January, 2019 - The Ginger Quiff

The Super Pumas – Prop Drop

January 27, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Inverclyde 3 piece The Super Pumas release their new single on Monday 28^th January.

The band are Lee on Guitar/vocals, Jim on bass and Div on Drums

Prop Drop is a more than worthy follow up to last year’s addictive hook laden Circles Roaming single.

The bands grungey alt-rock style is represented perfectly on the new single and accompanying video which will appeal to fans of Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Therapy?. Kicking off with staccato drums and guitar, before assaulting the eardrums with full on riffing, the song develops, and rises and falls throughout. Bursts of full on energy assault your senses,
“Prop Drop police they are raging, raging”, before bringing the tempo down with delicate husky vocal and gentle guitar between,“Find your shelter, any which way that you like”.… Read the rest

New Year, New York

January 27, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

New York

The name conjures up so many images in my head. Granted, many are from the movies, but probably more arise from the allure the NY underground music scene holds for me, and the fascinating stories and tragic tales that surround it.

Times Square, New York Dolls, CBGBs, The Ramones, Johnny Thunders, Max’s Kansas City, Blondie, Patti Smith, Suicide, The Chelsea Hotel, Sid ‘n Nancy, Television, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed…

“New York City is the place where they said: Hey babe, take a walk on the wild side”

Mainstream

In more recent years bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, The Hold Steady and The National (among many others) rose to mainstream prominence having formed in, played their initial gigs or been associated with New York.… Read the rest

The Gold Needles – Pearls: Album review

January 4, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

One of my most listened to albums from later in 2018 finally gets the gingerquiff review treatment.

The Gold Needles released Pearls way back in March, but like a bunch of other albums in my “must listen to” pile, events and life took over resulting in me now having a pile of “still must listen to” albums.

When I finally get around to listening, a lot of this pile has had me kicking myself that I didn’t get to them earlier as they have been a revelation and long-term fixtures on my turntable, CD player or iPod.

Gold Needles album is one of those.… Read the rest

Joe Strummer Night – King Tuts, Glasgow: 22nd Dec 2018

January 4, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

22nd December

22nd December 2002. A date that resonates with people of a certain age and musical persuasion. The date that saw the untimely death of a musical hero to many, John Graham Mellor. Better known to most as Joe Strummer, lead singer of the Clash, the Mescalero’s, Latino Rockabilly War, the 101ers…

22nd December. Since 2003, a date that is now also synonymous with an annual pilgrimage to King Tuts Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow to pay tribute to the man, the myth, the legend – Joe Strummer.

22nd December 2018. 16 years down the line was no different. Or was it?… Read the rest

HMV Matters

January 2, 2019 By neilho27@sky.com

Music makes me feel.

That’s it. It makes me feel.

Alive.

Euphoric.

Sad.

Emotional.

Joyful.

Music makes me feel.

Music doesn’t fix anything per se, but it can go a long way to helping. It can soothe the soul. It can get the anger out. Or the tears. I can’t imagine life without music.

The Voice is fading

It is also one reasons why I was upset at the news of HMV (and by default Fopp) going into administration for the second time. I’ve read a lot of disparaging things about HMV both in the press (an ill-judged and badly worded article in the Guardian) and from the music fans and the general public including some friends that surprised me at their dismissal.… Read the rest