Back in 1998, the powers-that-be in South Lanarkshire decided that something had to be done to curb the marauding belligerence of Hamilton's youth. Deciding, as only out of touch councillors can, that the only way forward was to rid the streets completely of adolescents, they imposed a strict nine o' clock curfew for anyone between the ages of 18 months and 16 years. What came as a surprise to some and absolutely no surprise to most was that the curfew created a slew of Snake Pliskins: kids realising that if they went out 'after dark' they faced the delicious prospect of having Hamilton's boys in blue chasing them all over every scheme and back garden in the district.

Lacking the snappy elan of New Labour's spin machine, Mogwai opted for the blunt instrument approach to naming their new EP and "No Education=No Future (Fuck The Curfew)" was born. The three track EP featured a precursor to the 'Christmas Steps' featured on their upcoming second album Come On Die Young with the abbreviated (in name only) 'Xmas Steps'. Another distinguishing feature of 'Xmas Steps' was its accompanying video featuring a haunted-looking stoker who, having been gifted a pair of furry boots, tramps off to discover - you guessed it - a motorway...