GLASGOW in the 90s was a hotbed of Tamagotchis, frosted tips, clubbers in cycling shorts, and Blind Date on TV.
Frosty Jack’s was a Friday night essential for the young teams, Toy Story was the movie of choice and the Spice Girls were the reigning queens of pop.
The cast of When We Were Young, a hardhitting look at so-called ‘ned culture’ of the 90s, is at the Pavilion Theatre on August 16 and 17, so the Glasgow Times asked the cast for their own memories from the decade.
Liam Lambie, who plays Mooney, remembers loving Saturday night TV in the 90s.
“Gladiators, Stars in Your Eyes, Blind Date - they just don’t make them like that any more,” he jokes, grinning. “I’d rather not think about most of the fashion or hairstyles, though – some things are better left in the past.
“I sported what looked like a pair of curtains for a while and glasses that would have put Deirdre Barlow’s to shame.”
He adds: “Everything costs so much more than it did in the 90s. Twenty pounds felt more like £100 back then.
“Frosty Jack’s, which was a Friday night essential for most young teams, was always a cheaper option, but now it’s nearly £10 a bottle.
“And the same goes for crisps and sweeties - back then, 10p crisps actually cost 10p.”
Liam also recalls ‘jubilees’ – frozen Kwenchy Cup drinks – and everyone piling home when the street lights came on.
“And I remember feeling pure posh when I got my three-disc CD player and disco lights for my room,” he says, with a laugh.
Kyle Martin, who plays Joe, was born in 1999, so he was a little late to the 90s party.
“But what I do remember is Toy Story and The Lion King on repeat on my VHS and an old chunky telly,” he says. “I couldn't go to the shops and not get a Dip Dab or Golden Nuggets.
“A 90s Scottish classic movie has to be Trainspotting. And Underworld’s Born Slippy is an absolute tune.”
Candace Nicholson, who plays Sammy, says: “Best things from the 90s? The Spice Girls, Tamagotchis, butterfly hair clips, playing chappy and the Macarena.
“Worst things included glitter spraying my hair for every occasion – it was the absolute worst thing to get out and got on absolutely everything but I thought I looked so good - and everyone reeking of Joop or Charlie perfumes, including me."
READ NEXT: Glasgow 'ned culture' in the spotlight as hit play comes to Glasgow
Joshua Haynes, who plays plays Gee, has a sweet memory from his 90s childhood.
“The best thing about the 90s for me was sitting with my mum and watching all my favourite cartoons - 90s cartoons were a different league,” he says, smiling.
“I remember the young team fashion - trackies and their Mera Peak gear.”
Ross McAree, who plays Tam, says: “Top film from the 90s, hands down, was The Borrowers, with Jim Broadbent. I used to rewind the video of it every night and watch it on my tiny TV to go to sleep.
“What an absolute banger of a film, I still put it on the odd time to this day.”
He adds: “My favourite sweets were Vice Versas. Can’t believe they got discontinued.
"Ricicles was the best cereal. I still find it soul destroying that it's gone. What I’d give for a bowl.
“In the 90s, I had blonde curly hair and wore my Tots TV t-shirt a lot, stoating about with my Buzz and Woody from Toy Story, and my Timon teddy from The Lion King. Timon got me through my tonsils being removed.”
Dionne Frati, who plays Michaela, loved Saturday morning telly.
“I remember getting all the cushions off the couch and making a den with my dad then watching shows like Hey Arnold!” she says. “And going to the ice cream van with ginger bottles and getting a 10p mix up…
“I also remember going out with my pals and not having a phone, so it would just be my mum screaming my name at the top of her lungs for me to come in for my dinner…”
READ NEXT: 'I'm facing a lot of fears': River City star on new role as country singer
She adds: “I loved dancing to the Spice Girls and dressing up as Sporty Spice. And who could forget having their birthday party in McDonald’s?”
Clare Rooney, who plays Mags, says: “The thing I remember most about the 90s was the whacky fashion - like leather waistcoats - and going clubbing with people in cycling shorts.
“The best thing about 90s Glasgow was the clubbing scene.
"I’m older than the rest of the cast so I remember those days, and the rise of Brit Pop and dance music.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here