The Ginger Quiff – Goodbye 2018

December 29, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

It is that time again…

Yes, it is that time again. Time to reflect on the year gone by as we approach the end of 2018.

In terms of music, I think you could say it was an up and down year.

On the plus side, the year that confirmed to me that while the charts are filled with artists who release/stream “tracks”, and in the last few days, HMV have announced they are in trouble again, the album is still hanging on in there and vinyl continues to make a revival. There have been some tremendous albums released in the past 12 months, several of which I have had the pleasure of reviewing here or for Louder Than War, but probably an equal number that I have loved but for one reason or the other, never got around to reviewing.… Read the rest

Dumb Poets – All the Ghosts: Album review

December 28, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

I received this album a couple of months ago after the band were recommended to me by a friend. Unfortunately, for several reasons I didn’t get an opportunity to listen properly and pull my thoughts together, as a result the album nearly slipped under my radar. With the holidays giving me a few days to get my shit together, I’ve been listening to this and several other albums on my must listen list, although it was hard to, move onto then others as I kept hitting the repeat button when this CD finished playing. Dumb Poets, you’ve got me.

Eleven tracks of beauty and subtle addictive hooks.… Read the rest

Aiden Moffat and RM Hubbert – Ghost Stories for Christmas

December 27, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

As a self-confessed Christmas lover, I like to buy myself a new Christmas album every year.

This year, it was the turn of Aiden Moffat and RM Hubbert and who followed up the exceptional Here Lies the Body with their triumphant Ghost Stories for Christmas. You won’t hear on this any of the saccharin sweet songs that could only be listened to at one time of year and you tire of after a few listens. This may be a Christmas album, and yes, the songs may have a theme of Christmas to them, but I know I will listen to this all year round.… Read the rest

Jonzip/Razor Ramon, EX- and PowderKeg singles

December 27, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Over the last few weeks I got my greasy mits on a few new singles/EPs, two from bands/artists I was already familiar with and another from a band who tick all the right boxes in becoming a band I want to hear a lot more of in the future.

Jonzip & Razor Ramon

First up is a new single from the legendary globetrotting Jonzip (of The Zips/Passionate Friends fame). This time feeding my vinyl addiction releasing a new joint 7” release with Portugal’s Razor Ramon (not to be mistaken for the wrestler of the same name).

Three top quality punkobillytastic tracks.… Read the rest

Madness – Hydro – 17/12/18 (Glasgow) (Guest review from Mainy)

December 27, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Madness, Madness, They Call it Madness

Magnificent, masterful, and mind blowing. What an absolutely stunning performance.

Madness are without a shadow of a doubt a jewel in the crown when you consider what the UK has given to the world musically. The Beatles, Kinks, Rolling Stones, Bowie, the Clash and the Sex Pistols, have always muscled in to command attention at the front of the pack of greats, but there’s Madness right there too. Cheekily slipping in to rub shoulders with them, and rightfully laying claim to being an iconic institution who can more than hold their own in such esteemed company.… Read the rest

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

December 11, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

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

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock) Guest Review

December 3, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The DeRellas – Bellfield Tavern (Kilmarnock)

Number two in an occasional series of guest reviews. This time its from leader of the Reservoir Droogs himself, Mr Alex “Mainy” Main.

Kilmarnock…

When you ask people if they have heard of the Scottish town of Kilmarnock the response usually starts off on a positive note and then it quickly goes downhill.

A sad but true fact. Those of us who live there are pretty much used to this reaction by now.

It normally starts with “It was home to Johnnie Walkers whisky wasn’t it?” and then we get “Robert Burns had his first book of poems printed there didn’t he?”… Read the rest