Now on their 25th anniversary tour, Idlewild have witnessed the music industry evolve, transform and occasionally threaten to implode. From touring with REM to headlining the country's top venues, they've outlasted many of their peers to become an integral weave in the Scottish music scene's diverse fabric. We throw some questions at the current line-up's original members, Roddy Woomble, Rod Jones and Colin Newton, and they tell us about favourite moments, biggest regrets and a popular post-punk outfit with a similar-ish name

If you had to pick one song that sums up Idlewild for you, what would it be?

Roddy Woomble: 'Little Discourage'. It was the turning point when we lost the tag of just being a chaotic, messy live band and people started to take our songs and songwriting more seriously. Since we wrote it, there's never been a gig we've not played it.

Rod Jones: Probably 'When I Argue I See Shapes'. I just feel it was a turning point in the way we wrote songs and also captures the melodic, chaotic and fragile sides of the band all together.

Colin Newton: 'In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction'. I think we have played this at almost every gig since it was written and as it's normally the last song in the set it's now full of memories of all of these shows.

What's your favourite moment in music over the last 25 years?

Roddy: That is a vast question with many possible answers, so I'll stick with the most recent memory which was playing our tenth headline show at Barrowlands in 2019 on the Interview Music tour. I'm very proud of that album and it was just a great night in an amazing venue.

Rod: It's too hard to pick one. So many highlights, from playing with REM and watching them from the side of the stage to listening to the crowd singing for ages at the Roundhouse gig when we'd been away for a while. But also a lot of the early shows, rolling about on the floor and being lost in the chaos. We've had a great 25 years.

Colin: Personally, it's been the whole 25 years of making and playing music. Everything from playing in empty, shitty shitehole clubs in the middle of America or industrial England to freezing damp rehearsal rooms in Edinburgh. Having the best times of our lives or all being pissed off at each other because someone wanted to stop for lunch. Playing in stadiums supporting favourite bands, meeting childhood heroes or living the Californian dream in Los Angeles or rolling on the beer-sodden sticky floors of the clubs in late 90s Edinburgh. It's all been everything.

Is there one regret you can share?

Roddy: Musically no. Everything worked out the way it was meant to.

Rod: There are plenty of things we could have done differently I'm sure, but I'd prefer to remember the fact that we've had a very fortunate and exciting 25 years as a band. Maybe I regret not taking time to reflect on that more.

Colin: I think over the last 26 years there have been lots of people involved in the band and I probably didn't appreciate them or keep in touch with them as much as I should have done when they were no longer with the band. Also some of my wardrobe choices in the early 2000s are fairly regretful.

Is there one band or solo artist that you feel should have been bigger than they are?

Roddy: Recently I've loved albums by LUMP, Jackie Leven, Rozi Plain, Maxine Funke, and Free Love. All those records should have got to number one.

Rod: Yes, but loads more than one.

Colin: When I think of the bands and people we have played with over the years there are lots that I think should have been bigger and thankfully some that are deservedly bigger than they were. However, there are also plenty who got big and I can't understand why.

What's the biggest compliment you've received from another performer over the past 25 years?

Roddy: Michael Stipe referred to us as 'the greatest' once when we were on tour opening for REM. They were my favourite band in my teens, so that was a big musical moment for me. I felt validated.

Rod: I guess when someone I admired told me they'd learned to play listening to me play. That's pretty lovely.

Colin: It's always nice to hear from other bands that we inspired them to start a band. Particularly when they are good bands.

What do you think of Idles?

Roddy: An excellent band.

Rod: I saw them at a festival a few years back and they blew me away.

Colin: I saw them at Electric Fields in 2018 and they were sweaty greatness.

Which Idlewild song is ripe for being covered and by whom?

Roddy: I'd like to hear 'American English' done by someone really popular: Celine Dion, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, someone like that. I think it would work for them. It's got a great chorus.

Rod: I'd like to hear any of them covered by Bruce Springsteen, please.

Colin: Anyone is welcome to any of them.

Have you read Mark Lawson's book Idlewild?

Roddy: No I haven't, but I've drunk Idlewild wine (it's white) and I've had some cocktails in the bar Idlewild, which has probably closed now (it's in New York) but it was a nice place.

Rod: Yes. It's sitting on my shelf.

Colin: No, nor have I read Nick Sagan's book Idlewild. I did watch the Outkast movie of the same name though and was slightly underwhelmed.

Which musician or songwriter's death since 1995 affected you the most and why?

Roddy: I was still getting over Kurt Cobain in 1995. Nirvana were the rock band of my generation, and his death was a tragedy for all of us. Since then, probably Leonard Cohen.

Rod: We've lost way too many talented artists way too young and we should all continue to support and look out for each other.

Colin: There are people who have been affected by death in ways that I haven't experienced and cannot begin to imagine. Friends, families and fans of those musicians and songwriters that have sadly left but still try to make the world a better place in their memory should be celebrated.

In precisely 25 words, please tell us exactly what the other two mean to you?

Roddy: They are my friends, collaborators, co-conspirators, antagonists, confidants, comrades, and drinking buddies. Together we have travelled the world and shared some wonderful, unforgettable experiences.

Rod: They are like brothers who I met as an adult but still allow me to act like a teenager. I can't imagine life without them.

Colin: Without them I would be a different person who had lived a different life: they are a part of me. I should thank them someday.

Idlewild play Summerhall, Edinburgh, Friday 26 November and Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Saturday 27 November.