Cyanide Sundae – Nothing to Lose EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Not a new release but one of these “new to me” bands that I have been listening to over the weekend.

Nothing to Lose EP

Nothing to Lose is a 4 track EP of sonically appealing gravelly vocalled melodic hard rock, with well-structured and thought out songs. They appeal to the side of me that loves The Yo Yos, Wildhearts, The Main Grains, Therapy?, Zodiac Mindwarp – rock music that dips its toe into a bit of punk attitude.

Lead track, What Can I Do?, the track which provides the name of the EP, is all driving guitar, pulsating bass and crashing drums.… Read the rest

The Vulpynes – EP review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Vulpynes

One of the most exciting bands I’ve seen or heard in recent years is a two-piece from Scotland – Jo and Nicky Darc of The Twistettes.

There must be something in the Celtic water as I’ve just experienced the debut EP from cousins in spirit from across the water. Dublin 2-piece The Vulpynes (Maeve Molly – vocals & guitar & Kaz – drums).

Like the Twistettes, Vulpynes make a supremely loud and eminently listenable racket for a 2 piece eschewing the need for un-necessary additional members.

The four tracks on the EP showcase the bands obvious talents. Maeve providing sophisticated dirty, grungey garage rock guitar licks while Kaz does a mighty fine job as rhythm section with intricate tight pulsing drumming, a perfect foil for the rich vibrant vocals provided by Maeve.… Read the rest

ILL – We are ILL – album review

May 7, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

ILL vs Music Today

I like music to inspire, to excite and invigorate. To take me off in unexpected directions and escape reality, or at least give me a different take on reality. I like my music to provoke thought but not be too po-faced. Music is for enjoyment, it can be fun even if you’re trying to make a point.

I can’t stand the unending conveyor belt of beige, insipid, uninspiring bands (groups?) that appear in droves these days. On one hand I blame reality shows like X Factor. All because a similar group/pretty boy with a guitar released an instantly forgettable ditty that became massive.… Read the rest

Ginger Wildheart Interview

May 1, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger – Ghost in the Tanglewood

Ginger Wildheart has recently released his latest solo album, Ghost in the Tanglewood, recently reviewed on my blog. Personally, I found the album to be inspirational. I wanted to talk to Ginger about the background to this very personal album, much of which focuses on his own battle with depression.

While people are more open about talking about Mental Health these days, there is still too much of a stigma around it. The more people like Ginger are willing to share their personal experiences, the further society can progress. It can only help in understanding and supporting those who do battle depression and other Mental Health issues.… Read the rest

Ginger Wildheart – Ghost in the Tanglewood – album review

April 18, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Ginger Wildheart

It took me a while to finally get round to picking up a copy of Ginger Wildheart’s latest album. Historically I have this image of Country & Western music being depressing and this generally draws me away from it. I don’t know why that has been the case, perhaps it is a perception I have built over the years through mis-representation and falsehoods. Maybe similar to strange beliefs some people have about mental health based on mis-conceptions and false perceptions.

With Ginger having had some public battles with his own mental health over the years, I wondered how this would play out.… Read the rest

The Filthy Tongues – Back to Hell – album review

April 16, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Martin Metcalfe is a multi-faceted and very busy man.

Playing live in various guises, recording, painting and organising art shows/books and on top of his own workload, writing for other bands.

The Fornicators in Glasgow Part 2

In recent weeks I picked up the second CD (Part 2) of a gig recorded in Glasgow’s Audio last year. Playing under one of his many guises, Martin Metcalfe and the Fornicators, the gig was an acoustic affair. The band played a selection of tracks from the various bands Martin has been involved with over the years, along with some of the songs they have covered and have been an influence on him/the bands he has played in.… Read the rest

Accept Yourself

April 15, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

“When will you accept yourself?” (Morrissey, The Smiths, 1983)

Despite what the start of this blog looks like, this isn’t a music post. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with the Smiths or Morrissey per se, but everything to do with that lyric. It says a lot to me about my life.

I’ve had a number of conversations recently that has brought this to mind and I took that as an opportunity to post this blog.

Talk about your Mental Health

At work I have recently joined a team of Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions with a remit of raising awareness of mental health in the workplace.… Read the rest

The Fuck Ups & Soeur EP reviews

April 14, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Why you should go to gigs early

Next up, it’s a couple of CD EPs I’ve recently picked up as a result of seeing some great support bands at gigs.

Anyone that doesn’t turn up early to gigs to see the support bands isn’t only doing a dis-service to the bands who put the effort in, but they are missing the opportunity to see some great bands.

The Fuck Ups – Lies

First up, it’s the Fuck-Ups from Ayrshire and their new EP Lies. I recently caught the band playing as support to Rats From a Sinking Ship in the Hug and Pint in Glasgow.… Read the rest

The Claudettes: Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium – album review

April 13, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

The Claudettes

Two of my favourite TV shows in recent years have been Tremé & Twin Peaks. The former telling the tragic, but in some ways uplifting stories of those affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Largely ignored and forgotten by the government leaving them to rebuild their lives themselves. The latter being the return of the strange world created by the mind of David Lynch.

So why do I mention these here? After all this isn’t a TV review.

Music for New Orleans or perhaps the Bang Bang Club?

Let me explain. I have been listening to a new album Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium this week.… Read the rest

Ya Ya Logic – Own the World

April 8, 2018 By neilho27@sky.com

Some Ginger Quiff ramblings…

When I started my blog, it was for a number of reasons, mainly to give me a release and something to occupy my mind in the times where my thoughts would take me to places I didn’t want to go.

My thought was It would help me focus and write about music I love and raise awareness of Mental Health Issues, if no-one ever read it, then it was still worthwhile for my own sanity.

It has led to much more than that though, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to write reviews for Louder Than War – both online and in the magazine, and write articles for other blogs.… Read the rest