Diamonds sparkle on Games stage

The group have been named STV band of the month and topped the chart in Reverbnation’s blues category as most-listened-to band, not to mention sharing a stage with action star Steven Segal and his band.

However, they’ve managed to stay under the mainstream radar until recently, when they were signed up to the Commonwealth Games entertainment schedule, and have already been booked to support the uber-cool Urban Voodoo Machine later in the year.

This week, DDandGS drew shoppers and visitors within earshot of the Brunswick stage and wowed Glasgow’s cafe society with an outdoor gig.

“We did some covers when we first got together,” says lead guitarist, southsider Paul Watson, “but people really took to our own stuff when we aired some original songs at our regular Sunday afternoon blues gig at the Renfrew Ferry.”

Originally a two-piece guitar and vocals, the band quickly evolved into a five-piece adding drums, bass and harmonica.

Watson, who works for Johnston Press by day, has an interesting musical background.

Brought up in Oxford, Paul’s parents were both in the music scene in the 60s and 70s, notably his father Del who was a member of The Foundations (of

The Extra Ents editor recommends adding Dirty Diamond to your live music diary, not least at this year’s Cairn o’ Mohr Hallowe’en wine festival in Fife.