Ramonas

Ramonas/Reaction – Live in Glasgow/Nice n Sleazys

The second gig of the weekend for me was an entirely different affair from the night before, a full throttle punk affair featuring Airdrie’s Reaction and the high octane thrill ride that is Ramonas. Unfortunately due to train cancellations I missed the start of Reaction’s set, but appropriately, when I arrived, breathless from a quick sprint up from the station, they were part way through Faster, a theme which was to be a core principle for the evenings entertainment.

As I sat in the station earlier, and the announcements came over the tannoy about cancelled trains, I almost chucked it and went home, my head telling me “Its Sunday night, maybe you’d be better having an early night – work tomorrow”.… Read the rest

Weekend Offenders – a weekend of punk’n debauchery

My creaking bones and tired feet are just recovering from my old folks weekend out (no offence meant to anyone else on the wrong side of 50).

Talking of offence, the weekend offending started on Friday might with a gathering of the usual suspects in the intimate surroundings of McChuills on High Street, for what seemed like the first time in forever.

This is Scotland Calling …

On the bill, two of Scotlands finest exponents of harmonious first wave of punk rock sound, The Zips and Reaction. This was one of several gigs around Glasgow on the eve of Scotland Calling and Record Store Day, triggering conversations around the reasons why bands such as these two are constantly overlooked for the annual punk festival in Glasgow, an ideal opportunity to showcase the best in Scottish punk.… Read the rest

Two Hearts

From Berlin to Russia, Punky Rock n Roll to Reggae and everything in between… bitesize album reviews (Joe Whyte)

My output has been sparse to say the least in 2022, it is therefore with great thanks due to Joe Whyte (Vive Le Rock writer and guitarist with legendary Airdrie punks Reaction) that this blog contains not one but four album reviews covering the globe and providing a gamut of musical styles to suit all tastes…

First up, from one of my favourite record labels, Tarbeach, is an album from Two Hearts, a band I only became aware of last year after they performed as part of Cynthia Ross birthday bash streaming live from NYC…

Two Hearts

Rock ‘N’ Roll 2020 (Tarbeach) 

7/10

A Japanese love letter to NYC

I’d have to say that this one was a slow-burner for me; the first couple of listens didn’t convince and I found the lo-fi, clattering production slightly irritating.… Read the rest

The Skints Live

The Skints, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut – Live Review

Originally booked for the larger (and frankly, not as good IMHO) Oran Mor in the west end, the gig had been venue-shunted to the more intimate King Tuts Wah Wah Hut for reasons unbeknown to your scribe. Given the venue is half the size of the original booking, I guess you can make your own assumptions. 

The Skints have a long relationship with the city and have forged bonds with local heroes Mungo’s Hi Fi as well as their sister club nights at Walk And Skank- there was actually an aftershow with Josh from the band as guest DJ at the Berkeley Suite but given my vintage years, I left that one to the young team. … Read the rest

Reaction The LA Chunky sessions Vol 1

Reaction – The La Chunky Sessions EP Volume 1 – review

There are dozens of independent record labels that are a cause for celebration. The one’s that, when you hear they have a new release coming, it is almost guaranteed you will love it. I’m not going to start listing those. Suffice to say that Tarbeach Records based in New York but with roots still attached to the heart of the West of Scotland is one that holds a special place in my music collection. I own all the releases to date. So far there is not one I don’t like. So, it gives me great pleasure to be reviewing the first of three tree-mendous releases (the pun is intentional) coming your way now.… Read the rest

Lee Harveys Fire Exit Reaction

The Lee Harveys, Reaction and Fire Exit – Glasgow Audio

Party Cities

Glasgow and Dublin are famed for their music heritage and the love of a good party, the two came together in fine form last night in an evening not to be forgotten.

The date – 23rd February 2019, the venue – Audio in Glasgow, the bands – Reaction, Fire Exit and The Lee Harveys. Just an average Saturday gig night in the city with my best mate? Not a chance.

Something was afoot, the planets somehow aligning bringing everything together in harmonious union. This wasn’t just your average gig, this was a celebration. The atmosphere was euphoric throughout, one which started with eager anticipation and ended with enraptured and slightly merry exhilaration.… Read the rest

Garry Alexander Borland – Tribute gig – Audio, Glasgow 9/12

High on Emotion

This weekend ended on a pretty bloody special note. A night that will live long in the memory. No, scratch that, a night that I will never forget.

The weekend had kicked off on a high with a brilliant works night out, so it was fitting that it should end on a high too. There were moments of emotion throughout my weekend. My first viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life for the year always ends with my eyes watering slightly, well, quite a lot. And I welled up again during Sunday morning’s Santa Dash. I know, I’m a sap. … Read the rest

Duncan Reid Live in Scotland

Duncan Reid & the Big Heads Live in Scotland

Reservoir Droog

Live music fans in Glasgow and Edinburgh are in for a treat this weekend as one of the highlights of the live music calendar comes to both cities. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era for one promoter.

Arch Droog and all-round gentleman Alex “Mainy” Main is the promoter for this weekend’s gigs in Glasgow’s Nice n Sleazy on Friday and Bannermans in Edinburgh on Saturday. These are two of the last few gigs he will be promoting, but what a way to bow out. Whatever you do, if you love live music, do yourself a huge favour, don’t miss this weekend’s gigs.… Read the rest

Kiss This – Tarbeach NYC in Glasgow

Glasgow music fans are in for a treat on the 9th of September.
3 of the top current Scottish punk bands are playing at an event called “Kiss This” in Broadcast. All Tarbeach Records labelmates, the event is in association with Vive Le Rock magazine. Glasgow legends The Zips, Airdrie’s very own ReAction and current hot property Heavy Drapes are getting together to put on a not to be missed show. They will be joined by well kent face on the Glasgow music scene, Danny Mac (Testifying Time Radio Show) as compere for the night.
I caught up with the multi-talented Joe Whyte (ReAction & Jericho Hill guitarist and scribe for Vive Le Rock and Louder Than War) to find out more….
Read the rest