Lights, camera, Rock Action

The question that will be asked in future is: were you there? Eamon Sweeney was. At Mogwai's gig last Saturday (May 10) in the Village, that is. Here's what he told us about it. "I'm not the most impartial man to ask! I genuinely thought it was the best gig of this year so far. They played a chunk of new stuff but it was evenly springled with oldies. 'Ratts of the Capital' is destined for classic status from the 'Happy Songs for Happy People' album, which is magnificent and their best album to date.

"Best of all was 'My Father, My King' and, at the very end, 'Helicon 2' - their best track.

"It was a great Saturday blowout for a lot of revellers still on the piss from the Trinity Ball the night before, including me," Eamon continues, in a slightly less critical vein. "Stuart Braithwaite put away champagne like it was going out of fashion and was the first official puker of the 'Happy Songs' tour amongst the band!

"Great night, great band etc."

So. To celebrate the imminent release of Mogwai's new album Happy Songs For Happy People, and in view of the fact that their aforementioned Village stopover is already enjoying gig-of-the-year status in the minds of those who were there, we bring you a classic video interview from around the time of their last album, the majestic Rock Action. In which: they tell Eamon Sweeney (for it is he) about the trials and tribulations of making albums, their thoughts on their favourite football team and the low-down on their home-town drinking haunts...

PART ONE 'You just have to be mean...' Mogwai tell us how they ruthlessly kept their album short and sweet 56k 128k

PART TWO 'Going to McDonalds was the highlight of our day.' They lovingly recall the delights of studio recording 56k 128k

PART THREE 'How about ... Rock Action?!' Mogwai relive the struggle for a good snappy title 56k 128k

PART FOUR 'It was just a freeform wailing session' ...on working with Snow Patrol 56k 128k

PART FIVE 'They're usually pretty hideous'...find out exactly why Mogwai don't do cover versions anymore 56k 128k

PART SIX 'We're not as hardcore as Primal Scream' The band on Celtic F.C. and why Bobby Gillespie thinks they're lightweights 56k 128k

PART SEVEN 'Don't sniff glue!' Mogwai's memories of old-skool Glasgow 56k 128k

PART EIGHT Finally, the lowdown on Mogwai's nefarious drinking buddies 56k 128k

Look out for a brand-new interview with Mogwai about their new album, Happy Songs For Happy People, coming soon...