Schemers Review

Photo Credit: Munro Films

17 November 2020

By Karina Caulfield

Cineworld Fountain Park

Director: Dave Mclean

It's 1979 in the jute jam and journalism city of Dundee. A young student called Davie sets out on becoming a local gig promoter after a broken leg forces his football dreams, out the window. Despite becoming in serious debt to gangster Fergie, Davie plans on promoting Iron Maiden; his biggest and most ambitious show yet.

Schemers is based on the true events of the early years of Dave Mclean’s life. It premiered at various film festivals in 2019 including the Edinburgh International Film Festival before being released to cinemas in September this year.

The film opens with Davie (Conor Berry) being chased down the streets of Dundee which is accompanied by his characters narration and use of freeze frames. However, the effectiveness is overshadowed by Danny Boyle’s classic Trainspotting opening where Renton is seen running from security on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. Equally, Danny Boyle uses narration and freeze frames, accompanied by Iggy Pops anthem, 'Lust for Life'.

Schemers is filled with punk and rock music throughout along with contextual references of Dundee. Featured are The Beano, DC Thompson, The McManus Gallery, Bloomers Club and of course Grouchos record store; one of Dundee’s most loved and respected establishments, acting as a music hub for generations to come.

Although this provides an insightful impression of the late 70s/early 80s of Dundee; certain elements prevent it from feeling genuine such as the modern looking clothes and several of the accents lacking the Dundonian twang.

The inspiration of becoming a gig promoter is sparked by Davie trying to impress Shona (Tara Lee), the nurse who treated his broken leg and, who later becomes his girlfriend. After convincing his two pals, Scot (Sean Connor) and John (Grant Robert Keelan) of his great idea, they begin to hold local uni discos which leads on to booking bands.

A scene includes the group of them smoking a joint by the Tay brainstorming names for their management. Davie comes up with ‘Twa Bridges’: “It’s something my da would say, ‘son we got twa bridges now’.” The sun is rising, and they agree on their official name gazing out onto the water.

Simple Minds become their first official show which follows on to The Skids and The Vapers. Other bands and musicians mentioned are Madness, Reckless Eric, The Rezillos and Dundee group, The Specials.

However, soon gangster, Fergie (Alastair Thomson Mills) is introduced to the storyline who owns the majority of music venues around the city. It is through his character, the audience are informed of the corruptness of Dundee’s music scene.

Davie becomes in debt after gambling away his money and ‘Twa Bridges’ suffer by being roughed up and left in the middle of the Tay after countlessly failing to pay for venue hire.

Despite these setbacks, ‘Twa Bridges’ manage to scheme their way through by booking their biggest show yet: Iron Maiden – then, an upcoming rock band.

The three friends stand confident outside the Caird Hall before Iron Maiden’s colossal lorry arrives, towering over them. Now, they appear small and instead intimidated. Having no clue of Iron Maiden’s strict demands; Davie's humorous response is to appoint his parents as the caterers, rustling up square sausage rolls and, by picking up people in the streets for extra hands. Despite being completely out of their depth; 'Twa Bridges' pull off a successful night and acts as the turning point of the film.

Schemers ends by Shona tricking Davie into moving to London with her, in a bid to leave his debt and trouble behind. He goes on to make this journey in search of a fresh beginning. This may be remindful to many musicians and bands at this time who wanted to get out of Dundee, to set out to accomplish bigger and better things.

We learn from this move, Davie goes on to work with Nirvana, The Foo Fighters, Placebo, Green Day and Dundee musician, Kyle Falconer.

Overall, Schemers is a light-hearted and humorous film showing three best pals having a blast, pulling off local music nights. Although slightly repetitive in areas of the story line, it is essentially a nostalgia film, suited to those who remember Dundee during this era. It may be niche for audiences out of Scotland however, the film shows an interesting glimpse into the music scene and the early beginnings of Dave McLean who continued living his dream of being a gig promoter.