Chaos and kindness of Granite City’s favourite punk

The phrase “you can’t judge a book by its cover,” has perhaps never applied to any person more than to Aberdeen anarchist and punk singer Dod ‘ACAB’ Copland.

For behind his spiky hair and eyeliner, and underneath his trademark expletive-covered jacket, there was a troubled but gentle soul, “more weel kent in Aberdeen than Willie Miller”.

The former Toxik Ephex frontman – more recently recognisable as the man carrying a ghetto blaster around Union Street – passed away aged 59, and leaves behind him a legacy of entertainment, chaos, charity work and kindness.

Born George Copland on April 2 1963, Dod was the youngest of 10 children for fish-filleter Ruby and former naval shipwright Abbie Copland.

By the time Dod arrived, his seven sisters and two brothers had moved from Woodside to Heathryfold, and Northfield would remain his home for the best part of his life thereafter.

As a child, he attended Marchburn School and then went on to Northfield Academy.

As punk gathered a cult following in the mid-70s, Dod was already being exposed to Scotland’s music scene.

His older sister’s husband was a musician with Ian involved in the soul movement, and both parents – though they had wildly different tastes – also loved listening to music.

By 1978 Dod went from his short feathery hair, which exposed his ‘sticky oot’ ears, earning him the nickname ‘wing nut’ to the dyed-blonde Billy Idol look he was known for, for decades.

In the early ’80s, driven by a love of Scotland and a rejection of Westminster, Dod took up the bagpipes. Perhaps influenced by the legacy of his drum major grandfather, he was self taught, with a few professional lessons thrown in.

From his family home Dod lived in various flats around the city – always open to whoever needed a place to stay. He would later return to Northfield.

Aberdeen punk bank Toxik Ephex, started by Fred Wilkinson, began in 1979. But in 1985 after searching for a new singer, Dod joined their ranks.

Dod never married, “but had plenty of girlfriends” over the years.

However, in his mid-40s, he succumbed to Crohn’s disease, which runs in his family.

The often painful and debilitating bowel condition was worsened by Dod’s recreational drug use, which impaired his kidney function.

Over the years Dod became involved with various charities and causes in and around Aberdeen, including Instant Neighbour and dog rescue charity BARRK.

After a spate of muggings in Aberdeen, Toxik Ephex held a charity concert with the proceeds going to victims.

In the wake of Dod’s death, his family have found endless pieces of evidence highlighting his many acts of generosity.

Food hygiene certificates were uncovered alongside letters of thanks for all the cakes he baked. Stories were told of Dod going to Bosnia at the height of the troubles, where he played the pipes for four days straight.

And his doctors shared stories of his generosity towards medical staff and their children.

Dod was laid to rest wearing his Showaddywaddy crepe shoes, blue tartan trousers and his anarchist jacket. Around his neck were the ashes of his brother Abbie and his great nephew, alongside an upside down cross.

A graffiti art mural has also been created in his honour on Manor Drive.

Dod is survived by his brother, six remaining sisters and his many nieces and nephews.

LEGACY: Dod Copland was the frontman of Toxik Ephex.