Fulton MacGregor MSP: Oasis and me

The SNP MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston on shaving off his sideburns but keeping the music that inspired them.

What was the first record you ever bought?
It would almost certainly have been (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis. I got that first, then I got Definitely Maybe. It was my first proper CD and I would have to wait for the CD player in the living room to put it on, but the Christmas after that, I got one in my room. Those were good days.

What music do you associate with your childhood?
Nineties chart music, things like Hanson, Haddaway’s What is Love? and Rhythm is a Dancer from Snap. This was before I was into music. When I did get into music myself between 15 and 18, it was various rock and roll and indie music like Ocean Colour Scene and Manic Street Preachers. I got into the Beatles and The Rolling Stones after that. I don’t really like poppy stuff. My dad was very into Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin; my mum really would listen to whatever was on. I’m the oldest of four boys and we were all roughly into the same sort of music.

Do you play any instruments? 
Not one. I can’t sing either. 

What was the last band you went to see and who with?
The Killers with my fiancée and two of her friends. It was about this time last year at Ingliston, outside Edinburgh. It was like a greatest hits set – really good.

What record will always get you on the dance floor? 
It’s quite hard to get me up, but something like The Stone Roses’ I Wanna Be Adored. I remember that from my clubbing days. They played it at the end of the night in a place in Coatbridge that was really popular.

What is your go-to karaoke song?
Rod Stewart, Maggie May. I don’t sing it well, but a couple of times, after a few drinks, I’ll think I can. Not at conference karaoke though – I would never embarrass myself with such a thing.

What music is guaranteed to make you cry?
I quite like sad music; Ae Fond Kiss and stuff like that. I’m not sure I can be guaranteed to cry, but they are very emotional. Caledonia by Robert Burns is a slow-moving, soft, sad song, and if you’re in the mood for a wee cry, you could shove that on. 

What music do you want to be played at your funeral?
Oh, come on! I have no idea, probably something Scottish, probably Burns.

What song will you choose for the first dance at your wedding? 
We’re getting married next year in August, so the big date is set and these are all things we are thinking through, so I better not say anything. I’m sure my partner will be picking it but I know she won’t pick something that’s rotten.

Do you have a favourite band?
Oasis – they probably had the biggest impact on me, coming out when I was quite easy to impress. They came from a working class background and made it big, which was a part of it. My hair was like Liam’s and I had the big, giant sideys. You look back and think, ‘I look stupid’. I graduated at 22 from Strathclyde University, and my sideys were right down to my chin and hair was a mess. All my pals were the same. The fact that they are getting back together is really big for me and my friends. They won’t sound like they used to, they’re going to be crap – we know that, but we’re going to try to go and see them anyway.

What record do you absolutely hate? 
Hate’s probably too strong a word. Any artist that’s trying their best, it’s good to see what they can do. But I really dislike pure pop music, boy bands and girl bands, things like the Spice Girls, Westlife, Boyzone and Take That.

What music would you be embarrassed to own up to liking?
There are some I wouldn’t admit to my friends. I quite like Lady Gaga. Some of her music is alright, and Taylor Swift is okay, too. My oldest boy is into Taylor Swift, so I get exposed to it quite a lot. He wouldn’t admit to liking it either.