The Love Decree were a Scottish

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

 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

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...

, 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

Barrhead

Barrhead is a town in East Renfrewshire, Scotland, southwest of Glasgow on the edge of the Gleniffer Braes. As of the 2001 census its population was 19,813....

 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 a lead guitarist 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

Steve Barron

Steven "Steve" Barron is a director and producer, best known for directing the films Coneheads , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the innovative music videos for a-ha's "Take on Me" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"....

 (director of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...

's "Billie Jean

Billie Jean

"Billie Jean" is a dance-pop/R&B song by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was written, composed, and co-produced by Jackson, and produced by Quincy Jones from the singer's sixth album, Thriller . Originally disliked by Jones, the track was almost removed from the album after he and...

", A-Ha

A-ha

A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...

's "Take on Me

Take on Me

"Take on Me" is a song by the Norwegian pop band A-ha. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's first studio album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985...

", and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a 1990 American live-action film adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise directed by Steve Barron. The film was followed by three sequels: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III in 1993, and...

) 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

ITV

ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...

 and Sky

Sky Television

Sky Television may refer to:*British Sky Broadcasting in the United Kingdom**Sky Digital , the television network run by BSkyB...

 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

Black Box (band)

Black Box was an Italian house music group popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The members of the group included a trio made up of a club DJ , a classically trained clarinet teacher , and a keyboard and electronic music "wiz"...

's "Ride on Time

Ride on Time

"Ride on Time" is a 1989 song recorded by band Black Box. It was later released on their debut LP Dreamland. The song was a chart success in many countries and a number-one hit in the UKand Ireland.-Music and lyrics:...

". 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.