right up Hector’s street: Lamb Sukka served with two Malabar Parotta (£23.00). Whilst still on the 2026 menu, the price has increased from £17.95 since the last time I had this. Tonight, Lamb Sukka (£16.00) and a single Malabar Parotta (£4.00) would suffice. Washed down with a 330ml bottle of Sparkling Water (£2.50).
The two course Pre-Theatre Menu (£15.00) was not offered.
The young waitress took the Order, no sign of Sijin, Mein Host, whom I have now not seen for many a year.
In an attempt to set up the Oppo for comparison purposes, there was no signal in the basement. The waitress had me scan a QR code then enter a complex password. Sorted, eventually. In addition to Curry matters, I appeared to be in commentary contact with people from all over the world re – Riverside.
The ladies departed, Hector became the sole diner at Bombaywalla.
Flaky layered flatbread made from Indian white flour – was the description given on a previous Bombaywalla menu. Tonight’s Malabar Parotta was certainly not made from white flour. Wholemeal Flour, I have been deliberately avoiding, too powerful a Flavour. This Parotta was way too – brown. Layered, yes, but crispy, not the super-soft, malleable Bread which has Hector describe it as – The King of Bread.
Lamb Sukka
One whole Green Chilli, just in case, and a mass of possibly the Thickest Masala served in this city. Don’t let the Coconut Topping be off-putting, this is no Kiddies Korma. Curry Leaves protruded from the Masala, whole Black Peppercorns would reveal themselves. Ten pieces of Meat, at this price, I should hope so.
As anticipated, this Curry was intense. An acute attack on the senses. Sometimes, one has to wait for the South Indian Smokiness to register on the palate, this was an assault. The Seasoning was most certainly in the – brave – category. The Spice Level may have been the least significant feature, but the Green Chilli sat there if more was required. Not tonight. There was enough happening already to stimulate the senses.
Hector accepted there was a problem. The Parotta was adding little to this Curry other than being a means of mopping up the Masala. Way too crispy. When the waitress had finished clearing the adjacent table, I called her over.
I expect a Parotta to be white, soft, this is far too crispy.
She said it would be replaced, it would take a few minutes.
The dilemma, wait, let the Curry go cold, or continue with the Bread I had. If a combination of both was possible, that was the tactic, before it was strategically withdrawn.
Cue the opperchancity to establish when Bombaywalla moved to these premises and comment on the events without. November, apparently and she confirmed that it is hard to run a business under these conditions.
The replacement Parotta was decidedly softer, but still not the correct Flour, and this one was far too greasy. Buttery is expected, this was beyond that, comparable to my own feeble efforts in making Parotta from scratch.
This was relayed to the waitress – Is there a new Chef?
She offered to change it once again. This seemed pointless if the same dough was going to be employed.
I think I have embarrassed you enough – was my way of concluding this incident.
Having tentatively eaten a couple of pieces of Lamb, it was time to address these properly. Tender, yes, but such a dry interior. Monday’s Nihari at Khyber Sheenwari set a new standard for juiciness, but that had an accompanying Shorva. So the Hector is seeking a Dry Curry that retains its inherent moisture? The Masala which shrouded the Meat provided the full Sukka experience, once this had dissipated, dry Lamb. A fine example of when alternating with an Interesting Vegetable can provide so much more. As medium-cut slices of Onion in the Masala become more prominent, why was I avoiding these, I realised the end game would be quite a challenge.
Can we see the Hector seeking Sabji, a Mixed Vegetable Curry, as the optimum soltion in time to come.
The Parotta was abandoned, a crime, the remaining Masala had an overabundance of the pulped Onion slices. Two spoonfuls remained. The Flavour remained true to the beginning of this meal, a bit of a slimy finish, done.
The Bill
£20.00 A bit of an unprompted, nor announced, price adjustment here.
The Aftermath
I showed the photo of Chef and Sijin from my first visit to Bombaywalla. Behold, sitting on a bench in the gloom behind me, Chef! He recalled the moment, but no mention of Sijin.
