2019 - The Ginger Quiff

Goodbye Mr MacKenzie – Live in Barrowland

December 23, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Its Monday. I’ve just about finished peeling myself off the ceiling after the festivities of Friday night. No, it wasn’t Christmas night out madness on the last Friday before Christmas, trying to avoid the once a year drinkers and unbearable queues at bars where people don’t have a clue what they are ordering. No, although there were a few beers involved, this was a far more cultured affair. It was the return of all conquering heroes, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, to the world’s greatest music venue, the legendary Glasgow Barrowland.

Who knew 12 months ago, this would be the last gig I attend in 2019.… Read the rest

What 2019 gives…

December 9, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

It is that time of year again, when we look forward to … General Elections??

Stuff the majority of those turkeys spewing forth their lies and wallowing in the glow of their own over-inflated egos, making grandiose gestures while viewing everything around them as a mere obstacle on their way to power. Sod the truth, with some notable exceptions they will say whatever it takes to get into power so they can then fuck everyone over in their own inimitable style.

I used to enjoy following the comings and goings in the world of politics, but it has become such a real-life parody that even the best comedians must struggle to lampoon certain individuals and the ridiculousness demonstrated by their lack of self-awareness.… Read the rest

Back, like a bad penny…

December 9, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I’m back. Like a bad penny.

I’ve been away from the Ginger Quiff for a short while, but still probably longer than I had initially hoped or intended. Like many others, balancing work and life is sometimes a challenge. Occasionally, that constant juggling of commitments ends up in us dropping a ball.

At times though, it must be a conscious decision to juggle with less balls to make it easier on yourself.

Take a break

Initially, it wasn’t a conscious decision to step away from my blog, I just lacked the free time and head space to give it the quality time I wanted to.… Read the rest

Ezra Furman: Live in Glasgow – review

November 13, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Once again, Mainy is stepping into the breach with a review of Ezra Furman live in Glasgow, Furman’s latest album, Twelve Nudes, has quickly cemented itself as one of my favourites of the year.

All words by Alex “Mainy” Main

Sheer Force of Talent

Artists such as Ezra Furman don’t come around often. They are the rare breed who become iconic through the sheer force of their talent. Easily referenced genre tags fail to stick as they transcend beyond the terms that would ultimately box them in.

Is it punk? Is it rocknroll? Is it queercore? Is it pop? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.… Read the rest

Shakespears Sister - Live in Glasgow poster

Shakespears Sister: Live in Glasgow – review

November 13, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

As I am on a bit of a forced sabbatical from the Ginger Quiff, Alex “Mainy” Main is filling the void for me. A while ago, I did something I do all too often. I purchased tickets for a gig without checking the dates…schoolboy error. Anyway, thankfully Mainy was happy to take the tickets for Shakespears Sister off my hands and in return, he has shared his thoughts for the GQ.

Cheers Mainy…

Once upon a time I stood in a field and watched Shakespears Sister take the preconceived perception of them as a lightweight pop band and savagely tear it up before casting it to the wind.… Read the rest

The Armory Show – Live: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut – Glasgow

October 18, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Now and then a gig creeps up on you, one you have been looking forward to it, but has been slightly under your radar, life takes over and the night arrives without you really realising it. You’re expecting a good performance, but then the band strike up the first chords…

Last night was a case in point, The Armory Show (not a mis-spell) surpassed all expectations, speaking to several others after the gig, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Mystify

It had already been a week of revelations and back stories. Having already attended a preview of Mystify, a revealing documentary about INXS frontman, the charismatic Michael Hutchence, which filled in several blanks, revealing the tragic events which subsequently led to his behaviour changes and triggered the chain of events that led to his sad and untimely death.… Read the rest

Mental Health Awareness Day 2019

October 10, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Once again, Mental Health Awareness Day/Week has crept up us. It is still a shame that we have a focus like this on Mental Health, that it isn’t yet something that is fully accepted into society and people can speak openly in social or work situations without others judging, outwardly or inwardly, or experiencing feelings of guilt or embarrassment. Having said that, I know there are inroads being made and the more people that do feel they can speak up, the better. More and more organisations are seeing the benefit of having policies around Mental Health and making workplaces safe spaces where people get the support they require rather than being judged or labelled as lazy, or an absence statistic that needs dealt with.… Read the rest

LoGOz – Psycho Radio – review

October 7, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Guest reviewer Alex “Mainy” Main reviews LoGOz, fresh from watching them play The Great British Alternative Weekend in Skegness. I think it is safe to say they were one of his highlights:

The Third Wave

When the second wave of punk that was loosely termed UK82 gave way to a third wave of pop ska hardcore punk from the US those of us who preferred melody rejoiced. The umbrella that the third wave of populist punk rested under was as broad as the initial punk one was. From the tongue in cheek humour of Blink 182 to the politically charged Propaghandi we had it good.… Read the rest

Def Robot – Sabbatical album review

October 7, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

5 months, 5 albums

I’m playing catch up with a burgeoning inbox of new music, and in doing so I am too slow for prolific band Def Robot. As I prepare to write some words about their 4^th album, Sabbatical, they have announced the release of their 5^th album, Play This When We’re Gone next week.

Based on the album release rate by other bands you may be forgiven for thinking I am way behind with this one, but if I tell you that their first album was released on 24^th of May, with the 5^th due on 18^th of October, you can maybe cut me some slack…

Filler or killer?

… Read the rest

Pixies – Live in Glasgow, O2 Academy

September 23, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

I may recently have been less than complimentary about the latest Pixies album Beneath the Eyrie. I mean, it isn’t a bad album, it just kind of washed over me on the first few listens, it was undoubtedly Pixies, but just didn’t move me.

Sunday night, 22^nd September, Glasgow O2 Academy was an altogether different beast. If you were there and you didn’t feel moved, you are possibly Ed from the opening track of the band’s epic set.

Epic

The set time was listed from 9pm until 10.45pm with a curfew of 11pm. Black Francis and Co pushed the timing to its outer limits, ending their set almost bang on 11pm and I don’t mean, leaving the stage and returning for encores.… Read the rest