In the mid 1990s pop music in the UK was in throws of Brit Pop - in all its 60s throw-back, rock posturing glory. But Scotland told a different story.
During the 90s and early 2000s a new wave of Scottish bands emerged, and redefined expectations of what Scottish bands could and should sound like. In contrast with the homogeneity of Brit Pop, Scottish bands of the era sought to establish their own distinct sounds, inspired more by movements in American alternative music - particularly grunge, shoe gaze and garage rock.

From the melodic grunge of Idlewild; to the twee, melancholic indie pop of Belle and Sebastian; to the angular art rock of Franz Ferdinand, each of Scotland’s most successful acts of the era made music on their own terms, and their longevity as bands is a testament to this defiance.

This programme tells the story of the making of some the greatest Scottish alternative music of all time: from Belle and Sebastian’s iconic debut album, Tigermilk, to perhaps the catchiest alt-rock anthem in Scottish history, Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out.

It ends by looking at one of Scotland’s most individual, and sadly missed talents, Scott Hutchison and his band, Frightened Rabbit.
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