The original premises were abandoned, wait for it, after an electrical fire forced them out. Not out of the frying pan then.
The lack of footfall in Union Street could finish them. Who knows when the street will be reopened.
Finally, it appears that Derek has already facilitated the first steps towards the removal of the scaffolding on the Egyptian Halls, but two building sites at the top of Union Street, help ma boab.
Sister Ray Davies supporting Chapterhouse
On the next block south of Union Street lies the Classic Grand. Only eight in the queue at 18.45 for the 19.00 door opening. So few queuing, but who ever wanted to be seen queueing outside the Classic Grand?
Sister Ray Davies were first noted in edition #166 of – Prog – magazine. Two chaps from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA, who released their first album – Holy Island – this year. A concept album to boot, inspired by Lindisfarne, the place, not the band. Adam Morrow, guitar and electronics, discovered Lindisfarne on the drive to a gig in Glasgow with a previous band. The name of the new band is an amalgamation of Sister Ray, a Velvet Underground song, and Ray Davies, leader of The Kinks. Adam’s partner in Sister Ray Davies is Jamie Sego.
Hector took a spot at the front, Howard was on his way. As for Chapterhouse, I have listened to some of their material, not as – Spacy – as Sister Ray Davies. Standing for 135 minutes might be enough this evening.
On the videos for the album, Jamie Sego is clean-shaven, tonight, a classic Country-Rock beard. So, was that him? Hector does not do Country, Blues, Reggae, Northern Soul, any Soul, or (C)Rap, hence the drift towards European Rock and Jazz commencing in the 1970s with Edgar Froese’s (Tangerine Dream) first solo album – Epsilon In Malaysian Pale.
If I am correct, Iona kicked off the half hour set. Evoking Michael Rother, throbbing rhythm, colourful guitar phrasing with maybe a mini-nod to Hank Marvin, and never drifting from its subtly varying few chords, a la electronic Krautrock of the 1970s. Following on, to this structure, Aidan adds the haunting synth which made Winter Is Never (Tick Tock) such a standout on the recent Gazpacho tour. The Neu ‘75 album, again Rother, comes to mind. Laid back vocals is Adam Morrow’s style, do not detract from the buzz-saw guitar and haunting melody.
Two guitars and a box of tricks. A live drummer is always better than the synthesised version. A new band, just starting out, maybe one day.
The room was about a third full when Sister Ray Davies took to the stage. I was impressed at the respect shown by the Glasgow audience. We listened, then applauded with enthusiasm. Howard appeared at my back offering to fetch me a Bier, offer declined. No Bier before, or during, a gig.
An album, whose title track – Holy Island – is only 24 seconds long, it may have been inserted at any point this evening. Without my usual source, no definitive set-list.
Their set finished, Howard and Hector retired to the bar, a matter of metres way – let’s get Bier and talk loudly throughout the main band – I suggested callously.
Why do people do this?
At the merchandise was Adam Morrow in person. A t-shirt was duly purchased. I informed him that I came to see Sister Ray Davies, and had little interest in Chapterhouse. How many were we?
The Stone Roses as an influence to all subsequent Shoegaze bands is a given. However, Hector was into the Deutsche bands which inspired them, CAN, in particular. On mentioning Michael Rother and Neu, I was unsure if Adam recognised my references. Rother always has a live drummer to sustain the Motorik beat, I put this to Adam as something for the future. An added touring expense, maybe Sister Ray Davies could become big enough to justify this?
Howard bought the cassette of the album, they had run out of CDs, a good sign. In the gloom, we managed photos.
Chapterhouse
A five piece, so three guitars plus bass. Howard had advised that Chapterhouse would play all of their first album – Whirlpool – dating back to 1991. Having listened to it this afternoon, too bitty. Let it flow, develop.
I gave them half an hour. Another Shoegaze band I have seen, Gazpacho they are not.