The Cave is the home of rock gigs
Most rock cover bands who have come to Paisley have no doubt played The Cave.
It is a small, unassuming pub that offers an up- close- and- personal experience. So if you like rock music right in your face, this place is for you.
The Cave is a friendly welcoming pub at the bottom of New Street. The venue is operated by Jen and Scott Sloan and is famed for its live music programme.
Every weekend The Cave has bands playing live from Friday to Sunday.
They have been hosting memorable gigs since they started four years ago, and now they are part of the very fabric of Paisley’s musical scene.
They have taken great steps to rejuvenate not only the pub but the town centre too in a bid to boost the nighttime economy.
Jen was born and brought up in Newcastle and is a fervent football fan and since moving to Paisley she is also a huge Saints fan too.
Her family ran bars her whole life. Her first job in a Paisley bar was The Copper Coin not long after it was petrol-bombed. ‘Welcome to Paisley’, she thought.
Paddy’s, as it was affectionately known, was also referred to as ‘ The Cave’ and when Jen left Paddy’s to open up her own place there was only one sign name going above the door.
I asked Jen how music is such a unique selling point for The Cave today.
She said: “While at Paddy’s I did music once a month. It was all lowkey then when the Clutha disaster happened I wanted to do some sort of fundraising for it.
“All the musicians and the punters worked hard to make some money and looking back at it I suppose that was the day that got me into the music.
“When I opened The Cave I had it in my mind to have music as part of the plan.
“Alan McKim and Al Mitchell played on the opening night and they went down great, then I thought who next? The Gift was the first band I hired and they were quickly followed by The Splendid Gentlemen. From there on it just kept going until we were recognised as a music pub.”
Recalling some of her best memories, Jen said: “Wreckless and Cherry Red ’53 playing at Halloween.
“The all day Malawi Charity event I organised with local good guy Stevie McAllister.
“The night Best Bad Influence turned up after doing two gigs and still having the energy to blow the roof off and the Lynsey Dolan Band - one of the few original bands we get in.
“Tommy Bentz from the USA plays every year and that is a special night. And of course the impromptu visits from Paolo Nutini.”
It is small venues like The Cave where professional musicians typically begin their careers in cover bands. Many players in cover bands play in their own original bands and use pub gigs to earn some money, keep their skills up and - of course - enjoy themselves.