A NEW book which looks back at the music scene in Scotland through the 70s and 80s shines a spotlight on gig-going in Inverclyde.

16 Years: Gigs In Scotland 1974-1990, written by Chris Brickley, creates a snapshot in time of gigs in Scotland during that period through a series of fascinating photographs.

Chris has dedicated no fewer than 30 pages of the tome to gigs in Inverclyde - and the images tell the story of influential indie bands who played in Janey's in Gourock at the Bay Hotel, Subterraneans, Rico's and the Victorian Carriage in Greenock, and at the Inverkip Hotel.

He hopes that the book will show that it wasn't just the big Scottish cities which welcomed the indie movers and shakers of the time.

Chris said: "I'm really pleased with the level of interest in the book as it's quite leftfield.

"I know Inverclyde really well and I used to go to Subterraneans and Janey's.

"I try to make clear in the book that it's not just Glasgow and Edinburgh that were gig-going places.

"People don't necessarily know that Greenock and Gourock were gig-going centres in Scotland, as were places like Falkirk and Grangemouth.

"Real key indie bands of the time played there.

"It's not just about the bands - it's about the venues and the fans too.

"I'm very pleased with how it has all come together."

Chris came up with the idea for the book after collating pictures taken at gigs, shots of the venues as they are now, plus ticket stubs and posters, over the course of a couple of years.

He gathered material for the book over two years and raised the money to get it published through donations, co-sponsors and a crowdfunder.

The substantial record of musical memories features acts like the Lotus Eaters, the Meteors, King Kurt, New Model Army, Hey Elastica, Jasmine Minks, Felt, the Pastels, and the Soup Dragons, who all visited Inverclyde.

Chris also recounts the Inverclyde appearances of Suede at Rico's in 1992, and Primal Scream at Subterraneans.

Photographer Jim Barr - who is originally from Greenock but now lives down in Darlington - took hundreds of photos in Inverclyde during that period and many of them appear in the book.

Jim said: "These venues attracted a lot of legendary bands who wouldn't normally have ventured away from the big cities.

"They provided a great backdrop to capturing the musical and social history of that era.

"We were extremely lucky to have all of this on our doorstep, and as the memories fade nearly 40 years on, the images have become even more important, providing a window into our youth."

Well-known Inverclyde music expert Chris Davidson ran Subterraneans with Paul Barr and Thomas Taft.

The iconic venue was only open for one year - 1987 - and welcomed 30 bands.

Pictures of some of Chris' tickets from gigs feature in the book.

Chris said: "It's think it's absolutely fantastic that at long last, Inverclyde is getting the recognition it deserves for its impact on the Scottish music scene."