Close Control & Alcatraz – live in McChuills

August 23, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

Having missed several gigs in the last few weeks for a variety of reasons including a bout of headaches & migraines which aren’t really compatible with loud music in sweaty venues… so getting back into gigs seeing two of Glasgow’s current hottest properties on the DIY music scene was a perfect tonic.

In my opinion, both bands have released singles that are up there with the very best of this year’s releases to date, all four of which clearly got an airing at McChuills and all four of which went down a storm with the gathering of fervent music fans who clearly have an impeccably discerning taste.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2026 – June – Part 2

August 22, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

Curiosity Shop – Crows

The debut single from Curiosity Shop, Crows, is a touching and delicately absorbing alt-folk song, opening with a gentle blend of a capella vocal harmonies before serene soothing instruments, including brushed drums and calming accordion mix with the voices before fading out again as the vocals take centre stage again to close the song.

Tina Sandwich – Dandelion (Wishing)

Tina Sandwich is one of Scotland’s finest DIY/underground live bands, their boisterous sets always a joy to behold.  Their latest single dandelion (wishing) fitted perfectly into their set the last time I saw them, positioning itself as a future fan favourite.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2026 – June – Part 1

August 22, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

The first batch of singles from June, with two-thirds of them coming from Scottish based bands, including the debut single from Glasgow’s Limerence and the welcome return of Deer Leader.

Lightnin’ Truck – Shnitzelman

Schnitzelman is the latest offering from Lightnin’ Truck, the Dundee based duo fronted by Hettie from Scorpio Leisure, whose derisive and biting lyrics are delivered with a provocative sardonic snarl atop a suitably hypnotic rhythm of distorted guitar and tambourine.

Meryl Streek – Rotten Fruit

A seething anthem featuring two generations of politico-punks with the angry one-man Dublin protest punk Meryl Streek joined by late 70s/early 80s anarcho-punk, Crass front man Steve Ignorant.… Read the rest

The Jesus and Mary Chain & The Hollywood Vampires – Live review

August 18, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

The first day back at work after two weeks off ended with a trip to the Hydro to see the hard rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires whose concept/gimmick is similar to that of Belfast postman The King whose albums were made up of covers of songs by deceased rocks stars. The key difference being his twist was that he sang them all in the style of Elvis, while the group of undead from Tinseltown mixed their set of covers with songs released by two of its core members, Alice Cooper and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry along with a smattering of original songs. 

I’d enjoyed Hollywood Vampires before on one of their previous visits to Glasgow and as such I may not have bought a ticket this time around, but having seen who was announced as support I couldn’t resist it.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2026 – May – Part 6

August 11, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

Final part of May’s Singles Round Up, I mean, it’s only August after all…

Another mix of genres and styles from across the gamut of new underground Scottish bands and beyond…

Scott C Park – That’s Love

Kicking off with references to ancient Beltane traditions, That’s Love is the second single to come from Revival, Scott C Park’s (the C stands for Caravan) Revival album, and the second song from an Isle of Lewis band/artist in this month’s round up. That’s Love is a joyous blend of lo-fi slacker rock and traditional Scottish folk that explores the little things in the relationships that show the true meaning of love.… Read the rest

Singles Round Up 2026 – May – Part 5

August 10, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve been neglecting singles round ups for a while, and as a result I’m STILL on May… and even then, I’ve included some older singles that I’ve missed along the way.

The penultimate May round up has a bit of a leaning towards harder edged/grungy rock in several of the songs, but there is still a good mix of genres, and another hearty dose of Scottish talent.

Fright Years – Never Been Wrong

Fright Years are playing in Edinburgh this week alongside her picture who feature in the final part of May’s round up with their single The Ram. Never Been Wrong is another soaring anthem with a powerful bombast which, as a huge Simple Minds fan, reminds me of their Once Upon a Time stadium rock era.… Read the rest

The Courettes  – live in Stereo

August 9, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

It feels like The Courettes have a bucket list aiming to play every venue in Glasgow. Having seen them in a whole host of places over the years, I have to say that this set in Stereo was up there with the best.

Support came from The Lotts who supported The Courettes when they played Room 2 in 2024. The band appear to have come on in leaps and bounds since that gig, their raucous serving of 1960s influenced garage punk songs was played with such a ferocious energy it would have blistered paint off the walls of Stereo if indeed there had been any left.… Read the rest

Trashcan Sinatras – Ever the Optimist – album review

August 8, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

I’ve been listening to the new Trashcan Sinatras album religiously since its release last week, and I don’t use that word lightly, music has been my religion for as long as I can remember, with Trashcan Sinatras always holding a special place in my heart, alongside the likes of The Smiths, The Associates and The Jesus and Mary Chain.  Ever the Optimist already had the feeling of being a Trashcans classic on the first few listens, so much so I was struggling to find the right words to use in describing the music, and the way the album was making me feel. … Read the rest

Lemon Drink – live in Glasgow with Maz and the Phantasms, Osmara and Needle Green

August 1, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

Another absolutely bangin’ four band bill to enjoy with even more reason to celebrate as gig day was my last day of work before two weeks annual leave… what better way to start a holiday than with some live music to help shake off the shackles of work and let loose.

As is my tradition, I arrived in plenty of time to grab a good vantage point for the first band. Having read various reports of unacceptable toilet habits at gigs I should point out that despite finding a spot at the barrier, I still know where the toilets are…nuff said.… Read the rest

The Claudettes – Garage Glamour – album review

July 30, 2026 By neilho27@sky.com

I first came across Chicago’s The Claudettes when I was writing for Louder Than War and had the pleasure of reviewing their Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium album in 2018. That was the start of a Transatlantic love affair with their music which continues to this day, and witnessing the band playing live remains as one of my bucket list gigs.

While the band has gone through several line-up changes over the years, at the core to of The Claudettes and their sound is the much-fêted blues pianist Johnny Iguana whose CV is the length of your arm and reads like a list of great and the good of lauded blues musicians. In recent years he is also credited as co-composer, with Jeffrey Qaiyum (JQ), with scoring the first four seasons of the impeccable TV drama The Bear.… Read the rest

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