The Love Decree
The Love Decree were a Scottish pop soul band composed of Robin Gow (keyboards/song-writer), Grant Macintosh (vocals/song-writer) and Gordon Gow (percussion). They are best known for the single "Something so Real", which was used in a McEwan's Lager commercial in 1988.
Formation
Formed early in 1987 in Edinburgh, the band was originally a seven piece, composed of vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, lead guitar, drums, percussion and saxophone. Following a meeting with a potential manager, a move to Barrhead caused the singer and guitar player to be replaced and a radio-based promotion campaign to find a suitable replacement was launched. After several weeks of auditions, Grant Macintosh was chosen as vocalist and lead guitarist Allan Harvey was chosen. Intensive practice and song-writing followed and a small UK tour was organised to debut the band.
"Something so Real"
In 1988, having been together for a relatively short time, a deal was secured with McEwan's Lager to record one of their original tracks for use on an upcoming television advert, "Chinheads". The advert featured a fictional and quirky "upside-down" rock/soul band. The award-winning advert was directed by Steve Barron (director of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", A-Ha's "Take on Me", and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and featured the track "Something So Real". The advert caused quite a stir with its unique visuals and extremely catchy soundtrack. McEwan's were inundated with requests for information regarding who the music was by and if it could be purchased. McEwans chose to release the advert nationally and included ITV and Sky in its coverage, including London for the first time ever. A massive poster campaign was launched to further promote the advert. By 1989, it was clear there was a huge demand for the track and a single was subsequently released. It charted nationally, peaking at No.61. In Scotland it reached No.1, outselling Black Box's "Ride On Time". The track "Something So Real" was produced by Robin Gow at REL Studios in Edinburgh and released through BMG Records. It was released on 7", 12" and CD Single formats.