Swansea Sound. Water Machine and I Wanna Be a Truck Driver – Live in Mono

ALL Photos – courtesy of Stuart @blackmagicplastic • Instagram photos and videos

Nearly March already and not a dish done. I still haven’t managed to get to an album review this year, or published the January Singles Round Up, despite my thinking I would get a chance to play catch up. Life and work gets in the way… 

I have however managed to get to another gig though… should have been more, but… see above! Anyway. This was another belter. There may be less gigs for me this year due to… see above (again)… and funds… however, the ones I’ve attended to date have been nothing short of inspirational, and this one was to prove no different.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues

The Filthy Tongues and Scorpio Leisure – Òran Mor, Glasgow

All photos courtesy of Chris Hogge Photography Chris Hogge (@chrishoggephotography) • Instagram photos and videos

What a start to the gig year this has been. Already having been entertained by some of the country’s best rising talents in January, my February gigs dawned with a double header from two bands featuring legends of the Scottish alt music scene. Fire Engines, Win, Boots for Dancing and Gin Goblins amongst the bands featuing members of Scorpio Leisure while headliners The Filthy Tongues of course featuring the well-kent inimitable trio of Metcalfe, Kelly and Fin of Goodbye Mr MacKenzie fame, now more than embedding themselves in the story of Scottish music with these songs revealing their even darker more foreboding side… because of course Goodbye Mr MacKenzie songs were all bunny rabbits and flowers weren’t they…?… Read the rest

Junk Pups – New Years Revolution – with Homework, The Cowards & Velvet

The closing event in this year’s New Year’s Revolution had a lot to live up to after the extravaganza earlier in the month featuring the glory of Sister Madds (many of whom were present for this gig) and the mighty Tina Sandwich whose powerhouse vocalist Tilly was also in attendance for this closing night.

The job of opening proceedings was handed to Homework who went about this task with aplomb. The sparse early crowd soon bolstered as people started filtering in from downstairs as their set caught the imaginations of the early comers. The bands blend of west coast harmonies (take your pick from whichever west coast you chose – Glasgow or USA) paired with their energetic dual guitar assault is a joy to the eardrums coming across like a grungy Teenage Fanclub mixed with elements of Kiwi Jr and Sebadoh.… Read the rest

King Tuts New Years Revolution – Tina Sandwich, Caseveti, Sister Madds & Lost Tickets

Having attended my last gig of 2022 in the same venue celebrating the music of the Clash at the annual Strummer night, two weeks later I was back in the same venue for one of King Tuts series of showcase gigs offering the opportunity to catch some of Scotland’s up and coming talent before they hit the big time.

First up on the Tuts stage it was young hard rock quartet, Lost Tickets, whipping up a storm with the partisan early comers especially when it came to their closing song, their single Mr Misdemeanour.

If Sister Madds aren’t headlining one of the shows at next year’s New Years Revolution I’d be both surprised and disappointed.… Read the rest

The Courettes at Barlinnie

Gig of the Year

If you’re anything like me, nearly every gig you go to is the best gig, because it’s the most recent one, you’ve just lived in the moment, the rush of adrenaline is still there and you’re walking away still buzzing from immersing yourself in the glow left by the performance.

A massive genuine thank you to all the bands that put themselves out there and throw their all into their live performances, sometimes to a small gathering but still holding nothing back, bringing both tears and laughter, joy and melancholy, triggering a range emotions at each performance and leaving indelible marks on the audience.… Read the rest

24 (and a bit) for ’24

When I started doing this little feature a few years ago, I didn’t consider having to add another to the list each year… but hey, there is plenty to look forward to already in 2024, new bands, older bands returning, albums, singles, re-releases and gigs. In no particular order, but starting with the earliest one in the calendar…

  1. Tina Sandwich and Sister Madds – Already having produced one of my favourite single sof both of the last 2 years, Tina Sandwich were part of the line up at my first gig of 2023 at King Tuts New Years Revolution. On 6th of January Tina’s back at the same venue but this time as headliner!
Read the rest

Albums of the Year 2023

Before I list my favourite “Albums of the Year 2023”, an apology.

I have been inundated this year with new music, new albums, requests for reviews and features. First, I’m happy that there is so much great music out there and that I’m party to being able to hear and share that new music, but secondly, a huge apology to many bands and artists whose music I’ve loved and planned to review/feature but it hasn’t happened. I’d love nothing more than to spend my life listening to and writing about music (and the book I keep meaning to finish), but that doesn’t pay the bills.… Read the rest

Singles of the Year 2023

I have no idea how John Peel narrowed songs down to a Festive 50 every year, he must have received 1000 times the number of songs I receive on a yearly basis. Maybe if I did a Singles of the Year 2023 blog again tomorrow or the next day, things would change slightly as I think of another song that needs to be included, as in the singles round-ups (links to all the round ups of the year at the foot of the blog) I must have listed between 400 and 500 songs this year, another bumper year for new music.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2023 – Part 9 – November/December

The last singles round up was bereft of any comments from me, damn having to work to pay the bills. I’m not going to make any New Years Resolution to be any more organised for 2024… I already know my schedule for January/February.

Anyway, here’s a smorgasbord of tunes for your delight and delectation.

Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls – Little Dead Lovin’

With another catchy spooky calypso melody from their latest album, I’ll Put My Voodoo on You, Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls continue to plough their gloriously unique furrow. Just try not to be taken by these captivating rhythms, you’ll be recreating the dinner table scene in Beetlejuice before you know it…

Jo Carley & the Old Dry Skulls

The Elegant Chasers – Running Around the Sun

Running Around the Sun, from the band who brought us Clowns and Car Salesman Smile, previously featured in single round ups, comes this huge riff laden behemoth of tune, a spirited uplifting melody but with a hint of melancholy suggested in the vocal and lyrics.… Read the rest

The Scars, Boots For Dancing, Scorpio Leisure, Port Sulphur – Live – La Belle Angele

(all black and white pictures courtesy of David Kidd)

After what was a stressful day, at the end of an exceedingly trying week, Friday was to bring relief with a Christmas Cracker in the shape of Frets Xmas gig, featuring four courses of prime cuts. 

While across the cities in the East and West, carnage was ensuing with Xmas shoppers and once a year drinkers, La Belle Angele was the place to be, it was like Christmas come early, the icing on the cake, or more fittingly, the Angel at the top of the tree.

The starter set the night up perfectly, with Port Sulphur (including half of Quad 90), looking ultra cool in dark glasses.… Read the rest