For those of us with a clear memory of the 00s (and no, that isn’t everyone), looking back can be a bit of a challenge.
There were fashion mistakes, questionable music tastes, and social media was only just getting started - we made some mistakes there too. That being said, it wasn’t all bad.
There are some pretty hilarious memories from back in the 00s - anti-smoking girl group Stinx had a banger that’s stayed in our heads to this day, there was Glasgow’s spoon-playing pensioner who made it onto X Factor, and other golden TV moments set right here in the city.
READ MORE - The Glasgow ned and the word's mysterious 19th century origins
Stinx - the anti-smoking girl group
The Health Education Board for Scotland, now known as NHS Health Scotland, hired Glasgow PR agency The Bridge to help produce campaigns that would put Scottish teens off the ciggies.
They struck gold in 2001, with an impossibly catchy song written by Glasgow copywriter Chris Watson. During the Brit Pop era, the girl band was branded Stinx - releasing a song titled 'Why Do You Keep on Running Boy?'
If you were lucky enough to be kicking about when the chart topper was released, you’ll remember the lines: “I want to hold you close. Is it my breath, or my hair or my stinky clothes? You disappear right out of sight when I say, you have got a light?”
Spoon-playing pensioner
In 2009, Glasgow pensioner Peter Lee got himself on Britain’s Got Talent to show the country his talents.
The previous year, he had turned up the X Factor auditions by mistake and rattled out a number on his spoons. Simon Cowell advised him to return the following year at the Clyde Auditorium.
Lee told the judges: “I did turn up at the wrong auditions last time but it was because my horoscope said that day I would have a life changing experience.”
He sang on his second audition, along with his trusted spoon-playing, though wasn’t put through to the next round. Also auditioning that day at the Clyde Auditorium was a local woman who tried to impress by eating eight Ferrero Rocher in a minute.
Chewin’ the Fat - We’re Oan the Night Shift
Chewin’ the Fat had an array of easily quotable moments with far too many to choose from, but there’s one that seems to stand out to us to this day.
The popular BBC One series ran for four seasons, with numerous memorable characters in the sketch show that are remembered to this day. Two favourites were the Nightshifters, two men who were regular features in Chewin’ the Fat.
The men were typically looking to get some sleep before their night shift, but were always interrupted by a noise - anything from a football match to the clicking of a pen.
When they eventually found the noise and the culprit, the catchphrase would come: “Haw, we’re oan the night shift.”
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When Kappa trackies ruled the streets
This one wasn’t one isolated incident, but stretched through from the late 90s into the 00s.
What were once staples in the wardrobe for the ‘young team’ in Glasgow, Kappa trackies were a must for any teen looking to fit it on the city streets. Sadly, the fashion statement has all but disappeared.
While there might be tracksuits seen in Glasgow to this day, the OG trackie is nothing but a distant memory. Brand such as Nike and Adidas swept Kappa right under the rug - never to be seen again.
Glasgow Goes Viral
In 2007, what might be Glasgow’s first viral video became a phenomenon on YouTube.
NEDS Kru ft. The Wee Man racked up more than 4.6 million views on YouTube, an impressive feat considering smartphones hadn’t taken over yet. The video was shot in and around Glasgow, and featured a city ‘ned’ Stanley who was dressed all in Burberry and seemed to enjoy his tonic wine.
The Motherwell born comedian Neil Bratchpiece found online success from the video, and went on to work with comics such as Colin McCredie and Janey Godley. That being said, the video wouldn’t last a day online in 2022 - due to its off colour humour and sexually-explicit boasts.
Glasgow complaint
In 2009, Prezzybox released a list of the top 10 funniest complaints of the year.
Glasgow managed to sneak into number three, when a man from Glasgow called Trading Standards when the bars of his football table had gone rusty. He had left it outside with no covers on for over two years.
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